Another history Friday post regarding our Courthouse! During the initial demolition phase, there was an old document/record-keeping case in the attic. It was empty, of course, and hadn’t been used for decades beyond anyone’s memory. It had a Pediment on the top. (A pediment is a decorative crown, which extends above the top of the doors, or shelves of a bookcase or cupboard.) Most old tall case pieces featured a pediment. As a CK crew was working on demolition, they found a row of old cardboard record boxes stacked on top of this case inadvertently hidden behind that pediment. The boxes sat exposed to the bats and pigeons for most likely over 100 years. The documents predate the construction of the courthouse, 1860’s. Most likely moved from the county courthouse in Somerset to that spot when this new courthouse was completed. There are election voting records from 1876, and documents recording soldiers returning home to Perry county from the Civil War 1864/65. Court appearance records. One notable name we found was “Phillip Sheridan”. We will ultimately figure out if that is his signature or just a court official’s hand writing. (Pretty cool.) They have survived their storage amazingly well, and the first step is to have them properly flattened. They will indeed be made available for public viewing. However, you will have to wait for them to be properly protected before actual viewing. It’s an exciting find!
– Ben Carpenter, Perry County Commissioner
Originally posted to Facebook
