The Nevada Democrat., 1858-04-14
R.uo,t of the Grand Jury.


the April Term of the Court Of Sessions, 1858,
having fully investigated all Of the offences
brought to their attention, and having made
due presentment Of such as they deemed prop
erly the subjects Of indictment, have inquired
into the manner in which the county officials
have discharged their duties, into the system Of
accounts adopted by the Auditor and Treasu-
rer, the condition and management of the
County Hospital, and County Jail, and having
further examined the bonds Of the officers, and
the records made by such officers in pursuance
Of law, submit the following report: s-t,
The Jail Of the county is badly constructed,
and to render it secure and healthy, rsquir es
macy Improvements and q considerable expendi-
ture of money. The partition walls are far
from being substantial: the locks aud fastenings
Of the doors and cells are insecure and the want
Of proper drainage, has rendered the cells damp
and unhealthy. We have examined the door
leading from the jailor's room TO the apartments
where the cells are, and find it very insecure
would recommend heavy iron bars. running
from the iron frames on either side of the door
ways, and firmly riveted to each frame. We
alss 6nd the cell doors could be very easily re-
moved by taking them off their hinges, or by
using much forcs from the inside Of the cells.
the door frames could be forced loose from their
fastenings. We would recommend that the
hinges to the cell doors be altered and 6xed
more securely, and in such a manner that they
canuet lift the doors up from the hinges. We
would also state that the locks are in bad con-
dition, they being SO much worn by long use
that il ia almost impossible sometimes to open
them We would recommend that new locks be
furnished for all the doors.
We have examined the partition walls between
the cells-we think they are very unsafe-they
being built with brick and mortar and only
abont eight inches thick. Prisoners wishing to
escape. could 10 less than one hour. break
through these partition walls. and all get to-
gsther in one cell to resist the Sheriff aud his
Officers--which would place the latter in very
dangerous position. We would therefore rec
ommeRd that those brick walls be taken down,
and replaced with walls constructed Of solid
granite rock, doweled firmly together, making
. wall eighteen inches thick.
The condition Of the sewer leading from the
cells is very bad both for the health Of the pris-
oners and officers. We would recommend that
the sewer be extended from its present terminus
down to the raviDe below Pine street, which
will give drainage enough to keep it perfectly
clean and be conducive to the health Il III ,
prisoners aud officers. We would recommend
first funds arising from the special taxation, for
the purpose of carrying cut the repairs and
improvements above recommended.
We would also state that the officers in charge
Of the Jail have paid strict attention TO ceanli-
ness and comfort Of the prisoners everything
appearing a. orderly and comfortable as cir
cumsiaHces will permit.
Having examined the affairs of the County
Hospital we find the building well adapted to
the purposes Of such an institution, the comfort
Of the inmates well cared for. Or. Wckes is
entitled to much credit for the faithful manner
in which he discharges his duties az physician
and for bis care and treatment Of the INDECENT
sick. -.
The books OF the County Aud tor and County
Treasurer have undergone the inspection Of a
special committee appointed to investigate the
system of accounts adopted by those officers,
who report the condition OF the affairs of those
officers in a condition satisfactory to the inter-
ests Of the county, aud highly creditable to the
present incumbents.
The Public Administrator affairs are in =
condition much confused, and the committee
appointed to examine into the condition Of his
office, deeming the accounting OF that officer
with the various estates to be more properly the
business OF the Probate Judge. have confined
themselves to an examination Of the sufficiency
Of the sureties on his official bond. This has
been the subject Of great difficulty between the
Board OF Supervisors and the Probate Court, as
to which belongs properly to the jurisdiction of
correcting any deficiency, and of requiring adj
ditonal bondsmen. The committee have not
considered it their province to decide the qnes-
tion between the Probate Judge and the Board
Of Supervisors; yet nevertheless feel constrain-
ed to say that tho present bond is inadequate
and defective, and that the interests Of the heirs
nd n iatr hat Of roh cfafa =.
his hands shOuld he better protected.
The laws to which the special attention of the
grand jury has been called in the charge deliv-
cred by the Court, viz the laws for the sup
preston Of gaming. and houses of i'll fame, have
occupied great share Of our attention. We
are satisfied that many places within the city of
Nevada, and as well in all parts of the county
exist in violation Of those Statutes. We have
endeavOred to obtain such information as would
lead to the conviction Of the parties subject to
prosecution, but have found the utmost difficult
ty in sscertaining the names of witnesses. The
fact that police exists in the city of Nevada,
and Constables and peace eficers are elected
and entrusted with the execution of the laws in
every township, should be guarantee in q
great measure, against the open profession Of
gambling and prostitution. That it is the duty
OF those officers to ascertain and give infor ma
ton such ~ will lead to the punishment Of Of
tenders Of these classes we conceive to be sppa-
rent, and in future indulge the hope that more
vigilance may be exercised on the part Of the
police in the suppression Of these vices.
Circumstances Of convincing character leads
to the conviction, that during the past few
months several murders have been committed
within the county by Indians. In two cases
which have recently come to the knowledge of
the officers, these murders have been committed
with FIRE arms, with which the men of the tribe
in our midst are supplied to great extent. A
law exists on our Statute book prescribing Sc
we're penalties for those who dispose Of arms or
ammunition IT, Indians. and we recommend there
fore, cOnstabes and our citizens. . faithful and
energetic application Of these penalties against
those who are induced by mereenary or other
motives. to engage in . traffic so reprehensible
and leading to such alarming results.
We return our thanks to w. F. Anderson ESQ.
District Attorney, for his attentions and eff
cheney during our session. by which We were