Building the
Denton County Courthouse
compiled by David Strother
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 5, 1894
The Commissioners Court of Denton County, Texas met in special session at the Court House in the City of Denton for the purpose of taking into consideration the report of the architect relative to the condition and safety of the ( our) House building .... Members of the Court [are]:
S. M. Bradley, County Judge
S. F. Boner
E. B. Orr
C.W. Bates
J.M. Gary
Ordered that the Clerk issue a draft on the County Treasurer in favor of Flanders and Moore for the sum of $50.00 for architectural work on Court House payable out of the General County Fund.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, October 9, 1894
AN ARCHITECT EXAMINES THE DENTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
At the invitation of the commissioners court of Denton County Mr. J. E. Flander[s] and Moad [Moore], architects and superintendents, of Dallas, came up Wednesday and took a critical view and made an examination of Denton County's courthouse. His report has not yet been made [to that] honorable body. The substance of his report will be . . . that he will recommend the "rodding" of the building; the substitution of wooden ceilings for the plastered, which later, he says, are dangerous owing to their damaged and falling condition; the removal of the present heavy and tall, but sightly dome in its entirety; the removal of the damaged brick, and the repointing of the building.
Mr. Flanders said that he thought the needed repairs would cost from $2,000 to $3,000; but that they would make the building good for five years longer and possibly for many years more.
The Dallas Morning News, February 18, 1895
DENTON COURTHOUSE - COMMISSIONERS COURT POSTPONE ACTION FOR ONE MONTH
Denton, Denton Co., Texas Feb. 16 — The Commissioners Court adjourned without taking any action in regard to Denton County's damaged courthouse other than to put off the whole matter for a month. A Petition was presented to the court signed by every county officer and setting forth that the courthouse was condemned as unsafe by the grand jury in August, 1894; that later skilled architects, selected by the court, had examined the structure and pronounced the same verdict; that recently the cracks and rents in the walls had become much more pronounced, indicating a possible collapse at any time and placing in jeopardy the lives of the occupants, and lastly, praying the court to either at once take steps to make the structure safe or else provide another abode for the county officials.
The court's reply to the petition was to put the matter off for a month. In the meantime the district court is to convene and many people have declared that they will not serve as jurors or otherwise attend the sessions of the court if the latter be held in the old building.
A most ludicrous practical joke was played on the court today. A prominent attorney, who previously had said that the house was alright, and he only hoped that he lived as long as the house stood, was making an address to the commissioners when a barrel filled with tin cans, coal scuttles, and portions of a tin roof was let fall in the. A very great racket was heard as the barrel descended the winding stairway and the speaker, court and spectators made a wild and frantic rush to the windows and doors thinking the building was actually collapsing. The incident is the talk of the town and itself has cut quite a figure in thoroughly demonstrating the widespread anxiety as the safety of the courthouse.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, February 22, 1895
THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Much has been said in Denton and throughout the county about the unsafe condition of the courthouse. The courthouse is undoubtedly in a bad condition, but whether it is in a dangerous condition and so far beyond repair as to demand its being torn down we cannot say. It should be examined by experts, and, if it can be repaired for anything like a reasonable amount, that should be done instead of running the county into debt in these hard times ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 30, 1895
The court having under consideration the condition of the Court House, concluded to defer any action on the same until some future meeting of the Court.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 6, 1895
Moved by Commissioner C. W. Bates that the Court proceed to build a new Court House for the use of Denton County .... Seconded by Commissioner J. C. Brannon. [A vote was taken. All four Commissioners voted "yea". County Judge S. M. Bradley voted "no".]
It is ordered by the Court that the Clerk . . . issue a warrant . . . of $150.00 to the Commissioners Court for the purpose of defraying expenses of the members of the Court in an examination of Court House buildings recently built in different counties in Texas.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 10, 1895
Ordered by the Court that the sum of $77.60, the amount of excess money left out of the $150.00 expense money allowed by the Court on May 6, 1895 . . . be paid back to the Treasurer ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 15, 1895
Moved by Commissioner C. W. Bates that the Court proceed to issue bonds for the erection of a Court House for Denton County, Texas; and seconded by J. C. Brannon and vote taken: Commissioners Hoard Smith (District 1), J. C. Brannon (District 2), C. W. Bates (District 3), and J. M. Miller (District 4) voted "yea". County Judge S. M. Bradley voted "No".
Resolved that the Commissioners Court . . . order Court House bonds issued to amount of $100,000.00 for. purpose of building Court House ... in Denton . . . said bonds to be issued in denomination of $100,000.00 each — said bonds be sold or any part of them that the Commissioners Court. . . may deem proper for the erection of said house and that an annual tax of ten cents on the $1000.00 of all the taxable property in said county be levied to pay principal and annual interest in said bonds.
Signed: C. W. Bates
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 18, 1895
Ordered by the Court that the Clerk give notice by publication in the Dallas News that the Court will convene in called session on June 24, 1895 to receive sealed bids on the plans and specifications for the erection of a new Court House not to exceed $100,000.00. Said Court reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, June 21, 1895
The [commissioners] court rented the east room of the ground floor of the May building, the second story rooms of the Paschall building and the old post office building east of Paschall's for court and office purposes.
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 2, 1895
Ordered by the Court on motion of C. W. Bates, seconded by J. M. Miller, that all the plans and specifications presented to the Court by the several architects be and are now hereby rejected.
