National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-18
THE OLD JAIL.
Some of Its Notable Inmates.


To no Institution with which they have for
years been only too familiar could the people OF
this District bid farewell with more pleasure than
the Washington Jail. Since its erection, In 1855,
il has stood gloomily, solitary and forbiddlng in
aspect in the very centre Of the city and 10 full
view of one OF the main Jhorougbfsres. Possibly
at the date OF its construction It was o model Of
its kind, but II that be SO its kind poor ef-
forts at architecture, and when two days ago it
was vacated there was no man, from the warden
down to the meanest criminal incarcerated
who did not know and feel that il was unfit for
the purposes for which 1t was used, but positive
DISGRACE to the government which I'D long toler
ated its existence.
for years Psst l. as eaen snccessTs grand Jury
ted with their testimony to the efforts of the Off.
cas to do the best they could By their hearty con-
mendation that IL be as soon as possiblesuper
ceded by an edifice more in consonaHce with the
modern idea Of prison-a subject which has re-
ceivedI the careful consideration of many of the
most enlightened philanthropists of the day.
But the old pile has history, and within its
ated many notables. From out these walls there
have walked into the south enclosure no less than
dozen men who stepped from the prison to the
scafold, in expation Of their crimes against soci
ETY.. Beginning nearly twenty years ago with
Powers, executed for the murder Of Lutz, down
to recent times, when In quick succession Grady,
for the rape Of an old lady; Jenkins, for the muir
der Of his wife; Young. for the murder OF the
drover Hahn; Barney Woods for the murder of
the brutal murder Of the pedler Rogerski, has
this old place been the scene OF these fearful
Among the notable inmates on trial for their
lie have been Hon. Daniel E. Sickles, Mary
Harris, who shot Burroughs; John H. Surrstt,
for completely in the assassination Of President
Lincoln: Mrs. Shea, for the murder Of Of1cer
Doyle; Darden, for the murder Of Mccarthy;
Slater for the murder Of Hussey; the colored
man, Nichols, for the murder of his wife and step
mother, (who died in Jail;) O'Brien, the George
town policeman, for the murder Of Cunningham,
(Whose sentence of death was committed to i'm
prisonment for life;) Bolster for the murder Of
james, and SO on through the list, concluding
with Frswner, for the murder Of Kennard.
For portion of the time that Z. B. Irwin was
in contempt of the House he held In this jail,
and Wetmore, the California correspondent, only
escaped like fate by his timely explanation. In
this building "Wrangy" Jones, Q noted ruffian,
while under sentence, cut the throat Of his mis-
tress, who called TO visit him, he escaping the
punishment Of his crime by feigning insanity.
Probably the best advertised Of all Its inmates
was Benton, the safe burglar, and next to him In
point of interest and notorfety are Snyder, the
Perry burglar, and the man Green, now on trial
for personating Edes. The 81 900 Treasury rob-
beers and @. q. Fisher, who were among the last
inmates, also come in for fair share OF notoriety,
which will be increased when their trials take
place.
Now the old place is deserted, and in It's stead
the splendid new building, fitted up with Q view
Of safety and comfort, is occupied and will be for
years to come.