We took a motorcycle ride today. 390 miles total. We rode to Booneville and Arrow Rock both along the Missouri River. We didn’t get to spend much time in Arrow Rock.
The town of Boonville Missouri lies about halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis… just a couple miles north of I-70. In this quaint river town is the old Cooper County jail, sheriff’s home and hanging barn.
Until its closing in 1978, the Old Cooper County Jail was the oldest continuously used County Jail in Missouri. The original Structure was completed in 1848 for $6,091.50. Slaves quarried the 2 2 foot thick limestone blocks which they used for construction of the two-story building. The original large room on the ground level was known as the Bullpen.@ Prisoners were shackled to the walls in this room with chains through 1 1/4 inch rings. Slaves destined for the auction block on Main Street were also held here.
In 1871, the appearance of the second floor was changed with the addition of iron box cells. Brought to Boonville by steamboat from St. Louis, these were installed using the occupants of the jail as laborers. The Jail itself was to receive no additional changes for another century.
The most famous of the many prisoners associated with the Jail was Frank James, brother of Jesse. James was brought to the Jail and charged with robbing the train in south Cooper county in 1876. James was never to spend time in the cells – sympathetic citizens of Boonville raised his bond in a matter of hours and later the case was dismissed for lack of evidence.
In 1871, the County Court authorized the construction of the adjoining sheriff=s residence. Numerous improvements were made in this section. The last major construction on the grounds occurred in 1878 with the building of the stable/Jail barn designed to house the horses of the Sheriff it became the site of one of the last public hangings in the state in January 1930.
Each cell has its own history, its own story to tell. The graffiti carved limestone rock walls stand as silent witness to its former occupants. It takes little imagination to hear the footsteps and the clang of the huge jail keys. In 1978 a Federal Court declared the Jail cruel and unusual punishment and the cell doors closed bringing an end to another era of Cooper County history.
People were hung outside on a platform next to the jail and inside the barn. The prisioner was taken to the loft area in the barn and made to stand on a trap door which was propped up with a board from below. Once the noose was around his neck, the board was kicked away and the trap door allowed to fall open and hang the prisoner.
It was a very interesting afternoon.
I love hearing the small things about your country. It’s nice of you to share your trips. How’s Charlotte going?
what was the temp… I got caught riding in 100 degrees last weekend and it about killed me…
We traveled that way a few years back. Did you see the single cell jail? http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM347A They have a quaint little play house also. The actors were fantastic in the show we saw there. I wondered how the were able to attract such good actors to such a remote little town. That little town is a gem, and worth a visit to.
Jules,
No, I didn’t see that. We didn’t have much time in Arrow Rock. We needed to be on the road headed home so we just went into the country store there and visited the old courthouse. I think we’d like to go back there again and spend more time. Next weekend we’re headed in the same direction, going to KC, so we might stop and visit on that trip.
Thanks for commenting.
Jonco
Lenn,
The forecast was for sunny skies and a high of 78 degrees. When we left home (7:45 am) there was not a cloud in the sky. By the time we got to Wentzville MO (our meeting place) the sky was completely cloudy. Only saw the blue sky peek thru a couple times on the way over there. It was actually a little cool, but felt great with a long sleeve shirt and a light jacket. We ran into some light rain along the way too, but not enough to really get wet.
On the way home the clouds cleared away and we were in T-shirts most of the way.
Jonco
thanks Jonco… I have been back east a few times in the summer with high humitity and wonder how in the world do they do it back there… I was in a car with A/C and you kind of forget it’s nasty till you get out of the car… beautiful country though… Once again thanks for Your Responce Jonco…