Page 41 - the NOISE August 2012

JAIL HOUSE ROCKS!
deputy associated with this jailhouse.
In 1952, after a murder much further from home, Searl Melvin Ward of Alamo, Idaho carried his dead mother’s body a long way before being found out at Garrison’s Ford Agency in Cottonwood. Apparently she had asked him to shave several days of growth before lunch, then argued with him about
shooting sparrows in the backyard that af- ternoon. Some things can just make a man go crazy. According to Statements Of Facts In The Case Of Searl Malvin Ward issued by Sher- iff Bozarth and County Attorney Dave Palmer,
“Don Dowell and Bill Humphreys, employees at Garrison’s, serviced Mr. Ward’s 1948 Plym- outh sedan, then noticed a pool of blood on the ground where the car had been parked.” Highway Patrolman Ed Shartzer overtook the Plymouth near Clarkdale and brought Mr. Ward into the Cottonwood Jail. “Ward stated he attempted to bury the body of his mother, using a tire iron to dig the grave, but he became very hungry and decided to proceed towards the Salt River Valley where the digging would be easier. He was shortly thereafter apprehended.”
More Than Just Prisoners
Alonzo and M. May Mason sold land north of their store to Yavapai County for $250.00 on September 16, 1929. Construc- tion of the Jail by Breeman/Breeman of Prescott was rapid, and it was first occu- pied in January 1930 by the JP. The Yavapai County Justice System in Prescott decided to put the sub-station in Cottonwood be- cause it had the largest percentage of the area’s illicit crimes. According to numerous Verde Copper News editions, “Chief of Police J. G. Crowley ... openly admitted dangerous gangsters, formerly of Chicago’s gangland, have made the Verde district their habitat. The unrivaled winter climate of this district is thought to be the attraction to these degree yegg men ... These gangsters are members of that famous ‘Fire House Gang’ of Jerome
... and suburbs – Chicago, Cincinnati, and Phoenix ... The ‘Fire House Gang’ is one of the oldest and strongest thugs’ club of America’s underworld and have to date defied all at- tempts of Al Capone to dominate their busi- ness.”
After Cottonwood became incorporated as a town, the Jail was occupied by the Po- lice Department, then in the 1970s by the Humane Society, later by Big Brothers Big Sisters, and most recently by the Old Town Association. The OTA has held numerous events at the Jail including the Bootlegger’s Cruiz-In, Cowboy Cruiz-In, Halloween Safe Night and multiple staged, surprise arrests
on tourists and suspecting guests.
Stuffed Cells and Suicides
One thing that has remained consistent about the Jail is its cells. These cells were manufactured to be dropped just about anywhere, even the middle of the darn des- ert, and then simply have a roof thrown on top, or even more cells stacked with rickety wood stairs for access. No matter what the case, the beauty of the solid sides kept pris- oners from mingling, and the barred fronts allowed wardens a keen eye on the inside happenings. Not so with our fair Jail. Here, the cells were set back to back, facing the limited open bar area walls. Wardens could not see in, blocking their ability to keep pris- oners from harming themselves.
One of the most written-about suicides in the Jail is of young Rick G. Valencia. At Sweet 16, “Ricky” hung himself while do- ing his time. Five days later and three days shy of her Sweet 16, his sweetheart Susan R. Harvell followed suit, using a tree down by the river. According to the booklets Dia de los Muertos, Cottonwood Cemetery, and Azteca Funeral Lodge, “They were deeply in love with each other and their families had them buried side-by-side. They share the same headstone.”
Current Construction
The Jail is under a $70,000 renovation by the City. Its plans have been reflected upon by Cottonwood’s Historic Preservation Com- mission, and a Certified Local Government Coordinator for State Historic Preservation Office, but have not been submitted in pa- per form. Although it seems the Jail might qualify as historic with its changes, it is not for certain. The Jail’s qualification for Na- tional Historic Preservation listing will de- pend on final percentage of change from streetscape: exterior finish, door/window changes, and landscape (which this writer hopes will be hued with local Verde River Cobble, not of red rock). The renovations in- clude addition of ADA bathrooms, new roof- ing, carpet and interior work, plus addition of a back patio, access door to the side with ramp, and improved front area. The unique cells will remain.
Once complete, the Jail will be up for rental grabs. Who will occupy these haunted halls and bring them to modern success? Time will tell.
| Annabel Sclippa is a lady of many hats, to say the least. steakandmustard@gmail.com
BY ANNABEL SCLIPPA
thenoise.us • the NOISE arts & news magazine • AUGUST 2012 • 41