The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-12-19
Experience of the Jail Inspector.

On his first visit to The Renyille county jail,
twelve years ago. the inspector found the county
seat in a deep valley. The only building visible
on approaching the town the jail. which
was located on the top of hill On his arrival
the inspector inquired for the sheriff but was
informed that the sheriff was not there: he
lived at Sacred Heart. He then inquired for the
jaier, but was informed that the jailer had gone
to a funeral, but that the deputy sheriff had the
key. The deputy sheriff was found at last.
"Yes. nave the key; will get it for YOU He
seemed a little nervous: searched his pockets;
went into the house, and out again: then to the
stable. and returned from the stable. with a
man at his heels. This is the prisoner! He
has the key!" He explained that the jail was
customary to let the prisoner out for exercise
at meal time i'll order to avoid the necessity of
carrying his meals up the hill.
On visit to the Sbley county Jail some years
ago. the inspector went to the sheri's residence.
An intelligent-lookiDg young man answered his
knock and informed him that the sheriff was
not at home, having gone into the country. He
said that the sheriff had no jailer; but when the
errand of the inspector was explained. offered
to exhibit the Jail. He came out of the house,
went around and opened an outside door. and
let the inspector into the Jail. When his eyes
had become accustomed to the gloom he sur
yeyed the place. 1t is a brick building, lined
with wooden cells. There were some Wash-tubS
in the room and the floor was very wet The
young man explained by saying, I'VE washed
yesterday, and when we wash it takes several
days for the place to dry OUT Il see that
there are no prisoners" said the inspector.
"Oh, yes; there is One;'' replied the young man.
| IL an the prisoner.
Visiting the Crow Wing county Jail some years
ago. the inspector was unable to find the sheriff,
whose office was locked. Noticing man lOiter-
ing about on the sidewalk. in the vicinity of the
Jail, he inquired if he knew where the sheriff
was to be found He replied that he did not
know, but thought that he was somewhere about
town. "DO you know whether he has any
prisoners?" inquired the inspector. Yes"
| was the reply; ''he has one. | AIN prisoner
"What are you in fore" was the next question.
| "Oh, for MURDER" replied the prisoner non
chalantly.
Two prisoners in the Douglas county jail had
been found guilty of gambling, and fined 500
each, or three months in the county Jail. Bush
ness was dull, and they decided, after cOnsdera-
ton, that $33 d month and board was as we'll as
they could do, and they decided to go to jail.
where they practced their profession on each
other. The Jail was In a filthy condition, and
the inspector said. at seems to me, that, as you
| boys have nothing else to do, you might keep
this place in little better condition. Il never
worked outside, and, you bet, am not going to
begin IN here!' was the reply.
| In visiting the Ramsey county Jail some years
ago, the inspector noticed that one of the pris-
Oners seemed to have more liberty than the
others, and, on inquiry, learned that he was
being held as witness. Further inquiry
brought out the fact that this prisoner had been
assaulted, beaten and robbed of his money in a
saloon by some tOughs. He made complaint
and had the robbers arrested. The criminals
gave bail and went free, but their victim, being
unable to give bail for his appearance at the
| trial, went to Jail.
| The inspector saw similar instance in jail
at Portland, Ore, in 1889, and other like cases
have been reported from other states.
The sheriff of Steele county some years ago
had "a quantity of goods i'll his custody, which
he stored for safe keeping ia the outer corridor
of the Jail. prisoner, who Was serving SEN
tence in the Jail and was locked up in a "cage,"
constructed hook out of wire and fished into
the ''cage' quantity of valuable dry goods,
which he wrapped around his body and carried
off with him upon his Observation-Disclosures
State Bulletin.