Oconto Jail On 1st Street immediately east of the original courthouse on the 1871 City Plat. Colonel Jones plated the original city of Oconto on July 14, 1856, which then was bound on the north by the Oconto river and on the west by what is now Collins avenue, making an area of three blocks long and three blocks wide. Col. Jones donated to the community the property now occupied by the country jail and also that now occupied by the Oconto hospital, which formerly was the county courthouse. The original wood structures of courthouse and jail were built in 1856, soon caught fire and were rebuilt in 1858.

  Regardless of the building's condition over the many years, it was consistently noted by county and state inspectors to always be kept clean and in good order. Humanitarian groups consistently reported that both the financially and mentally disabled residents of the first floor and criminal inmates on the second floor were well cared for by the jailers, who took pride in their tremendous scope of care and security responsibilities, with very limited resources.  No reports of disease, accidents, injury to residents and inmates or fire were found after 1858.

The drawing to the left is based on descriptions of the second Oconto jail. Despite the decades of use, a full photograph of the building has not yet been found. Only a small edge of the building may be what is seen to the rear of the brick jail in the photo below. This wood framed, Greek Revival jail building is the second jail, built in 1858 after the first 1856 jail was destroyed by fire.

Descriptions were of a two story jail constructed wholly of wood with outer siding painted white. A single narrow central staircase lead to the second floor connecting the narrow central hallways on each floor. The building was heated by wood-stoves and with windows on only one side, it was lighted with lanterns. The outer walls were constructed of large, whole, tightly set upright timbers in stockade fashion from floor to second story roof.  These timbers were covered with wood siding. The roofing was cedar shakes. There were no separate accommodations for toileting inside or outside. Eliminations were deposited in buckets which were emptied by the first floor residents who carried the contents across the street to the river.

The jail housed both male and female criminals on the second floor often in leg irons, as well as the indigent and insane on the first floor. The only entrance was in the front, as were the only window, which had iron bars. 

The call for a new jail was already strong in 1878, but the city fathers decided to repair the standing building. By 1885 humanitarian organizations described the building as a "fire trap" and there was a push for facilites that separated the disabled from the criminals. The jail building continued to house criminals unchanged until the brick sheriff's residence and office were built in the early 1900s (see photo below).

The now demolished brick sheriff's office, residence and county jail on the right, was a welcome replacement for the wooden structures that preceded it starting in 1856. This property, across 1st Street and east of Collins Ave. (County Highway S) from the old stone courthouse/hospital on the northeast corner, was platted to be the original center of City of Oconto. The Jones family donated the southeast corner where the 1856 pine courthouse stood with the jail and sheriff's office/residence to the immediate east side of that courthouse building. Adjoining property on 2nd street was donated and used as the original town square. The first courthouse and jail structures burned before they were a year old and were rebuilt in 1858, again in pine. The courthouse had a tall steeple and was painted in white, making it easy to see by land and river. The jail was kept on the same property when the stone courthouse was built on the northeast corner. The following brick jail was built in the same place. Traditionally in early Oconto County, the sheriff and jailer were separate positions. The jailer's jobs went far beyond just keeping prisoners locked up. Prisoners of all types were housed on the second floor of a succeeding structure, from petty thieves to cold blooded murderers, while the "permanent" residents on the first floor were people adjudged insane or destitute, with nowhere to go. Cleaning of the building, preparing and serving meals every day, removal of excrements left in buckets, laundry, office duties, grounds care, keeping track of the non criminal inmates, keeping the building heated with stacks of hand split logs and so much more than strictly the jailing of prisoners fell to the jailer and often his family. The jailers were often praised in reports and in the newspapers, by otherwise hash critics of the actual wood jail building, for having the jail "well kept" as well as the continuous good care and general kindness that was given to the mentally ill and paupers that the court sent regularly. Later, when Oconto County had appropriated some care for the mentally ill in State institutions, the number of beds allotted were not enough and the jail continued to serve as home for decades. Jailers were also rugged and almost indestructible by reputation (more in the old news articles below). Besides the many daily duties, and keeping watch against the continuous threat of deadly fires both from within and outside, there was suicide watch and dangerous attempted escapes. The jailer was usually the only one there to handle these desperate situations. The sides of the old wood building were described in reports and articles as being "made substantial by heavy square timbers placed upright as close together as possible"... "a jail constructed wholly of wood, with a single narrow staircase and heated by wood-stoves"...."There is not a vestige of an outhouse attached to the building".."no room to build one"..." the prisoners in the second story (in leg shackles), and but one stairway in the center of the building"....(more in the old news articles below). The earliest wardens of the jail included Civil War veterans, such as Frank Ruelle. Other long-time jailer wardens during the wood building years were local legends Amirah P. Call and George "Wingy" Smith. Their experiences were sometime harrowing.

