At 8:07 am on May 15th 1969, the 125 foot tower of the Lycoming County Courthouse came tumbling down. Demolition had begun days earlier.
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Philadelphia Anno D1. 1804."
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THE FIRST COURT HOUSE.
Before the jail was completed steps had been taken to build a court house. This was a necessity. The first entries in the commissioners' book relating to this improvement appear as follows: "December 5, 1800. Matthew Adams, procuring a plan of Harrisburg court house and a draught, $5 .... John Turk, procuring a plan and draft of Harrisburg court house with Mr. Adams, $5." This was the first money paid by the commissioners for this improvement. That the plan of the Harrisburg building was adopted seems conclusive, for on the opening of 1800 the work seems to have been commenced. The first payment for material was for $16 to Thomas Harris, February 6, 1801, "on account of lime for court house and offices." And on the 7th of the same month William Hepburn was paid $134 1 "on account of brick for the public buildings." A few of the items charged on the minute book for 1801 are quoted herewith to show bow the payments were made:
April 30, 1801, Gabriel Morrison, boating stone for court house and offices, $117.50 ….. May 14, John Turk, on contract for the court house, $50 ….. June 1, Ezekiel Slack and Levi Eder, digging the foundation and cellar, $45 ….. November 13, William Hepburn, on account of brick for court house and offices, $267 ….. September 24, 1802, John Thomas, on account of iron work for court house and offices, $167.67 ….. October 30, Joseph Dumm, in full for 10,500 bricks for courthouse and offices, $56.
Items like the foregoing run through the books for several years, and they show that the commissioners paid for the work as it progressed. The building was up in 1802, for the following charge under date of September 24, 1802, appears in the commissioners' little book: Jacob Grafius, for nine gallons of whiskey at raising court house and offices, $6! The "raising" of the temple of justice was evidently a great event in Williamsport, and the occasion was duly celebrated by a feast, for another charge in the minute book, October 30, 1802, reads: "Robert McElrath, for meat, cooking, etc., for the raising at the court house and offices, $20." He was the jailer and had charge of the now prison. Next comes the following: "April 11, 1803. Jacob Grafius, for three gallons of whiskey for court house and offices, $2."
After the court house was erected the most important matter seems to have been the purchase of a bell and image to adorn the cupola and steeple. The following entries regarding these articles are found in the minute book, and they are not with-out historical interest:
October 25, 1803, Stephen Bell, for going with wagon and team to Harrisburg for bell and image for court house, $20 ….. February 5, 1805, Robert McClure, money paid Samuel Hill for making image for the court house, per receipt of Andrew Berryhill, Jr., ….. February 7, 1805, Samuel E. Grier, for money advanced John Burrows to purchase bell for court house $250 ….. February 7, 1805, Samuel E. Grier, for money advanced Burrows to purchase an image for court house, $100 ….. February 26, 1806, Robert McClure, for money paid George Hedderly for bell, $61.22 ….. February 6, 1806, John Burrows, from bringing bell from Philadelphia and returning old one for court house, $55.
The building was completed and in use some time during 1804, as shown by this entry in the commissioners' book: "January 7, 1805, George Kneece, in full for cleaning the courthouse, chopping, firewood, etc., for December term, 1804, $2.67. This was probably the first court hold in the new building.
John Turk and Edward Gobin were the contractors, and Stacy Throp and Jacob Hyman were assistants. Matthew Adams had charge of the carpenter work. The bricks were manufactured by Joseph Dumm at the brickyard of William Hepburn, on the Deer Park farms, a mile west of the building; the cut stone work was done by Samuel Biss, and the stone were brought from Sinnemahoning on rafts or floats. When the building was completed it was regarded by all as a model of architectural beauty; yet, judging from the pictures that have been preserved, it would be looked upon today as a curiosity. There are many yet living who remember its unique appearance.
The first bell was entirely too small and failed to give satisfaction. It was returned and the one which now hangs in the belfry purchased. This bell has been in constant use since 1804 and still sends forth clear, ringing tones, which can be heard a long distance. It is said that it was run so vigorously in 1815, on the reception of the news of peace at the close of the war of 1812, that it was heard a distance of eleven miles. It bears this inscription:
Philadelphia Anno D1. 1804.
It is made of bell metal and is two feet four inches across the open end, two feet high, and weighs between 500 and 600 pounds, It was hauled from Philadelphia in a wagon by Gen. John Burrows, one of the commissioners under whom the building was erected.
