SALINE CO COURTHOUSE
and JAIL
Wednesday June 12 1929 Wilber Nebraska
The following is some interesting material about Saline County as
taken from the dedication book of 1979.
The old courthouse was completed in 1878. Saline County became
organized February 18 1867. The first Board of commissioners were
elected in 1867 and was composed of John Cox, Jonas Gilbert and Abram Byrd.
Swan City was the original seat of Government and it was retained
there until the year 1871. At an election held in May 1871, no place
received a majority and another election was held in June 1871,
resulting in the selection of Pleasant Hill, where it remained until
the election of 1877, when it was removed to Wilber Nebraska.
The first officers elected were as follows: County Treas. M Cox,
County Clerk: Tobias Caster, County Coroner: C A W Abrams, District
Judge: O P Mason.
The Court House at Wilber was built in the year 1878 and continued to
house the county offices until the spring of 1929 when it was raised
to the ground, after the erection of the new Court House.
The corner stone of the new Court House was laid by the American
legion of Saline County Nebraska on June 5 1928.
DESCRIPTION OF THE
COURT HOUSE BUILDING:
The Saline County Court House is a modest, pleasing and imposing
structure, designed and rendered in Carthage stone as the suitable
medium for portrayal of the Grecian-Doric motif in architecture. The
solid substantial appearance of the building is consistent with the
architectural conception, practical, in that it combines strength and
durability of construction with full and commodious facilities wholly
suitable to all purposes for which a Court House is intended.
The Building is located on the old Court House site in approximately
the center of the block. The location and condition of the site made
possible the construction of the ground floor on grade, thus making
all the floor space of the building available for offices or whatever
other purposes might be desired during the life of its occupancy.
Entering the Court House from the east or west, artistically conceived
corridors immediately arrest the attention. The wainscoting of quiet,
subdued gray marble harmonizes most pleasingly with the soft tint of
the walls.
No sharp shadows mar the quiet glow of the modest decorations; no
glare descends into the corridors to break the calm dignity of the
interior design. Metal doors provided with semi-obscure tapestry glass
lettered to designate the purpose of the room and cased with all
marble casings, open into the office of the County Superintendent of
Schools, with entrance through waiting room to the private office. The
examination hall and assembly room, provided with outside entrance
from the south, has connections with the main corridor and also the
office of the County Superintendent.
This room is for the use of the general public in small public
gatherings and has toilet facilities in connection. The office of the
county Court has been provided with ample vault space and office room.
The court room while somewhat different in detail and furnishing
continues the development of the architectural ideals in harmony and
good taste. The two office rooms and vault for the County Sheriff and
two rooms for the County Surveyor complete the offices for this floor.
At the west of the main corridor, marble stairs rise to a landing then
ascend to the first floor of the structure. The corridor into which
the stairway opens is reminiscent of the ground floor corridors,
although somewhat less elaborate in design, opening into the office of
the County Clerk, the office of the County Treasurer, the office of
the Register of Deeds, all of which are arranged with commendable
similarity, provision being made for a large vault with outside
lights, thus making the vault a serviceable work space. Conveniently
located between the offices of the County Clerk and Treasurer, is the
room provided for the County Commissioners, giving immediate access to
the two offices with which most of their business is conducted.
The marble stairway to the second floor continues. A more somber,
dignified tone pervades the corridors of the second floor, placing
sheer architectural beauty with quiet artistic dignity. The architect
has devoted this floor entirely to the offices of Justice. Leading out
of the main corridor are a suite of rooms designed for use of the
District Judge; the suite consists of a well equipped office and
library. Immediately adjacent to this suite is the Clerk of the
District Court, who is provided with an office conveniently accessible
to the court room. In the northeast corner of the building, a private
hallway leads from the corridor into two jury rooms, with toilets in
connection with each room. A consultation room for Attorneys and
County Attorney complete the offices for this floor. The same modesty
of design is developed in these rooms, dignified to a point where it
is wholly compatible with the purposes of offices devoted to labors of
justice.
The real achievement in the second floor development is the court
room. Entering this room from the center of the corridor, the
attention is immediately brought to focus on the somber dignity
portrayed in the design of the judges bench. The dignity of justice is
embodied in its stern lines. The deep walnut finish of the paneled
walls and room equipment, the acoustical treatment of the high ceiling
which holds the observer in an atmosphere of dead quiet, the complete
units of design which fully exploit that legal refinement which is
observed only in American courts of justice, define in actual
dimension a room of justice than which none other is more suitable,
more practical and more justly beautiful.
The construction of the high ceiling in the Court Room and the low
ceiling of the offices permitted the placing of the storage vaults on
the third floor. Here have been provided four large storage vaults
with outside light and are more desirable than the old method of
placing them in a basement.
