The Original ‘Pit Jail’ 1841-1858 A sketch of the first county jail located in Gallatin Sketch by David Stark (1993)
Frontier justice: Daviess County's first jail was known as the "pit" jail. Little is known about this structure other than what is indicated by this sketch. In December, 1856, James McFarran was asked to plan a new stone jail to replace this wooden log structure erected over a holding “pit.”
Before the Squirrel Cage Jail was built...
Daviess County’s 2nd jail held Frank James The county’s second jail (which preceded the squirrel cage jail), was planned in 1856 and completed for use on Nov. 15, 1858, at a cost of $3,300. The structure, known as the old stone jail, was located at the northwest corner of the public square in Gallatin. This was the jail in use during the trial of outlaw Frank James (although the famous outlaw was released on his own recognizance daily during the trial, free to roam throughout the town). No image of the second jail used by Daviess County is known to exist. Research of courthouse records during
south of center is not determined. James
were believed to have done the work. This
1857-1860 reveals much about the construc-
McFarran was asked to plan a new stone jail
was completed by Dec. 19, 1859, and again
tion of the county’s second jail as well as
and estimate its cost in December, 1856.
reported complete on May 9, 1860, with tin
other Daviess County improvements.
Plans were approved to be placed under
used for the roof.
In addition to the courthouse (1842),
contract the first Monday of May, 1857. In
The court paid for a drawing of this
public well (1842), and plank fence (1846),
September A.C. Ball made drawings of the
building in March, 1867, but nothing of this
horse racks were put up by Frances N.
new jail and McFarran was named Jail
drawing remains. This jail was reported to
Buckholts in 1857. The repair of the board
Commissioner. Shea Griffin & Company got
have been northwest of the courthouse.
fences that enclosed the courthouse yard cost
the contract and received
$129.37. A new clerk's office building had been
payments in June and September,
discussed since February, 1851. It was to be
1858. The new stone jail was
fireproof, but not to exceed $700. John W.
complete and ready for use in
(five members) robbed the new clerk's office
Sheets' plans for the new clerk's office were
November, 1858.
building, taking the county's treasury of
o
n Nov. 17, 1867, the John Reno Gang
approved in May, 1859, and contracted with
By March, 1859, Sheriff
Joseph L. Nelson in June, 1859. The builder
James J. Minor was using the jail
and Sheriff John Ballenger sought legal relief
was to be paid $1,500 plus $200 for the
as a residence. Plans were made
from lost funds caused by the robbers. The
erection on the east side of the public square.
in August, 1859, to add a kitchen
county provided funds for 10 guards to keep
The office was received by the county on
and smokehouse to make a better
the gang in jail (owing to its poor condition)
Dec. 1, 1859.
residence of the facility. This was
Drawings of the building show it on the east side of the courthouse, the distance
to cost $400, and $250 was added for a privy. Owings and Osborn
$23,000. County Clerk Joseph H. McGee
and Dr. William Folmsbee was paid $35 for care of the prisoners. John Reno was taken to the state penitentiary by Feb. 4, 1868 ...but that's another story.
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HISTORIC DAVIESS COUNTY
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