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What is unique is how and why it was built. |
The election of 1901 brought about a one year change in government in Haddam, Kansas.
The women candidates had an interesting platform which is shown below:
1. |
They could rule their own households so could manage city affairs; |
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2. |
The men had taken the whole pie and left not a crumb for them; |
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3. |
And, they wanted to prevent harm to the morals of the boys and girls |
As the women could not vote, wifely persuasion encouraged the men to vote in a woman mayor and an all-woman council.
Their progress was reported in the Minutes of the City Council Meetings.
May 6, 1901 |
Appointed a committee to look into building a new jail. | |
June 4, 1901 |
Advertised for bids to build a new jail. | |
June 17, 1901 |
Contract awarded. | |
October 7, 1901 |
Accepted jail building from contractor. |
The rock for the jail was quarried locally and a local blacksmith did the iron work.
The council then equipped the jail.
$3.00 |
Stove and Chimney Pipe | |
$3.50 |
Handcuffs | |
$3.00 |
Stove and Chimney Pipe | |
$2.98 |
Blankets |
Although the ladies furnished the jail appropriately, it did not see much use as Police Judge Fannie Leibel heard only two cases that year.
Milestones and Location
The all-woman council was defeated in the 1902 election. | ||
The last known overnight “guest” was in the early 1950s. | ||
The jail building is located one half block south of Main Street. |
A sign beside the jail reads:
Built for the confinement of Haddam's unruly men