Centre County Court House
Dedicated Last Friday.
A Large Audience Present to Witness the Formal Exer
cises. Appropriate Addresses Made by Judge Orvis,
Dr. Sparks and Gen.
Beaver.
Centre county's remodeled temple of
justice was very appropriately dedicated
for the use it is intended last Friday
Though the crowd in Bellefonte was not
as large as expected there were enough
people here to fill the court house, a
number being compelled to stand during
all the exercises.
The new City band had been engaged
for the occasion and from nine o'clock
until after ten gave concerts in various
parts of the town. Naturally, the court
house was the place of attraction for all
visitors and the morning was spent in a
general inspection of the building from
cial service and use, we see thy guiding hand in
the wisdom displayed by those who have had in
charge the work of restoration. And blessed be
the Lord God who hath given us abundant mate-
rial resources from which tribute may be claim-
ed to discharge the obligations incurred thereby.
And now, O Lord God, who keepest covenant
and mercy with thy servants who walk before
thee with all their heart, have respect unto our
prayer, that thine eyes may be open toward this
house night and day, and hear thou in heaven thy
dwelling place.
If any man trespass against his neighbor, and
an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear,
and the oath come before thee in this house; then
hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy serv-
ants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way
upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to
give him according to his righteousness.
FRONT VIEW REMODELED CENTRE COUNTY
COURT HOUSE DEDICATED MAY 19TH, 1911
basement to court room. The general
expression was one of appreciation over
the fact that at last Centre county had a
court house in keeping with the dignity
and progressiveness of its citizens and
one in which the records of the county
can be kept in absolute safety, without
any fear of their destruction by fire or
flood.
When the audience finally assembled
in the court house at 10:30 o'clock among |
those present were Judge H. M. McClure, |
of Union county, members of the bar
from Lock Haven, Altoona and Clearfield
and a number of county commissioners,
two of the latter being from Chester coun-
ty. Judge Ellis L. Orvis presided over
the meeting and the exercises were
opened with an invocation by Rev. John
Hewitt. It was an appeal to the Almighty
for such wise and universal Divine guid-
ance that we publish the same, as fol- |
lows:
Grant that whosoever shall preside in this place
as a judge before thee, and between man and
man, in the pleading of any cause whatsoever,
shall be so endowed with a knowledge of the law,
and with a competency of thy divine wisdom that
justice impartial and mercy unrestrained shall be
so clearly discernible in every decision and act
that righteous judgment shall be honored by the
| people and also bring honor to the judge.
Grant that whosoever, as advocate, counsellor
| or solicitor, shall piead any cause before the trib-
| unal of justice in this place shall so set forth the
| truth that the innocent shall not receive harm nor
the Commonwealth suffer damage.
Grant that whosoever shall serve as juror in
this house, or fill any office under the supervision
of the court in this county, shall so discharge the
duties of the same that the majesty of the law
shall be maintained, the interests of the people
duly guarded against the open assaults of the
lawless, and the secret designs o’ seekers after
gain frustrated.
When the cry of the condemned prisoner comes
before thee in this place tren do thou in heaven
hear, have mercy. and give grace to bear the pun
ishment according to the deserving.
The Lord our God be with us. Let him not
leave us nor forsake us; that he may incline our
hearts to walk in all his ways, and his statutes,
Si. ihAiAake. IARAZTAFER
COURT
>
Rat st thi as AR ER)
ROOM
All Fathe Omnipotent, omniscient, omnipres,
ent Creator,—to whom all things in heaven and
in earth do bow and obey; who dost gather thy
people in nations, kingdoms, republics and States
and guiding them by thy spirit, dost set them in
divers ranks and companies under Governors, |
judges and subordinate officers for the orderly’
discharge of their social, religious and political
duties, that thy purpose in their creation may be
righteously accomplished: —thine, O Lord, is the
greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the
majesty, and thou art exalted as head over all!
Assembled here in thy name and presence, we
humbly pray thee, as for the people of these Unit.
ed States in general, so especially for the people
of this county, that thou wouldest be pleased to
direct and prosper all their undertakings of what.
ever sort tothe advancement of thy glory, the
safety, honor and welfare of thy people, that all
things may be so ordered and settled by their en-
deavurs, upon the best and surest foundations,
that peace and happiness, trust and justice, re-
ligion and piety, may be established among us for
ail generations.