The auditors' statement, showing the total cost of each article entering into the construction of the court house, has been found in a time stained copy of the Lycoming Gazette, bearing date February 22, 1807. The stimulant used at the raising "is not mentioned of course," but it could very easily concealed among the "sundry articles got from storekeepers." The statement is as follows :
The amount of expense for building the court house and offices for Lycoming county:
To the amount for brick ………………………………………………………………………………………… $1,515.70 " " " " carpenter work ……………………………………………………………………… 7,211.07 " " " " boards, scantling, and shingles ……………………………………………… 2,169.47 " " " " mason work …………………………………………………………………………… 1,119.45 " " " " lime ………………………………………………………………………………………… 323.83 " " " " copper …………………………………………………………………………………… 330.00 " " " " iron work ………………………………………………………………………………… 785.87 " " " " stone cutting ………………………………………………………………………… 754.88 " " " " hair and plastering ………………………………………………………………… 672.22 " " " " hauling …………………………………………………………………………………… 1,876.35 " " " " labor ……………………………………………………………………………………… 310.52 " " " " paint and oil …………………………………………………………………………… 134.13 " " " " image and bell ………………………………………………………………………… 444.20 " " " " nails ………………………………………………………………………………………… 295.77 " " " " sundry articles got from storekeepers …………………………………… 717.14 " " " " for superintending-the building ……………………………………………… 1,500.00 " " " " for water spouts, which are procured, but not yet put up …… 247.45 Total amount ……………………………………………………………… $20,417.80
To this statement Jacob Shoemaker and Thomas Martin, "auditors of public accounts for the county of Lycoming," affix their signatures, January 17, 1807, and declare it to be correct.
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THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
For years the court house was admired by the people and they pointed to it with pride as a model building. When the population and business increased a demand was made by the younger class for a larger and more modern building, but the old men could not entertain such an idea. "Look at it," they would say; "it was built when men did their work honestly." This feeling was so strong among the ruling class that public opinion could not be brought to consent to its being demolished. But the growth of the country was so rapid that it became apparent that the quaint old structure, with its curiously arranged court room and offices, must give way to the spirit of public improvement. It had stood there for sixty years, but it could not remain forever.
In 1858 the commissioners employed William Fink to furnish drawings for an addition to the old court house; but when they came to remove the roof and examine the walls, they were found to be so poorly constructed that they could not be utilized and it was evident that a new building would have to be erected. Samuel Sloan, an architect of Philadelphia, was engaged to furnish plans for a new building, and April 26, 1860, they were accepted. In the meantime a contract had been made with ex-Sheriff Rissell to do the work.
The contractor commenced rebuilding early in the spring of 1860, and pushed it with such vigor that the building was completed and ready for occupancy at March sessions, 1861. In the meantime the courts were held in Doebler's and Youngman's halls - the former being located on Pine street, and the latter on East Third street. The dimensions of the present court house are 116 feet 11 inches in length by 60 feet in width. It has projecting corners of 3 feet each way, making the entire length 122 feet 11 inches, and the width 66 feet. The first story is 12 feet 6 inches from floor to floor, and it contains offices for all the county officers, besides a chamber for the president judge. The second story contains the main court room, with a high ornamented coiling, a jury room, and a room which was used by the United States and circuit courts until other accommodations were provided for them in the new post office building in 1891. On the third story are jury rooms, and rooms for the meetings of the institutes held by the city teachers. The building stands in the center of a handsome square comprising Lots 177, 178, 179, and 180 of the original plot of the city, bounded on the south by West Third street and on the west by Pine street. The building originally cost $41,030, but it has undergone so many changes and improvements inside that it has cost the county up to this time nearly, if not altogether, $100,000. It is very conveniently arranged inside; is supplied with fire proof vaults for the public records, and an air of comfort and safety pervades every department.
The first court held in the new building was March sessions, 1861, and in the opening of his charge to the grand jury Judge Jordan said:
I congratulate you, the members of the bar, the officers of this court, and all who have business to transact in court, in the pleasant change from a small, inconvenient, unhealthy court room, to a permanent, beautiful, and convenient building; a building alike creditable to the citizens of Lycoming county, to the gentlemen who projected it, to the architect who planned it, the commissioners who contracted for it, and the mechanics who faithfully labored in its construction and completion.
On a stone tablet, embedded high up in the brick wall in the southwestern corner, this inscription may be seen:
1860
Michael Sypher, Thomas Lloyd, Samuel Harris - Commissioners.
Samuel Sloan, Architect.
D. S. Rissell, Builder
The same bell that was placed in the belfry of the original court house is in the present one; and the same "Image" ornaments the present dome. It is the representation of a female poising the scales of justice, but she is not blinded as was the custom of the ancients.
The same clock that was placed in position in 1861 notes the passing hours, with a face for the four cardinal points. In April, 1854, on the recommendation of Dr. S. Pollock, foreman of the grand jury, the commissioners were authorized to appropriate $200 towards its purchase. This sum being insufficient the deficiency was made up by private contributions. It was made in Cazenovia, New York, and cost $400. The original dials were of wood, but they were soon supplanted by glass, and the belfry is illuminated by gas at night so that the fleeting hours can be noted.
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