TOURISM - a part of history "Squirrel Cage Jails"

PART THREE

Davies County Jail - Squirrel Cage

Gallatin, Missouri

In this writing, I will be looking at the “squirrel cage” jail that is located in Gallatin, Missouri – a short drive from the Kansas City area. Great day trip for those living close, and it is open to the public for tours.

This jail is one of the only three jails of this type still standing. While the others were designed under the patent of Brown-Haugh and built by their company, Gallatin was built by Pauley Jail Building & Mfg. Company out of St. Louis, Missouri.

The jail was built during 1888-1889 and kept open until 1975 when it was closed. The cost of building the jail has been recorded as $11,261.15.

The jail had one of the first indoor plumbing systems in Gallatin. The refuse collection and disposal system was one of a kind back then. With every revolution of the cage, the flushing of the collection would go to pipes below and out.

This particular jail featured a one door entry to the cells and was one story. The jailer used a hand crank to rotate the cells. The continued maintenance of the gear system below was a nightmare to the jailers who had to perform the tasks. It was a tight crawl space and often filled with raw sewage.

In 1964, the jail was condemned as a fire hazard by the State of Missouri. The jail was then modified, but closed permanently in 1975 as a jail. Today it is a museum of sorts, and open to the public for tours.

Gallatin’s rotary jail differs from others built; the sheriff’s home was attached to the jail during the original construction.

Confinement in these jails was almost a cruel and unusual punishment for prisoners. One prisoner served a yearlong sentence in the jail. The small cells (8ft tall and 7 ½ ft. long) were so cramped and offered no room for a lot of movement. There was a bunk and toilet area. Bathing was done outside the unit. The cell lacked proper ventilation, and the floors were iron which made them cold during the winter months.

A fear of the prisoners, as well as jailers was the amputation of limbs that might be hanging through the bars when it rotated. The fire hazard was always there, and could be a death trap if the jail was to catch on fire.

Another health hazard for the prisoners was that they had to eat in their cells. Food was good though, as the Sheriff’s wife did the cooking and prisoners were served the same thing as the family. The prisoners’ food was passed through a “grub hole” in the area where prisoners were allowed.

The diagram below shows the pie shaped cells – they were tight and very uncomfortable. This drawing is from the original patent, but does represent the way the Gallatin jail cells are arranged. Gallatin was a one story jail.

As the years started to take a toll on the workings of the rotary, parts began to break and repairs were becoming harder. Decisions were made by counties that had these jails, to modify them, close them or tear them down. They are a part of history, so thankfully three survived.

I would highly recommend a day trip to the Gallatin “Squirrel Cage” jail to see part of the American history that is still available. Walk through the area and see the pie shaped cell, along with all the scribbling’s on the wall from the prisoners.

The Gallatin jail is also listed on the National Registry of Historical Places!

Enjoy!

Marilyn


Note: Learning about the past is always exciting. Just a side note, many paranormal invetigation groups have been visiting these three remaining jails for activity.