Today, in mid-2022, plans are being made to move office holders and departments to other locations to facilitate the renovation of the Courthouse. When the current courthouse was in the process of being erected (1894-95) a similar circumstance existed. Several issues from the late 1800s are echoed today.
From Commissioners’ Book “O”
Removing County Offices from the Old Court House Building
Winamac, Indiana, Thursday June 28th, 1894.
The Board of Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment with the same members and officers present as at the day before when the following proceedings were had and ordered as recorded to wit: In relation to the removal of County Offices from the old Court House Building during the construction of the new one.
It is ordered by the board that rooms on the second floor of the J. D. Vurpillat’s Opera House building and J. F. Yarnell’s small building near the Christian Church be rented for the use and occupancy of the County Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Clerk and Sheriff during the construction of the New Court House building and that the front or west rooms on the second floor of the Holsinger building on the South east corner of Pearl and Monticello street in Winamac, Indiana, be rented to be used as Pulaski County Circuit Court and Jury rooms during the construction of the Court House as aforesaid, and that J. D. Vurpillat be paid as rent for rooms so rented of him the sum of Twenty Four ($24.00) per month, that J. F. Yarnell be paid six dollars per month for the building so rented of him, and that Hettie Holsinger be paid the sum of five ($5.00) per month for Circuit Court Rooms.
That the rooms and buildings above mentioned be and are now rented for the period of one year from this date.
On motion of Frederick Maibauer, court adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock AM Friday June 29th, 1894
Signed: E. W. Welch, N. M. Hiland, Frederick Maibauer, Commissioners
Winamac, Indiana, Friday June 29th, 1894.
Commissioners Court, Special June Session
The Board of Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment with the same members and officers present as at the day before when the following proceedings were had and ordered as record to wit: On motion of N.M. Hiland a recess was taken for the purpose of removing County Offices from old Court House building.
On motion of Fredrick Maibauer Court was adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock A M Saturday June 30th, 1894.
Winamac, Indiana, Saturday June 30th, 1894.
The Board of Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment with the same members and officers present as at the day before when the following proceedings were had and ordered as record to wit:
Ordered by the Board that Robbins & McCay be allowed Five Dollars for helping remove County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that John Kruger Jr. be allowed Four Dollars for helping remove the County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Oscar Stamats be allowed One and 25/100 dollars for helping remove County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that V. B. Burton be allowed 75/100 dollars for helping remove the County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Willard Scott be allowed Five Dollars for helping remove the County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Isaac Phillips be allowed Five dollars for helping remove the County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Victor Boyles be allowed Two dollars for helping remove the County offices from the old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that John Kruger be allowed Five dollars for helping remove the County offices from old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Milt Ewing be allowed Eight and 50/100 dollars for helping remove the County offices from the old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Nick Beckman be allowed Nine Dollars for helping remove the County offices from the old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that John Thompson Jr. be allowed 60/100 dollars for helping remove the County offices from the old Court House building.
On motion of N. M. Hiland Court was adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock A M Monday July 16th, 1894.
Here’s a question: Do these entries mean it only took three days to order the county offices to be moved and the payment of expenses to complete the move? Yikes!
On motion of N. M. Hiland, Court was adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock A M Monday July 16th, 1894.
Furniture for Temporary Offices
Special Session. Monday July 16th, 1894
Ordered by the Board that Lewis McCay and Albert Robbins be allowed Fourteen (14) dollars for putting up the furniture for Circuit Court room at the Holsinger Building.
Ordered by the Board that John Fishtorn be allowed One and 50/100 dollars for helping to remove County office fixtures from the old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board the Frank Dickensheets be allowed Two and 95/100 dollars for helping remove and put up (sic) furniture for Circuit Court room at Holsinger building.
Ordered by the Board that John L. Burton be allowed One Hundred Thirty Six (sic) and 55/100 dollars for insurance on the Public Records.
