The first jail was built in 1857 across the street from the courthouse, facing slightly northwest on Court street. Prior to this time the prisoners were left in the care of the highest bidder who would keep them at hard labor and assumed thier safekeepping. Even after the jail was built prisoner escapes were quite frequent.  When the jail was torn down after it was replaced by the Pink Pokey, one could see all of the places where prisoners dug their way out.