Proclamation given

Judge Gary Libey, right, presents a framed 1876 proclamation to county commissioner Dean Kinzer Feb. 20 noting the appointment of a man named W.H. James — by President Ulysses S. Grant — to be the registrar of the land office for the Colfax, Washington territory. The office managed the granting of land to homesteaders. Eleanor Huber, acting clerk of the board, is seated to his left. Libey was given the item by the late Don Schmick at the time of Libey’s swearing in as judge in December 2016. Schmick had said he did not remember how he got it.

“It’s a priceless manuscript for Whitman County,” Libey said.

Commissioners will now decide where it may be displayed.