Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1882-07-08
more work gratuitously for his town and
community than all the rest Of the POI .
ulation put together and gets cursed for
it all. Oh, II il sweet thing to be GA
editor. He passes "free," you know.
Report Of tho Grand Jury.
CUSTER CRY, CUSTER Co., d. I
~


Report Of the Grand Jury Of said county
to the Honorable Judge ofthe District
| First Judicial District, OF Custer coun-
ty, territory Of Dakota:
We the grand jurors submit the fol-
lowing report:
After a careful inspection Of the jail
of said county, we find it insufficient Tor
the purpose contemplated, to wit: jail.
First. Because the material out OF
which said jail is constructed 10 not OF
that material to resist efforts OF prison
ers unguarded to escape, provided, said
prisoner should be in possession OF nm
ordinary jack-knife SecoEa, The work
manship is not Of that character to
prevent attemps to escape unsnccess-
fully, provided, the prisone: or prison
ers, should be in possession OF the afore-
said tool or tools Of similar
character, provided, said prisoners were
unguarded. Third, We do not consider
the sanitary condition Of said Jail to be
sufficiently provided for to ensure the
ordinary health Of persons confined
therein, by reason Of the want Of proper
ventilation, and we recommend that
suitable alterations and additions be
made without unreasonable delay, to
secure the above contemplated need, to
wit: The safe keeping Of prisoners with
out requiring a special guard, and the
preservation Of ordinary health by
proper ventilation.
We have visited the county offices
and find them cominodious and in
proper and suitable condition for the
several purposes designated.
We have examined the treasurers
books and Us fur as practicable find them
kept in a neat and orderly manner at
tho present time.
We have spent two days in examining
the books of the county commissioners.
and We find what seems to us gross
abuse Of the trust committed to them, to
wit: That near $4,000 have been ex-
spended for the erection of a court
house and Jail which was to cost, accord
ing to written contract, only $4,000, and
that bonds to the amount Of $l2 900 only
was voted for said purpose, which bonds,
after being sold, netted ell,640. That
said court house and Jail is not n good.
according to testimony taken, as the
contract called for That the speciica-
tions for the construction Of said court
house cannot bc found though d:.:sc:.t
search has been made for them.
That said commissioners have, for
their own services, charged unwarrant-
ed sums, to wit: For horse hire and in
cidental cxspenses.
That discrimination has been made
in payment Of county indebtedness, is
suing to some warrants and to others
certificates Of Indebtedness.
The above we believe TO be unjust and
the transaction calling for the severest
censure.
1t also appears upon investigation that
exorbitant prices have been paid in the
construction of certain road, known
rs Custer and Battle river road, for
which road $2,O00 have been provided
and nearly all, il not all. has been ex-
spended, most Of it under the super
vision of one Of said county commission.
ers, and that at the present time said
road is impossible. Said exorbitant
prices exceeding by one-third ordinary
wages paid for similar service.
| FRANCIS A. TowNER, Foreman.
| IRA WAKEFIELD, Clerk.