Carrying Coal from Basement of Old Court House / Boxing Trees
Tuesday July 17th, 1894
Ordered by the Board that John Kruger Jr. be allowed 75/100 dollars for carrying coal out of basement of old Court House building.
Ordered by the Board that Nick Beckman be allowed Five Dollars for boxing trees in Court House yard.
Sewer Lines / Surveying Court House Yard
Friday, July 20th, 1894
On motion of Fredrick Maibauer a recess was taken for the purpose of directing the removal of small buildings from the Court House site, also to direct the digging of trenches for new sewer pipe line (sic).
Saturday July 21st, 1894
On motion of Fredrick Maibauer a recess was taken for the purpose of directing the removal and cleaning of Court House drainage sewer.
Ordered by the Board the J. A. Sanders be allowed Two and 50/100 dollars for work on Court House yard.
Ordered by the Board that Jas. Rex be allowed Two and 50/100 dollars for work on Court House yard.
Ordered by the Board that John Fishtorn be allowed Three and 50/100 dollars for work on Court House yard.
Ordered by the Board that Solomon Hatfield be allowed Two and 50/100 dollars for work on Court House yard.
Monday July 23rd, 1894
Ordered by the Board that C. L. Wait be allowed Six dollars for surveying Court House yard.
Tuesday July 24th, 1894
On motion of Frederick Maibauer a recess was taken for the purpose of directing the laying of Court House Sewer.
Thursday July 26th, 1894
Ordered by the Board that Jas. Rex be allowed One dollar for working on sewer at Court House.
Foundation of the New Court House
Friday July 27th, 1894
It having become necessary in order to better the support or foundation of the Court House now in process of construction to lay a concrete footing, it is hereby ordered by the Board that there be layed under all walls and piers a concrete footing eighteen (18) inches in thickness projecting six (6) inches beyond the face line of the lower footing stone on each side to be composed of one part best Portland cement, two parts sand and two parts broken stone. The price of such concrete footing to be estimated by the Architect and to be in addition to the contract heretofore entered into and to be carried out in accordance with the provisions and conditions set forth in the original contract.
So ends the month of July,1894.
Tax Levied to Pay Interest on Bond
Special August Session. (no date)
Be it ordered by the Board of Commissioners of Pulaski County, Indiana, that for the purpose of paying interest on the $40.000 of Court House Bonds heretofore ordered and issued, there be levied on the taxable property of said County for the year 1894 the sum of five cents on each one hundred dollars upon such valuation: and that there be levied on such taxable property for the purpose of creating a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of said bonds the further sum of five cents on the one hundred dollars, upon such valuation for the year 1894 and that such levies be placed on the tax duplicates and collected and so applied as required by law.
Door Added to Basement for Coal
August 24th, 1894
Whereas it is deemed necessary to make an entrance to the basement in the Court House, now in process of erection, for the convenience of putting coal into the coal room and that such entrance is not provided for by the plans and specifications for such building.
It is therefore ordered that the contractor Jordan E. Gibson may and he is hereby authorized and employed to put in such extra doorway and door at the rear or South end of the building, at or near the South West corner thereof, such door to be not less than three feet in width, the stone work finish around such opening and frame and door to be alike and to conform to the finish around the windows in the basement of the building, the door to be in character and finish as other outside doors or near as may be, for and in consideration of which the said Gibson is to receive the sum of Sixteen and 50/100 dollars in addition to the amount specified in his original contract for the completion of such building and to be paid in like manner.
So ends August 1894
The Iron Fence from the Old Courthouse
Monday September 10th, 1894
Whereas the Board has determined that it is for the best interest of Pulaski County to sell 675 feet of iron fence taken from around the Court House Square in Winamac, Indiana.
It is therefore ordered by the Board that said fence be sold at public auction to the highest bidder, except that no bid less than 40 cents per running foot be received on Thursday the 15th day of November 1894 at the County Poor Farm. That one half of the purchase price be
required in cash on the day of sale, and the residue in one year from the day of sale, the purchaser giving his note therefor with 8 per cent interest from date of note and attorneys fee paid when due, waiving valuation and appraisement laws with approved personal security. And the Board further orders that the County Auditor act as auctioneer of said sale.
