The Jackson County Finance Authority received 5 bids for the old brick federal building at 103 S. Hudson. Those bids were opened Thursday and ranged from $1000 to $36,000. Money talks, but this is one case when the use of the building is as important, or more so than the money. The county commissioners want this building, at the southwest corner of W. Broadway and S. Hudson streets, to be used as a great addition to downtown Altus.

The two-story building, long a landmark since its construction since 1917, has played many important roles in the community since World War I. If those plaster walls could talk, they'd probably speak about almost every native family in Jackson County, in one way or another. It housed the post office and other federal office, was part of the Jackson County Health Dept. and finally, a youth center.

The decision for the winning bid for the old building will be made on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Finance Authority meeting, in the County Commissioners office. The meeting is tentatively set for 4 p.m.