was formed by citizens of the city, and the bell of an adjacent engine
house was connected with the guard room of the jail by a wire. In case of
any attack, these fifty men, armed with repeating rifles, were to
rendezvous at a certain point from whence, under their captain, they would
proceed in order to the jail. Another wise precaution taken by the Sheriff
was in the locking of the doors of the jail, which are about 18 inches
apart. He kept the key of the inner one himself, while the guard inside
retained that of the outside door. At a private signal, the guard would
reach through and unlock the outer one, when the Sheriff would find use
for his key on the inner one. Several guards kept constant watch night and
day around the jail, and at its entrance, a cannon loaded with a blank
cartridge stood, ready to give a general alarm. As an instance of how
perfect the arrangements were, it may be stated that on one occasion when
the fire bell sounded, in less than three minutes the jail was surrounded
by men, some carrying guns, some bludgeons, and some farm tools. Any party
foolish enough to have undertaken the rescue of those