Ordered by the Court on motion of J. C. Brannon . . . that the Court select and employ J. R. Gordon as architect to make plans and specifications for the Court House in Denton. Vote taken: Hoard Smith (1), J. C. Brannon (2) and S. M. Bradley (County Judge - "yea". C. W. Bates (3) and J. M. Miller (4) - "no"
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 3, 1895
Ordered by the Court on motion by J. C. Brannon . . . that the resolution of C. W. Bates be adopted and entered upon the minutes of this Court,
To wit:
Resolved that the court take the plans of J. R. Gordon and commence at the basement and give said plans a thorough investigation and suggest such changes as the Court may agree on and order the Clerk ... to write down the size and height of the building, the number of rooms, the thickness of each wall, or in other words an itemized statement of all material proposed to be used in said building and also total cost of all changes; the cost or an estimate of the cost of said building and have said estimates signed by J. R. Gordon before said plans are taken away from this Court, and also to require a bond from the said Gordon to secure Denton County that the plans after being corrected will be in keeping in all of its parts with the itemized statement taken by said County Clerk. Ordered by the Court on motion of J. M. Miller . . . that the Court adopt the Romanesque style of architecture for the Denton County Court House as shown in the design prepared by architect J. R. Gordon.
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 6, 1895
. . . Ordered by the Court that the proposition of Benjamin Brand to take down the Court House of Denton County . . . is hereby accepted. Said proposition... as follows:
1) ... I will take down the building — first carefully removing all windows and doors and take down all window and door casings and frames and stock them on the county lot near the north east corner of the public square or in the basement of the May House as the Commissioners may prefer.
2) Take out all timbers in the floors, ceiling, roof and tower and carefully stack the same on said lot near the N. E. corner of the public square.
3) Take down and remove all stone in the building and stack the same at a distance of not less than twenty feet from outside of walk around Court House.
4) All brick to be taken down and left on the ground.
5) To carefully protect the shrubbery and shade trees in Court House yard; for all of said work the Commissioners will pay me the sum of $575.00 to be paid as the work progresses. All of said work to be done on or before August 10, 1895.
Benjamin Brand
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, July 12, 1895
PLANS FOR THE NEW COURT HOUSE From among the plans of about fifteen architects the commissioners selected the plans of Mr. J. R. Gordon, of San Antonio, which, with some changes, will be used in the construction of the new courthouse. Mr. Gordon's plan is an excellent one. It provides for a house of three stories and a basement story, four entrances from the corner, a rotunda in the center of the building, a district courtroom on the second floor and a gallery on the third with a combined seating capacity of about 800. All offices are to have the necessary vaults, mid the county clerk's office is especially commodious and convenient.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, July 19, 1895
DENTON DOINGS
Benjamin Brand has the contract for tearing down the old courthouse .... He has already commenced work ... The county officers have offices in different buildings on the square. The county clerk, tax collector, treasurer, assessor, sheriff and surveyor are on the first floor of the May building and the district clerk, county judge and sheriff are quartered on the second floor of the Paschall building.
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 25, 1895
Moved by Commissioner J. C. Brannon ... to reconsider the order of this Court employing J. R. Gordon as architect for Denton County and it is therefore ordered by the Court that said order be reconsidered.
On motion of C. W. Bates that the Court rescind the order ... wherein ... J. R. Gordon was employed as architect for the new Court House for Denton County. It is therefore ordered by the Court that said order employing J. R. Gordon as architect ... is hereby rescinded, cancelled ... and of no further force or effect.
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 27, 1895
It is ordered by the Court that the contract to build the Clerk's office on the lot owned by Denton County on the N. E. corner of the square be awarded to Claywell and Killberg for the sum of $140.00, to be paid when said building is completed and accepted by this Court.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, August 2, 1895
TEMPORARY COURT HOUSE
The [Commissioners] while in session contracted for the erection of a corrugated iron building to be erected on the county's vacant lot on the northeast corner of the square. The building will be 28 x 60 feet and will be occupied by the county clerk and some of the other officials who are now in the May building. The fire proof record vault from the old court house will also be placed in the new building for the protection of the records.
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 6, 1895
The Commissioners Court heard the account of J. R. Gordon against the County of Denton for the sum of $3,325.00, for services rendered . . . as architect, and the said account having been presented and considered by the Court .... The Court is of the opinion that it should not be audited and allowed . . . and is hereby rejected.
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 9, 1895
Motion by C. W. Bates . . . that the Court employ W. C. Dodson as Architect ... to make plans, specifications and details, for a new Court House, to be erected in Denton, and supervision of same. It is hereby ordered by the Court . . . that W. C. Dodson be . . . employed ... at 3 1/2% for studies, complete drawings, details and specifications; and 1 1/2% for supervision; on actual cost of building.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, August 23, 1895
DENTON DOINGS
The commissioners court last Saturday adopted Mr. Dodson's plans for the new courthouse.... It is thought the building will cost about $80,0OO. It will be fire proof and will be three stories and a basement.
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 24, 1895
It is ordered by the Court that the District and County courts be held in the May Building, during the building of the new Court House of the County and until the new Court House shall be ready for occupancy; and said May Building is hereby designated as the Court House ... for the purpose of posting all notices required by law to be posted at the Court House door.
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 27, 1895
Court met . . . for the purpose of examining and investigating the different stone quarries of this County with a view of selecting stone for the erection of the new Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, September 11, 1895
Court met . . . for the purpose of further investigating the different stone quarries of the County . . . and to receive bids to furnish the brick for the new Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, September 21, 1895
. . . The Court proceeds to enter into a contract with J. Crouse to quarry and load the stone on the wagons to be used in the building and construction of the new Court [House] ... which contract is now on file In the office of the County Clerk.
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 1, 1895
The contract to weigh the stone to be used in the construction of the new Court [House] is ... let to A. D. Turner which contract is now on file in the office of the County Clerk.
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 2, 1895
The contract to build a plank fence around the Court House yard was . . . awarded to W. L. Reynolds as per his bid now on file ...
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 4, 1895
. . . Ordered by the Court that the contract to furnish the brick to be used in the erection of the New Court House ... is hereby awarded to the Denton Lumber Company upon their offer to furnish all the brick necessary in said building, to be delivered on the ground at such place and such time, and in such quantity as may be directed by the superintendent of the work on said building at the uniform price of $7.20 per $1,000 brick, no brick to be paid for unless they are as good in quality as the sample . . . furnished the Court by said Denton Lumber Company, and to be first accepted by the architect. All brick to be made in conformity with the specifications of the architect's plans now on file .... Brick to be paid for in lots of not less than 100,000 and no brick to be paid for until they have been accepted and received by the . . . architect.
