COURT ROOM.
Carpets and window blinds were procured from J. B. Kay, Son & Co., Toronto, and rubber matting for the stairs from the Gutta Percha & Rubber Co., two clocks for the court room and council chamber, from W. R. Jackson. Stained glass windows with appropriate designs were ordered from N. T. Lyons, Toronto, for the main stairway, one contains a picture of the old and new buildings; the other, the names of the County Council for the years 1898 and 1899. Stone walks around the building and through the grounds were put down by the Silica Barytic Stone Company, of Ingersoll, at the cost of $579.02. The work of grading the grounds was completed under superintendence of W. Irving.
The Court House was formally opened on Wednesday, the 13th day of December, 1899, the occasion being the first day ofthe Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and of the County Court.
The proceedings commenced at 2.40 p. m. Judge Hughes presided, and on his right was Junior Judge Ermatinger, and on his left Sheriff Brown.
Judge Hughes explained that he had invited Rev. Canon Hill and Vicar-General Bayard to be present, to assist in the opening proceedings, but they had other engagements and could not attend. There were present Revs. D. R. Drummond, Prof. T. L. Fowler, of the Disciples College, and Rev. R. I. Warner, principal of Alma College.
LIBRARY.
Rev. D. R. Drummond opened the proceedings with prayer, Rev. Prof. Fowler read the scriptures, and Rev. Prof. Warner led in prayer.
Mr. Oscar McKenney, Warden of Elgin County, read the following address to Judge Hughes, on behalf of the County Council:
"Before proceeding with the business of the County Court and General Sessions of the Peace, the County Council desire to congratulate your Honor on your good health and physical and mental vigor, which is remarkable when we consider that you have occupied your present position for over forty-six years. You had the honor of presiding at the first court held in the old buildings in 1854, and have since done much to assist in the development of the county. You have witnessed many changes and can refer to many pleasant experiences which are the accompaniment of a long and useful life. The Court House which we hereby formally hand over to you for Court purposes, is representative ofour idea of the advancement made by a wealthy and prosperous community during the past half a century.
We hope you may enjoy continued good health, and that the remainder of your life may be pleasant and a restful recompense for many busy years.
The members of the Council will make a few remarks as they feel it is difficult in a brief address to refer to all the circumstances that have brought us togetherto-day."
COUNTY COUNCIL CHAMBER.
COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
Councillor Frank Hunt delivered the oration of the day on behalf of the County Council. He spoke as follows:
"This is an important occasion. Important because it makes a page in the history of the county. It establishes a milestone marking the progress of a people who first planted civilization in this county a century ago. The burning of the old Court House necessitated the building of a new one, and this gave the present council the opportunity to erect a building characteristic of the people, and of the arts and sciences of this particular period. The old court house was emblematic of the pioneers of this county. It exhibited wisdom, strength and beauty. As much as I admire the new structure I am glad the front of the old court house is preserved, and will hand down to future ages in itsGrecian columns and pilasters, the artistic taste of the pioneers who could spare from the rewards of unceasing toil money to erect a court house that bore the impress of the best art of their time. The excellence and thoroughness of the structure attest the true worth and integrity of the pioneers of the County of Elgin. I cannot but think, when considering the population and wealth of the county fifty years ago with that ofto-day, that in the erection of the new court house we have spent less for artistic effect than did the pioneers. Modern requirements for the comforts of those attending courts, or on official business, entailed a large expense, which was not considered in the erection of buildings fifty years ago. The provision made for women during a forced attendance at court shows how far we have advanced on one particular line. It is a grand building of the utilitarian type, and erected on such lines that great beauty may be discovered by a casual glance. I want to say a word in praise of the architect who designed the building and supervised its erection to the satisfaction of the Building Committee. The epitaph in St. Paul's Cathedral says: "If you would know the genius of Christopher Wren, look around you." I will say, also, and it is all that is necessary, if you would know the genius of Mr. Darrach, look around you and see that he is master of his art.
New occasions teach new duties,Time makes ancient good uncouth,We must upward still and onward,Who would reach the realms of truth.
New occasions teach new duties,Time makes ancient good uncouth,We must upward still and onward,Who would reach the realms of truth.
