County Judge George Stanley walked into his office the other morning spruced up in a new top coat and fuzzy new hat, Sheriff Ralph Hall walked into his office in a snazzy suit, white shirt and tie, someone called for an investigation and Eddie Gerber ducked out of sight . and all in a day's work.
The Otoe county courthouse is a regular beat for News-Press reporters. It's a good job and it's always interesting.
Like the time someone sneaked into the courthouse one night and decorated the halls and doors in green for St. Patrick's day. Nellie Conley in the welfare office is still called the culprit. If a fella really wanted a morning snort, he could find a supply most any time in Sheriff Hall's office. Whiskey, beer or wine, take your pick but be careful, if the sheriff is around. You might pull back a stub because the booze is confiscated.
Roy Ojers, who has served many years as county bailiff, always places his cigars above the door sill over District Court Clerk Virginia Naviaux's office. Judge Stanley often puts his cigars in the pop cooler "to keep them moist."
Recorder Frances Webb Farson, and her Deputy Julia Weatherhead drink hot tea and not coffee like most of the other officers and employes. Assessor L. A. Whipple smokes his tobacco in $25 pipes (he sez).
Treasurer Orrel Williams' office is run strictly by gals. About the only time a man is behind the counter is when Clerk Ed Harshbarger or Assessor Whipple are coordinating county business or when the state auditors arrive. Miss Naviaux always has cigarets and matches on hand for a few of us moochers although she never uses them herself.
Courthouse folks like to please you, and you will always find courteous people in the offices who greet you with a smile, the day's greeting and an offer to serve. Try smiling back and adding a similar "good morning."