. . . Ordered by the Court that the contract for furnishing cement for the new Court House ... is hereby awarded to the Denton Lumber Company upon their bid to furnish the German Hemmore Cement, delivered in the cement house on the Court House yard at $3.50 per barrel of 400 pounds each. All coopered cement furnished to be in good condition, to be determined by the architect. . . . The cement to be delivered as needed by the architect in lots of not more than two cars at a time unless otherwise directed by the architect and to be paid for when accepted by the architect.
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 28, 1895
. . . Ordered by the Court, that all rock haulers, who fail to shut the gates on the plantation of Mr. William Ganzer, or who fail to drive wagons on main road to and from rock quarry, or camp anywhere inside of said enclosure except at rock quarry and build fire in any place where there is any danger of burning off the grass of the said Ganzer or driving through the tank[?], will be stopped from hauling rock. Also, no one who did not pay taxes in Denton County for the year 1894 and is not now a taxpayer of Denton County shall haul any rock for the Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 31, 1895
Ordered by the Court that the contract to furnish "hot air flues" for the new Court House ... be awarded to Long and McCormick as per their bid . . . now on file ....
Ordered . . . that the contract to furnish the sewer pipe for the new Court House be awarded to the Denton Lumber Company upon their bid to furnish the Kansas City vitrified glazed sewer pipe as per their bid now on file.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, November 1, 1895
COUNTY NEWS
A great deal of rock for the courthouse foundation is now being brought in from the quarry seven miles northwest of town.
From the same issue
THE COURT HOUSE
The cement is being placed in the foundation of the new courthouse, about two feet deep, which will make a solid rock foundation, and preclude the possibility of a crack in the walls of the building. The house will be about one hundred and five feet square, and three stories above ground with a basement, in which the heating apparatus will be placed. The top of the main dome will be 140 feet from the ground and present a most imposing appearance. The flooring will be tiled and beautifully finished, and there will be about thirty rooms. The walls will be made of stone up to the water table. After that, the probability is that the rest of the wall will be made of fire-brick. Mr. Dodson, the architect, thinks it will require two years to finish the work. Judge Bradley thinks the work can be accomplished in eighteen months. It will require over fifty car loads of steel and fifteen hundred barrels of cement. A point of beauty and durability, it will be second only to the courthouse at Fort Worth, and will be the pride of {he people of Denton County.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 11, 1895
Ordered . . . that the bid for furnishing hollow tiles complete for the Court House be awarded to the Fidelity Fire Brick and Tile Company.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 12, 1895
Ordered . . . that Frank James' bid for furnishing window frames for the Court House be accepted, said frames to be according to plans and specifications.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 13, 1895
Ordered . . . that Christopher and Simpson of St. Louis, Mo., be awarded the contract for furnishing the iron material for the new Court House; material to be according to plans and specifications.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 15, 1895
. . . Ordered . . . that the Clerk . . . issue to Tom Lovell on the 13th day of each month a warrant against the County out of the Court House fund . . . for the sum of $150.00 in payment of his services as superintendent of the work of building the Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 16, 1895
Notice to Contractors: Bids are invited and will be received by the Commissioners Court of Denton County . . . until noon Thursday, November 28, 1895, for the furnishing of sandstone for . . . Court House. All bidders must furnish a sample of the stone they intend to furnish, six inches square. All parties will be required to accompany their bid with certified check for the sum of $100.00 payable to the County Judge, S. M. Bradley.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 18, 1895
The Court proceded from day to day to investigate the rocks in several parts of the County for the purpose of selecting the most convenient and best rock for building the Court House.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, November 23, 1895
COUNTY SEAT NEWS
The foundation for the new courthouse is being put in, and quite a number of stone cutters are at work preparing the stone for the basement. A large amount of stone is being hauled in from the Ganzer quarry north of town, but the material for the outside walls of the first, second and third stories has not yet been decided upon.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 28, 1895
Ordered . . . that R. S. Johnson be awarded the contract for furnishing the sandstone for the Court House trimming. Said contract is now on file
Ordered . . . that the Bond of Christopher and Simpson for furnishing the steel works for the . . . Court House, be . . . approved.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 29, 1895
Ordered . . . that William Ganzer ... is hereby awarded the contract to excavate the earth from over the rock at rock quarry at fifteen cents per cubic yard . . . , contract now on file ....
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, November 30, 1895
COUNTY SEAT NEWS
The stone cutters on the courthouse struck last Saturday [November 23]. They wanted $4.00 per day for nine hours work, instead of ten hours. By Tuesday the men had changed their minds, and with the permission of the court went to work at the old rate, 40 cents per hour, but asking which was granted that their day's work be reduced to nine hours, which will make $3.60 a day, instead of $4.00 as theretofore.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, December 7, 1895
TRIMMING SELECTED
The commissioners' court last Wednesday, selected the stone for the trimming of the new courthouse .... It is a grey sandstone, and makes a nice finish, and is used in Dallas. It will cost but eight cents per hundred pounds, delivered on the cars at the depot, guaranteed .... Proper material for the trimmings could not be found in Denton county. It seems that it costs very little more to get stone from Mineral Wells than from Denton quarries.
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 14, 1895
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant for the sum of $65.10 against the Court House funds . . . payable to J. M. Miller to defray railroad fees of the Commissioners Court to Galveston to investigate heating and closet system for the Court House.
Ordered , . . that the bid of Hutchuson and Goode, for unloading sandstone be accepted at $2.00 per car load delivered in Court House yard.
