The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1920-12-23
COUNTY JAt LOOKS
V{|RD,L00MNG OUT
MCKEE,
by Alta Ashcraft


through the kindness of Deput,
Sh' rim Smith, last Saturday | mad,
my first visit to the Humboldt count,
jai in fact. the first Jail | had evel
emf ,red. | was first taken through
the lower part. or over the first floor
VIII CHI Is quite modern. The entire
building is equipped with steam heat
hot and cold water. and, electric
lights. There is also a dining room
with table and dishes.
was much surprised to learn that
the barred windows which we see
from the outside Of the building are
not the windows of cells, as had
always thought. These outside win
dows are in the corridor which we
walked around while inspecting the
cells, which are veritable small steel
cages, with massive doors and heavy
bars. and which are located in the
center OF the building. Although
warm and clean. these cells are I'M
inviting; and they made me nervous
for fear the keeper might forget and
turn the key, leaving me inside. Each
cell is provided with a comfortable
looking cot. and some of the walls
are decorated with pictures.
Five prisoners were in the Jail at
the time of my visit; two Americans,
two Mexicans. and an aged Chinaman.
When | remarked upon finding an
American and a Chinaman occupying
the same cell. Mr.. Smith explained
that the Jail is one place where all
races commingle. He said these two
occupants seemed lonely and. as they
enjoyed each others company, he
couldn't deny them that pleasure.
The jail man then led me upstairs
to the seldom-occupied part OF the
place. where feminine offenders are
detained. Cells and corridors are
more spacious there. They reminded
me. almost, OF modern apartments,
there being a dining room and a
place to cook and wash. The up
stairs also was much lighter. and
lacked the gloomy atmosphere which
ONE over one while visiting the
lower floors.
The upstairs cells are not so up
to-date as the lower ones. as they
were taken from the old county jail,
and of course were made years ago.
My guide showed me where. several
years ago. a woman horsethief dug
her way through the plastered wall
with a hatpin The said and made her
escape by tearing her blanket into
and. by tying them to the steam
pipes. lowered herself to the ground.
These walls are reinforced now.
Among other interesting things on
this floor is the padded cell. where
maniacs or persons who have become
violent from any cause may be placed
until they are quoted. This room
necessarily Is dark, as the walls are
covered with heavy pads in order that
prisoners may not bruise themselves
the heavy bars and steel walls.
A large room up here. formerly
used as a kitchen, was pointed out
nd tHt UIdIV "httS hsohy $500,
c%ontraband liquor were stored after
a recent raid: and in another room
bottles. and kegs had been
piled nearly to the ceiling as the re-
Of a second confiscation. In view
OF these facts 1t is a wonder the jail
at that time was not full to overflow
IL seemed to me.
What interested me most, however,
after going into the Office, were pic
lures of criminals for whom rewards
are offered. and whose offenses range
from petty larceny to murder. In
most cases the characters of these
men are plainly stamped on their
and one could not help but feel
hat the Jail was the proper place to
them upon display.
While walking home and pondering
Upon what l had seen. l decided 1t
vas far better to be on the outside.
in. than to be on the inside,
out.