To this end, we, as workers together with God,
here dedicate this house, and ourselves with it,
to thee and thy service, under the laws of this
State, for the administration of Justice, and
Equity, and Mercy, ~chiefest attributes by which
weknow thee as our God. Accept it for this ser-
vice and use, and regard it. we pray thee, in its
renewed state, as a pledge on our part of renew-
ed purpose to do justice, to love mercy, and to
walk humbly and obediently before our God.
«Suitably planned and perfected for the said spe
and his judgments, and that he maintain the
cause of his people at all times as the matter shal
require, and to him we will ascribe all might!
Suliens. dominion and praise’ ferever and ever’
EN.
Following the invocation Judge Orvis |.
arose and as president judge of Centre
county and the natural head of the bar
association made the opening address
presenting to the people of Centre coun-
ty, as their right and title, in fee simple,
the court house as it has been repaired
and remodeled. He spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, citizens of
Centre County, and honored and wel-
come visitors from sister counties:
It has been assigned to me the dis-
tinguished and grateful duty of pre-
siding over this meeting and making
the presentation address which, from
the Jengthyt the program, must neces-
sarily be ds brief as possible,
Architecture in all ages and among
all people is the most enduring, costly
and noble medium of embodying that
people's highest aspirations. On the
banks of the Nile the mysterious re-
ligion of Isis and of Osiris is better
typified in its pyramids and monoliths
than in its hieroglyphics. Along the
eastern shores and upon the isles of
Mediterranean we find the marble re-
mains of the temples of ancient Hellas
where best is embalmed the spirit of
the poetic myths and legends
ancient Greeks. So in the sands of
Africa and Asia the mosque and
graceful minaret which we know as
Saracenic architecture portrays the
Moslem’s faith; while through central
and northern Europe the spire and
pointed arch best fllustrates the spir-
it of medieval christianity; for, as has
been said, each Gothic church is a
prayer, petrified in stone, of the great
Gothic races. Each perfect building
should be not only a history but in it-
self a prophesy; a history of the past
and projecting itself into the ages
to come. In America, where we have
no common national religion, the as-
pirations of our people best show
themselves in the capitols, the homes
of legislation, and in the temples of
justice that adorn and embellish each
county town.
Thus it is that this beautiful build-
ing in which we now assemble meets
these requirements. In 1795 James
Dunlop and James Harris founded
of the
history of this
state and nation.
It is thus apparent, when urgent
circumstances demanded the enlarge-
ment of this building, that these ad-
ditions and alterations should be in
harmony with its dignified Greek por-
tico and be as dignified ‘as its history
and as noble as its uses and purposes.
We cannot, therefore, too much com-
mend the wisdom displayed by the
present Board of County Commission-
ers in doing their work so economical-
ly and so well, avoiding patchwork and
cheap economies, and thereby bring-
ing this building to such a position
that it will serve all the purposes of
Centre county for generations to come.
In saying this I am aware that there
has been adverse criticism and there
are rumors that there is considerable
ohjection to their work in some of the
remoter sections of the county. All
these criticisms and objections are
solely due to ignorance and miscon-
ception, and must yield to a personal
locality but of the
JUDGE'S CHAMBERS
this town of Bellefonte, and in the
same year dedicated the ground upon
which we now stand to the uses of the
future Court House. It was the same
vear that the most distinguished his-
torical character of the Napoleonic
period, the Prince de Tallyrand vis-
ited the home of Mrs. Harris, now
known as “Willow Bank,” and gave
to the infant village its present name
of Bellefonte. Five years later this
county of Centre was created, and five
years still later, or in 1805, this Court
House was begun and has, though
with additions and repairs, preserved
an uninterrupted continuity of exist-
ence to its present almost perfect
beauty and symmetry. Thus has this
single building heen projected in the
eighteenth century, been the centre of
our municipal life through all the
nineteenth century, and reaches its
greatest utility and beauty in the sec-
ond decade of the twentieth century.
