The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-02-28


ness.
LAIRD-NORTON co.
almost out of the question, as num-
Der of changes and additions had been
made to the original specifications of
the architect. For these Contractor
Carroll wanted in the neighborhood
of $500, which the board declined to
award, but after going over the plans
and specifications item by item, and
comparing the work as completed in
the building itself, the commissioners,
with whom ex-commissioner Philbrick
was associated by request of the board,
came to an agreement to allow for ex-
tras actually furnished, $40, in addi-
ton to the $12, 1874, the original bid of
Mr.. Carroll.
Although the interior plan of the
jail was described when first accepted
from the architect, Mr.. Abbott, brief
description of the Jail as completed,
may not be without interest to some
of our readers.
The exterior of the Jail looks more
like handsome residence, with its
gothic roofs and plate glass windows,
except that in the rear the tell-tale
grated windows give a hint of its pur-
pose. The material used is red brick,
with front of pressed brick and trim
mings of Kasota stone. On entering
from the front, on Second street, a
hall of good proportions is present
ed, the first door opening on the right
upon the family parlor or sitting room
of the sheriff, furnished with hand
some mantel and CRATE, and large
landscape window. Beyond this, at
the end of the hall, is good-sized
room designed for sheriff's Office. On
the left hand side of this front hall, is
located dining room in front, back
of which will be the kitchen. Above
these living rooms are four bed-cham-
| bers and well-appointed bathroom,
with closets for each room.
Hhe Jail proper is in the rear, fitted
with number of modern contrivanc-
es which are probably new to the
large number of GAZETTE readers who
, are not familiar with Jail interiors.
4 The cage room on the first floor con-
:. tains six cells, and it is beyond COM
prehension how any person once
=, locked in one of these veritable cages
can ever get away without the jailor's
= keys. Steel alone has been used in
their construction, except that the
floor is of granite, covered with con-
crete, and arranged SO that it can be
readily flushed with water, which the
" building will receive from the city VA
ter mains. In fact, cleanliness and
- ventilation are as we'll provided for as
- the security of the prisoners. The hall
dividing the cages is fitted with large
;. bath-tub, which will be supplied with
= hot and cold water when the building
is occupied.
The manner of locking the prison
n ers in merits special description.
" though personal inspection will of
+ course be far more satisfactory. On
q either side of the gateway admitting
+ to the cell room are doors which have
Il the appearance of safe doors, combin-
3 alton knobs and all Having the COM
bination, Sheriff Blethen opened them
+ for the inspection of his visitor, and
showed the levers on either side, (which
+ move not a bolt, but slide the full
h height of each door separately, SO that
no saving of bolts is possible. Hav-
s ing opened this slide of any particu-
+ lar cell, it is still only possible to open
the door from the outside, which is
Substituting and self-locking. In fact,
a cell of our county Jail is good
f place to keep out of, for all who enjoy
q personal freedom.