The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-07-10

Architects Report.
Below we give the report Of the
Architect employed by the County
/ Court, and it being so full and COM
plete, it ought to put a stop to all
cavil about the repairing of the old
Jail There is nothing now for the
Commissioners to do but to carry
-Iout the order of the Circuit Court.
1t would have been much better for
the people had they voted the jail
bonds:
TO the Honorable The County Court
Mason eoailty, " va:
/ Gentlemen. In conformity with
the order of the Court, that should
make examination of the Mason
county jail to determine the condi-
ton of the same, bothsstrncturally
and its fitness under the law, have
the honor TO return the following
report: To wit,
That on the 9Th day of July, 1889,
L visited said Jail and thoroughly
examined the same. "a rs
ARCHITECTURAL. "a
found the brick walls, both in
side and outside, badly cracked; the
walls Of the exterior bulgcd; windowi
and door stills and caps broken; iron
roof of same leaking; plastering In
bad conditiors biichworlS in cornicei
loose; mortarin lower parts of wall
disintegrated; brick loose in walls
in places and chimneys requiring
rebuilding above roof New sills
required for doorways; window
frames requiring firm anchoring TO
walls. and ironwork in places very
insecure. 49,. v
Under the circumstances, l con-
slider the condition of the building
structurally insecure.
LEGAL. fg lI
The building does not conform to
the statute governing the arrange
ment of jails. The cells are not con
convenient for tho accommodation
of those who may be confined therein;
neither are they SO arranged that
the convicts may be in apartments
separate from the other prisoners.
Under the present arrangement of
the Jail all classes of prisoners are
necessarily thrown together, where
by the young are placed in intimate
connection with hardened criminals.
There is no accommodation for the
insane, who by the law may have to
be confined therein; neither is there
any convenience for the caro- of sick
prisoners.
The walls of the second floor Of
the interior are only frame parti-
tions, therefore not calculated for
the safe and separate retention of
prisoners.
The ceilings of the rooms of samc
floor are of wood with a wooden fiue
leading from first floor to roof
This is especially insecure and cause
for liability to loss by fire.
The window frames of same rooms
are of wood insecurity fastened to
walls and one of them entirely loose
from the jambs, making easy the
escape of any prisoner with outside
assistance.
SANITARY.
There is no adequate provision
for ventilation in winter and prac-
tically no sewerage.
HEATING.
The present system of heating
with stoves is unsafe, besides afford
ing abundant Opportunities to the
prisoners for.mischief.
JAILoR's HOUSE.
The residence of the iaiIor is nei
Their economically nor conveniently
arranged. There is no private office
for the reception and searching of
prisoners, nor private hallway to
the Jail, and consequently all that
goes ON in connection with the bust
siness of the Jail, is public to every
member of, the jailor's family from
the oldest to the youngest.
Owing to the insecure condition
of the walls it would be necessary.
to take the entire structure down to
the top of the foundation walls; and
to bring it within its proper status
under the law, an addition of fifteen
feet would have to run out. from the
rear of the present foundation.
Even with this addition, the
building could not be so convent
emily arranged as by adopting an
entirely new plan, which could be
made to embody all the require
ments of the statute. Anew site
would be advisable, having in view
facilities for drainage and closercon-
nection with the Court House, &
view of the foregoing statement
/ therefore condemn the present
Jail building as unsafe, unhealthy.
and illegal. NJ
Respectfully submitted.
o. S. PHILPoTT, Architect.
Point Pleasant, w. Va, J July 6, 1889.
To The Public.
Mr.. Editor: On the 4th day of
last June, l believe, was appointed
a member of the Board of Exam