On March 24, 1887, the now defunct Carroll County Democrat newspaper reported that on a Monday afternoon, "a plan of several prisoners to escape was discovered by Sheriff (John T.) Lynch in time to prevent a general jail delivery.

Apparently old Sheriff Lynch was pretty shrewd, because he sensed something was fishy based on a 10-day party the prisoners had been enjoying.

As the newspaper reported, "Merriment and joy, singing and dancing during the evening, for the past 10 days, has been the rule of the prisoners ..."

I liked that "merriment and joy, singing and dancing" part, don't you?

Who would have known that being in jail could be the fountain of such happiness? Of course, all the noise the prisoners were making was to hide a little mischief. Turns out that upon "careful scrutiny" the sheriff discovered that in cell No. 12. "The iron bars of the window were gone and replaced with broomsticks, blackened with charcoal."

Most folks are aware of the current Carroll County Detention Center located at 100 N. Court St., Westminster. (Those of us who have been inside need not raise our hands.)

However, when I was growing up in Westminster, the "jail," as it was known then, was located right next door to the current detention center in the large stone building. That jail dates back to 1837, when right after the county was formed, the state required the county to build a courthouse, an "Almshouse" and a jail.

The jail remained in operation until 1968 when Maryland had it closed, "citing general disrepair and antiquated equipment," according to an old yellowed newspaper clipping.

It was replaced in 1970 with what was then called a "lock up," which had room for 16 prisoners. Of course, crowding wasn't a problem in earlier days; in 1887 there were 30 prisoners in jail for a variety of offenses, from breaking into railroad cars to theft of cloverseed.

After additions in 1985 and 1999, the current 24,780-square-foot detention center provides the opportunity for "merriment and joy" for approximately 287 revelers.

Calling from my 'cell'

Speaking of merriment and joy, last week's Sunday Carroll Eagle history trivia quiz was about the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City, and asked readers: In what year did that parade first take place?

Jamie Wehler, Glenn Plott, Ruth Anderson, R Wall, Richard Siehler and R. J. Teich all knew that the first St. Patrick's Day parade in New York was held March 17, 1762.

Teich is this week's winner of the Sunday Carroll Eagle history trivia mug for the "joy and merriment" beverage of their choice.

Today, everyone takes cell phones for granted; however, when I was young, they were unheard of. Here's this week's trivia question: When in history was the first cell phone call made and what can you tell us about the circumstances?

Think you know? Drop me an e-mail at kevindayhoff@gmail.com. Be sure to add Sunday Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thanks.

When he's not on (or in) a cell, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.

---

user comments (0)