Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
AN OLD TIME PRISON
ONCE STOOD IN cfErER OF JUDI-
CIARY SQUARE.
History aoes Back DO Beginning Of
10th Century District Jail and
Other Structures.

The building known IN the ffties az the
Washington Infirmary. situated about the
center Of Judiciary Square, north Of the
court house, was before its use as such.
noted as a prison. its history running back
to near the beginning OF the century. I'm
der appropriations In 1S02 and 1903, aggrs-
eating nearly 81 900. 1t was erected as the
county ja!l and was used as such for nearly
forty years The first building was two
story brick structure, and after Its opening
In 1904 was about the only local prison for
the confinement of prisoners charged with
crime.
Besides those confined there for trial or
under sentence. there were others. including
insane persons, runaway slaves, unfortunate
debtors, and, in few instances, the most
incorrigible offenders Of corporation law.
AS may be supposed. IL was not furnished
with modern convenences. It was no more
than a mere prison house, possessing no
facilities-not so much as YARD IN wnion
the prisoners could enjoy exercise.
In 1895 an appropriation Of $1,000 was
made to alter and repair it and make 1t "a
suitable convenient, healthy and comfort
able prison" In that ana the foiiowlne
wears the expenditure was made, and In
few years thereafter a. wall was erected
about the building. 1t did duty as jail
until 1910, when it was found to be too
small for the purpose. A new structure on
act under date of March 3, 1889. and this
was built at a cost of $31,O under the
superintendence Of Robert Mills, the arch1-
tect of the public buildings 1t was located
near the northeast corner OF the square, at
4th and G streets. 1t was brick structure
of three foors supposed to be fireproof and
absolutely secure against the escape or prls-
oners.
occurred within the structure, there was
more than one escape Of prisoners from 1t,
and also from the first building. Before the
year 1920 a celebrated gambler. known al
Major Robert Bailey, who was confined un-
der a charge Of making false affidavit.
made his escape from the e street building
and went to point beyond the jurisdiction
of the District. When he found that the
ture be in turn issued q hand bill, asking
for the arrest Of Col. Tench Ringgold, the
marshal.
Known as the "Blue Jug"
The building near 4th and g streets,
having a covering Of plaster in imitation Of
stone and blue in color, was popularity
known as the blue Jug" This was used
as a Jail for some thirty years, when. 1t
may be said. the first modern prison house
for the District was erected on 10th street
east, near the Eastern branch.
When in the year 1841 the prisoners were
removed from the aforementioned structure
10 Inc bluc jug, lLclS WSiC SoihS AuAtoD
tics in the custody of the marshal who
were under orders Of the court, or held by
him at the instance Of their families, in the
old Jail. There were, however, but a COM
paratively small number Of these, and az
the sentiment was adverse to their being
confined with criminals, they were, under
an appropriation, dated March 3, 1871, sent
to the Maryland Hospital for the Insane
and maintained there. There were some
cases where the friends Of the unfortunates
preferred to provide for them here, rather
than that they should3bessent away, and the
want Of an insane asylum in which this un-
fortunate class could be cared for became
apparent to the community. Therefore, by
the act OF August 20, 1872, an appropriation
Of $4,000 was made to alter and prepare
the old jail and adapt 1t for the reception
and accommodation OF the insane Of the
District, and the sick. disabled and inf1rm
seamen, soldiers and others, those whom
competent authority might deem proper
should be received. si.
In securing this legislation the medical
fraternity was foremost, and, although II
appears that with the exception Of a few
cents the appropriation was expended in
1912 and '43, those in the Maryland institu-
ton continued to be supported there for
several years afterward, and those found to
be insane by the courts were sent there till
the opening Of the government hospital,
known since as ST. Elizabeths. The old
jail, however, under tho supervision Of
three inspectors, and with the aid Of the
Medical Society, was maintained Tor sew.
eral years. both as an asylum for the In
sane and as q general hospital.