USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume I > Part 44
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The expense of maintaining the jail was so great that in October, 1822, the Chatham county representatives in the legislature were asked to have the law which gave the city council control of the jail and court- house repealed ; and on the 21st of December an act was passed by which such control was transferred to the justices of the inferior court and the sheriff of the county, at which time the city was considering the ques- tion of building a new courthouse in Chippewa square. The jail and courthouse property belonged to the city by reason of the expenditure by the council in erecting the same of $50,000, and a relinquishment of the keys was refused until that sum was repaid. An appeal was made to the superior court by the justices of the inferior court and the sheriff resulting in the issuing of a writ requiring the city to deliver possession to the appellants. The city was duly represented by Mayor Morrison, Recorder Gordon and Mr. John C. Nicoll, but on the 20th of February, 1821, the court granted a peremptory order of mandamus upon which the city gave up to the sheriff the property in dispute.
With the purpose of getting control of the jail again, the city suc- ceeded on the 4th of December, 1834, in having an act passed again making that institution a part of the corporation's affairs, and when demand on the sheriff and justices was made for possession by the mayor and aldermen who, by ordinance, had been created commissioners of the jail, they were met with a refusal when they obtained their desire by writ of mandamus; but the building was found in such a state of ruin that it seemed a waste of time and trouble to have resorted to sach a' measure to secure possession.
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COUNTY JAIL OF 1846
Until 1846 the jail of Savannah stood on Lafayette square, on the lot bounded by Abercorn. Harris. Dayton and Macon streets, and, as we have seen, it was sometimes a question whether the institution should be controlled by the county authorities in the persons of the justices of the inferior court, or by the mayor and aldermen representing the eity. In 1841 the former took the matter of the building a new jail into consider- ation, at which time a plan was submitted by architect C. B. Clusky, and on the 20th of July a resolution was adopted calling for proposals for contracts" to be published in the Savannah papers as well as in Augusta, Charleston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. On the first of November the proposals received were opened, but as all were higher than expected a delay was caused, and it was determined to call for other plans which resulted finally in the acceptance of the one sub- mitted by Mr. Benjamin Gardner, of Wilmington, N. C., on the 27th of January, 1845. On the 19th of February "after mature consideration it was resolved that the separate proposals for each species of work and each kind of material being deemed preferable to making the entire contract with one party that the proposals of the following persons be accepted and the securities named be approved." Then followed the names of the successful bidders for the various kinds of work. "It was further resolved that Mr. Justice [Anthony] Porter be instructed to address the mayor and aldermen announcing that being now ready to proceed with the building that the justices will confer with the proper committee of council in laying out the ground.
"The following is the resolution of Council granting the lot.
"Site of New Jail, page 188.
"Between Whitaker and Barnard streets, continue near the South line of the Common parcel of land marked A. B, C, D, on the map of the new town lately presented by the Surveyor containing 300 feet by 22216 feet a true extract.
"Signed, EDW'D G. WILSON, "Clerk of Couneil."
"Said 20th Feb'y, 1845.
Mr. Gardner was himself made superintendent of the building of the jail after his own plan.
The justices of the inferior court met on the 26th of March, 1845. when the minutes disclose the following proceedings: "The foundation of the Jail having so far been completed as to be prepared for the corner stone, it was this day laid in presence of the Justices, accompanied by R. W. Pooler, Clerk of the Superior & Inferior Courts.
"The stone was excavated to receive a copper box in which were deposited the following articles, after which the box was soldered, and a stone top fitted to the cavity with hydranlie cement.
"Inscription on parchment :- 'The corner stone of this Jail Erected By the County of Chatham, State of Georgia was laid on the 26th day of March in the year of onr Lord 1845, and the 70th year of the hide- pendence of The United States of America. In the presence of their honours Anthony Porter, Francis Sorrel. William Thorne Williams,
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Elias Reed, Robt. M. Goodwin, Justices of the Inferior Court of the County and Robert W. Pooler, Clerk. & Benj'n Gardner, Architect and Superintendent. President of the United States James K. Polk, Vice President, George M. Dallas : Governor of Georgia, George W. Crawford : Mayor of the City of Savannah, Richard Wayne.'
"In the box were placed several specimens of the federal currency and copies of the Savannah Republican d. Savannah Georgian."