September 11, 1894
Ordered by the Board that J. E. Gibson be allowed Seven Thousand dollars for material and work done on Court House Building as shown by “A. W. Rush & Son” Architects certificate No. 2.
Ordered by the Board that J. E. Gibson be allowed Three Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Seven (sic) and 40/100 dollars; for Concrete $2331.00, for Excavating $207.20, for change stone to Brick $300.00, for moving Iron fence $23.50, for Sewer $395.70, and for stone ashlar $410.00, making total of $3677.40, all caused by the erection of Court House building.
So ends September
Hauling of Manure & Cleaning of Privy Vaults
Special October Term, October 8th, 1894
Ordered by the Board that Victor Boyes be allowed Eight dollars for hauling manure from vaults at Court House.
Ordered by the Board that Hatfield and Sanders be allowed Twenty dollars for cleaning privy vaults at Court House.
Various Payments
October 17, 1894
Ordered by the Board that J. E. Gibson be allowed Five Thousand Dollars as per contract on Court House and including Three Thousand Six Hundred forty three (sic) & 90/100 extra for concrete as allowed by the commissioners.
Ordered by the Board that A. W. Rush & Son be allowed Five Hundred Dollars for Court House; 2d installment on Court House for Architectural service.
Special Session November 17th, 1894
Ordered by the Board the J. V. Smith be allowed One Hundred Thirty Two (sic) Dollars for work of improvement of Monticello St. on east side of Court House lot.
Friday December 7, 1894
Ordered by the Board that J. D. Vurpillat be allowed Twenty Five (sic) dollars for office rent.
Change Order regarding Iron Floor Beams, Etc.
December 8, 1894
That whereas it has been determined and agreed to place in (sic) the first floor of the Court House now in process of Construction instead of the wooden floor joists as specified in the original plans and specifications and the finishing of said floor as originally specified. That the contractor shall in place and in lieu thereof place in said floor Iron floor beams and finish said floor as specified in new drawings and specifications furnished by the Architect for said first floor and now in the hands of the Contractor. It is ordered by the Board that the Contractor shall be allowed for such work including the beams arches fireproofing concrete floor complete according to said plans and specifications the sum of $5400.00 for said building less the amount of the cost of material and labor necessary to complete said first floor in accordance to the original plans and specification and the amount and cost of the work as originally specified shall be determined by the Architect and shall be deducted from the original contract price of said building.
End of December 1894
Cornerstone is Placed
January 1895: January 30, 1895
Ordered by the Board that Mrs. J. T. Holsinger be allowed thirty dollars on claim for rent of Court Room.
Ordered by the Board that Jerry Bair be allowed 50/dollars on Public Building Claim. (Meal ticket for Corner Stone Celebration)
Fireplaces
February 5, 1895
Ordered by the Board that the County Auditor be authorized to procure wood for county, the same to be delivered ready for use at the various offices and Court Room.
More Money Needed
February 5, 1895. Special Session
[This was not copied verbatim – the upshot is that there is not enough money to pay for the courthouse, and more bonds have to be issued.]
March 8, 1895
Ordered by the Board that J. D. Vurpillat be allowed One Hundred and twenty dollars for rent for the Sheriff’s, Treasurer’s, Clerk’s, and Auditor’s offices for five (5) months being from Oct. 1, 1894, to March 1st, 1895.
Another Method of Heating
May 8, 1895
Ordered by the Board that the proposal of Stevens & Bedwards for an additional Trap System to the heating apparatus for the Pulaski County Court House and for the sum of Five Hundred twenty one ($521.00) dollars is hereby accepted subject to the approval of the Judge of the 44th Judicial Circuit.
