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46 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
On June 5, 1871, the board adopted the plan offered by Myers &
Holmes of Cleveland, and made contract with them to furnish plans
and specifications upon which the work should be done, and on August
10th plans and specifications were adopted and approved, after examination
by the commissioners, clerk, sheriff and probate judge, and they
were paid $1,000 in part payment on contract.
It seems that there Avas some technical error in the specifications
and the action of the board in rejecting all the bids was in part on that
account. Further than this, about this time the disastrous Chicago fire
occurred, and it Avas suggested that this building should be made as near
fire-proof as possible. This would occasion material alterations in the
plans, and it became necessary that the matter should have full consideration.
HoAvever, on the 5th of December the commissioners again
advertised for proposals to build Avhich were opened on the 6th of February,
1872.
The firm of Miller, Fraycr & Sheets of Mansfield, Ohio, being the
loAvest bidders for the work, the contract was accordingly let to them by
an agreement executed on February 24, 1872. The total cost of the
building amounted to $142,026.45, including furnishing, added to which
was the architect's account, per agreement, $4,361.29.
The building Avas occupied by county officers on the 4th day of
December, 1874. The imposing structure needs no further description.
It stands a lasting monument to the liberality and public-spiritedness
of the people of the Avhole county.
The NeAV Jail.—After the completion of the courthouse, there still
remained another county building to be built. Although of less proportions
it is none the less attractive in appearance and substantially
built. This is the neAV stone jail on Adams Street.
On the 29th of March, 1882, the commissioners of the county entered
into an agreement with Adam Feick & Brother for the erection of a
county jail on lot number thirteen on the south side of Adams Street.
The contract called for a tAventy-six-cell jail and sheriff's residence, and
the consideration paid them for its construction was $45,750,, It Avas
built within the contract, there being no extra work done that made an
additional expense. In addition to the original Avork, heating apparatus
was placed in the building, which cost something like $1,000 additional.
POPULATION AND TAXES
The population of Huron County was, in 1820, 6,675; 1830, 13,341;
1840, 23,933; 1850, 26,203; 1860, 29,616; 1870, 28,532.
The population of Erie County was, in 1840, 12,599; 1850, 18,568;
1860, 24,474; 1870, 28,188; 1880, 32,640; 1890, 35,462; 1900, 37,650;
1910, 38,287.
As an item of historic interest, and as showing the comparative
wealth of the townships, the following table shoAvs the "Total amount
of taxes in Huron county in 1821, on personal and village property:"