At a meeting of the justices. held on Tuesday, the 12th of May. 1846. Mr. Gardner reported the jail "to be entirely completed, except locks" and "Mr. Gardner's duties as Superintendent having terminated, it was deemed proper before his departure to give the Mayor & Aldermen an opportunity of inspecting the building and to receive all requisite explanations, it was therefore
"Resolved that the Mayor & Aldermen and City Officers be invited to attend at the Jail on Friday afternoon, the 15th inst. at 4 o'clock.
"Resolved that the Judges and officers of the Circuit and District court of the United States, the Judge & Officers of the Inferior Court. the Judge & Officers of the Court of Common Pleas, the members of the Bar, the Grand Jury of the Superior Court now in session, and the County Treasurer be likewise invited.
"Resolved that the Contractors & Builders engaged in erecting the building be likewise invited. * The following deseription of the building was submitted by Mr. Gardner.# The exterior of the building is in the castellated style of Gothic architecture. Its lengthi, including the prison and keeper's house is 129 feet. The Keeper's house has 46 feet front and forty feet flank. An octagonal tower ornaments the northeast and northwest corners, one of which is appropriated to the stairway and the other is fitted up with rooms for the use of the family.
"The basement floor has two rooms for the servants, a kitchen and laundry, which are furnished with a caldron, sinks & hydrant.
"The principal floor has two debtors' rooms, the keeper's reception room, a dining-room and two elosets.
"The second floor has three chambers, a sitting-room for the family.
. and a private stairway leading from the chambers directly into the garden. The roof is of tin.
"The prison is two stories high, 89 feet long, 41 feet wide and has 24 cells on each floor. five feet wide, ten feet long, eight feet four inches high. and double ceiled on the inside with plank. The cells are surrounded by a hall five feet wide, and have a ventilating passage between them two feet wide, into which the apertures for the admission of fresh air open into each cell. At the south end of the cells are four wing rooms 12 by 24 feet. Three of these are intended for the detention of United States prisoners, free persons of colour taken from vessels. and witnesses. The other has two large bathing places made in the floor with concrete. and plastered with cement. The Jail roof is composed of galvanized iron, seeured to iron rafters with iron clamps. This roof has a declina-
* The picturesque old building stood for many years near the corner of Hall and Whitaker streets, and is still remembered by many persons now living. Its appearance was so much like that of an old castle that strangers asking its origin were surprised to learn that it was a prison.
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tion to the centre of the building where there is a reservoir that will contain 2,400 gallons of water which may be filled with rain water, or with well water supplied by two force pumps erected for that purpose. The reservoir supplies ten hydrants-three to the scullery, two to the baths, and five to the wing rooms and hall at the south end of the prison.
"The first floor of the prison, cells and halls is constructed of flag stone. On the second floor the cells have flag stone floors, but the halls and wing rooms have floors made by building brick arehes between cast- iron joists, and levelling off with concrete. The cells are well ventilated. and are provided with two doors, one an iron-grated door, and the other a close wooden door. to be used when required. Each cell has an iron bedstead so hung that when not in use it can be hooked up to the side of the cell.
"There are cast iron pipes passing horizontally through the whole length of the cells, furnishing a water-eloset in each. The pipes are to be kept constantly full of water from the reservoir, and are prevented from overflowing or becoming dry by means of cast iron boxes-the one at the northern end is called the receiving box. and is furnished with a valve and float; the one at the south end is the discharging box, and contains only a valve which is to be lifted when the pipes are to be emptied. These pipes, as do those attached to the sinks, empty into a sewer under the prison, and the sewer diselarges into a cess-pool provided for the purpose.
"The inclosure is 302 feet front and 222 feet back, having a wall 11 feet high.
"A dividing wall runs from east to west, separating the enelosure and yards of the keeper from that of the prison, having a reereating yard for the prisoners 300 by 172 feet, and giving two yards to the Jailor 50 by 78. There are two buildings, one at the north-east and the other at the southwest corner of the enclosure 50 by 20, one story and a half high, to be used as out-buildings.
"The whole of the work is constructed of gray brieks, and washed with hydraulie lime."
On the 19th of August, 1846, the justices of the inferior court in- formed the mayor and aldermen of Savannah that the new jail was fin- ished, and that the eost had exceeded the estimate, leaving the court with- out means to finish paying for the same, and requesting that an ordinance may be passed or such other measures adopted as will carry into effect the resolutions of council of the 29th of August, 1839, by which the four lots occupied by the old jail. and the materials of the building. were assigned to the use of the justices of the inferior eourt "to aid them by the proceeds of their sale in the construction of the new building."
