Great fears were entertained that the Rice county jail at Faribault, would
not be of sufficient strength to hold the three famous bandit brothers, of
whose great desperation and accomplishment in the art of prison breaking,
the most wonderful and exaggerated stories were circulated throughout the
State. Sheriff Ara Barton, however, did not hesitate to accept his
distinguished boarders, and probably a thought of their escape from him
never entered his mind. He had the bandits in his care, and he proceeded
in the most systematic manner to provide for their remaining with him. No
effort was made to strengthen the jail, but a series of guards was
arranged so that the inside and outside were both constantly under the eye
of watchful guards. The only fears entertained by those having the robbers
in charge, were that there might be efforts made from the outside, either
by a mob who would seek to lynch the brigands, or by their own friends,
who would undertake to liberate them. For both cases, Sheriff Barton was
prepared.