The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-23
THE House OF DETENTION
New Addition to Police Department
to Be Opened Today.
Building Ready for the Reception
of PrIsOners-Sergt. John Gallagher
in Chnrge-Three Matrons to Look
After the Inmntes-A Model Pub
lie Institution in Every Respect.

The new House of Detention. a three
story brick structure, located at sos
Eighteenth Street northwest. will be
formally opened today. 1t is a model
institution.
Promptly at o'clock this morning the
doors of the structure will swing open.
At his desk in the front office on the first
floor may be found Sergeant John Gala
gber. formerly Detective Gallagher, OF
headquarters He will be in charge.
Private Robinson, also assigned to the
House os Detention will be there. in
charge of the patrol service. Three matr ons
who have long cared for female prisoners.
Mrs. Pennifield and Mrs. McCleed, former
ly attached to the First precinct station,
and Mrs. Thornburg for years the matron
at the Sixth precinct station, will today
assume their duties at the House OF De-
tention.
At the last session of Congress the
House of Detention was provided for. and
$4,000 was appropriated for its mainte-
nance. The Commissioners were author
lied and directed to secure a suitabis
building. More than a month ago the
be opened today was selected, and has
since been put into condition. 1t is CEN
trally located, one block from the State,
War, and Navy Building, just below New
York Avenue, on Eighteenth Street north
west
The plans for the management Of the
new institution are complete. Everything
is in the pink of condition, and Sergeant
Gallagher, for years an efficient detective,
1s,.rN do
tails which may have been overlooked.
Two vehicles. one specially constructed.
in the nature of a carriage. the other
somewhat similar to patrol wagon. are
in readiness to convey prisoners to and
from police stations, to the Police Court.
and for other purposes. These Will be
drawn by horses, for the accommodation
of which a large stable has been built ad-
joining the House of Detention. This sta
BILE. also of brick, is constructed after
plaIs furnished by local architect, and
is ample in every respect to meet the
demands which may be made upon it.
A visit to the House Of Detention vas
made last night by a reporter for The
Times. AS has been stated it is three
story structure. There is also base
ment In the basement the janitor of the
building. Lee Blakely, colored, has takep
up his residence, together with his family
bidkely, 1Or years attached 10 the oeCOHu
precinct station, will live in his new quar-
ters and will attend to many duties about
the building. There are three rooms in
the basement.
Going up to the first floor of the struc
ture, one is shown two rooms, both ar
ranged for Offices. At the front is the
office to be occupied by Sergeant Gala
gher. Here is a desk, the floor is care
July overspread with oilcloth, and every
thing is neat and in keeping with the
character OF the building In the rear,
on the same floor is larger apartment,
which will be occupied by two clerks.
On the second floor female prisoners will
be accommodated. There are five rooms
in this story; three for prisoners, one
for the matrons, and a bathroom. The
matrons have one of the front rooms. The
other front room and two located in the
rear, all neatly fitted up and papered, are
assigned to prisoners. One story higher.
az the top Of the house, are apartments
for the male prisoners under sixteen years
OF age. The doors to these rooms are sup
piled with an iron grating, as to guard
against possible escape. A bath is also
found on this floor as are several large
closets, where various articles are kept.