Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1896 — The Plans Are Accepted [ARTICLE]

The Plans Are Accepted

And Bids For Building the New Court Reuse Are Advertised For. The long expected plans and specifications'for the new court house men broughi last Thursday, by Mr. Weatherhogg, of Fort Wayne, partner of the architect, Mr. Grindle. An inspection of the phuis, frith all their multituduions details of drawring, makes it ptai® wrikf so long a time was necessary for their execution. A vast amount Of careful and exact work is required on such a set .of, plans and specifications. So far as can be judged from the drawings of the architects, the building will be a very handsome, imposing and dignified structure, in outside appearance. Its interior arrangement seems to be everything that could be expected or reasonably desired. We expect to he able to pre sent to our resdttft, * out of the bnilding, within a week or two, and defer until that is wady, a more complete description. The building wifl have two main floors, a basement floor, and a subbasement, or cellar,the latter, frill be the furaaceipfotl and storage rooms, etc. In t|e basement story, which will be Mlel with the grade outside, will be the offices of of the sheriff, the oMmty assessor, and the superintendent; Also the janitor’s room, a memorial room, etc. In the first main, or second story

floor counting the basement, will be the offices of the auditor, clerk, treasurer and recorder; also the commissioners’ court room. Ample fireproof vaults are connected with all these offices. In the second main floor, or third counting the basement, is the court room, jury rooms, library, judge’s office Ao. Also a second large room which, when needed, can be utilized for a second court room, as will some day be required. The size of the building on the ground is 120 by 72 feet, its greatest length extending east and west, or fronting on Washington street. Theft also large entrances on Van Rensselaer street and in the rear on Harrison street. On the Cullen street, or east side, there is a small entrance. There is a main tower in the center of the building; which will be *l6O feet high, to the top of the finial. The material to be used is No. 1 selected light buff Bedford Oolitic stone, the best quality. The architect gives bond that the building can be built, all complete, including all permanent flxtnrea, at a cost not to exceed $lO6 ,000. If it costs more he is to pay the excess. He also is bound to pay for any extras or additional cost that may result from his mistakes or incompetency. The'different floor plans and eleavations and working drawings, require 20 large sheets, of about 3 by 4 feet in size. The specifications are in a printed book, of 44 large pages. A full and careful examination of the plans and specifications mast, we are convince any unprejudiced person that they are the work of a thoroughly competent architect, and that Mr. Grindle is a master of his profession.

The Commissioners met in special session Monday, and formally accepted the plans and specifications, and ordered bids for the construction of the building to be advertised tbr. The advertisement appears in another place in this paper. The bids are to be opened Thursday, June 25th. The plans and specifications are now at the auditor’s office, subject to the inspection of the public; and the law requires that before the contract for the building can be let they most remain on each exhibition for six weeks. / A big delegation went to Kentland yesterday morning as witnesses in the Dexter vs Rensselaer case, The witnesses for the town were, Dr. I. B. Washburn, Mrs. Hettie Reynolds, Mrs. J. Q. Alter. Mrs. Blue, Mrs. W. H. Eger, H. W. Porter, and wiltoj Thos. Thompson and wife, T. J. McCoy, wife and daughter, Mrs. J. H. Cox, A. Woodworth, Marshal McGowan, Conrad Kellner, E. D. Rhoades, and J. M. Wasson. The witnesses for Dexter are H. J. Dexter and wife. The attorneys for the town are Thompson an,d Mills, and for Dexter E. P. Hammond, of Lafayette. Mrs. A. Woodworth is also a witness for Dexter.