On the 29th of the same month the Justices informed the City Council that they "are now prepared to deliver into your charge the new County Jail of which the laws of the State Constitute you Commissioners.'
DEATH OF ANDREW JACKSON
The citizens of Savannah held Pres. Andrew Jackson in the highest esteem, and his memory was greatly honored, perhaps to a more exalted de-
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gree than that of any other person, and whose death was anounced at an hour not looked for. The board of mayor and aldermen, at a meeting held on the 26th of June, 1845, informed of his decease, eulogized him in a set of resolutions in which he was declared to have been "the most extraordi- nary man of the age, the patriot in whom was more of the Roman, more of that spirit which in the love of country forgets self more than in any other man of the era which he signaled." It was resolved that every alderman should wear crape for sixty days, "as a feeble testimony of grief," and the citizens were requested to do the same; the council chamber was draped in mourning during all that time; and the people were urged to suspend all business on the day of his funeral, the 4th of July, and the board attended in a body to listen to the eulogy delivered in the Independent Presbyterian church by the Hon. Matthew Hall Mc- Allister. The day was made one of public mourning in which the civil and military organizations all participated. The procession, led by Francis Matthew Stone, was composed of the United States troops, the volunteer companies of the city, with Colonel White in command, the committee of arrangements, the reverend clergy, the judges and officers of the superior court, the justices and officers of the inferior court and the court of ordinary, the judge and officers of the Court of Common Pleas and Oyer and Terminer, the mayor and aldermen, all city officers, justices of the peace, foreign consuls and officers, the collector of the port and his officers, officers and soldiers of the Revolution, officers of the revenue marine, officers of the militia, the Union Society, St. Andrew's Society, the German Friendly Society, the Georgia Historical Society, the Catholic Temperance Society, the Mechanics' Temperance Society, the Agricultural Society, Georgia Chapter No. 3 and Masonie Lodges of Savannah, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the United Ancient Order of Druids, the teachers of public schools and their pupils, teachers of Sabbath-schools and their pupils, the pilots of the port of Savannah, the captains and officers of the vessels in the harbor, and marines.
CHAPTER XXIX
THE MEXICAN WAR
SAVANNAH'S PROMPT RESPONSE-"JASPER GREENS" OFF FOR MEXICO- AID FROM THE CITY COUNCIL-PUBLIC FUNERAL OF COLONEL MIC- INTOSH -- THE SEMINOLE WAR OF 1836.
We now reach the period in the city's history when again the citizen soldiery, by a willingness to serve their country showed their patriotism and courage to such full measure that the government was forced to accept the offer of only a select few who offered to fight the battles of their country.
It is a pleasing fact that, instead of a formal declaration of war with Mexico, congress, on notice from President Polk that the blood of certain citizens of the United States had been actually shed on territory belonging to our government by Mexican soldiers, asserted that war was in progress by the overt acts of the government of Mexico. Then that body appro- priated the sum of $10,000,000 and authorized the call for fifty thousand volunteers.
SAVANNAH'S PROMPT RESPONSE
To that call three hundred thousand men responded, and Savannah was not behind in that important matter. Indeed virtually all of the infantry companies expressed a desire to take part in the fighting, but, as only one regiment was required from the state of Georgia, so conse- quently the city was not called on to furnish more than one company, and the choice of that one was decided by lot. The lot fell to the Irish Jasper Greens, composed of Irishmen who had been commanded by Capt. Henry R. Jackson, and who, in addition to the love they bore their brave leader, were cager to take a part in the just quarrel of their adopted country with an enemy so arrogant and unjust in the position taken in that war.
