The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-05-30
The people of that city opposed. and

The people of that city opposed, and
still oppose, the erection of jail,
and insist upon the more economical
plan of leasing or renting the build
ing now made famous by the incarcer
alton of one of Idaho's most prom
inent politicians, bankers and good
fellows. sIThe--interior of the build
ing is a maze of bars md iron
doors, all sadly out of keeping with
the apparent frailty of the house and
the ancient architectural purposes
for which it was orgina y intended.
One shudders to think what would
follow sudden gust of wind from
Occur d'Alene lake down Second st.
till it ran amuck the old structure.
Or should tho well-fod inmates of
evil design lean heavily In concert
against one side of the prison there
could be but little doubt following
natural law what would trancpire.
City Keeps Its Pledge.
However, Occur d'Alere said there
would be no fancy buildings TT the
general expense put up IN Occur d.
Alene should it win in the county
seat contest and this most beautiful
Of all towns in the state will now
brook no violation of that agreement
Hence our county's modest jail.
So far as I could discover, it is
kept clean and wholesome. was told
that Sheriff Bailey and his jailor
were very particular on that score.
More than that, they are almost
cranks on the subject or providing
pleasures and comforts for their un
fortunate charges. Do not under
stand me as in any way soliciting
patronage for this institution, yet I
must affirm no man need fear loss or
sleep or weight or the courtesies Of
home life by reason of his curtalled
liberties in our Jail. was pleased to
find that the jailor was one of my old
time associates in the Couer d'Alene
Instruction.
Since his dash for the Republican
nomination for governor several
years since I had not seen Mr.. O'Neil
| was his friend then as I have been
ever since. l do not think the prose-
cution against him is fair or just I
am reasonably familiar with the law
and facts in the case and in my own
mind have no doubt of his ultimate
vindication. Barney O'Neil is not the
only man to have suffered unjustly in
our courts, nor is he likely to be the
last one.
Makes no Complaint.
The two. hours spent IN the jail
corridor with the Republican ex-
chairman the conversation covered a
variety of topics-personal and pub
lie. When l asked him If he were
not tired of his Imprisonment the old
familiar smile lighted up his coun-
tenance'as he replied. Eyes, but am
treated well and have not the slight
est complaint to make. I assume my
friends and acquaintance know
where l am and feel sense of deli
cacy about asking them to go my bail.
1t would naturally please me if they
did this, but / am in no position to
even personally suggest such thing
try to be content"
He wore dark blue shirt with the
sleeves cut off just above the elbows
and dark trousers. The same neat
ness characterized this attire which
we all knew in the days of his poll
tical supremacy. Said he. when
hear and see the children outside en-
joying this lovely spring weather, I
fell as If I must join them in their
sports, for little while. To hear
them singing and laughing makes my
Imprisonment more irksome than
anything else-except," and as he
continued the tears came into 1fis
eyes, "the thoughts of my own de-
voted family"
There is nothing foolishly senti-
mental about Barney O'Neil I have