Ordered . . . that the bid of Craig and Conway be accepted for furnishing all Heach Long Leaf Pine lumber, 1/2 each — 2/12 — 14 & 16, at ground on Court House yard for the sum of $18.00 per [?] .
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 18, 1895
Ordered that E. F. Zumwalt be allowed $10.00 per month for making out reports of rock and sand hauled by the several hands for the new Court House, said reports to be made from the book kept by the weigher, A. D. Turner.
Ordered . . . that the contract be awarded to David Hughes of Fort Worth, Texas for furnishing the Pol Col. [polished columns], complete, according to plans and specifications, for . . . Court House; said col. are to be of Red Burnett Granit[e], for the sum of $3,525.00 . . . , contract now on file.
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 31, 1895
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant against Court House fund of the county in favor of Exchange National Bank for the sum of $178.08 in payment of freight charges on sandstone, paid by said bank.
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 1, 1896
Ordered . . . that L. W. Hutchuson ... be awarded the contract for unloading cars of iron at $3.00 per car.
Ordered . . . that the proposition of the Peck-Smead Heating and Ventilating Company of Cincinnati, Ohio be accepted for furnishing warming, ventilating and dry closet apparatus for the new Court House building for the sum of $2,325.00.
Ordered . . . that William Whybourn be . . . awarded the contract for furnishing the caps and bases for the new Court House, and is to be allowed $2,600.00 for the same. Contract and bond on file ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 9, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Exchange National Bank for $296.28 for freight paid on stone and iron for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 10, 1896
Ordered ... that Tom Lovell be allowed the sum of $23.05 for one crab gearing and express, per his bill.
Ordered ... that C. Pommer be allowed the sum of $11.20 for sharpening rock tools, etc.
Ordered ... that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of First National Bank for $8.25 in payment for material for derrick at Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 23, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant against the Court House kind ... in favor of Christopher and Simpson for the sum of $1,980.00 in payment of amount due on iron for first floor of Court House as per contract.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant on Court House fund in favor of S. M. Bradley for the sum of $90.90 in payment of amount due Pecos Red Sand Stone Company for car of stone for caps and bases for C !ourt House.
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant ... in favor of Exchange National Bank for the sum of $29.00 in payment of freight on one car of Mineral Wells sand stone for Court House.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, January 31, 1896
COUNTY SEAT NEWS
The brick plant has been placed in position and operation will begin at once.
More stone masons arrived here this week and will soon begln work on the new courthouse. There are at present about thirty men at work on the building.
Commissioners Court Minutes, February 6, 1896
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant on Court House fund for $98.85 in favor of Texas and Pacific Ry. [Railway] Company in payment of 659 yards of sand.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Tom Lovell, for express charges and sharpening and repairing tools for Court House, in the sum of $41.60.
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of C. W. Bates for $7.75 railroad fare to Dallas and Fort Worth to investigate flooring for Court House.
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant on Court House fund in favor of J. W. Gooch and Company for the sum of $90.00 in payment of corner stone for Court House.
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant ... in favor of Exchange National Bank for $880.46 in payment of freight paid by it on stone, iron, tiling, etc.
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of J. T. Stoats [?] be and is hereby accepted for the sum of fifty cents per yard for the loading of sand of Mingo on cars and unloading cars at Denton and delivering the same in Court House yard at Denton. Sand to be paid for by virtue of order of . . . Court when accepted by Supt. [building superintendent].
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, February 7, 1896
LAYING THE CORNER STONE
The laying of the corner stone of Denton county's new court house will take place tomorrow with appropriate ceremonies. The Masonic and other orders from various parts of the county will be present. The Pilot Point Masons will attend and a large number of others intend going from here. A big time is anticipated.
Commissioners Court Minutes, February 10, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue scrip ... for the sum of $400.00 in favor of Ganzer and Kincaid for excavating rock for new Court House.
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of the Denton Lumber Company for furnishing lumber for the Temuary [temporary] Court House ... is hereby accepted. See bid on file.
Ordered . . . that Long and McCormick's bid, to furnish iron and steel for Tern, [temporary] Court House ... is hereby accepted.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, February 14, 1896
THE CORNER STONE LAID
Saturday [February 8] was a bright, sunshiny, ideal winter day well adapted to the occasion of outdoor exercises such as Denton had in the laying of the corner stone of the county's new court house.
The program had been well arranged and consequently was rendered very creditably to all participants. The majority of the visitors began to arrive about 10:00 a.m. and by 12 o'clock a large crowd had assembled, among whom were many members of the Masonic fraternity from neighboring lodges.
Some five or six [Masonic] lodges in Denton county were largely represented and the grand lodge of Texas was represented by the Grand Chaplain, Bishop Garrett, and Junior Grand Warden Hamilton, of Farmersville.
It is estimated that about 250 or 300 Masons were in attendance.
The material of the corner stone is beautiful blue granite artistically polished and on it are engraved the names of the present county judge, each of the county commissioners, the architect and contractor of the building.
Following is a partial list of papers and documents placed in the corner stone:
Roll of members of Stanfield lodge; No. 217, A.F. & A.M.
Copy of each of the cities' newspapers.
Copy of the constitution of the state of Texas
Copy of the original act of the legislature creating Denton county
List of practicing lawyers in Denton county
List of city banks and their officers
List of members of Juanita Cornet band
Names of all county officers 10) Several Confederate bills.
Commissioners Court Minutes, February 15, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that S. M. Bradley be allowed the sum of $40.00 for services rendered in examining Court House Bonds and two trips to Austin to have said bonds approved and stamps furnished and corresponding with all parties concerning the different materials needed in new Court House ....
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, February 21, 1896
COUNTY SEAT NEWS
A temporary court house is being constructed on the county's lot, northeast corner of the square. It will contain a courtroom and two offices — one for the sheriff and the other for the county treasurer. The building will be 30 x 60 feet, and covered with iron. The work is being done by Mr. Frank Craft, contractor, and the intention is to have it ready for occupancy by the District Court, on the 24th instant.
