Historic law books buried in courthouse
WAYNESBURG – Buried deep in the bowels of the Greene County Courthouse basement are relics that showcase the history of the local governmental system.
There are hundreds of law books stacked in towers against the courthouse basement walls that were once legal resources dating to the early 1900s.
They are taking up space and need to go, however, so they are being given away for free.
“They sit down there because they really aren’t worth anything anymore,” Greene County President Judge Farley Toothman said. “We have to get rid of them.”
The law books once were the primary resource for research and records for legal professionals. They were supplied by the Bar Association for each judge within the courthouse.
The books were no longer needed when the county switched to using on online legal research service and proprietary database service called Westlaw.
“We can now go online and find the information we are seeking much quicker,” Toothman said. “Now, they are just taking up space that we need.”
The courthouse is offering any and all of the books for free to anyone who is interested.
Some of the law books date to the early 1900s and are filled with calligraphic signatures while others are new.
Court Administrator Sheila Rode said the basement space is going to be needed for the new judge when he is elected in this fall’s general election. If the books are not taken, they will be thrown away.
To schedule a time to pick up the books or learn more about their history, call 724-852-5237.