Jackson County (Mo.)
Historical Society
1859 Jail, Marshal's
Home & Museum
217 North Main
Street, Independence, Missouri 816-252-1892
Pinch your copy of the first comprehensive history of this fascinating site: “LOCK DOWN: Outlaws, Lawmen & Frontier Justice in Jackson County, Missouri” This is the earliest image (1877) of the two-story, brick, federal-style Marshal’s Home that continues to front 217 North Main Street, Independence, Missouri. What you don’t see (until you surrender a small admittance) is the Jackson County Jail…huge limestone jail cells…that are situated at the back of the Marshal’s Home. The home and the lock down were both constructed beginning in 1859, using the architectural renderings of Kansas City’s pioneer architect Asa Beebe Cross (or A. B. Cross). These two structures are the earliest, surviving, documented examples of A. B. Cross’s work. As the twelve, new, limestone jail cells were opened, hostilities between free state and pro-slavery forces were reaching a boiling point in this area of Midwestern United States. In 1854, Congress had passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which opened the Kansas Territory to settlement. The act provided for popular sovereignty in determining the issue of slavery. The result of this act was violent guerilla fighting which terrorized local populations on both sides of the Missouri and Kansas lines as abolitionists poured into the Kansas Territory. The Civil War Battles of Independence and
Lone Jack in 1862 ended in Confederate victories. The state of Missouri was
held in the union by military force even though the elected Governor and
legislators had voted to secede from the Union. In Jackson County old grudges
erupted between families and neighbor turned against neighbor. Women and
children were arrested and placed in the 1859 Jackson County Jail now under
the command of the Union Provost Marshals nicknamed the “Little Gods” for the
power they had over the population. When the Jail overflowed with the
residents of Jackson County, other buildings were used as jails. One of those buildings collapsed and
several young girls were killed.
Historians believe that this action resulted in the raid on Lawrence,
Kansas in 1863. The raid resulted in the infamous Order No. 11 being issued which depopulated Jackson County as well as other counties along the Kansas-Missouri border. The enforcement of this order resulted in terrible hardships for the residents, many women and children had to walk to Texas or Kentucky. Many were killed in the act of obeying the order, Union and Southern families alike. Many families never returned to Jackson County after the war.
Decades after the war ended in Missouri,
the citizens of Jackson county felt the lingering bitterness and uncertainty
of that great conflict. Out of these
tumultuous times rode Missouri’s most notorious outlaws. Outlaws like the James boys and Youngers
used the remaining animosities from the outrages of the war to stay a step
ahead of the law for nearly twenty years. After Jesse James was murdered, his older
brother, Frank, began negotiations with the Missouri governor to surrender
because he feared assassination. Frank
James spent almost six months in the 1859 Jackson County jail. In 1907, a brick jail was added to the
back of the limestone jail to house chain gangs. Chain gangs were used to build roads,
sewers and other tasks assigned them.
They left six days a week at sunrise and returned at sunset. One inmate spent a year on the chain gang
for stealing a cow. You can see the Marshal’s home from Main Street, but the
two-story limestone jail and the 1901 chain gang jail joins the rear of the
home. Take a self-guided
tour of the jail and museum for a first hand look at frontier justice. Tour the beautifully decorated home where
the wife and children of the marshal lived.
Guided tours are available upon request in advance. Pinch
your copy of “LOCK
DOWN: Outlaws, Lawmen & Frontier Justice in Jackson County, Missouri.”
This 125-page comprehensive history engages readers with documented facts,
figures and images relating to Jackson County's 19th century jails and the
outlaws and lawmen (AND women) associated with them. Yes, Quantrill, Frank
and Jesse James, and MANY other figures are represented from 1826-1933.
Several appendices include: A roster of ALL Jackson County Sheriffs AND
Jackson County Marshals (and many deputies) from 1826-1933; A rap sheet of
all known "legal" hangings in Jackson County for the same time
period; A list of all U.S. Marshals; a special discussion about the Provost
Marshals of the Civil War-era; a "Rogues' Gallery" of MUG SHOTS
taken at the 1859 Jail in the late 1890s; and, maps showing the evolution of
the 1859 Jackson County Jail site. THE COUNTY MARSHAL, OR ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES
ARE
AVAILABLE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! Monday—Saturday,
10—4 Sunday 1—4 (April 1
through October 31) Adults $5 Seniors $4.50 Youths 5-15 $2 Children 5 & under FREE Student Field Trip and Adult Group Tours
are also available. Click here for field trip and
student tour information. |