The eighty columns for the entrances to the court house are being made of Granite Stone, from Burnett county. They are being cut and polished by electricity at Fort Worth and are beautiful.
Commissioners Court Minutes, February 27, 1896
Ordered . . . that Frank Craft be allowed the sum of $127.00 for building Temporary Court House.
$31.50 for 28 Day pulleys for $58.00 for 29 window frames
Ordered . . . that William Whybourn be allowed the sum of $208.00 for caps and bases for new Court House.
Ordered that Frank James be allowed windows of Court House.
Ordered that Frank James be allowed at $2.00 each.
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of Johnathan M. Lilly to make the mosaic flooring of the Court House ... at fifty-three cents per square foot ... is hereby accepted and the contract is hereby awarded to said Jno. M. Lilly, when he shall have filed with the Court a . . . bond ... of $5,000.00 for the faithful performance of his contract.
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 12, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that the new building on the county lot opposite the N. E. corner of the public square ... is hereby designated as the Court House of Denton County, Texas.
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 26, 1896
Ordered . . . that $91.56 be allowed the First National Bank for freight paid by it on sand stone for new Court [House] ....
Ordered . . . that the Exchange National Bank be allowed $380.94 for freight paid on material for Court House ....
Ordered . . . that David Hughes be allowed $1,000.00 on columns furnished for first floor of Court House ....
Ordered . . . that William Whybourn be allowed $128.00 for caps and bases for Court House ....
Ordered that the Empire Brick Company be allowed . . . $886.32 in payment for 123,100 brick for Court House.
Ordered . . . that Denton Lumber Company ... is hereby allowed $420.00 for 120 Bbls. of cement for Court House ....
Ordered . . . that the Clerk . . . issue a warrant in favor of National Park Bank of New York, for the sum of $2,225.00, being amount of interest due on Court House Bonds up to April 10, 1896.
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 10, 1896
Ordered . . . that the account of the Pecos Red Sand Stone Company be allowed in the sum of $91.25 for stone furnished . . . for Court House.
Ordered . . . that the account of the Fidelity Fire Brick & Tile Company of Fulton, Missouri be allowed . . . $500.00 in part payment for hollow tile for first floor of Court House.
Ordered . . . that the account of Denton Lumber Company be allowed in the sum of $146.20 for white lime furnished . . . for Court House.
Ordered . . . that . . . Denton Lumber Company by allowed . . . $45.36 for 6,300 brick for Court House.
Ordered . . . that R. S. Johnson be allowed . . . $100.00 for stone furnished for trimming Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 11, 1896
Ordered . . . that . . . the Dallas Morning News be allowed . . . $2.90 for advertising for stone cutters for Court House.
Ordered . . . that . . . Tom Lovell and S. M. Bradley be allowed $1.50 for two telegrams in search of stone cutters for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 23, 1896
. . . Ordered that Christopher and Simpson be allowed . . . $1,980.00 ... in payment of iron for third floor of Court House.
. . . Ordered that the Empire Pressed Brick Company be allowed the sum of $1,500.00 in payment for brick delivered on Court House yard.
. . . Ordered . . . that R. S. Johnson be allowed the sum of $25.00 for stone furnished for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 24, 1896
Ordered that the following notice be published in the Globe Democrat, six times, to wit:
Wanted; 15 or 20 non-union Stone Cutters on Denton County New Court House, wages 40 cents per hour, 6 or months work for first class stone cutters. Apply to S. M. Bradley, County Judge, Denton County, Texas.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 6, 1896
Court met for the purpose of considering bids on wood and steel furniture for new Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 11, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue a warrant in favor of C. C. Splawn, in the sum of $24.45 for 163 yards of sand for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 15, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Denton Lumber Company in the sum of $420.00 for 120 Bbls. of cement for Court House.
. . . Ordered . . . that the written bid of the Grand Rapids School Furnishing Company, through its agents J. B. Schmitz and McClurken be . . . accepted according to their written bid which is filed ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid on metalic furniture, for Court House, of Gender and Paeschke Mfg. Co., be . . . accepted, provided that the Court shall have the right to take list price and number and cut out such as the Court desire and the same cut out . . . shall be deducted from price, according to list price on file ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 21, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue scrip in favor of the Peck-Smead Heating and Dry Closet Company for the sum of $1,624.51 ... as second $1,500.00 in payment for brick delivered on Court House yard.
. . . Ordered . . . that R. S. Johnson be allowed the sum of $25.00 for stone furnished for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 24, 1896
Ordered that the following notice be published in the Globe Democrat, six times, to wit:
Wanted; 15 or 20 non-union Stone Cutters on Denton County New Court House, wages 40 cents per hour, 6 or months work for first class stone cutters. Apply to S. M. Bradley, County Judge, Denton County, Texas.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 6, 1896
Court met for the purpose of considering bids on wood and steel furniture for new Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 11, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue a warrant in favor of C. C. Splawn, in the sum of $24.45 for 163 yards of sand for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 15, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Denton Lumber Company in the sum of $420.00 for 120 Bbls. of cement for Court House.
. . . Ordered . . . that the written bid of the Grand Rapids School Furnishing Company, through its agents J. B. Schmitz and McClurken be . . . accepted according to their written bid which is filed ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid on metalic furniture, for Court House, of Gender and Paeschke Mfg. Co., be . . . accepted, provided that the Court shall have the right to take list price and number and cut out such as the Court desire and the same cut out . . . shall be deducted from price, according to list price on file ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 21, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue scrip in favor of the Peck-Smead Heating and Dry Closet Company for the sum of $1,624.51 ... as second
and third payments on heating system put in new Court House, that being the amount now due them, the county having paid freight on furnaces and c[harges] for them to the amount of $119.24 .
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of B. Brand for the bases and caps, for the Court House, in the sum of $98.00.
