l and is responsible for the
custody of the prisoners confined in it. He opens and closes each session
of the district court, and during the term has charge of the witnesses,
the juries, and the prisoners. It is his duty to carry into execution the
sentence of the court. He serves writs and processes not only for the
district court, but also for justices of the peace and court
commissioners.

Coroner.--Another officer of the county, ancient almost as the sheriff, is
the coroner. If the dead body of a human being is found under
circumstances which warrant the suspicion that the deceased came to his
death by violence, it is the coroner's duty to investigate the matter and
ascertain if possible the cause of the death. He is aided by a jury
summoned by him for the purpose.

At a time in early English history when the only county officers were the
sheriff and the coroner, the coroner acted as sheriff when the latter was
for any reason incapacitated. And the practice still continues. Thus, if
there is a vacancy in the office of sheriff, the coroner acts till a new
sheriff is chosen. And in most states the coroner is the only officer who
can serve process upon the sheriff or who can arrest him.

Clerk of the Court.--The district court [Footnote: See next chapter.] is a
"court of record." That is, it has a seal and a special officer to record
its proceedings. He is called the clerk of the court. He of course also
files and preserves the papers in each case. He has also certain
incidental duties.

Court Commissioner.--Court is not always in session, and there are certain
powers possessed by a judge "in chambers," that is, which the judge may
exercise out of court. For instance, he may grant a writ of attachment or
of _habeas corpus_. Where a judicial district comprises several counties,
as is usually the case, a provision is made in some states for an officer
in each county authorized to perform such duties in the absence of the
judge. In Minnesota and most other states he is called the court
commissioner.

Election and Term.--The county officers are in most sections of the
country elected by the people of the county. The term is usually two
years.

Removals and Vacancies.--Provision is made for the removal of any county
officer for non-feasance or malfeasance in office. The power to remove is
generally vested in the governor. The accused must be given an opportunity
to be "heard in his own defense." Vacancies are general