There are none in this audience, pos-
inspectior of the Court House and to
an understanding of the urgent needs
of the people for its present facilities,
If there be at present any divided
opinion upon this vork of the Board
of Commiggiorers [| unhesitatingly
predict that the future will have
no divided judgment ard that these
Commissioners have erected for them-
selves to their credit ard to the pride
of their descendants for all future
time this building as their peculiar
monument,
It is not a misplaced compliment to
aliude in words of praise to the ex-
ceeding satisfactory work of the con-
tractors, Gehret and Lambert, nor
must we omit a reference to the ar-
chitects Newman and Harris, and es-
pecially to Mr. James Harris who gave
#0 much of his personal time and
thought to this work, and who honors
us and this occasion with his presence.
It is a source of gratification that he
is no stranger to us, but is one of us
sibly none in this county, that can re-
call the exterior front of our Court
House to be other than as it is to-
day. None of us without reflection
can realize what this building means
to the people of this county. For a
portion of two centuries it has
safe-guarded the archives of county
and family history. Here are maintain-
ed the title to our lands, the records of
our properties, of our loans, and of
our business papers. Here, through
all the generations have been pre-
served, the record of each dead man's
estate, and the litigations between
our peoples. Here, too, have been pre-
served the names and dates of our
childrens’ births and the deaths and
burials of our loved ones. It is to this
place the blushing bridegroom must
come for his marriage license. In this
forum have been waged the great legal
battles. Here has been heard genera-
tion after generation the wit, the
eloquence, the learning of the great
‘COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE
by the closest and most sacred ties.
His father, an honored citizen, died
in our midst. He bears the name and
is a member of one of our oldest
families. By ties of kinship, he is
cornected with one of our most bril-
liant and versatile jurists (I refer to
Mr. Petriken). It is to Mr. Harris’
artistic skill in preserving all that was
Leautiful in the old structure, to his
delicate sense of shade and symmetry,
that we owe this beautiful building.
Therefore, President Sparks, on be-
half of Jacob Woodring, H. E. Zim-
merman and John A, Dunlap, Commis-
sioners of Centre county, 1 hereby
present to the people of Centre coun-
ty, through yourself, one of our most
distinguished citizens and as the rep-
resentative of our people, this beauti-
ful Temple of Justice, to be used by
our people for all its varied purposes
and uses throughout all the years to
come; and may God add His blessing
thereto, and grant that true justice
judges and lawyers of the past. So Bes mercy may be ever administered
———
are preserved within these walls the
ography of all our citizens and the
Jiosrap Vb our community. Thus
cluster around this building the most
precious memories, associations and
traditions. What farmer of mature
years is not delighted to tell to his
auditors the story of famous law suits
and great legal battles! All this is
peculiarly true of this building, for
the history of our early bar is unu-
sually rich in distinguished advocates
and learned judges who have affected
most potently not only the law and
therein.
In accepting the court house in behalf
of the people of Centre county Dr. Edwin
Erle Sparks, of State College, said that
ordinarily when a receiver was appointed
it meant that an estate or a business had
gone into bankruptcy and that a receiver
had been appointed to wind up its affairs.
In this case, he stated, he had been ap-
pointed receiver, but he was glad to say
the hands of the learned judge of Centre
county the beautifully reconstructed court
house for the people of Centre county
and he wanted to impress on the minds
of all present that it was their building.
Not that of one man or a small coterie of
men, but a building in which every man,
woman and child in Centre county had a
rightful claim and heritage. He stated
that he was glad to see such a mark of
progressiveness among the people of Cen-
tre county. Away back hundreds and
thousands of years ago, in the stone age,
man lived for himself alone. His food he
drew from the forests and streams; his
raiment was obtained in the most primi.