Note: the very edge of the 1858 wood frame, Greek Revival jail building (see drawing above) may be what is seen on the right side at the rear of the brick building. It is the spot where the original jail building stood. contributed by: Bill Fonferek My grandfather Joseph Foral was sheriff for two terms.  We visited there a lot and played in the basement and across the street by the hospital.  They had lots of frogs around the building they used for testing in the lab. Oconto County Jail was attached the sheriff residence and office. This building was on First Street, east of  the bridge and across from the old Courthouse/Hospital building. contributed by: Bill Fonferek My grandfather Joseph Foral. contributed by: Bill Fonferek Jail enlarged at the rear of the sheriff's residence and office  where the demolished 1858 jail had been.

Written by RICHARD HALL
Published in 1876
Oconto County Reporter

May 20,1856 the County Clerk of the Board was instructed to issue notices for reception of bids for "County Buildings" meaning the Court House and Jail. These were built in 1856.

A courthouse and jail were erected on the site of the present old brick jail lots in 1856.

Frank Ruelle, one of the oldest settlers in Oconto, died at his residence in the west ward on Sunday afternoon, and was buried Tuesday from St. Peter’s church, the Major Ramsey Post, G.A.R. escorting the body to it’s last resting place. The deceased was a Belgian by birth, but during his long residence in this country had become thoroughly Americanized. Years ago he was warden of the county jail, and subsequently represented the west ward on the board of alderman for several years.

Oconto County Reporter
November 11, 1971 - Special Edition

L. C.(GEORGE) SMITH

Of all the colorful individuals who played a part in the city's long history, perhaps none deserves more than George "Wingy" Smith -  whose career as a law enforcement officer spanned half a century.  A man seemingly without fear, Smith was considered dean of all police officers in Wisconsin long before his retirement in 1935.

"Wingy" Smith was not only a one-man police force, he was in many respects "the city".  He first began "keeping the peace" in 1883 when his principal job was breaking up street fights among lumberjacks, and was elected city marshal in 1907.  He got the nickname of "Wing" after losing a hand in a farm accident, but the stump of arm was not a handicap - it was a formidable weapon.

The stories that could be told about his exploits are legion.  There was, for example, the time when a man brought into the county jail whipped out a pistol and fired two shots at a policeman standing by.  When he pointed the gun in his direction, "Wing" sprang at him knocking the weapon from his hand, but not before a bullet creased his trouser leg.  The chief then proceeded to knock the prisoner out with the stump of his arm.

An even more famous incident occurred down at C&NW depot where the police chief was called after forty or fifty "bums" had dropped off here from a freight train.  George soon spotted the leader of the gang and started down the tracks after him.  The hobo jumped on the train and drew a revolver, firing point blank into George's face.  The bullet struck the chief's clenched teeth, knocking out several, with an impact that knocked him down.  The fireman on the train then whacked the tramp over the head with a poker, knocking him off the deck.  Back on his feet, George pounced on the hobo and marched him off to jail.  On the way, he coughed up the bullet which had lodged in his throat.

Oconto County Reporter
Sept. 11, 1886

A prisoner by the name of Thomas Worth who was confined in the county jail awaiting trail for shooting Marshal Smith in the mouth, early in the summer, escaped on Sunday evening last. He was being conducted to his cell with other prisoners, and watching his chance when jailer Call was off his guard he turned with lightening rapidity and planting a well conducted blow on Mr. Call's face which knocked him horse de combat, he then took "leg bail" and made good his escape.

"The city expects protection from old George, and gets it," the Reporter noted in 1939, when Smith was in his 46th year of law enforcement.  Chief Smith regarded sleep as an unnecessary evil and was on the street from early morning until well past midnight.  And, when the city was locked in by a blizzard, the only figure seen stirring was George, out at the crack of dawn with a plow, trying to clear Main street.

In the last few years before his retirement, George gave up police work and became street commissioner.