Art, national or individual, is the result of a long course of previous life and training; a necessary result, if that life has been loyal, and an impossible one, if it has been base.—Ruskin.WINDOW, MAIN STAIRWAY.In its important examples, all municipal art should be at once a decoration and a commemoration—it must beautify and should celebrate; thus becoming a double stimulus, first to the aesthetic sense, second to the sense of patriotism.—Blashfield.
Art, national or individual, is the result of a long course of previous life and training; a necessary result, if that life has been loyal, and an impossible one, if it has been base.—Ruskin.
WINDOW, MAIN STAIRWAY.
In its important examples, all municipal art should be at once a decoration and a commemoration—it must beautify and should celebrate; thus becoming a double stimulus, first to the aesthetic sense, second to the sense of patriotism.—Blashfield.
I cannot close without reference to His Honor Judge Hughes and his long judicial career in the County of Elgin. He opened the old court house forty-six years ago; he has been spared to open the new. In the first courts he grasped by the hand the men who planted civilization on the shores of Lake Erie. He has lived to grasp by the hand their children and grand-children. He came here in his early years, a type of that manhood which comes from the chisel of Pericles, and the great masters of the Grecian school. He has seen the county a wilderness, he now sees it populous and wealthy, inhabited by a people educated, industrious; a people who love God and keep his commandments.
COURT HOUSE, EAST SIDE, SHOWING GAOL ENTRANCE.
He has left his impress on his county and its people, and can it not be said that it has been for the good of society, for the happiness and advancement of the people? His legal knowledge, and his great ability is known throughout the Province. His untiring industry has been proverbial. He has administered the law with fairness, and tempered justice with mercy. It is not contended that he was or isfaultless.
Who thinketh a faultless man to see?Thinks what ne'er was and ne'er shall be.
Who thinketh a faultless man to see?Thinks what ne'er was and ne'er shall be.
It is the desire of the council that his learning and great abilities may long be spared to his fellow-citizens, and that
An old age serene and bright,Lovely as a Lapland night,Shall lead thee to thegrave."
An old age serene and bright,Lovely as a Lapland night,Shall lead thee to thegrave."
County Councillor J. H. Yarwood voiced the sentiments of Mr. Hunt, and extended the congratulations of the county to the Judge for the manner in which he had administered the affairs of the county, and hoped he would be spared for many years.
County Councillors S. B. Morris, W. O. Pollock, D. Lang,W. M. Ford, E. McKellar, Mahlon Lyon, D. Moore and A. J. Leitch also delivered addresses of congratulation.
GAOL YARD.
Judge Hughes thanked the County Council for the privilege of opening the new Court House. The county building was a testimonial to the advancement of the county council. He had to acknowledge with thanks the many kind things said of him personally, and of the way he had administered justice in the county. The building is an index, not only of enterprise and good taste, but also of conception for the convenience of those who had to attend the county buildings to do business. The mistake with the old building was that Architect Turner had his plansinterferedwith, and all the rooms, except the court room, were but half the size intended. He concurred in all that had been said of the architect. The contractors, too, had performed their work well. The court house was a manifestation of the progress of municipal institutions. He had found the county council always ready to encourage education and grammar schools, and this building was a monument to their honor.
The county court was then opened by Court Crier Hopkins, when Mr. John Crawford, of Aylmer, on behalf of the bar of Elgin, extended to Judge Hughes their congratulations upon the long term he had served on the bench, and upon his distinguished services during that time. The members of the bar were in hearty sympathy with and heartily endorsed the remarks made by the members of the county council. The members of the bar hoped the Judge might be long spared to occupy the high position which he did.
Judge Hughes said he could only express his high appreciation of the kind things said of him. It was an honor for a man to act as judge where there was such a bar as in the county of Elgin. He concluded by thanking Mr. Crawford and the other members for their kind remarks.
F. HUNT, J. P., HOLDING COURT IN A GAOL WARD, AFTER THE FIRE.
In the evening the judge entertained the members of the bar and the municipal and judicial officers of the county of Elgin at a banquet in honor of the occasion of the re-opening of the court house and the 46th anniversary of his appointment. This was held at the Grand Central Hotel.
All the work connected with the court house improvements was completed in the spring of 1900. The final report of the Building Committee was not, however presented until the 23rd of November. The total cost was $50,954.72, and of this amount the city of St. Thomas contributed $12,178.17.
