(from a booklet prepared in 1921)
County Government
In June of the year 1800 , Moses MOORE, James CALDWELL, Edward FRYE, David
PHELPS and Gabriel SAUNDERS were commissioned by the Governor the first
Justices of 'the peace to hold the county court. The records of the court
of quarter-sessions authorized by the Constitution, if any were held, have
been lost. On June 28, 1800, Moses MOORE. Sr, Member of the county court.
approved the report of the Commissioners there tofore appointed to inspect
the workmanship of the first County Jail and ordered that the Sheriff pay
the contractors. This Bastile was the first public building erected in Bullitt
County. The second Jail was built in 1816 on the lot where the People's
Bank and the Bullitt County News buildings now stand. The present Jail,
back of the Court House, was built in 1891.
OLD STONE JAIL
Bullitt's Temple of Justice
The county court in November. 1801, appointed Richard BIBB. Sr., Thomas
SANDERS and Thomas SPEED,. Commissioners to draw up and report to the next
county court a plan for a court house. At that time Thomas SPEED was clerk
of the county court. July 28. 1806, the contract to build a court house
was let to Henry CRIST, to be completed in eighteen months from that date.
CRIST completed the court house in July, 1804, according to contract, having
done about $35O worth of extra work about the contract,which was for $2,800,
making a total cost of $3,150. This building was 28 by 46 feet and 32 feet
high, the walls were laid on heavy stone foundation sunk three feet below
the surface and was made of fire brick, 22 inches in thickness, said by
competent architects to be the best brick walls in the State. It was a unique
piece of skilled architecture and the commissioners appointed to inspect
the workmanship, reported to the court that it was better than specified
in the contract. On top was cupola and belfry; the bell was cast in Philadelphia.
During the interim between the organization of the county and the completion
of the Court House the sittings of the court were in three upper rooms at
the residence of John SPEED. who was allowed by the county court 45 1/2
pounds sterling for their use. The Legislature in 1802 having created circuit
court in each county, the first circuit court was held in Shepherdsville
March, 1803. Hon. Stephen ORMSBY had been appointed Judge, with Hon. William
POPE and Birt CROW. assistant Judges and Fred W. S. GRAYSON, clerk. Alexander
POPE was Commonwealth's Attorney. Moses MOORE was Bullitt's first County
Judge and Thomas SPEED first County Court Clerk. James CHAPPELL was the
first Constable in Bullitt County, and was also Jailer at the same time;
he was the brother of Abram and Ballard CHAPPELL of the knobs, and uncle
of Matthew, George, John, Joseph and Thos. CHAPPELL. James CARRICO was the
building contractor for the first Clerk's Office at $390; this office was
not built until 1813.