CHAPTER XX
COUNTY BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS
THE THREE COURT HOUSES.
The first Court House was erected in the center of the circle, at the present crossing of Court and Main streets. The building was octagonal in shape, constructed of brick with a tower in the center. It was first occupied for court purposes early in April, 1814, and was torn down about 184o and from that time for a period of six years the courts were held in temporary quarters, part of the time in the old Lutheran Church on West Franklin street and for a while in the United Brethren Church on East Main street.
The building of the Court House at the corner of Court and Franklin streets was commenced in the fall of 1845. The contract for the brick work was let on the 16th of September, 1845, by the commissioners to Jacob Strickler, at $5.40 per thousand "to be counted in the walls and no deductions for openings," and the same day a contract was made with Joseph Kinnear for the delivery of the lumber at 8o cents per thousand feet, inch measure. The building was 45 feet in width by 105 feet in length, with large columns in front, surmounted by a tower ; the basement was constructed for the county jail. The entire building was completed in 1847. The total cost was $45,000. N. B. Kelly, of Columbus, was the architect and superintendent of construction.
The offices in the building not being large enough for the increasing business, and the jail in the basement having been repeatedly condemned by the grand jury, the commissioners, in 1887: by authority of an act of the General Assembly, passed May 4, 1885, decided to remodel the Court House and build a jail and jailer's residence. On the 2nd of February, 1888, the contract for the improvements was awarded to Doerzbach & Decker, of Sandusky, Ohio, their bid of $104,420 for the entire work being the lowest. The contractors began the work early in the spring. The corner-stone of the improved Court House was laid June 21, 1888, with Masonic ceremonies. The Court House was enlarged by the addition of two wings, and was made a commodious, substantial structure with abundant light and excellent ventilation, convenient in every way for the business of the people. Both buildings were completed in the latter part of 1889, and accepted by the commissioners January 4, 1890.
COUNTY INFIRMARY.
The first County Infirmary was located on the Columbus pike, north of the town of Circleville--now North Court street--the commissioners having bought 36 acres of land of Joshua Folsom and wife for $1,800, on the 11th of April, 1831, and erected a building thereon--the house located where the residence of William E. Crist now stands. The institution was closed out in a few years, the property sold and for more than 30 years the county
204 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY.
was without an Infirmary. At the October election in 1865, the commissioners submitted to vote a proposition to buy a farm and build an Infirmary, which received 3,206 votes to 1,087 in the negative. On September 8, 1868, the farm in Washington township, four miles from Circleville, on which the Infirmary buildings are located, was purchased by the commissioners from Christopher F. Branstadt, paying $18,000 for 256 acres. The farm of Lewis Lutz, south of Circleville, containing 180 acres, had been purchased the previous year for the purpose, but there were objections and it was sold and the other farm selected. The building of the spacious Infirmary was commenced in 1872 and completed in August, 1873. The commissioners, having accepted the building from the contractors, placed the directors in charge and on the 9th of September the institution was formally opened. The structure cost $125,000 and was substantially built under the superintendence of William Doane, who was a master mechanic and expert builder. The first superintendent and matron were John Morris and his wife, Elizabeth Morris, who continued in the positions until April 1, 1896-23 years and eight months--their administration being completely successful. They were succeeded by S. M. Yates as superintendent and his wife, Martha Yates, as matron, who managed the institution judiciously and economically for six years, their successors, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schneider, the present efficient superintendent and matron, taking charge April 1, 1902. The number of inmates on the 31st of August, 1906, was 64 males and 25 females--less than half the number of inmates until recent years.
THE CHILDREN'S HOME,
Until last year, was an annex of the County Infirmary and under the same management. In September, 1883, the farm house on the Infirmary farm was ordered remodeled by the commissioners, to be used as a Children's Home. The work, having been completed, was accepted by the commissioners March 8, 1884, and shortly thereafter the house was occupied by the children in charge of a matron. This building was destroyed by fire December 2o, 1897. The children were transferred to the building close to the Infirmary, which was constructed for an insane department and this was used as the home until a year ago. In 1902, the building of a Children's Home, as an institution separate and apart from the County Infirmary was authorized by an act of the General Assembly. The building was completed and made ready for occupancy in the fall of 1905. The building is eligibly located on part of the Infirmary farm on the west side of the turnpike road which passes through the farm, a part of the farm having been set apart for the use of the home. The building is of brick, two stories and basement, with all the latest conveniences and fixtures. The trustees appointed by the County Commissioners, under the provisions of the law for the government of such institutions, constitute a bi-partisan board, viz. : Edwin E. Winship, Sr., John Courtright (Democrats) ; M. B. Radcliffe and Homer V. Johnson (Republicans). The trustees appointed George W. Runkle, superintendent and his wife, Carrie T. Runkle, matron, who have abundantly shown their capability for the positions. The home opened nearly a year ago with 44 children; admitted since that time, 12; placed 16 with families and on the 31st of August, 1906, had 40 inmates. The home has a good school with a capable teacher during the school year. The institution is very creditable to the county.