Evening star., 1900-07-14
WESTINGHOUSE OLD JAlLS
BOTH OF THEM WERE LOCATED IN
JUDICIARY SQUARE.
of an Gid Citixen About
Them andd the Early
Execati0ns.

"'Twas gala time in Washington" re-
marked an old citizen short time before
his death, few years ago. when the
erection of the first Jail was commenced.
You remember the building better as the
infirmary Immediately north of the court
mouse, which was destroyed by fire in the
early part of 1861, but it's appearance had
peen much changed from the original. The
time was, l think, in the summer of 1903.
ana was boy about nine years old. liv-
ing near by, and 1 do not remember that
there was any speaking. 1 do, however.
reconect that the people made 1t time
1of 1oillhcat1on in the shape of barbe-
cue. South of the site there were long ta-
tles laden with eatables and plenty of
drtnkableS
The building was of brick, a plain OBJ
ions Oh Two stories, one end being set apart
lot the keepers family, the other portions.
WIN grated windows, being for the priS-
ohers. Inc main entrance was midway on
the south front, just about where the park
watchman's house now stands Additions,
hrst OF wings at the ends, and an addi-
uonal story were found necessary, for,
unoer the duty of the marshal of the Dis
IIlct TO Keep and maintain the United
states prisoners he also had debtors run
away slaves. and in the early days the
corporation prisoners to board, and, as the
population increased. so did the number
L
DER the charge Of the marshal and that
officer placed one of his deputies in imme-
clate charge from time to time as occa-
SION required. other deputies assisting him.
l tnink mat the first deputy in charge was
one Keenan,. and he was followed by Tip
pet, Burr and Williams, the last named
apont 1880: and about 1897, under the mar
shalshlp OF Gen. Hunter, Mr.. Robert Ball.
rather Of the late Col Bob Ball, became
the ]ailer or warden.
Had a Whipping Post.
Around this structure was a high wall
inclosing not extensive yard, in which the
prisoners were allowed some exercise and
In this inclosure was the whipping post at
wnlch the lash was used. 1t was a white
man, believe. who afterward became
hghly respectable citizen, who received the
last fogging at this post.
1T was when Mr.. Ball was taller that
the Blue Jug prison was built-about 1889.
rms was a three-storied brick build ng,
located In an inclosure at the northeast
corner OF Judiciary Square, with the cell
rooms on the north side. separated from
side Intended for the confinement of debt
ors ana the lighter offenders. This building
was erected under Architect Robert Mills
oy the Stanton Bros. bricklayers, of Alex
andria. each Of whom subsequently prac-
t:ced at the bar and became members of
Congress-Fred P. from Tennessee, and
Rlchard from Kentucky. For thirty years
the .il Blu Siue jug was the jail for the District
TILL 1863. when the new stone structure on
the Eastern branch was completed
Old Jail and Infirmary.
"On the vacation of the first-named build
ing cn the center of Judiciary Square) there
was an attempt made to convert it into a
hospital for the insane. This unfortunate
class had been cared for in no specified
manner previous to this time the more yio-
tent being confined in jail at the cost Of
their friends. If not INDECENT and IL SO by
the corporation while some were supported
IN Mount Hope. Baltimore. AS stated this
EFFORT TAI ed and the building was placed in
charge OF the Medical Society Of the Dis
trtct and was for over twenty years the
Washington infirmary, and In the early
part Of the war used as a government hos.
ptal, the victims of the attack on the 4th
Massachusetts, Regiment on April 10 1861.
being the first military patients In less
than year II took fire and burned.
Memorable Hangin;s.
I remember number Of executions, and
saw the first. which was in 1903 or 1894.
An Irishman. Patrick McGurk, killed his
vile In drunken frenzy and was tried at
the Capitol. in the old Senate chamber.
l believe. which is now the Supreme Court
room. The killing was at his home on r
street near 11th. The United states iail
had not been finished, and he was confined
IN temporary one In the alley near the
lowed him to near the foot of the Capitol.
where he was hung.
The next was a colored man. hung at
the Jail for felonious assault on a white
woman in the Jail about 1914. About four
years later white man named Clarke
was hung there About 1873 there was
much excitement because hanging did
not occur. The government had here a
number of cavalry soldiers for duty as
mounted messengers, quartered north of
the treasury. A sergeant of some such
name as Lamar had been reduced to the
ranks and one Kelly promoted. and the first
named revenged himself by shooting Kelly
He was tried convicted and sentenced to
be hung. The gallows was erected a little
north of G between 4th and 9th streets,
and an immense crowd gathered to witness
the execution. The minutes heightened
into hours and the crowd became impa-
tient at the delay. The prisoner was how
ever made ready. and just as the marshal
started from the jail reprieve was re-
ceived from the President prolonging the
prisoners life six months. This news
reaching the crowd caused much indigna-
ton, for the crime was looked on by the
community as cold-blooded one, and had
the prisoner been outside the Jail am con-
fident he would not have been safe / be-
lieve the sentence was subsequently COM
muted to Imprisonment for life"