Proposal of Stevens & Bedford (sp?) [There is some confusion about this name because it is seen in two different places and spelled differently.]
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of Pulaski County.
Gentlemen, We the undersigned propose to change the System of Steam Heating to return Bucket Trap System. Place all the pipes the proper size to make a perfect noiseless job of its kind for the sum of Five Hundred and twenty one (521.00) dollars
Respectfully yours,
Stevens & Bedwards
Ordered by the Board that A. W. Rush & Son be allowed Two Hundred dollars on account of Court House Architect.
Ordered by the Board that J. E. Gibson be allowed Twenty Five hundred dollars on account of Court House as per statement of Architect.
A Little Drama
May 15, 1895
Whereas the order by the Board accepting the proposition of Stevens & Bedwards in regard to plumbing in the new Court House which order is found on page 487 of this record having not been approved by the Judge of the 44th Judicial Circuit the same is now held to be of no force or effect and the said Stevens & Bedwards are not bound by the same.
Wednesday June 5th, 1895
Ordered by the Board that J. E. Gibson be allowed Seven Thousand dollars on Court House as per estimate No. 5 of Architect.
Saturday June 8th, 1895
Ordered by the Board that John Kruger Jr. be allowed one and 90/100 dollars on claim; work on Court House sewer.
The Stone Wall, and Construction Projects Just Keep Coming Up
Monday June 10, 1895
Ordered by the Board that the Auditor advertise in accordance with law that the Board of Commissioners of Pulaski County, Indiana, will receive bids up to 9 o’clock a.m. July 2, 1895, for the Construction of a Stone Wall around the Court House Square in Winamac, Indiana, in accordance with the plans and specifications on file in the Office of the Auditor of said Pulaski County. Bids to be opened July 29th, 1895. The Board will reserve the right to reject any or all bids.
Whereas it has been made to appear to the Board that the County Jail situated on the public square in the town of Winamac, Pulaski County, Indiana, is in a dilapidated and unsafe condition and wholly insufficient for the purpose for which it was constructed and now dangerous to the health of the inmates thereof.
And whereas it has heretofore been condemned by numerous grand juries of the County as shown by their reports on file with the County Auditor.
And whereas the location of said Jail is such that it has become a nuisance to the citizens of the neighborhood. That said Jail being located so near to one of the main entrances to the County Court House is a great detriment and inconvenience to the Citizens of the County who have business at said Court House. That in its unsafe and irreparable condition great damage is liable to result therefrom.
It is considered by the Board that a public necessity exists for the tearing down and removing said Jail from its present location.
It is therefore ordered by the Board that said Jail be taken down and removed from its present location.
Tearing Down the Old Jail
Wednesday June 12, 1895
Ordered by the Board that Daniel Finnegan be, and he is hereby appointed to Superintend the tearing down the old county Jail as heretofore ordered. To see that all material of said Jail be carefully taken out of said building, slate taken off carefully without breakage, brick and stone cleaned of all mortar and dirt and all other material be carefully taken out and deposited in the manner and at the place the Board of Commissioner may direct. For said services said Finegan is to receive by said board the sum of $1.50 per day for each day so employed.
June 18th, 1895
Be it ordered by the Board that whereas the Jail in said county valued at $300., one wind mill and water tank connected therewith valued at $35, the bell heretofore used on the old courthouse valued at ten cents per pound, one cylinder pump valued at ten cents and wood shed valued at $3; all of which belongs to Pulaski County and are situated on the courthouse square of said county in the town of Winamac are in the judgment of the Board no longer required or needed for county purposed it is therefore ordered that said property be sold at public auction to the highest bidder upon the following terms: said jail will be sold on a credit of 5 years from date of sale purchaser giving note secured by first mortgage upon real estate to be double the value of the price paid for said Jail or by approved personal security at option of bidder, said note waiving valuation and appraisement laws, with interest at six percent after one year from date of sale interest payable annually and providing for attorney’s fees. The remainder of said property to be sold for cash. None of said property will be sold for less than the values above mentioned and the Auditor of said county is hereby appointed to attend and make said sale and he is required to give due and legal notice of the time, place, and terms of said sale as provided by law. The security is to be approved by the Board.
