We witnessed a remarkable event on Feb. 20, 2010, with a program and the opening of the cornerstone at the Effingham County Courthouse. Our Historic Effingham Society president, Richard Loper, presented a great talk which was based on Norman Turner’s research in his booklet, “History of the Construction of the Effingham County Courthouse in 1909.” I will share some highlights with you.
In 1901, the Grand Jury recommended “that the county commissioners of Roads and Revenues erect a suitable ‘Justice Court House’ ”.
In 1907 the Grand Jury suggested that a “Temple of Justice” modern and up to date should be erected. The project was to cost not less than $25,000 and not more than $30,000. Due to the growth brought to the area by the Brinson Railroad and to keep up the pace with other counties in the area they declared that it was necessary to erect a more suitable courthouse. The Grand Jury deemed it necessary to secure the lot, where the present Courthouse sits, owned by the “Effingham Hussars,” so that there would be ample room to hitch horses and create a beautiful area around the building. This was a lot adjacent on the south to the previous courthouse, a two-story wooden structure along with a small building called the Court House Office between Early, Rabun, Pine and Oak Streets. Once the new building was erected the old buildings would be removed to provide ample space surrounding the new edifice. This lot was secured.
The Mutual Construction Company, Luman Brothers came before the Grand Jury on April 16, 1908, with plans of a court house to be submitted which received the Jury’s acceptance. They recommended to the commissioners the plans and also recommended that the commissioners employ an architect to supervise construction and act as an agent of the county. The Grand Jury recommended a special tax levy of 3 mills for the purpose of building the new Courthouse.
On November 25, 1908, Mr. F. P. Heiffner of Atlanta signed a contract with the Effingham County Board of Commissioners to build the new Court House. He agreed to build the new building by July 1, 1909, with a cost of construction of $25,000. He arrived by Brinson Train the week of January 22nd and began clearing the trees and lying of the foundation. He expected to keep 25 to 30 people employed on the site for the construction until completed.
On February 22, 1909, on the birthday of President George Washington, there was a ceremony to lay the cornerstone of the new Courthouse. According to the accounts in the Springfield Herald, there were about two thousand people in attendance. The Brinson Railroad offered special round trip tickets and added six coaches well filled from Savannah. The people from all over the county turned out. The officers of the Grand Lodge arrived at 10 a.m. and met with local masons in the Exchange Bank. At noon the march of the Grand Lodge officers began from the bank.
They were led by Capt. C. F. Berry who acted as marshal for the day. Following was a band from Savannah, the officiating officers and a group of masons representing the three Effingham lodges. The Hussars acted as escort.
As the parade came onto the square of the courthouse, the crowd parted for the officials to take their place for the ceremony accompanied by the band’s music. After about a half an hour, to record the items to be entombed in the cornerstone, the ceremony began. The program began when Acting Grand Master from Savannah, Pleasant A. Stovall, called the Grand Lodge to order. After formal proceedings of the Lodge, with Stovall acting in the absence of Master T. A. Jeffries of Atlanta, a prayer and responsive reading was held by Grand Chaplain, Rev. T. W. Shealy, a local Lutheran pastor. The orator of the day, Col. J. R. Saussy of Savannah, was introduced. He paid homage to the citizens of Effingham. According to the Springfield Herald, February 26, 1909, “He asserted there were no people on earth who were more true or loyal, more faithful to the traditions of their fathers, more pious, or more sturdy than the settlers who came to Effingham in the early days — the Salzburgers and raised their Ebenezer. To be sure, also the ladies come in for their portion of the praise. From the brewing of beer to the manufacture of sauer kraut, from the homely and housewifely accomplishments to the making of a home with all the accessories of accomplishment and refinement, the speaker said that the ladies of Effingham, whom he saw even in the audience, could not be equaled the world over.”
According to the Masonic ceremony, the cornerstone was lowered into its place with pomp and circumstance as the band played. The impressive ceremony sealed the copper box into the space of the heavy marble monument on the northeast corner of the building. Three sides were embossed with a raised emblem of the Masons, A. D. 1908 and A. L. 5908.
Grand Mastor Stovall made concluding remarks and then a bountiful dinner was spread on tables beneath the huge trees on the square and the meal was shared. Arrangements had been made to serve 50 gallons of coffee. This was followed by an afternoon at the dancing pavilion with old fashioned square dancing until time for the train to return to Savannah. On the tilting grounds, the Effingham Hussars held an annual match and a large portion of the crowd watched this sport. They were vying for the Griffin Medal. After the scores were summed up it was found that Pvt. C. L. Rahn and Pvt. W. C. Wilder tied on a score of 50 1/2. This necessitated the running of the two troopers again. Pvt. Wilder with the highest score received the medal.
Among the articles deposited in the box were: a copy of the Springfield Herald of October 15, 1908 (the first issue), other issues of the Herald, a list of the officers of the town, a list of the Effingham Hussars when they were mustered at Greensboro N. C. in 1865, a list of the Grand Jury recommending the erection of the court house, and a list of the County Commissioners under whose administration the building is being erected and copies of the Savannah News and Press containing accounts of the building and laying of the cornerstone. Also included were rosters of the Solomon and Landrum lodges of Savannah, a Masonic glove, a Shriner’s emblem, two Masonic lapel pins, a miniature American flag and a souvenir pocket knife. There were numerous other coins, cards and souvenirs offered by the crowd.
According to the papers this gala had great weather, a day with no time for idling packed with entertainment and pleasantly spent by all who attended.
The county accepted the new building after inspection by the architect, contractor and commissioners in September of 1909. They had to furnish the building and in November of 1909 they relocated the old courthouse buildings according to the Springfield Herald.
This cornerstone sat untouched for 101 years. It is a pity that more people were not in attendance on Saturday as the county unveiled the historic contents and replaced the box in the cornerstone with new contents for those to open 100 years from now.
This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org.