Commissioners Court Minutes, June 4, 1896
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Empire Brick Company in sum of $2,000.00, for brick furnished for new Court House.
Ordered that the Clerk issue a warrant in favor of John Martin, in the sum of $212.29 for sharpening tools for Court House hands.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of David Hughes in the sum of $1,200.00 for columns for the second floor of the new Court House.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of C. C. Splawn in the sum of $26.55 for 177 cu. yds., 26 cu. ft. of sand.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Ganzer and Kincaid, in the sum of $600.00, for excavating rock for Court House.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Whybourn and Brand, in the sum of $112.00 for caps and bases for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, June 12, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in the sum of $60.00, in favor of R. S. Johnson, for sand stone for Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, June 19, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue a warrant in favor of Brand and Whybourn for caps and bases, for new Court House, in the sum of $162.00.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of the J. W. Ripy Lumber Company in the amount of $1,125.52 for lime and cement for new Court House.
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in the sum of $1,148.02 to the J. W. Ripy Lumber Company for brick for new Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, June 26, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of Frank James for the sum of $75.00 for window frames for Court House.
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, July 3, 1896
DENTON ITEMS
The stone walls on the new court house building are reaching the top of the window casings on the third floor.
Last Wednesday afternoon [July 1] a stone cutter named Thomas Winsdale committed suicide by jumping head foremost from the second story window of the Powell House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 16, 1896
Ordered that the Clerk issue warrant in favor of the Exchange National Bank for the sum of $84.53 for freight paid on three cars of sand stone for the new Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, July 31, 1896
Ordered that David Hughes be allowed . . . $1,325.00 in full payment of Granite Columns for new Court House.
. . . Court opens the sealed bids of Attwell and Company and Long and McCormick for slating, and steel metal to be furnished and constructed for roofing new Court House and after examining the same and finding that Attwell and Company of Ft. Worth . . . bid is the lowest and best bid, it is therefore ordered . . . that said Attwell and Company be . . . accepted as the proper persons to do and perform said work and furnish said material at the bid of $3,588.00.
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 1, 1896
Ordered . . . that Guy Crouse be allowed . . . $2.25 for guarding gate at rock quarry.
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of J. B. Wilson and Company to furnish lumber for flooring, and rafters of courthouse be accepted .... Said bid now on file ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 11, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that J. Crouse notify all rock haulers that they shall come and go to and from rock quarry on the main traveled road and anyone so failing to travel said road shall not be allowed to haul rock . . . and this order instructs J. Crouse to refuse to load the wagons of anyone who fails to comply with this order, also no man shall be permitted to haul rock who camps on or inside the premises of William Ganzer.
Ordered . . . that J. Crouse be instructed ... to refuse to load the wagons of William Hutchison with rock at the quarry and it is further ordered that the said Crouse refuse to load the wagon of any party who shall run in ahead of any other rock hauler . . . and prevent same from loading or having his wagons loaded by the said Crouse according to time or turn.
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 14, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that R. S. Johnson be allowed . . . $225.00 in part payment of Mineral Wells sand stone for new Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, August 27, 1896
Ordered . . . that the Denton Lumber Company be allowed the sum of $458.58 for cement and lime for the new Court House ....
Ordered . . . that the Empire Brick Company be allowed . . . $1,000.00 in payment of brick furnished for Court House ....
Ordered . . . that the Exchange National Bank be allowed the sum of $1,023.07 for freight paid by it for material used on Court House.
Ordered . . . that the Fidelity Fire Brick and Tile Company be allowed $500.00 as part payment on hollow tiling ....
Ordered that the contract to make the inside finish of Court House be awarded to Frank James for the sum of $5,845.00, that being the lowest bid for said work.
Ordered . . . that W. C. Dodson, architect of Denton County Court House, be allowed . . . $800.00 for services rendered ... as said architect ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, September 10, 1896
. . . The Court proceeds to open the bids, for painting the . . . Court House, of the following persons:
Rageas & Wilt bid $2260.00
E. E. Thompson " $2348.00
C. F. Smith " $2450.00
Jno. W. Bray " $2461.00
Wilson &. Cash " $1200.00
Joe White " $3798.00
Bell et al " $2225.00
and after fully considering the bids of each party it is the opinion of the Court that Bell et al's bid is the lowest bid which complies with the requirements of the competition. It is therefore ordered . . . that said Bell et al . . . are hereby awarded the contract ....
. . . The Court proceeds to open the bids, for plastering the . . . Court House, of the following persons:
W. H. Kuhlman bid $545.00
Julius Peterson " $868.00
Gregson & Haydon " $1664.00
M. Gaynor " $1213.65
J. F. Waymine " $995.00
and after fully considering the bids ... it is the opinion of the Court that Julius Peterson's bid is the lowest bid which complies with the requirements of the competition. It is therefore ordered that said Julius Peterson ... be awarded the contract ....
Ordered that J. Crouse be allowed $158.40 for quarrying rock for new Court House ....
Ordered that John Martin be allowed . . . $11.35 for blacksmithing for Court House hands ....
Ordered that William Ganzer be allowed $11.95 for rock furnished Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, September 24, 1896
Ordered that the contract for plumbing the Court House be awarded to Long and McCormick on their bid of $445.00 ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 9, 1896
Ordered . . . that Benjamin Brand be allowed the sum of $200.00 . . . on caps and bases for columns for Court House.
Ordered that J. R. Sullivan be allowed the sum of $16.85 ... for freight and drayage for Court House material .... Ordered that Guy Crouse be allowed $3.25 . . . for keeping gates closed on quarry road.
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 20, 1896
Ordered that Christopher and Simpson be allowed . . . $3,300.00 . . . in payment of roof material for Court House.
Ordered that R. S. Johnson be allowed the sum of $150.00 for sand stone for Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, October 23, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant for . . . $29.75 payable to Frank James for making window frames for new Court House; said amount is all the money due the said James on first contract with Denton County ....
