Old Steel Jail

This old jail was installed in the basement of the courthouse in 1886. It is hand riveted steel, and was originally equipped with four bunks in each cell.

The old jail has held 18 or 20 murderers in its day, including the man who shot county sheriff McCracken.

When running water came to town, a basin, sink, and bathtub were installed. The last two men who occupied this jail were lacking for something to do, so one bathed the other in the tub, and the fellow who took the bath died the next day. Doc said it was pneumonia, but the old timers said it was shock, as he had never had a bath before.