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Selma Alabama
Oct 29,1866

Genl
I have the honor to inform you that an examination of the title to the wooden building on the court house lot in this city (formerly known as the Masonic Institute lot) find that the lot and all the improvements were libelled for confiscation by the United States at Montgomery. That the property was then owned by Dr. E R Showalter, who settled the case and obtained a relinquishment of the claim of the United States to the property, he having beneficially pardoned. This property was subsequently sold to the city of Selma, and the city conveyed it to Dallas county for a court house for which purpose it is now held and used by the county.  These circumstances show that the United States have no claim to the wood building now occupied as barracks, the county now wants the possession and control of the wood building to use for jury room by the grand jury and each pannel of the petit jury. At the term of the circuit court which will commence at the third Monday and 19th day of November.  The facts above stated concerning the libel and settlement of the libel suit are shown by the records of the District court of the United States, in case number 71 at fall term 1865, which is stated as United States against The Masonic Institute claimed by E R Showalter.