Carver County. The county commissioners closed their session on Thursday of last week. Their last act was to sign bonds, to the amount of $13,000, in favor of Geo. Fuller (Shaska Company), with interest at 12 per cent per annum, payable on coupons every six months at the office of Duncan, Sherman & Co., New York. The funds are to be used in building a Court House and Jail, at Chaska. The excavation is already made and Mr. B. S. Judd, the architect (Shaska Company), was in our city this week, to engage brick and stone masons to work on the building. We are assured by those who have seen the designs, that they are very good in point of taste and convenience, fully sustaining the high reputation of the architect. (The Republican Advocate, Shakopee, Minnesota, Saturday, July 18, 1857, Page 2)
May 21, 1863, the bill of Marvin White of $2,113.85 for laying brick in the court-house building in 1857, according to contract with county commissioners, was allowed to the amount of $1,500, which sum was paid in county bonds and accepted as payment in full. (History of the Minnesota Valley, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Rev. Edward D. Neil, North Star Publishing Company, Minneapolis, 1882, Page 356)
I (Lucius Howe) built us a good brick school-house and made the bricks for our court house and if it was finished as it is begun it would be as good a one as in the state. (Shaska Wa Wa, Historical Booklet and Souvenir Program, Commemorating the Hundredth Anniversary of Chaska, Minnesota, July 20-21-22, 1851-1951, Page 30)
…that said bonds were issued against the remonstrance of a large portion of the legal voters of said County, stating in said remonstrance, among other things, that the erection of County Buildings at that time, was premature; other counties with three or four times the population, and wealth have pursued the wise policy of refraining from creating a large public debt for such a purpose, until the time might arrive when the population should be numerous enough and their wealth great enough, to render taxation for such a purpose comparatively light - that said County Buildings were proposed to be erected in an unusual, and wasteful manner; instead of adopting a plan and specifications, and advertise for the lowest bidder, who, would erect them in the best style and manner; it was proposed to do the work by the day; with one or more of the County Commissioners as Superindents (Superintendents) under pay at five dollars per day, thereby costing, in all probability double or treble the usual cost of such buildings. (The Valley Herald, Saturday, March 14, 1863, Page 2)
The principal business transacted (County Board) was the allowing of bills, the most important one being that of a Mr. White, for building, or rather for laying the brick in the Court House. We understand that he was hired by the Commissioners, at $3.40 per thousand, and the number of brick laid was 575,000. He had received but $200 on it. The amount due, together with interest, we understand to have been about $2,500, but the Board have settled the debt by issuing to him $1,500 in bonds. (The Valley Herald, Saturday, May 23, 1863, Page 3)
County Bonds. Messrs. Smith & Gilman of St. Paul have sued the county on some of its court house bonds. An answer has been served by the County Attorney with the assistance of Judge Chatfield, which seems to stagger the prosecution. They propose to compromise by receiving fifty per cent of the bonds with seven per cent interest. As the county has never received or realized half of the value of the bonds, such a proposal seems akin to good sense and equity. Upon the rule that “he who seeks equity should do equity,” it would not be amiss for the county Board to accept the proposal and issue new bonds for that amount. As the case stands now the county have received but a skeleton of a court house, worth perhaps $5,000, as an equivalent for bonds issued, together with interest accrued, to the amount of $21,000. (The Valley Herald, Saturday, October 3, 1863, Page 3)
The improvements in the court house are progressing rapidly. The floors are laid, the windows and doors cased, and the masons are putting in the brick safe and will soon get at the plastering. (The Valley Herald, Saturday, October 8, 1864, Page 3)
We notice in passing the Court House that the improvements made the past season have added much to the good looks of the building and it is proposed to further improve the outside looks by (unknown word) in new windows above, and on the inside, by putting up the front stairs, the money to accomplish this object to be raised by subscription. When these much needed repairs are completed the house will have a fine appearance and be like an ornament to the village and a credit to the County. Iron doors have been received this week and will soon be put in position and will add much to the looks as well as security of the Register’s Office. (The Valley Herald, Saturday, November 4, 1865, Page 3)
Delamater and Kenning, have taken the contract to finish the Court Room, in the main building, and also of erecting a flight of stairs leading thereto. It is intended to have the room in thorough order by Court time in October. (Valley Herald, Saturday, September 1, 1866, Page 1)
Messrs Delamater & Kenning, are now finishing, in the entry a splendid “recess door” with panel work on each side of the door. Which not only envinces mechanical taste on the part of the above firm, but which also adds greatly to the appearance of our County building. (Valley Herald, Saturday, December 15, 1866, Page 1)
In the special election in the town of Chaska, the question of voting bonds to the amount of $4,500 for the erection of a Court House, was unanimous in the affirmative. This action will, it is thought, definitely settle the vexed county seat question in favor of Chaska. (Mower County Transcript, Thursday, July 18, 1872, Page 2)
The town of Chaska made the board a proffer of the Deed for the County building and grounds, for use as long as the county seat remains at Chaska. (Valley Herald, Thursday, September 12, 1872, Page 1)
Lucien Warner of our village, returned home last week from N. Y. wither he had been on business connected with the Court House matter. He purchased the same for the town of Chaska, who in turn have made a proffer of the building to the county, as long as the county seat remains at Chaska. (Valley Herald, Thursday, September 12, 1872, Page 1)
The majority against the County seat removal is 1200 and finally settles the question for at least the next ten years. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, November 7, 1872, Page 1)
The contract for digging the well at the Court House, was let by the Commrs. to Peter Barthel, for the sum of $4 per foot in depth, all bricked up. He agrees to furnish at least four feet of water, after the well is completed. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, January 23, 1873, Page 1)
Clear and pure water and sufficient quantity has been obtained in the court house yard at a depth of twenty five feet, fortunate considering that private wells near there are nearly fifty feet in depth. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, January 30, 1873, Page 1)
