The Union County Historical Society in Blairsville, GA has a fantastic website that chronicles much of the history of Union County. In searching their site today, I came across an old news article that was published in the Atlanta Constitution in 1899 detailing Union County's "Fight for a Courthouse." If you are also interested about the history of Union Couty, GA, I encourage you to check out this website http://www.unioncountyhistory.org/
“FIGHT FOR A COURTHOUSE”
The Atlanta Constitution, Jan 10, 1899;
ProQuestHistorical Newspapers Atlanta Constitution (1868 - 1925) pg.3
"FIGHT FOR A COURTHOUSE.
THE CONTEST BETWEEN BLAIRSVILLE AND FAIRVIEW.
The Special Tax Levied -- The Injunction: Prayed For and the Recent Election.
Blairsville, Ga., January 9.-(Special)-
The grand jury at the last April term of court recommended the building of a new courthouse in this (Union) county on the idea that the old one was unsafe and unfit. The county commissioners, acting on this recommendation, proceeded and let a contract to W. B. McGinty, of Athens, Ga. for the sum of $11,590. The old building was torn down and the new begun, the foundation of which is completed, and about all the material necessary on the ground. This done, the county commissioners begun to provide ways and means to pay the contractor. An election for a bond issue for the sum of $12,000 was voted on and defeated. Then a special levy of $2 on the $100 of taxable property in the county was made for the purpose of raising the money to pay the contractor. To the collection of this special tax A. H. Dyer and others, represented by V. M. Waldroup, of Union, and H. H. Perry, of Gainesville, asked Judge J. J. Kimsey for an injunction restraining the tax collector from collecting it, and that the new contract for building the new courthouse be declared void and illegal. Judge Kimsey refused the injunction. The commissioners are represented by W. E. Candler, of Blairsville; W. A. Charters, of Dahlonega, and Senator Joe Underwood, of Cleveland. The case is now in the supreme court, and has been argued once, and by order of that court is again to be argued. In the meantime, the legislature, through Representative Walker, was asked to abolish the board of commissioners. The house passed the bill and Senator Greene, of the fortieth district, held it up in the senate.
It was the most exciting election ever held in the county, and under all circumstances has passed off remarkably well. If the supreme court affirms the decision of Judge Kimsey, the fight is ended, as the tax to pay for the new house is now about all collected and in the county treasury. If Judge Kimsey is reversed, no one can tell when the end of the fight will come. There are many wounds left in the county, but it is hoped they will heal under the soothing of old father time.
Blairsville is an oldtime town, begun in 1837. It is the home of Jud[g]e C. J. Wellborn, Colonel W. E. Candler, Colonel T. J. Haralson, J .A. Butt, E. W. Butt, Dr. F. J. Erwin, and many others, and their descendants. It was the birthplace and boyhood home of Judge H. M. Reid, of Atlanta; Colonel C. M. Reid, of Palmetto; Hon. Tom Lyons, of Cartersville, as well as many other prominent Georgians. The place is noted for its good water, the sobriety of its inhabitants, and its pretty women, and the business judgment of its merchants, not a failure ever having occurred in the town since the war."
It is ordered by the court of Ordinary in and for said county that 6 and 3/10 mills or 63 cents be and is hereby levied upon every one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in said county for the year 1900, for the following purposes:
To pay legal indebtedness of the county due on new courthouse -
30 cents $1661.71 [Almost half of the taxes went to py off the Court House]
To repair public buildings and bridges 05 cents $ 276.95
To pay sheriff, jail, etc. 10 cents $ 553.90
To support paupers 05 cents $ 276.95
To pay jurors and courts 13 cents $ 720.07
Total $3489.58
and the tax collector WA Seabolt is hereby ordered to collect said amount together with the State Tax and pay same over to the Treasurer of said county, less his commission, and this order shall be his legal authority for so doing. Under my hand and official signature, this 10th day September 1900 - John T. Colwell, Ordinary
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Union County Court of Ordinary - Sitting for County Purposes |
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