The evening times., 1896-05-02

Orders have been issued by the building
inspector for tlfe repair OF an old siruc-
ture located in an alley Immediately in
the rear of the present municipal building.
which enjoys the distinction OF having
served as the first District Jail. and in the
event of a failure to comply with the
order the structure will, In all probability.
be torn down.
There are two sections to the building,
both two stores in heigbt-one rUoicd wiln
tin, the other with shingles that no longer
shed the rain. The better part of the struc-
ture has been for some time used as Il tene-
nent. Its history. however, marks 1T as
one of the ante-bcllum landmarks.
For years before the war it was partly
used as a slave pen, aud partly rs jail.
and tradition, well authenticated. says
uhat the first man ever hanged for a crime
under the District laws was confined there
prior to his execution The hanging took
place near where the present city hall
stands.
SLAVES PLACED THERE.
Slaves captured in their efforts to escape
from their masters were placed there for
safe-keeping until reclaimed, and those
offered for sale were also inCarcerated IN
the pen for the brief time necessary prior
to the auction. II was there that possible
purchasers congregated to inspect the men
and women servants and select the most
"likely'' ones for their use, and after ward
made bids for their choice at the auction
block
The building has fallen into decay. Its
four walls inclose quarters which might
have seemed ample in its best days, but
which now have Il oramped aspect, height
ened by its general dilapidation and forbid
ding exterior.
The structure was deserted as Jail years
- gnlsa .fdft haar
quarters for prisoners, In the rear OF the
present city hall. That place was In turn
abandoned for a site at the corner of
Fourth and Il streets northwest, and that
building was occupied until the Jail now
in use was erected.
In addition to its prison history, it Is
said the original Jail was at one time,
prior TO the w?r, used as ha ath house,
and was in its day the only one in the Dis
trict. All Washington patronized it, and
naturally the business flOurished, there
being no opposition and the establishment
having really first-ciasss accommodations.
Mr.. Mcmillan reported favorably from the
District Committee an amendment to the
District appropriation bill. 1t empowers
the Commissioners to authorize the erection
and use of telephone poles in the streets and
roads outside the city and ratifies the permits
heretofore granted.
It is provided, however that such poles
shall he subject to use by the District for
fire alarm and police wires without charge.
The privileges are revocable- 1t was re-
ferrcd.
This amendment is necessary to meet the
decision of Chief Justice Bingham. that the
Commissioners cannot grant right of way
for any lines without special authority from
Congress.
FIREMEN'S RELIEF FUND.
The draft OF a proposed amendment to the
present law establishing a firenIen's relief
fund has been for warded by the Commission
ers to the chairman OF the House District
Committee, which authorizes tie board 10
deduct / per month from the pay OF each
fireman, TO be used as q relief fund, but
which at the same time limits tie Bene-
fits bestowed to those members who may be
inCapacitated for service by actual fire
service.
This is explained to mean that only such
members as may incur death or disable
fty in service at a fire or IN going to or
returning from such service, or where
disability or death is due to the vicissitudes
of not less than fifteen years continuous
service.
The Commissioners say the amendment
was drawn by the attorney for the Dis
trct after consultation with the chief OF
the fire department, and they recommend
! that It be included in the pending District
appropriation bill now before the District
committee.
There is provision for the widows and
| children, but a man must have served at
| least twelve months to be entitled. and the
| aggregate of relief to be furnished shall in
| no case exceed $50 per month for any one
disabled fireman or the family of q de-
| ceased member, with SIS for funeral ex-
| penses in case of the death OF the fireman.
The Comm issioners have recommended
| favorable action upon House bill S499, in
| relation to taxesa nd tax sales inthe District.