Evening star., 1934-11-04

had no adequate facilities for caring for Its
mentally Ill residents, and the Federal Govern
ment was in a similar position
In this city the common Jail and poorhouse
were the only places where the insane might
be kept, unless private parties were willing TO
act as custodians for 50 a week for each person,
and probably no one cared to do it for that
amount, when the patient was unruly or had
criminal tendencies in which case the jail had
10 De resorted to, and the poor fellow incar-
cerated and treated about as some people would
treat wild animal, except perhaps, a great
deal worse.
For long while the jail used for this and
other purposes was in Judiciary Square, on
the north side Of street. between Fourth and
Fifth streets, for the erection Of which Con-
gress appropriated small sum in 1902 to
which was added $3.700 the following year and
1.-The building completed at total cost of nearly
$4,000. 1t was a plain, oblong building one
end Of which was fitted up for the private
Of the jaier
Cartrtght Tfppett was one of the first jailers
being succeeded by Thomas Williams, who
filled the office until about 1s47 when Robert
Ball, ST.. appointed being assisted by his
son, Robert Ball, jr., then a mere lad but who
some 20 years later was placed in full charge.
DURING the early days Of this old building
nary when prisoner sent here for failing to
pay his debts. eloped with and married the
Jailer's daughter. To make this possible. it
should be explained that at this period pris-
oners committed for such onenses were allowed
TO circulate during the daytime anywhere with
in the bounds Of the jail the limits being First
70 F1fteenth streets and G street to the canal.
or what now would be Constitution avenue.
So 1t happened that this young man, while
exercising the freedom granted him, met by
pre-arrangement the jailer's daughter while
she was on her way to the Marsh Market" for
the family supplies; this market-oficialy the
Center Market-then being where is now the
new Archives Building The plans were well
carried out; she hurried through with her mar
keting and he made tracks Tor the court house
and the marriage license and both for the
minister's residence, ..here the splicing was
done in approved style; and when the proud
debtor reported to the lookup at sundown. an
ne was required to do, he was introduced TO the
Jailer, by the daughter as her husband
OF course. as has been said the father did
the only proper thing on earth to do. and
bestowed his blessing on both, and being loath
10 see his son-in-law q prisoner, went security
Tor his Indebtedness and gave him an oppor-
tunity to square himself by securing him an
appointment as constable. 1t is said that he
proved to be capable oficer in all particulars.
save that he would never arrest one for debt,
as he knew how it from experience.
To make the story complete the relator
ENDS oy saying The descendants of this
couple are to be found in various parts of the
country, and some of them are today residents
Of Washington"
Following this jail, came the Blue Jug"
completed about 1910. 1t was at the southwest
corner Of Fourth and G streets close to the old
Pension ONCE Building where so many in
augural balls have been held. Its name was
acquired because it was for years painted blue
A FTER the little Jail on street was va
Gated. Congress made an appropriation in
1872 for the purpose of making such altera-
uons rs might be necessary to render the
building suitable for the care of the insane
and other public charges. and also provided
for the improvement of the northern half of