Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1875-08-25
THE OLD o JAIL.

early days Of Eureka is the old log Jail
in Chinatown, and a few incidents con-
nected with its history may perhaps
prove not embarrassing to the old
timers, many Of whom are doubtless
ignorant of the circumstances under
which it was built and the diplomatic
tactics brought to bear to insure an al
lowance for its construction by the
Commissioners of Lander, of which
county at hat time Eureka formed an
integral portion.
In the Winter '69-'7O justice was dis
pensed in all its purity by Uncle Bill
Adams as chief magistrate in an old
log cabin about twelve feet square,
which still stands in the rear of the
Parker House. Charley Goodwin, now
OF the Enterprise, represented the peo-
pie OF the BATTLEFRONT State in lhe prose-
cution Of petty l~arcenists and bronco
fighters, which then constituted the
principal criminal practice in his Hon
or's court. Judge Davenport skir-
fnished generally among the defen-
dants, and the entire co~nstabulary and
police force of the municipality con-
sisted of an humble individual who
was then in the prime of vigorous
manhood and could whip his weight in
Chinawomen any day in the week.
The legal machinery of the govern
ment was complete with the exception
OF a jail. The district abounded in
petty thieves and mustang fighters.
Some Of the most adroit pilferers on
the coast had congregateu here, and
any article of the most trihing value
left exposed during the night was
certain to turn up missing in the
morning; while scarcely a day passed
without a dozen or two fights of greater
or less magnitude. Whenever an ar
rest was made the active and efficient
officer had his hands full. He had
either to stand guard over his prison
ers or chain them to a cottonwood log
which formed a portion OF the manger
in a stockade stable on the lot where
the Corner Saloon and Masonic Hall
now stands. This after a time became
powerfully monotonous and the officer
sought relief by petitioning the Coun.
ty Commissioners tor an appropriation
to build a c%alaboose; but at that time
they happened to be in a particularly
ttDilOilflchl IiOOu anu htDb putting
him off with one excuse and another
until, matters becoming worse, he was
driven to the verge of desperation and
was almost tempted to throw up his
commission and abandon the town to
the depredations of the light-fingered
and belligerent gentry.
While matters were in this condition,
in January, 30, one of the Commits
sioners came over from Austin with a
lot of teams to fill a contract for haul-
ing ore to the old Mccoy furnace. He
arrived in town about dark one even
ing, and stepped into Al. Titus saloon
To moisten his palate before unhitching
his teams. Here he met the officer,
who Immediately boned him upon the
Jail question, and in reply to that
functionary's somewhat persistent in
quiry the County Dad answered, Jack,
we hav'nt decided yet whether you
need a jail over here or not, but the
board has instructed ME to investigate
matters and if / find it necessary the
appropriation will be made at the next
meeting.n a brilliant idea was at once
conceived in the prolific brain of the
Intelligent peace preserver, and as soon
as the Commissioner had left the house
he proceeded to put ii in execution.
Selecting a couple of noted thieves out
of u dozen or more who were standing
around, he called them to him and
whispered a few words in their ears.
They Immediately disappeared in the
darkness of the street, and the peeler
coolly lighted a fresh cigar and calmly
awaited the progress of events. His
patience was not severely taxed, for in
loss than five minutes the County
Parent came rushing breathlessly into
the saloon with his eyes protruding
like a couple of junk bottles, and ex-
claimed, "By George, Jack, | reckon
you do need n Jail here. Do you know
that while | was embarrassing my
team some id thieves stole a couple
OF sacks of barley off my wagon!"
The officer coolly informed him that
such occurrences were common, ana
advised him to return To his horses
Immediately or he would probably
find some of their shoes removed upon
his return. That night a favorable re-
port was SEN to the county seat a nd at
the next meeting of the board an APP
preparation was made for he Jail,
which was speedily constructed and as
speedily stocked with the pioneer evil
doors of the Base Range.