Newaygo County MI Archives History - Books .....County Jail 1884
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 March 6, 2008, 10:27 pm

Book Title: Newaygo County Portrait & Biographical Album

COUNTY JAIL


The Board of Supervisors passed the following, Dec. 31, 1853:

"This county not being provided with a jail, it is resolved that the county of 
Kent be required to receive and take 

charge of such prisoners as may be sent from this county, at the expense of 
this county."

January 13, 1855, it was decided to erect a jail for the use of the county, 
and a contract was made with Samuel W. 

Matevey on the following basis:  The jail to be built of hewn timber and to be 
seventeen feet wide by twenty feet 

long, and the walls to be eleven or twelve feet high.  The floors to be of 
hewn timber.  The building to be divided 

into two cells, each to be entered from above by means of trap doors, "the 
whole to be done in a good and substantial 

and workmanlike manner, so as to answer the purpose of a common jail for said 
county."  "To be paid for as follows:  

One hundred dollars to be advanced on said contract in a county order this day 
drawn, and the balance to be paid in 

one year from the date hereof."  The work was required to be completed by the 
1st of May ensuing.  This was not done, 

but the building was finished during the summer.  Mr. Matevey was allowed for 
the job $326.04.  

In April 1872, the citizens of Newaygo County voted on a proposition to raise 
by loan, $4,000, with which to erect a 

new jail, the old one being deemed  unfit for longer use.  This amount was to 
be paid in four annual payments of 

$1,000 each.  The number of votes given in favor of the loan was 302, against 
517; consequently the measure was 

rejected.

June 12, 1877, another attempt was made, and the people were asked to vote on 
a proposition to raise $2,500 for a 

jail.  This was rejected by a vote of 570 in favor, and 634 against.

Oct. 12, 1877, the Board appropriated out of the county funds $1,000, to aid 
in the construction of a jail.  A 

committee of citizens, with this amount, and with a fund raised by private 
subscription, then erected the present 

frame building, which serves as a jail and sheriff's residence.  It is to be 
hoped that it will be replaced ere many 

years with some more substantial structure; but this will probably not be done 
until the county-seat question is more 

definately settled.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/newaygo/history/1884/newaygoc/countyja60gms.txt

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