Steps Into the Past

     During the research process for Grass Widow Wives, I made two trips to the Asotin County Courthouse in search of documents that would verify my story. 

     This courthouse is not as large, or as old as some I have visited. This courthouse is in the Old Ayer’s Hotel which was built in 1905.  One half of the building is a newer annex that was added more recently.    The bowels of the building hold its treasures.

    When I inquired to look at the marriage, and land records for the county I was directed down the stairs and into a vault in the basement. 

     The large old steel door was locked to protect the secrets within.  After the assistant turns the key, it requires both hands to gain entry to the cavern of darkness.   The single bare light which extends from the ceiling exposes the dusty ancient treasures.  My nostrils are greeted with the odor of old, musty books, while my eyes gaze upon dust and cobweb covered volumes that have, for a long time been neglected and forgotten.  Some volumes in the room are damage from water, bearing the evidence of a flood or plumbing leak.  The mold and water damage are eating away at the writing on the inside.  The neglect makes my heart and mind ache with the knowledge that these treasures should be saved and protected so that other stories can someday be told.

    The room is a perfect square, eight feet by eight feet.  A double sided row of shelves run across the room and the back wall holds a shelf likewise loaded with volumes.  The county worker tells us the oldest volumes which would be the ones we desire are on the backside of the center row of shelves. She then leaves us to explore the room’s riches.  While standing at the back row I struggle to read the writing on the spine, looking for the books that hold the information I am seeking.  Once I find something of interest I must carry to book to a stack of volumes in boxes on the floor and gingerly open the book to expose the information.

(This is NOT taken at the Asotin Courthouse. It does however very closely resemble the room.)

    Just once in your life you must take the opportunity to enter one of these treasure rooms.  Hold the heavy, large time worn books in your hands and expose history before your eyes.   Expose the long ago script and information which brings to life the time of those that created what we so innocently enjoy.