Washburn had fed the cattle for the night, finished his evening meal and was standing around his camp fire when he noticed one of the oxen had wondered away from the rest of the herd. Calling the oxen by name, Washburn was trying to coax the animal back when nearby, in the darkness he heard a woman's voice say "Don't be afraid he won't go far". and immediately a young woman came from a thicket of underbrush and walked over to where Washburn was standing.

There was no road In the county except this one supply road used by the lumber company in going to and from its logging camp. The nearest settlers were two or three families living at Gillett, some 25 or 30 miles distant. This young woman could not tell the "bull whacker" who she was or where she came from, so it did not take him long to discover that he had a crazy woman on his hands on his long trip to Oconto.

The night was spent around the camp fire and next morning another day's Journey was commenced and so on until finally they reached Oconto, the oxen were delivered to the lumber company and "Crazy Jane." as she was afterwards known and called, was turned, over to the county authorities and was temporarily placed in jail while a diligent search and inquiry was going on trying to find out who this woman was or where she came from. Although every effort was made, not the slightest clue could be found which would reveal her identity. She was insane but harmless, so so she was put to work as a servant girl in and about the county jail and given her freedom to do or go as she might wish. She seemed to enjoy her work and every one in the neighborhood knew Crazy Jane.

A number of years later, when Jane had passed middle age, she disappeared from the jail one winter evening just as mysteriously, just as surprisingly as she had appeared from the darkness in the woods several years before. The city of Oconto was searched as well as the surrounding country but no trace of Jane could be found.

In the spring following the winter night Jane disappeared, a man walking through this marsh discovered the corpse of a woman, about two miles from the county jail.   A coroner's inquest was held and the body was identified as that of "Crazy Jane," the verdict being "death due' to exposure, the theory being advanced that Jane had wandered away from the Jail, got lost and froze to death.

Who was this strange, mysterious character, what was her name, where did she come from, how did she ever get away up in the then wilderness at the time of the year when Washburn first met her? Although this happened nearly 70 years ago (1864) yet not the slightest clue has ever been advanced,  not one bit of information has ever been found which, would even tend to identify   this strange, mysterious character.

OCONTO COUNTY REPORTER
October 14, 1876

** Broke Jail.

On Saturday night last, two men confined in the County Jail for stealing, made their escape by cutting a hole about twelve inches square through the side of the building. The sides of the building were made substantial by heavy square timbers placed upright as close together as possible. The hole was made by cutting a chunk out of one of these. The work was evidently done with a knife, though probably a slow process judging from appearances. This is rather an unpleasant episode for the jailer as he retires from the position, but it shows very forcibly the need for better jail building, which is the real cause of the accident.

REPORT OF THE COUNTY JAIL

**Number of prisoners on hand January 1, 1878, 1. The whole number of persons committed during the year ending Dec. 31, 1878, was 43, of which number, 41 were males, 2 were females. The offenses for which they were committed were as follows: Insanity, 12; drunkenness, 7; larceny, 4; assault with intent to kill, 25; threats of assault, 1; rape, 1; vagrancy, 1; held for settlement of estate, account of application for divorce, 1. Of these, only 1 was sent to State’s Prison. The number on hand January 1, 1879, is 4, males, of which 2 are insane, and 2 are held over to the Circuit Court to answer to the charge of assault with intent to kill.

**A REQUEST.

Jailer Call wishes us to request any person or persons, who should be passing the jail, not to talk with the insane persons who are permitted to enjoy the fresh out door air. It has a tendency of making them still more nervous and excitable and consequently, less manageable. He makes this request in the interest of these unfortunate persons, as, if continued, he will be obliged to keep them confined in their cells. Of course, this habit of talking with the insane by passers-by, is a thoughtless act, and as the harm arising there from is now pointed out, there will be no further trouble from this cause.

**ONE or two of the insane over the river in the jail seem to have more solid good sense than some people who will read this item.  They keep the snow and ice cleaned off their sidewalks about the county houses.

We are pleased to note that our new county board is fully awake to the necessary of immediate action towards the amelioration of the present unfortunate and indeed unavoidable, condition of our county paupers, and the insane in charge of the county. That the past arraignments made for those unfortunates were not at all adequate to their necessities, is a well-known fact to all our citizens. A jail is no place for an insane person, especially such a jail, as we are blessed or rather cursed with.

An asylum for the insane is no home for a criminal. These institutions should be apart and separate. In like manner no other institution of any kind should be connected to one or either.