"JASPER GREENS" OFF FOR MEXICO
Captain Jackson was appointed colonel of the regiment, and the Jasper Greens went to Mexico with the brave JJohn McMahon as their commander. The names of those truly courageons men deserve a place on a special roll of honor, and Savannah may well be proud to have
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them so well preserved in all the aeeounts of her history that they shall never in any age be forgotten. Besides Captain McMahon, they are as follows :
Lieutenants G. Curlette and D. O'Connor: Sergeants John Devany, M. Carey and P. Martin; Corporals Leo Wylly, M. Feery, P. Tierney. T. Bourke, and Owen Reilly; Privates William Bandy, W. D. Burke. P. Bossu, Francis Camfield, James Chalmers, P. Clark, Patrick Cody. John Coffee, William Coffee. James Coulihan, Elijah Condon, Joseph Davis, Dennis Desmond, Michael Downey. Michael Duggan, Franeis Dutzmer, Charles Farrelly. Thomas Fenton, David Fountain, James Fleeting, James Flynn, William P. Fielding. James Feely. Patriek Ger- rin, Moses Gleason, O. B. Hall, Michael Hoar. Timothy Howard, R. M. Howard, E. W. Irwin, John Keegin, Humphrey Leary, W. S. Levi, David Lynch, Michael Lynch, L. Mahoney, Henry Mareny, John Makin. Bryan Morris, Jas. MeFeehilly, HI. V. Morel, John Meldrum, William Murray, Michael Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Hugh Murtagh, Henry Nagle, Dan Nickels. M. M. Payne. George Perminger, Thomas Pidgeon, John Regan, Francis Reeves, R. Richardson. J. Rinehart, B. Rodebuck, R. M. Robert- son, J. D. Ryan, Thomas Ryan. John Sanderlin. Michael Shea, Peter Suzmell, David Stokes. C. F. E. Smith. R. L. S. Smith, Patriek Shiels. Patrick Tidings, Daniel F. Towles, JJ. W. Warden, James Waters, Mieh- ael Weldon, John Whaling, James Waters, Jr., Jacob Zimmerman ; Musicians William Gatehouse, George Gatehouse.
AID FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
The city council was generous in aiding in the equipment of the company, and the citizens also subscribed to the fund raised for that purpose. Further than that, council took steps to look after the families of such members of the Greens as might be in need during the absenee of their heads.
Leaving Savannah about the end of May, 1846, the company spent more than a year in active service in Mexico. Colonel Jaekson and three members reached the city on their return, June 5, 1847, and two days after Lieut. D. O'Connor and five others greeted their friends on the streets. Expeeting their arrival shortly, the Georgian, on Tuesday, the 1st, said "We shall * # soon see Jaekson with Corlette and the Greens, and, as some publie demonstration should be got up in Savannah on the return of those who have done honorable service. we suggest two modes of honoring them: One. a civil and military pienie at the Pine Grove, south of the city; another, an excursion to Fort Pulaski and a pienic there, where the waters of Georgia blend with those of the ocean. typifying the mingling of those ties which associate in the same ranks for the Nation's service the native and the adopted eitizen." The. sug- gestion was not heeded, and there was no pubhe demonstration. That paper. on the 16th of June, gave a complete list, compiled by Lieut. D. O'Connor, of all "'deaths and discharges which occurred in this company from the time of their departure from Savannah for the seat of war to their return to New Orleans."
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PUBLIC FUNERAL OF COLONEL MCINTOSH
Wounded at the battle of Molino del Rey. on the 8th of September, 1847, Col. James S. MeIntosh, a citizen of Savannah, died in October. 1847. His.remains were brought here on the 18th of March in the next year, and a public funeral was held that day which is thus described in the Georgian of the 20th :
"Our fellow-eitizens generally on Saturday forsook their usual avo- cations to mingle around the bier of the veteran soldier, the gallant leader of the Third Infantry, and acting Brigadier-General in more than one well-fought battle on the plains of Mexico. The music of the military at an early hour of the forenoon summoned the members of the respec- tive Volunteer Corps attached to the First Regiment, and their full ranks attested the admiration of the Citizen Soldier for the character of the warrior who now rested from his labor.
"The National Banner was displayed at half-mast at the Garrison and on the Chatham Light Artillery Armory, and all the shipping in port displayed their eolors also at half-mast. The following Corps formed as a battalion on the Bay : The Georgia Hussars, Captain Bailey : the Chatham Light Artillery, Captain Stephens, the Republican Blues. Captain Anderson; the Savannah Volunteer Gnards, Captain Richard- sone; the Irish Jasper Greens, Captain M'Mahon ; the German Volunteers, Captain Stegin ; the Phoenix Riflemen, Lieutenant Palin.