tive manner; he had no colleges, no
schools, no churches, no public institu-
tions or buildings, no highways or any of
the advantages of civilization, consequent-
ly there was no need of levying tribute
for anything. The civilization of today is
nothing more than organized society for
the advancement and betterment of all
and he was glad to see that the people of
Centre county, through their court and
their bar association, and their present
county that was constantly growing in
size and importance until the time came
when it was imperative thab something
must be done. Various grand juries, he
stated, had favorably reported remodel-
ing the building but the commissioners
always lacked the necessary nerve and
backbone, until it came to the present
board and, to their credit be it said,
when they were shown the imperative
necessity of doing something, they decid-
ed to take the bull by the horns and go
ahead. The General then told of the
meeting held at the home of Judge Or-
vis, at which he was present, when the
| plans of architects Newman and Harris
for the remodeling of the building were
submitted by the county commissioners
and approved by all present, and stated
that he was glad that he was at that
meeting to endorse the action of the
court and bar association. That he was
_ glad that he had had that much to do
; with helping along the work and he was
not only ready and willing to share his
| part of the burden but wanted to say
that instead of receiving criticism for
what they had done the county commis-
MARBLE STAIRWAYS LEADING TO COURT ROOM
board of county commissioners had de-
veloped a spirit of progressiveness in ad-
vance of many other communities. He
then spoke of the completeness of the re-
modeled court house, its harmony in col-
ors and architecture and stated that it
would be a standing monument to the
board of county commissioners long after
they had passed away, the one thing that
they have done that will be longest re-
membered.
In commenting upon the progressiveness
of the people of Centre county he stated
the dedication of the magnificent High
duty to be present at the dedication of |
the court house and that he hoped to live |
to be present at the dedication of the new |
state highway. In conclusion he stated |
that in behalf of the people of Centre
county he received the building as ten- |
dared by the court on behalf of the coun- |
ty commissioners, feeling assured that the |
citizenship of Centre county would hold
it sacred for the uses for which it is in-
tended.
At the conclusion of Dr. Sparks’ speech
of acceptance Gen. James A. Beaver was
introduced and made the principal ad-
REAR
that a year or so ago he was. present at |
school building; that it was a pleasant |
sioners should be highly commended,
and that he would stand back of them
for anything it was in his power to do.
Gen. Beaver stated further that he was
glad to say that the people got their mon-
ey's worth for every cent expended; that
there was not even a breath of scandal
or intimation of graft connected with the
work, which is another great credit to
the integrity of the board. In speaking
of the economy of the work he stated
that the judges consulting room alone in
the Supreme court building in Philadel-
phia cost more than all the work on the
court house and the latter was superior
in harmony of color and architecture.
Recurring to his address historically
Gen. Beaver reviewed the judicial lives
and histories of the various judges of the
county, especially those who served dur-
ing the first fifty years of the county's
history when the judge was appointed
and served until death or resignation.
Eighteen judges in all have presided over
the Centre county courts and of this num-
ber the speaker practiced law under nine,
and had personal acquaintance with sev-
eral others. His address throughout was
listened to with closest attention, not-
withstanding the fact that he talked for
PORCH
dress of the day. His talk was mostly
historical with just enough of personal
reminiscences of judges and members of
the Centre county bar to make it ex-
tremely interesting to all present, and it
is only lack of space which prevents us
from publishing it in full.
He started out by giving a brief ac-
count of the organization of Centre coun-
ty and the wise provision of the found-
ers of Bellefonte, James Dunlop and
James Harris, in setting aside grounds for
the erection thereon of county buildings
and conveying for this purpose the undi-
vided one-third interest in all the lots of
the town. He told when the first coust
house was completed in 1806 and the first
court held therein in the fall of the same
year. Following along the trail of the
court house he told of the erection of the
stately columned front in 1835, and the |
building of the court house as it was
i
1
For fifty-five years the same building
was made to do duty for a people and a
known up until two years ago in 1855. | jous discord.
more than an hour, and at its close Rev.
E. H. Yocum pronounced the benediction
and the meeting adjourned.
How Bells Are Tuned.
When certain bells in a chime produce
discord they can be tuned. The tone of
a bell may raised or lowered by cut-
ting off a little metal in the proper places.
To lower the tone the bell-tuner puts
bell in hye lathe and reams it out
nt wi swell begins,
down to the rim. As the work proceads
he frequently tests the note with a tun.
ing-fork, and the moment
is reached he Stops
raise the tone, on
ual
wil give the higher note.
A notable instance of bell-tuning was
at Lausanna, where twelve bells, in
neighboring steeples, produced only seven
distinct notes, and produced a most cur-
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