Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-08-16
MUST WAIT FOR TITLES.
No Federal JaiIs Till Titles
to Lots Can be Had.

Tentative plans are now being
preparedat the department of
justice for the construction Of
three federal jails in Indian Ter
ritory. In 1897 congress author.
lied the construction of three
federal jails in the territory, and
left the location optional with the
attorney general. AT the same
time an appropriation Of $50, 600
was made. After much delay,
caused by a bitter contest waged
among prominent people Of the
territory for the selection Of their
respective towns as the proper
location for jails, Attorney
General Griggs finally designated
Muskogee, South McAlester and
Ardmore as the most central and
satisfactory locations. This fight
was particularly bitter between
the towns of Wagner and Musko.
gee, both Of which were seeking
to secure every advantage which
could be used as an argument for
the location Of the capital Of the
territory when territorial form
of government is finally establish
ed. Because OF its central loca-
ton and excess Of court business
over Wagner, Muskogee was
agreed upon.
Since that time the government
has been unable to acquire titles
to property in the towns Of Mus
kogee, South McAlester and Ard
more, owing to the unsettled state
OF affairs existing. The federal
statutes specifically provide that
no federal building shall be erect
ed upon ground, the title to which
is not vested in the United States.
As no valid titles to sites could be
procured, the construction OF these
jails were postponed. Recently
communications have been received
from Muskogee, South McAlester
and Ardmore announcing that the
town site commissioners have so
far concluded their work as to per-
init of the appraisement and
sale Of Jail sites in the
near future Owing to the poor
Jail facilities now existing the
department of justice is anxious
to expedite the construction Of
new jails as rapidly as possible,
The plans will be prepared by the
time the appraisement and sale OF
the property is concluded, and
bids will be called for as soon as
the department of justice is in
formed by its district attorneys
that titles to the sites have been
secured.
According to the act of congress
the amount TO be expended on
each Jail was left discretionary
with the attorney general. The
$50, 900 appropriated can be divid-
ed between the three towns as
Attorney General Griggs may
deem best for the public service.
As the number Of arrests and con-
finements in jail are much greater
in the northern than ipIthe mid
die and in the southern districts,
the probabilities are that the Jail
constructed at Muskogee will be
considerably larger than those at
South McAlester and Ardmore.
In other words the appropriations
will be divided in proportion to
the demand for jail facilities in
three districts. This will prob.
ably mean that Muskogee will
receive s25,000 and South Nc
Alester and Ardmore s17 800
each.
The plans now being prepared
contemplate the construction Of
stone jails, with Offices in the
from. end cages extending back in
the rear. They will be so arrang.
cd If 1t is found they are insult
cient TO meet the demands, add.
tions can be added from time TO
time in the rear, thus increasing
the number Of cells.
Last winter the attorney gener.
al asked congress TO increase the
appropriation 10 100000, but
OhaiEman Cannon, Of the appyop.