"Under the command of Colonel Knapp the battalion proceeded to the residence of Major William J. MeIntosh, where the mortal remains of his gallant brother reposed. The veteran lay in a leaden coffin, in- closed in one of mahogany, with the following inscription: Colonel Jas. S. McIntosh, Fifth Regiment United States Infantry, died first October. 1847, of wounds received in the battle of El Molino del Rey, Mexico, eighth September, 1847. The American flag was thrown as a pall over the coffin, and the sword with the dress of the deceased, (pierced by eight bullet holes) which was worn by him at the fatal battle of El Molino del Rey, rested upon the coffin. Reverend Rutus White of St. John's Church, assisted by Edward Neufville, D. D., officiated at the house, and read the funeral service of the Episcopal Church. Escort. Clergy-Pall Bearers, W. B. Bulloch, Judge J. M. Wayne, Major Wade. U. S. A., Lieutenant Colonel Law, Colonel Williams, Colonel J. W. Jackson, Captain Stephens, Major Tallott, U. S. A., Family, Colonel John G. Park, and Major M: D. Husen, the Commander on the part of the State in charge of the body from Mexico. Officers of the Army and Navy, Brigadier-General White and Staff, Committee from the Floyd Rifles and Macon Volunteers under Capt. Comer; officers of the First Regiment; Grand Marshal not on duty; Mayor and Aldermen; Citi- zens.
"On entering the old cemetery, the services at the grave were per- formed by Reverend Rufus White. After which the coffin was deposited in the vault which contains the remains of one whom in life we cherished as a gallant citizen, ready at any moment to lay down his life for his country."
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THE SEMINOLE WAR OF 1836
The trouble with the Seminole Indians in Florida began in 1836 and continued for several years. With true military zeal and patriotism the Savannah volunteer companies offered their services, and, as in the case with the Mexican war one company was chosen from the city, and it was the Republican Blues. Their record was all that could be expected of men whose devotion to their country could not be questioned and Savannah's honor was fully sustained by their conduct throughout the whole period of their enlistment.
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CHAPTER XXX
CEMETERIES AND MEMORIALS
DRY CULTURE AS HEALTH PRECAUTION-NEW LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY -- CLOSING THE OLD COLONIAL CEMETERY-QUESTION OF FIRST JEWISH BURIAL PLACE-LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY DEDICATED-THE PULASKI MONUMENT-MONUMENT DELIVERED TO COMMISSIONERS-THE NA- THANAEL GREENE MONUMENT-LOCATING THE REMAINS OF NATHANAEL GREENE.
In considering the matter of dry culture contracts made by the city with owners of lands suitable for the cultivation of rice, we purposely omitted to mention the fact that much difficulty was encountered with the estate of Joseph Stiles, owner of Springfield Plantation, adjacent to and lying southwest of the city. The omission was in order that the whole subject might be presented to the reader in connection with the establishing of a new cemetery when it became absolutely necessary. So much trouble arose from misunderstandings between the parties and opposition on the part of the owners to the making of such contract that the city finally purchased the tract in order to get control of the same, and it proved to be a beneficial transaction which led to the open- ing of the way to the laying out of a new burial-ground. After many suggestions as to the need of it, the board of health, on the 17th of June, 1849, took measures in the right direction and declared that it was a publie necessity.
DRY CULTURE AS HEALTH PRECAUTION
The first move by council in the matter was made on the 29th of October, 1850, when an ordinance was passed in relation to dry enlture from which we quote: "Whereas, the City of Savannah has recently become the purchaser in fee simple of that tract of land called Spring- field, lying on the southwestern border of the City, which purchase was made for the sole purpose of reducing to and keeping in a state of dry culture the said tract of land which is low and swampy and has been in its wet state the cause of disease to the people of Savannah; and whereas, it is the duty of the City Council to remove the said cause of disease, and to place the said tract of land in a dry and healthful state; and whereas, the Legislature of the State have conferred upon the
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city goverment ample power for the discharge of that duty; and whereas, it is essential to the dryness of the said lands and to the pro- tection of the health of the citizens that the said traet of land should be perfectly drained in the natural eonrse of the water to the extent of its drainage capacity and that the flow of the water through the said drains should not be impeded :
"Be it ordained, &c., That it shall not be lawful for any person or body corporate by any embankment, dam, or works to be erected, or which may have been heretofore erected across the natural channels of drainage of the said Springfield tract or any other tract.or in any other manner to impede the flow of water from the said traet through the drains which have been or may be constructed for the purpose of drain- ing the said tract of land or through the natural channels and outlets thereof to the Savannah river. And it shall be the duty of all persons or bodies corporate who may have lawfully acquired a right of way over said traet, or may have constructed embankments or dams aeross the said traet, to cause sufficient eulverts to be built under the same, so that the drainage of said lands shall not be impeded," etc.
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