Turn-of-the century desk finds its way back to city

Du Quoin Historic Preservation Commission members Deborah Chastain and Aaron Atkins, who also serves as city attorney, Monday night presented to the city a rare treasure, the judge's desk from the courtroom and council chambers of the original 1892 city hall on South Division Street.

When city hall was moved to the current location at Poplar and Washington in 1990 the pine desk with its beaded front, was set on a raised platform facing east in the council chambers. When the room was completely remodeled in 1996 the desk was stored fo a short time and found its way to antiquities collector Ralph Timpner in Pinckneyville. It had been refinished. In acquiring the desk from the Timpner family, it will again takes its place in city hall just to the right of the council chambers entry door and will replace a small metal desk which replaced it in recent years.