July 29th, 1895
Ordered by the Board that J. E. Gibson be allowed Five Thousand dollars on Court House contract.
Comes now John Hoadley Jr. and others and submit their bids for the erection of a coping upon and around the Court House square in the town of Winamac, Pulaski County, Indiana, and after examination of bids submitted the Board is of the opinion that said Hoadley is the lowest and best responsible bidder, and it is therefore ordered that the bid be and the same is hereby accepted and it is ordered that a written contract be entered into by the said Hoadley for the erection of said coping and for the price mentioned in said bid, to wit: $1968; that said Hoadley furnish a bond conditioned for the faithful performance of his contract.
Bids Accepted for Jail, Windmill, Water Tank, Old Bell, Pump, Wood House, New Bell Accepted
August 21st, 1895
Ordered by the Board that J. A. Sanders be allowed the sum of sixteen & 50/100 dollars for cutting eleven cords of wood and removing same from Court House square.
In relation to the sale of County property as advertised. Comes now Jacob Wirick as the highest and best bidder for the County Jail at the sum of Three Hundred & fifty-one dollars, and he same is hereby ordered sold when terms of sale are hereby complied with.
Comes now Moses A. Dilts as the highest and best bidder for wind-mill and water tank for the sum of Fifty dollars and the same is hereby ordered sold when terms of sale are hereby complied with.
Comes also Jas. R. Guild trustee of White Post township, Pulaski County as the highest and best bidder for old Court House Bell for the sum of fourteen cents per lb., and the same is hereby order sold when terms of sale are hereby complied with.
Comes also O. F. McCay as the highest and best bidder for Pump for the sum of Ten dollars and the same is hereby sold when terms of sale are complied with.
Comes also J. H. Wood (sp?) as the highest and best bidder for wood-house for the sum of three dollars and the same is hereby ordered sold when the terms of sale are compiled with.
Ordered by the Board that the New Court House Bell here on trial from Cincinnati Bell Foundry Company be and the same is hereby accepted.
Friday August 30, 1895
This is not a claim or an order, but just an entry:
Trip to Hartford City, Indiana and Dayon, Ohio to visit Court House and inspect furniture.
Aug. 27, 28, 29. Day & night.
Courthouse Furniture
Friday August 30, 1895
This agreement entered into this 30 day of August 1895 by and between The M. Ohmer’s Sons Company of Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Ohio, party of the first part, and The Commissioners of Pulaski County, Indiana, party of the second part,
Witnesseth, (sic) That the party of the first does hereby agree to construct and place in position in Court House in Winamac, Indianna, all furniture, material and labor set forth in the general conditions, general specifications and schedule, ratified hereby by the party of the second part.
And in consideration of the above covenant on the part of the party of the first part, the party of the second part, upon the full and complete fulfillment of this contract, here agrees to pay to the party of the first part the sue of $2976.00 Twenty Nine Hundred and Seventy six Dollars, in gold coin of the United States and in case there is not sufficient amount of money on hands, Then county orders are to be received in payment _____ (sic) days after competition of same.
Given under our hands and seals the aforesaid date.
Commissioners: M. Hiland, Fred Maibauer, R. B. Minton
END OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK ‘O’ / BEGIN BOOK ‘P’
September 3, 1895
Ordered that John G. Boyles be allowed the sum of five dollars for surveying court house yard.
September 4, 1895
Ordered that John Hoadley be allowed the sum of (?) Hundred and fifty dollars on Court House yard fence.
Moving Old Records from the Jail
[NOTE: Current Courthouse renovations also have to focus on the removal of records from the jail.]
September 5, 1895
Ordered that O. F. McCay be allowed the sum of Two and 65/100 dollars from moving the old records from the Jail.