[NOV. 7, 2005]
Even though it was windy, warmer-than-normal
November temperatures made Saturday a great day for residents and
guests to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Logan County
Courthouse.
The celebration began with a parade. Starting at 1 p.m. government
officials, county emergency agencies, military veterans, antique
vehicles and horses coursed through downtown Lincoln.
Following the parade, a public ceremony and rededication modeled
after the original program was conducted at the courthouse.
The high point of the ceremony was a lively overview of Logan
County and its courthouse history, provided by Illinois Supreme
Court Justice Rita Garman. Garman likened Logan County's progression
to the state of Illinois. The state capital moved three times, from
Vandalia to DuQuoin to Springfield. Logan County's seat moved from
Postville to Mount Pulaski to Lincoln.
Garman identified how the courthouse serves a vital role in the
community. In addition to keeping personal and property records it
also serves as a place where disputes are settled and justice takes
place.
She said that for the most part, the types of court cases
presented in Logan County today have changed very little from those
presented in earlier years. The audience sat enraptured at her
recounting of several cases: a story of a dam that rendered a mill
upstream useless; a man who broke his leg getting off the train
while inebriated, whether helped off by the conductor or not; the
price of a passenger train ticket and other cases defended and won
by none other than the county's founder, Abraham Lincoln.
The entire third-floor courtroom, with 266 seats -- which Judge
David Coogan believes to be the largest in Illinois -- was packed
and had additional seating for the choir and other guests.
Chief marshal was Paul Gleason. Assistant marshal was Paul
Beaver. David L. Coogan, resident circuit judge, served as president
of the day, and Dr. Keith Ray, Lincoln College and Seminary
president, provided the invocation.
Current Logan County Board members, emergency response providers,
veterans, and other current and past officials were recognized.
Several fitting musical performances were delivered. In keeping
with the original Nov. 9, 1905, ceremony, Kay Dobson played the
"Logan County Courthouse March and Two-Step" on the piano. Ann
Beaver Witting captivated the audience with her lovely voice,
singing the melodious "Illinois, Illinois."
The Lincoln College Choir brought the audience to their feet at
the beginning and end of the program with "The Star-Spangled Banner"
and "God Bless America."
Guests enjoyed cookies donated by local bakeries, punch, milling
through the courthouse offices and mingling with officials, friends
and acquaintances following the ceremony.
Framed and unframed paintings and drawings of the courthouse, a
scale replica, and a history of the courthouse booklet are still
available for purchase at the treasurer's office in the courthouse.
What a great Christmas gift any of these would make.