Now look at our present jail. There is not a vestige of an outhouse attached to the building, and the excrements of the vilest criminals are removed every morning by these unfortunate insane, as the prisoners, naturally, cannot be trusted outside the precincts of the jail.

Daily the bucket brigade can be seen, well laden, from the jail to the river, while the malfactors from whom filth is being removed, lay in the chains of the criminal. A jail without an outhouse, and no room to build one! We speak thus plainly because we deem it a duty to call the attention of our officials to the present existing state of county affairs, the prompt and decisive action shall be taken in the matter.

Oconto County Reporter
August 1, 1885

Two (prisoners) confined to the county jail on the charge of horse stealing, made an unsuccessful attempt to escape on Tuesday last. The younger one had removed the shackles with which his feet were manacled, and the older one had almost succeeded in doing the same, when the suspicious jailer Call was aroused, and a sudden stop to their efforts to obtain their liberty. On further examination Mr. Call discovered that in the cell occupied by one of them, a hole about a foot square had been cut part way through the outer wall of the jail. The instrument needed to cut this hole was a common table knife the sharp edged of which had been converted into a saw. It is thought they obtained the file, which they needed so effectively on their shackles from a prisoner who was confined to the bastile one night last week. The ankles of the would be freemen are now adorned with bright, new shackles which are fasted by a heavy iron chain to the wall.

A prisoner by the name of Thomas Worth who was confined in the county jail awaiting trail for shooting Marshal Smith in the mouth, early in the summer, escaped on Sunday evening last. He was being conducted to his cell with other prisoners, and watching his chance when jailer Call was off his guard he turned with lightening rapidity and planting a well conducted blow on Mr. Call's face which knocked him horse de combat, he then took "leg bail" and made good his escape.

PIONEER CITIZEN CALLED AT EIGHTY

AMIRAH P. CALL ANSWERS FINAL SUMMONS

70 YEARS IN WISCONSIN 55 IN OCONTO

Important factor in Oconto’s Early History

Died Thursday Funeral Saturday Last

Amirah P. Call, a brief notice of whose death was published in the Enterprise last Friday, was born in McKeesport, Essex county, N.Y., on April 1, 1834, and was consequently nearly eighty years of age the time of his death. At the age of ten years he came west with his parents, who located at Green Bay, where he resided about a year, the family moving to Ripon, where another year was spent, and the family again moved, this time to DePere. Deceased resided at DePere until 1858, when he entered the employ of Anson Eldred company at Stiles.

In 1856 he was married to Sarah Hooten, who survives him, and in 1862 he moved to Oconto and resided her continuously up to the time of his death. In 1861, while the "Oconto River Drivers" a company which became famous during the Civil war, was being organized, he was seriously injured by the premature explosion of a small cannon that was being used to inject patriotism into those of whom it was desired to become members of the company. This injury prevented him from joining the company, a fact which afterward he always regretted.

He followed steam boating until 1869, when he was appointed city marshal, and he served in that capacity for sometime. He also served as deputy sheriff in 1870-1, and for thirteen years acted as jailer at the county jail. Besides his angel widow, he leaves one son George H. Call, of Green Bay, and a daughter, Mrs. W. F. Westfall of this city. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. J. S. Chase of DePere and Mrs. Cooley of Waupaca.

Several years ago Mr. Call’s eyesight began to fail, and he consulted a specialist, who advised him he was suffering with cataract of one of his eyes, and by the only way by which his sight could be saved in either eye was to have the affected one removed. This however, he refused to consent to, and about ten years ago he became totally blind and consequently helpless. Wednesday night he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he failed to rally, and he died at 9:15 Thursday night.

Mr. Call was an important factor in the early history of Oconto, both city and county, and was always prominent in their affairs until old age and failing health compelled his retirement from the activities of life.

The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at two o’clock, from his late residence on McDonald street, Rev, Father Campbell officiating, and largely attended. Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Call of Green Bay and Mrs. R. Cooley of Waupaca were the relatives present at the last rites.

Oconto County Reporter
November 11, 1971 - Special Edition

After World War II ended, returning veterans found job opportunities in the city limited due largely to the demise of Oconto’s main industry – its lumber mills.  A decade was to pass before diversified industry was to be attracted to our town creating new job opportunities, and by that time many of its young people had settled elsewhere.

Center: Oconto County City Hall built in 1891 with post World War II Courthouse #3 and Oconto County City Jail wing additions. This complex of buildings is built on the north side of the river where the city center moved.