The excellent service rendered to the county by architect Darrach was recognized by the presentation of an address, suitably engrossed, expressing the councils appreciation of his efforts. The report also directed attention to the satisfactory manner in which Messrs. McKnight & Co., the principal contractors, who were represented by the senior member of the firm, Mr. R. Carroll, had completed their work. After the adoption of the report a resolution was passed tendering the thanks of the council to A. J. Leitch, Esq., for his services as Chairman of the Building Committee.
The statistics of 1817 are taken from Robt. Gourlay's Book. For other years official census reports were referred to.
Elgin County Court HouseN. R. Darrach, Archt., St.Thomas. Ont.Ground Floor PlanClick to view larger image.
First Floor PlanClick to view larger image.
County· Building· at· St· Thomas· Ont.N· R· Darrach· · · Architect.Click to view larger image.
Second Floor PlanClick to view larger image.
1852.
Aldborough—Duncan McColl.
Dunwich—Moses Willey.
Southwold—Colin Munro, Nicol McColl.
Yarmouth—Elisha S. Ganson (Warden), Leslie Pierce.
Malahide—Thomas Locker (Warden), Lewis J. Clarke.
Bayham—John Elliott, J. Skinner.
South Dorchester—Jacob Cline.
St. Thomas—David Parish.
1898-1899.
District No. 1—(Aldborough) S. B. Morris, Daniel Lang (Warden 1898).
District No. 2—(Dutton and Dunwich) A. J. Leitch, Edward McKellar.
District No. 3—(Port Stanley and Southwold) William Jackson, Donald Turner, 1898, Francis Hunt, 1899.
District No. 4—(Yarmouth) James H. Yarwood, Wm. B. Cole, 1898, Wm. O. Pollock, 1899.
District No. 5—(Aylmer, Vienna, Polling Sub-divisions 1 and 2 of Bayham, and Malahide, except Polling Sub-division 5) Oscar McKenney, (Warden, 1899) Richard Locker, 1898, Mahlon E. Lyon, 1899.
District No. 6—(Springfield, South Dorchester, Malahide (Division 5) and Bayham (except divisions 1 and 2)) David F. Moore, (Warden, 1900) Wm. M. Ford.
Transcriber's Note.Illustrations have been moved to avoid breaks in paragraphs. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without note. The single table of Statistics in the original has been reformatted into two separate tables for ease of reading, one for population and one for houses and schools. Corrections to typographical errors are highlightedlike this; mouse over to see details. List of corrections:P.5'east side of the river."'—closing quotation mark added.P.5'Tuesday, the 8th day of April, 1800.'—had '1900.'P.6'tie girths, morticed and tenoned'—had 'tendoned.'P.12'sessions of the County of Elgin opened'—had 'Couty.'P.24'contended that he was or is faultless'—had 'fautless.'P.24'Shall lead thee to the grave."'—closing quotation mark added.P.25'his plans interfered with, and all the'—had 'iterferred.'P.28'26. Witnesses. Formerly Crown Counsel room'—had '36.'Unusual spellings of hybernated, Mississaga; inconsistent spellings of jail/jailer, gaol/gaoler; inconsistent hyphenation and capitalisation are as per the original.
Illustrations have been moved to avoid breaks in paragraphs. Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without note. The single table of Statistics in the original has been reformatted into two separate tables for ease of reading, one for population and one for houses and schools. Corrections to typographical errors are highlightedlike this; mouse over to see details. List of corrections:
P.5'east side of the river."'—closing quotation mark added.P.5'Tuesday, the 8th day of April, 1800.'—had '1900.'P.6'tie girths, morticed and tenoned'—had 'tendoned.'P.12'sessions of the County of Elgin opened'—had 'Couty.'P.24'contended that he was or is faultless'—had 'fautless.'P.24'Shall lead thee to the grave."'—closing quotation mark added.P.25'his plans interfered with, and all the'—had 'iterferred.'P.28'26. Witnesses. Formerly Crown Counsel room'—had '36.'
Unusual spellings of hybernated, Mississaga; inconsistent spellings of jail/jailer, gaol/gaoler; inconsistent hyphenation and capitalisation are as per the original.