The Jury Box: Observations from an Eastern Washington Lawyer
Grant County Courthouse Capers: Justice Gets a New Home—on Questionably Acquired Land (allegedly)
My office window provides a first-row view to the beautifully constructed Grant County Courthouse. A classic revival, adorned in brick, and terra-cotta elements with prominent columns and detailed cornices enhanced by nighttime lighting. There’s a peculiar irony in observing, from such a close distance, the very heart of county governance take form on land whose beginning stages sparked controversy. Allegations of self-dealing and hints of government conspiracy alleged to be woven into the building’s foundation.
Old grudges resurfaced, lawsuits were filed, and, in a twist worthy of local theater, the judge dismissed the lawsuit against the commissioners less than three weeks after they were filed. In 1917, Thiemens and White, marched back into the courtroom spotlight with legal papers in hand. Their mission? To seek an injunction against former county auditor C.T. Sanders, to prevent him from filing a recall petition. Ultimately, the court denied the commissioner’s request for an injunction because the Petition was sufficiently plead.
The recall petition accused Mr. Thiemens and Mr. White of misfeasance for passing a resolution to purchase what is now commonly known as 35 C. Street NW—the home of the Grant County courthouse. Thiemens and White were accused of passing a resolution to purchase land for a courthouse, knowing Thiemens had an interest in the property and actively concealed this information from Commissioner Twinning. The commissioners were alleged to have approved sale for the property at an inflated price, $3,500.
Ultimately, the court found no grounds to prevent the recall, though it gained little traction among the citizenry. Despite its dramatic infancy, the courthouse construction began in July 1917. The Grant County Courthouse took its place on January 25, 1918. It now sits as a striking piece of architecture. A center for county legal matters, eclipsing remote claims of misconduct.
Today, the Grant County Courthouse stands as both a symbol of justice and an example of how questionable roots can build strong foundations.
My office window provides a first-row view to the beautifully constructed Grant County Courthouse. A classic revival, adorned in brick, and terra-cotta elements with prominent columns and detailed cornices enhanced by nighttime lighting. There’s a peculiar irony in observing, from such a close distance, the very heart of county governance take form on land whose beginning stages sparked controversy. Allegations of self-dealing and hints of government conspiracy alleged to be woven into the building’s foundation.
Old grudges resurfaced, lawsuits were filed, and, in a twist worthy of local theater, the judge dismissed the lawsuit against the commissioners less than three weeks after they were filed. In 1917, Thiemens and White, marched back into the courtroom spotlight with legal papers in hand. Their mission? To seek an injunction against former county auditor C.T. Sanders, to prevent him from filing a recall petition. Ultimately, the court denied the commissioner’s request for an injunction because the Petition was sufficiently plead.
The recall petition accused Mr. Thiemens and Mr. White of misfeasance for passing a resolution to purchase what is now commonly known as 35 C. Street NW—the home of the Grant County courthouse. Thiemens and White were accused of passing a resolution to purchase land for a courthouse, knowing Thiemens had an interest in the property and actively concealed this information from Commissioner Twinning. The commissioners were alleged to have approved sale for the property at an inflated price, $3,500.
Ultimately, the court found no grounds to prevent the recall, though it gained little traction among the citizenry. Despite its dramatic infancy, the courthouse construction began in July 1917. The Grant County Courthouse took its place on January 25, 1918. It now sits as a striking piece of architecture. A center for county legal matters, eclipsing remote claims of misconduct.
Today, the Grant County Courthouse stands as both a symbol of justice and an example of how questionable roots can build strong foundations.