Ordered . . . that the propositions made by the Waco Electric Supply and Construction Company for wiring and fixtures in the sum of $800.00 and for speaking tubes, mouth pieces and whistles in the sum of $50.00, all for the new Court House, ... be accepted.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 6, 1896
Ordered that the Court purchase of the Empire Brick Company of Denton a sufficient quantity of strictly hard vitrified brick to floor the basement of the Court House at $7.20 per thousand to be paid for when placed in floor.
Ordered that the Empire Pressed Brick Company be allowed $1,567.88 for brick furnished for the new Court House ....
Ordered that the Denton Lumber Company be allowed . . . $2,010.00 for 60 bbls. of cement for new Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 9, 1896
Ordered . . . that W. C. Dodson be allowed the sum of $774.00 . . .
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 10, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that Ed. Zumwalt be . . . employed ... as book keeper for Denton County to keep account of all business concerning the new Court House. The said Zumwalt is to be paid . . . $15.00 per month from the first day of December 1897 until the work is completed.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 10, 1896
Whereas,
Maj. W. C. Dodson having been in the employ of Denton County during the past eighteen months as architect of the new Court House . . . and having discharged all the duties incumbent upon him as such architect, in a manner entirely satisfactory to the Commissioners Court of Denton County:
Therefore resolved by the Commissioners Court . . . that we commend Maj. Dodson to any Commissioners Court desiring the service of an architect as an upright, honorable, Christian gentleman and a competent and skillful architect.
Resolved further that the Clerk of this Court furnish Maj. Dodson a certified [copy] of this order.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 10, 1896
Whereas, Mr. Tom Lovell has been in the employ of Denton County for the past eighteen months as superintendent of the construction of the new Court House . . . and having discharged all the duties incumbent upon him as such superintendent in a manner entirely satisfactory to the Court:
Therefore resolved by the Commissioners Court . . . that we cheerfully commend Mr. Lovell to any one in need of a first class contractor and builder as a man thoroughly competent, painstaking and reliable. We find him a skillful builder and an honorable gentleman and we regard him second to none as a superintendent.
Resolved further that the Clerk of this Court furnish Mr. Lovell a certified copy of this order.
Commissioners Court Minutes, November 10, 1896
Whereas,
Dave Barbour and Pete Hasie have been in the employ of the Commissioners Court of Denton County for the past eighteen months as stone masons and having set all the stone in the new Court House . . . and the Commissioners Court having found them to be reliable and honorable gentlemen as well as competent and skillful mechanics, we take pleasure in commending them to any Court or other person in need of first class masons as men eminently qualified in their trade. We consider them inferior to none as stone masons ....
The Pilot Point Post-Mirror, November 20, 1896
DENTON ITEMS
We publish in the commissioners court minutes an itemized statement of the amount which has been expended in the erection of the new court house, to date about $108,000. We are informed by one of the court that the contracts already made by the old court raises this sum to about $147,000.
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 4, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that the sum of $200.00 be paid by J. Peterson on his contract for plastering the new Court House ....
It is ordered . . . that the Clerk issue a warrant ... for the sum of $1,250.00 in favor of Frank James as part payment for inside finish carpenter work for new Court House as per his contract to do said work.
. . . Ordered by the Court the sum of $57.91 be paid the Exchange National Bank for freight paid on two cars of sand stone from Weatherford, Texas, for the new Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 9, 1896
It is ordered . . . that the Clerk issue a warrant ... in favor of the Exchange National Bank for the sum of $86.43 for freight paid ... on iron safe doors and that the same be charged to the account of Christopher and Simpson of St. Louis, Mo.
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 10, 1896
It is ordered . . . that a guard or night watch be employed ... to guard the Temporary Court House from this date until the records are moved to the new Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 11, 1896
. . . Ordered . . . that J. H. Goode be . . . employed to guard the Temporary Court House at the sum of $30.00 per month.
Commissioners Court Minutes, December 23, 1896
It is ordered . . . that the stone from Ganzer quarry be used for the caps for the new Court House and that the order made by Tom Lovell for sand stone be countermanded.
. . . Ordered . . . that Benjamin Brand be . . . employed as superintendent of the building of . . . new Court House at the rate of $150.00 per month commencing on Monday [December 28, 1896] said Brand to be subject to the order of Commissioners Court and architect.
. . . Ordered . . . that Tom Lovell be paid the sum of $50.00 for services rendered as superintendent of . . . Court House, said amount being the pay in full to date.
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 2, 1897
Ordered . . . that R. L. Peter be . . . appointed guard for the Temporary Court House at the rate of $1.00 per night, said guard is to go on duty at 7:00 p.m. and remain on guard until 7:00 a.m. subject to the order of the sheriff. . .
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 16, 1897
Ordered . . . that Tom Lovell be allowed . . . $10.00 in full payment for his services as supt. of new Court House.
. . . Ordered . . . that John Martin be allowed . . . $104.00 for blacksmith work for the Court House ....
. . . Ordered . . . that John Clark and J. H. Goode be . . . employed to furnish stone in Court House yard to be used in the flues for the Peck-Smead heating and dry closet system in accordance and as called for in the specifications of said heating company or in such dimensions as the superintendent Benjamin Brand shall furnish the said Clark and Goode[;] ... no stone to be paid for that is rejected by the supt. or Commissioners Court and this order does not bind Denton County for any stated amount .... All stone that is accepted to be paid for at the [rate] of twenty cents per square foot.