Mention must be made of all offices in general. Special treatment of
the ceiling has reduced to a minimum the reverberation of each room so
that the office noises are almost totally eliminated. The effect
produces a paneled ceiling which adds much to the pleasing appearance
of the offices.
THE NEW JAIL
The furniture and fixtures have been specially designed and built for
its special service. It is in full keeping with the modest decorations
into which it blends as a harmonizing part. Not only is it practical,
serviceable, convenient and carefully arranged and placed.
The electric light fixtures also have a part in the completed
building. Specially designed they form a part of the decorative scheme
of the building.
A final impression of the Saline County Court House would be
incomplete without consideration of the materials which entered into
its construction and of the services which were rendered by those in
whom the County Commissioners vested authority for the development.
and erection of the building. Full recognition and appreciation is due
the architect, Marcus L Evans, for the soundness of his architectural
conceptions and the thoroughness of his supervision.
Due credit must be given the contractors and material, men for their
part in carrying out the plans and specifications of the architect.
Mr. Fred Swanson to whom was awarded the general contract, has erected
a building of which we are justly proud and his exceptional ability to
carry on to a conclusion any building of this character will never be
in doubt among us. The plumbing and heating contract was awarded to
the York Plumbing and Heating Company and the electric wiring to the
Crawford Electric Company. On the surface the real work entailed in
plumbing, heating and electrical is not discernable.
The furniture and all fixtures were furnished by the Omaha Printing
company and evidence of their substantial organization is reflected in
their selection of Art Metal Construction Company line of desks,
counters, vault fixtures and filing equipment. chairs by Milwaukee
Chair Company and benches by Julius Kaaz Mfg. Company. The furniture
and fixtures are of a construction that will endure the life of the
structure. The electric light fixtures were specially designed by the
Edwin F Guth Company. Collaborating with the architecture of the
building.
One of the main problems of the contractors is the assembling and
coordinating the various materials which go into the construction of
the building. We appreciate the cooperation received from
sub-contractors and material men.
The County Jail and Sheriffs home was provided for and erected under
the same contracts as the Court House. The first floor of the jail
provides for detention of sixteen prisoners in the most modern type
cell as developed and furnished by the Southern Prison Company. The
second floor is divided into two large rooms which can be sub-divided
into individual cells as the need for such develops and also provides
for two cells for female prisoners. The Jailers office and kitchens
are suitably located so as to be in close contact with the jail
proper.
The Sheriffs home is modern in every respect, providing a living room,
dining room and kitchen on the first floor and three bedrooms and bath
on the second floor. The basement is equipped with a large laundry
vegetable cellar and vault for storage of confiscated properties.
The heating plant for the Court House, Jail and Sheriffs residence is
located under the jail, only access to which is from the exterior of
the building. The heating pipes lead through a tunnel to the Court
House.
A garage is also provided for the use of the Sheriff and accommodates
two cars.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
General Contract.........................$188,655.83
Electric Wiring............................ 2,626.35
Plumbing and Heating...................... 17,384.60
Fixtures and Furniture.................... 32,876.92
Electric Fixtures.......................... 4,216.70
Jail Fixtures.............................. 9,000.00
Total................................... $255,210.48
Architects Fee, 5 per cent................ 12,627.70
Total Cost.............................. $267,828.18
Total Expense (1979)...................$2,222,397.21
INTERESTING FACTS
Number of square miles..........................573
Assessed Value of Farmlands..........$34,041,975.00
Assessed Value of City Property....... 5,401,590.00
Assessed Value of Personal Property... 9,628,921.00
Total Assessed Value of County.......$49,072,486.00
Estimated population of Saline Co.............18000
Total assessed Value of Co (1979)...$123,488,255.00
Cities and Villages of Saline County:
Crete incorporated as a City of second class in 1873.
Friend incorporated as a village 1882 and as a City of second class in
1889.
Wilber incorporated as a Village in 1879 and as a City of second class
in 1921.
Dorchester incorporated as a village in 1881.
DeWitt incorporated as a Village in 1881.
Western, Tobias, and Swanton incorporated as villages in 1880.
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS 1929
SALINE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Frank H Travis: Chairman District 2, Crete James W Kaura: District 1,
Dewitt Adolph L Gerner: District 3, Crete
R M Proudfit: District Judge, Friend Elizabeth Burnett: Reporter,
Friend
COUNTY OFFICERS
B V Kohout: Judge J M Korbel: Clerk and Assessor Vance F Jelinek:
Treasurer Thomas J Dredla: Attorney Henry A Greer: Sheriff Mayme C
Broz: Register of Deeds S A Shestak: Clerk of District Court E G
Hopkins: Superintendent H A Davis: Surveyor
