THE NELSON GAOL

By SERGEANT E. PATTERSON

Constable Outwitted by Tricky Prisoner Who Hands the Officer Over to Gaol

Guard for Imprisonment—A Midnight Attack on Gaol Guard—Warden Jarvis

Works Marvellous Cure With Simple Remedy—Influxes of Doukhobors Create
Difficulties—Doukhobor Women Make Wholesale Plea to Kiss Warden.

THE NELSON Provincial Gaol was built
in the year 1896 and was opened in 1897.
Forty-six cells were installed, two beds to a
cell, so that accommodation could be pro-
vided for the custody of seventy-two male
and twenty female prisoners.

Captain Fitz-Stubbs was appointed War-
den. He had been a Provincial Constable
and mining recorder in the Cassiar district,
and was later transferred to Nelson as Gov-
ernment Agent prior to being appointed
Warden. Fitz-Stubbs did not seem to like his
new position, as he considered he had been
demoted and apparently did not appreciate
the position of trust given to him.

During Capt. Fitz-Stubbs’ term as War-
den, one hanging took place—a man named
Doyle, who had committed a murder at
Kuskanook and who was the first man to be
hanged in the Nelson gaol yard. This took
place in April, 1898. Fitz-Stubbs was super-
annuated in 1900 and went to California to
live.

Robert Lemmon was then appointed War-
den to succeed Fitz-Stubbs. He was an old-
timer in Nelson, a merchant by trade, and it
was during his term that the second hanging
took place—a man named. Henry Rose, who
murdered a person on the Arrow Lakes, and
was hanged for that offence on the 21st of
November, 1902.

It might be of interest to state here that
prisoners received any length of sentence in
these early days. Leg irons were riveted on
them and these were not removed until such
time as the sentence expired. This practice
was discontinued, however, about 1905, un-
less, of course, a prisoner made an attempt
to escape, when the leg irons were imme-
diately put in use again.

First GAOL BREAK

It was during Warden Lemmon’s time
that the first gaol break occurred. A prisoner
in the kitchen of the gaol escaped but was
shortly afterwards captured, when it was
found that he had made keys to fit every
door and lock in the gaol.

In the fall of 1906, Warden Lemmon
died and an appointment was not made until
July 10th, 1907, the gaol being in charge of
senior guard Joseph Labbie until W. R.
Jarvis, then Chief of Police of the City of
Nelson, was appointed to the position. Prior
to, and for a time after, his appointment,
prisoners had been working on the Nelson
City School grounds, Recreation grounds

SUMMER EDITION

and Hospital grounds, but this practice was
discontinued.

For a period of twenty-four years Warden
Jarvis filled this position in a most capable
manner—a conscientious worker and disci-
plinarian, who with tact ruled this gaol for
such a long time. On the 23rd of Septem-

The man who ruled Rossland, Provincial Con-
stable John Kirkup, whose name was a terror to
evil doers in the Kootenays in the 80’s.

ber, 1931, Warden Jarvis was superannu-
ated and is enjoying a well-earned rest at
Proctor, about 18 miles from Nelson.

For the following year the gaol was taken
care of by the police, Inspector F. Cruick-
shank being appointed Warden.

In the fall of 1932, Inspector John Mac-
donald succeeded Inspector Cruickshank as
Warden, a position which he holds at the
present time.

Prior to Warden Macdonald taking over

the gaol, only short-term prisoners were ad-
mitted, but in 1934 an Order-in-Council was
passed placing the institution on the same
footing as Oakalla Gaol, and prisoners sen-
tenced to terms up to two years less one day
are now admitted to the Nelson Gaol.

Since Warden Macdonald has taken the
institution under his wing, some great im-
provements have been made. The Warden’s
hobby is carpentering and building and his
experience has been used to the advantage
of the department. The whole interior of the
gaol has undergone renovation. Ventilation
has been given consideration, various rooms
changed around and, in fact, it is now one
of the most up-to-date gaols in the Province.
Photo studio, barber’s shop and other inno-
vations which are essential for the modern
gaol are to be seen.

Of the prisoners passing through this gaol
perhaps the most interesting are the Doukh-
obors. Sometimes large numbers of Doukh-
obors are brought in at one time, thereby
placing the institution in a difficult position.
As many as 143 might be admitted, whereas
the accommodation is limited to about ninety.
In such cases, as long as the weather was
favourable, these prisoners could be handled
satisfactorily. Many amusing stories are told
of them.

REQUEST TO KISS THE WARDEN

On one occasion some sixty to seventy wo-
men Doukhobors, who had been in the Nel-
son Gaol before proceeding to Piers Island
on the Coast, expressed a desire to kiss War-
den Jarvis goodbye, but this did not appeal
to the bashful warden. To avoid any friction
he told them that his wife was a big, big
woman and that he himself was afraid of
her—this seemed to satisfy them and they
decided it would be better just to say good-
bye.

On another occasion, when a few Doukh-
obor men were placed in the women’s ward,
this section of the gaol being unoccupied at
the time, they did not seem to be as fond of
the Warden as the former women Doukh-
obors were. One day while they stood look-
ing out of the window they noticed a guard
and some prisoners killing insects on the rose
bushes. One old Doukhobor said, “Bad, bad,
Jesus no kill.’ The guard remarked, “How
about the devil?” The Doukhobor said,
“Devil, devil—old man in the office” (mean-
ing, of course, the warden).

There have been only two hangings, but

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