The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-10-14
Grand LurY Rnnnrf.


To the Honorable Criminal Court OF Lafayette
County. and the Hon. John A. Rich, Judge
Thereof:
We, the grand jury, empaneled. sworn
and charged as such, at the October
term Of said court, do hereby respect
fully report as follows:
We have completed the Investigation
Of all matters brought before us, and of
which we had personal knowledge, and
return 10 the rcourt the proceedings
thereof.
We have visited the county Offices
and have found the books Of the various
Offices nicely and correctly kept.
We would respectfully draw your at
tention 70 the following needed i'm
proyements in the various offices: The
circuit and county clerks Offices need
more vault room for the storage Of val
liable papers and records, and we would
recommend that the ceilings IN these
vaults be raised, 30 as 10 give more
room, and at the same time these cell
ings be made ireproof. The county
clerk 8 once needs papering badly. The
probate judge requests US to recommend
that two new index books be provided
and the old ones, Nos. ] aud 2, be copied
therein. The recorder requests US TO
recommend that some Of his books OF
record be rebound, as they are going 70
pieces.
We inspected the jail and found the
same cleanly and well kept, and the
prisoners a well treated AZ the facilities
at the disposal OF the TAILOR would Der.
nit. We would respectfully recommend
that. your honor take such steps. as in
your wisdom you may deem best, 10
urge the following improvements: First.
that a wing be added 10 70 the Jail on
the south side, containing two cells for
the accommodation Of black and white
female prisoners, who are now kept In a
cell opening out on a common rotuDda
with the male prisoners. We would
also recommend that all cells be
provided with iron cots for the pris-
oners, and that new mattresses be nro-
vided, as most of the old ones are nn6t
for use. The jail ought not 10 be a
place of punishment for a prisoner
until he is convicted Of the crime with
which he is charged. We would sug.
gest the removal Of one Of the registers
from the lower hall TO the open place
back of the grating, and that wire net
tings be provided for all iron gratings
opening on street or yard.
We visited the office OF the comfy
treasurer and found everything lacking
for convenience of the Office. M
recommend that a suitable place be
provided for the treasurer, with a large
safe vault, so he can keep the books and
records Of the Office 10 a safe aud con-
yenient place.
A committee, consisting of six mem.
beers OF the grand jury, visited the q
farm, and after a thorough inyestiga-
ton, found that the inmates are We'll
fed, properly clothed aud kindly treated.
We would recommend that the build.
ing be repaired. The roof on the main
building is leaking; the gates are out OF
condition, and the door 10 the cellar
needs repairing.
The safe in the collectors Office IA
neither fire nor burglar proof, and a
new safe ought TO be provided.
We would respectfully request that
q copy Of the recommendations of the
grand jury, In regard 10 the poor farm.
county jail and county Offices be fur,
nished TO the honorable county court Of
Lafayette county.
JOHN +. ARDINGER, Foreman.
PHILIP KELLER, Clerk.