Commissioners Court Minutes, January 29, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that Clark and Goode be paid . . . $36.00 for 180 feet of sand stone furnished for Court House ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the Empire Brick Company be allowed . . . $145.45 for 20,202 brick furnished for the Court House at $7.20 per M [thousand] ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of Jagoe, Ponder and J. T. Bottorff to represent Denton County in the suit of J. R. Gordon v. the said Denton County for a fee of $300.00 be accepted in accordance with their said bid which is on file ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, February 9, 1897
. . . Ordered that Attwell and Company, contractors on slate roofing, be paid . . . $578.25 which is the amount recommended as being due the said contractors by architect ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, February 13, 1897
Resolved that the Commissioners Court enter a protest against the way that Attwell and Company's hands are doing the work on ceiling overhead in the Court House, for the fact the Court does not think that the strips that ceiling is to be nailed to is strong enough to hold up the weight of ceiling and for further fact that said strips being put on are not jointed on the joints that they are or should be nailed to, and that Attwell and Company be furnished a copy of this order.
Ordered . . . that the contract between the Commissioners Court and the City Council of Denton, for running sewer pipe from Court House to north Elm Street, be . . . filed with the Clerk ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 12, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that Julius Peterson be paid . . . $268.00 in payment in full on his contract for plastering the Court House ....
. . . Ordered . . . that Long and McCormick be allowed . . . $598.50 in payment in full on their contract for plumbing of the new Court
. . . Ordered . . . that Attwell and Company [of Ft. Worth, Texas] be paid, $1,472.25 in payment in full . . . for slate roofing sheet material work on the Court House ....
Ordered . . . that W. Illingsworth be paid $700.00 in part payment on his contract for inside finish work on new Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 13, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that W. C. Dodson be allowed . . . $800.00 for services as architect of the new Court House.
. . . Ordered . . . that the Empire Brick Company be allowed . . . $174.96 in payment for 24,300 brick furnished for new Court House ....
. . . Ordered . . . that Jagoe, Ponder and J. T. Bottorff be allowed . . . $100.00 being one third of their fee for representing Denton County in the suit of J. Riely Gordon v. Denton County ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of the Denton Water, Light and Power Company ... to furnish the lights for the lighting of the Court House be accepted.
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 26, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that the proposition of Nels Johnson of the City of Manstee, Michigan, to furnish and set up complete in a good and workman like manner, in the tower of new Court House, one of his so called "Century Tower Clocks" with four 5' 3" diameter illuminated dials, dial hands, dial works and everything necessary to complete and make a first class job be and the same is hereby accepted, said clock ... to be paid for in 90 days from the date of completion, and to cost $1,200.00 . . . contract this day filed ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the Peck-Hammond Company of Cincinatti, Ohio, be paid . . . $465.00 being balance due said company for the heating and sanitary apparatus in the Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, March 27, 1897
. . . Ordered that W. Illingsworth be allowed $1,000.00 on his contract for inside finish work on new Court House ....
. . . Ordered . . . that the county surveyor in connection with the city engineer . . . proceed to survey and ascertain the required needed grade from the Court House to the sidewalk around the public square . . . and that the supt. of the Court House be directed to have the grade made in accordance with the recommendations of the surveyor and . . . engineer except eighty feet from the side walks the same to be graded by the City of Denton, the said city having agreed through its street committee to grade said eighty feet in each direction from the side walk and be graded in accordance with said recommendations of the city engineer and county surveyor.
. . Ordered . . . that the Moroney Hardware Company of Dallas be paid . . . $253.25 being the amount due ... for hardware furnished for Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 8, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that Johnathan M. Lilly be paid . . . $841.05 in full payment of the amount due him for putting in mosaic flooring in new Court House as per contract ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 10, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that R. L. Peter be paid $28.00 for guarding Temporary Court House for 28 nights ....
. . . Ordered . . . that T. E. Peacock be . . . awarded the contract to furnish sand stone for the curbing of the side walks in Court House yard; said sand stone to be of good quality and to be made free and clear of all iron ore, not less than two feet long, six inches thick, twelve inches wide and subject to the approval of the supt. of Court House.
Commissioners Court Minutes, April 29, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that Con Splawn be allowed ... $2.90 in payment for sand hauled from his place.
. . . Ordered . . . that the Exchange National Bank be paid . . . $512.08 for freight paid by said bank on Court House furniture.
. . . Ordered . . . that the bid of James Goode to furnish sand stone for curbing at 12V2 cents per running foot ... be accepted.
. . . Ordered . . . that William Shaw be awarded the contract to cut and put in place all curbing stone for Court House ....
Ordered . . . that W. Illingsworth be paid . . . $1,176.00 being amount due him in full for inside finish work on Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 10, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant . . . for . . . sixty cents payable to the agent of the M. K. and T. R. R. Company for freight on chain around Court House ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 12, 1897
. . . Ordered . . . that Denton Painting and Decorating Company be employed to paint Court House yard fence for . . . $50.00 that being the lowest bid, which company is to put on two coats of silicon graphite paint ....
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 15, 1897
... Ordered . . . that the Clerk issue warrant . . . for . . . $90.00 payable to Ben Brand, said amount being due . . . for services rendered as foreman of Court House work; and said amount being ... a final settlement with the said Brand for all services on said work. . . .
Commissioners Court Minutes, May 21, 1897
Resolved that the janitor shall be required to take care of the Court House and yard except the different rooms occupied by the different county officers and shall not be allowed or required to care for said rooms ...
Ordered . . . that Treasurer set aside $1,600.00 subject to the order of the Grand Rapids School Furnishing Company or its regular authorized agent, said amount as part payment due on ... furniture for said Court House.
Ordered . . . that Clerk issue warrant . . . for . . . $100.00 payable to James Goode as part payment on curb stone for Court House yard.
Ordered . . . that Clerk issue warrant . . . for . . . $354.76 payable to the Electric Lighting and Wiring Company of Waco, Texas, said amount being the amount in full for said contract for wiring and lighting Court House ...
Ordered . . . that Clerk issue warrant . . . for . . .$60.00 payable to William Shaw for cutting stone as per contract on curbing stone for side walk on Court House yard, as part payment ...
Ordered ... that Clerk issue warrant . . . for . . . $972.20 payable to W. C. Dodson as final settlement with said Dodson as architect of . . . Court House.