By Beverly Clinkingbeard
It was 120 years ago in Atchison County that Sheriff George B. Million succeeded in securing a special election to build a jail. A two-thirds vote was necessary to pass the proposition.
This wasn’t the first time the issue had been before county voters. The editors of the local newspapers, Atchison County World and Atchison County Mail, opposed having a jail built.
The Atchison County World said, “We are opposed to any extra taxation for a jail or any other practical useless improvements in the county so long as our county is carrying the present indebtedness.” The newspaper used large print and much of one page urging “Vote against…”
The Atchison County Mail editor took a softer approach to the issue and a concern for the county’s indebtedness. The editor apparently had other businesses in the county selling insurance and was a travel agent for North German Steamship Company.
It was also rumored that Buchanan County would not accept Atchison County prisoners. The Buchanan County Sheriff assured they would continue to accept prisoners at the same rate, with meals being the main cost. Sheriff Million was swift to explain the time and expense of transporting prisoners. The other option was to use Nodaway County jail, but apparently using the rail service to St. Joseph was the better choice. The Sheriff was also accused of re-arranging the figures and the newspapers argued there would be job losses for those who guarded and transported prisoners.
Despite opposition, Sheriff Million persisted, and both papers printed his rebuttal. He wrote, “I, George B. Million, Sheriff of Atchison County, started agitation for the construction of a jail…” He set out his reason saying in 1901, the county paid $1,034 to guard prisoners in transit. He pointed out the savings over a period of years. The cost to build was $10,000. He also inferred there was support for the proposition throughout the county, going so far as to say, “I am glad that the newspapers are practically all in favor of building a jail.” He concluded his argument by pointing out the savings and added, “…if we do not build we will pay it out for a jail and we will have the jail left. But if we do not build we will pay out the money just the same and have nothing.”
Apparently, his reasoning was accepted by Atchison County voters. The issue to build a jail was 1,821 for and 761 against. North Clay Township carried the most votes with 308 for and none against. East Lincoln (at the far end of the county) carried 8 for and 40 against. (Blanchard and Westboro each had small jails.)
Most probably it was the Sheriff who made the statement, “This vote plainly shows that the people of Atchison County are in favor of harmony and good will toward all mankind. Now let us pull together to make Atchison County boom.”
’Til next time…