The roof upon the Court House will be completed this week. It looks better. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, May 7, 1874, Page 4)
The new roof upon the Court House and the painting of the cornice adds materially to the appearance of the building. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, May 21, 1874, Page 4)
The court room has been plastered with a coat of “hard finish” and now presents a fine appearance. The court house was commenced in 1856 and is now completed. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, September 24, 1874, Page 4)
The contract has been let for a new brick ordinary for the use of the Court House officers and the public. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, March 28, 1878, Page 4)
The walls of the main county building were up, and the structure was almost ready for roofing, when the Shaska Company went to pieces… (Compendium of History and Biography of Carver and Hennepin Counties, Minnesota, R. I. Holcombe and William H. Bingham, Henry Taylor & Co., Chicago, 1915, Page 216)
The courthouse was completed a few years later (than 1858) and was occupied from time to time as the rooms were ready. (Compendium of History and Biography of Carver and Hennepin Counties, Minnesota, R. I. Holcombe and William H. Bingham, Henry Taylor & Co., Chicago, 1915, Page 216)
The committee appointed at the last session of the County Board, met at the Court House, last Friday, with Hon. Charles Bachmann as architect. We were not present and have been unable to learn what conclusion the committee came to, beyond instructing Mr. B., to draw up a plan of the building to be erected and cost of same. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, January 29, 1885, Page 4)
The Board of County Commissioners will decide about the addition to the Court House this week, and we will inform our readers of the result in our next issue. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, April 2, 1885, Page 4)
Addition to Court House. By reading the proceedings of County Board, which we publish this week, it will be seen that the Board of County Commissioners, have adopted the plans, of Hon. Chas Bachmann of Young America for an addition to the Court House. It is estimated that the addition complete, with alterations in the lower and upper stories of the present building will cost about $6,500 to $7,000. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, April 9, 1885, Page 1)
The board of County Commissioners met at the Court House on Monday 27th inst. for the purpose of opening bids for the building of the Court House addition, there was four bids, viz; Grates, Enger & Winholz, Chaska, $8,694.00(;) Bielke & Co Shakopee, without vault doors $7,302.52(;) Bielke & Co Shakopee, with vault doors $7762.52(;) C. Bachmann, Young America, $8,300.00. The bids of Grates & Co and C. Bachman included vault doors. The commissioners concluded to let the contract without the vault doors, and on motion of Mr Kugler the contract was awarded to Bielke, Geiser & Co. of Shakopee for the sum of $7302.52. The commissioners figured the difference in the two most favorable bids that of Grates & Co., and the one accepted at nearly $700. On Monday, Bielke & Co. filed their Bonds in the sum of $8,000 for the faithful performance of the contract as per specifications. The bondsmen being J. B. Conter and Michael Schwarz of Shakopee. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, April 30, 1885, Page 4)
J. W. Gregg and W. B. Griswold, were in town on Monday. They will bid on the Court House addition. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, April 30, 1885, Page 4)
Work was commenced on the foundation for the new addition to the Court House last Monday. The foundation will be built of Kasota cut stone, the best in the State. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, May 7, 1885, Page 4)
The contractors commenced laying the brick on the new Court House addition on Tuesday, and from this on they will make every day count. Stobach, Greiner & Co., will furnish the brick for the building. The bosses, Bielke & Geiser are on the ground, and promise an extra job. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, May 21, 1885, Page 4)
Messrs Bilke & Co., are doing good work on the Court House addition. The walls are crawling up rapidly and in another week the building will show off to advantage. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, June 11, 1885, Page 4)
The building committee on the Court House addition met last Monday and had a good days work changing plans, investigating the work &c. The committee was composed of Commrs Harrison, Kugler, Truwe, & Arine. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, June 25, 1885, Page 4)
The new addition to the court house is progressing finely. The first story is nearly completed. The building of the strong vaults takes some time. (The Carver Free Press, Thursday, June 25, 1885, Page 1)
The brick work to the addition to the Court House will be finished by the 4th of July. The vault doors were placed in position in two of the vaults last week and brick work on the first story was completed last Saturday. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, June 25, 1885, Page 4)
John Geiser has a large gang of carpenters at work on the church and Court House. He will have his hands full to complete the Court House before the meeting of Court in September. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, July 16, 1885, Page 4)
Hon. Chas. Bachmann of Young America, architect of the new addition was in town Saturday looking over the work on the new building. He found everything all right. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, July 23, 1885, Page 4)
New chimnies are being built up on the old Court House building. A much needed improvement. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, July 30, 1885, Page 4)
The addition to the Court House is rapidly approaching completion, the plasterers will commence next Monday, perhaps sooner. The vaults are all built, and the work of re-modelling the old building is will (well) under way. A couple of weeks more will make a great change in the appearance of the building inside. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, August 13, 1885, Page 1)
A new iron roof is being put on the old Court House building,(.) It will look much better when completed. Philip Henk has the job. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, August 27, 1885, Page 4)
The wood work on the Court House is nearing completion, and is a credit to the contractor Mr. Geiser. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, September 10, 1885, Page 1)
The County Commissioners rec’d. many praise this week from the taxpayers for the addition to the Court House and the manner in which the work has been done. We fail to hear a single complaint. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, September 17, 1885, Page 4)
Mr. Geiser says he has finished his contract work on the Court House. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, November 12, 1885, Page 4)
Court House Addition, Brick Structure, and improvements on old building ($)10,500. (The Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, December 10, 1885, Page 4)