By Tami Russell, Menard County Treasurer This year’s “Piece of History” item at the PTO auction is a bar taken from the old jail that was located on the top floor of the Menard County Courthouse. This bar was turned into a display rack for... well, whatever you want to display. It will be displayed with coffee cups, but a few more hooks would turn it into a jewelry holder. If you buy it, you can name what it displays.
This particular piece requires a few more hurdles. As per the law, the Commissioners deemed this metal bar a surplus item and the County is required to place notice in the paper that this piece will be auctioned off on November 12th, at approximately 10:30 am. Until then interested parties are welcome to view the item, on display in the courthouse lobby.
This piece was created by Billy Kniffen, who is always generous to the auction and whose name is synonymous with quality work. I would also like to add that in no way is anyone trying to glorify lawlessness, (in fact maybe the consequences of), but we cannot deny that the fourth-floor jail was often a favorite part of a courthouse tour. Come take part in honoring our veterans at the parade, support our kids in the auction and maybe, just maybe, take home a piece of Menard history.