On July 10, 1913, the New York State Prisons Commission condemned the Ovid Jail and the Waterloo Jail. The Inspectors stated that the Ovid Jail was obsolete and a new one was built. In reference to the Waterloo Jail, "it smelled strongly of disinfectant, but no vermin." The Commission Inspector continued: "The Jail was now housing eight inmates, and had a high total of twenty-three. The jail was clean. The bedding consisted of straw, pillows were washed once a week. The straw ticks (mattresses) were refilled every two weeks. Prisoners are compelled to bathe once a week. Prisoners are fed three times a day except on Sunday when they received two meals." The law states that the Board of Supervisors pay the Sheriff $1.75 per week for each prisoner. It must be added that Inspector Roosa did state, "The food is practically of the same quality as that served on the Sheriff's table." On February 14, 1914, the first meeting to build a new jail was held. The architect was selected, W.J. Beardsley and Lippincott. Construction went to C>K> Benjamin for $85,000. The plumbing contract went to Frank Fall for $5,340., heating to James Nailos for $2,994., and electrical to O'Connell for $900.. making a total of $95,134.00 On May 13, 1914, $102,000.00 was appropriated and the First National Bank of Waterloo was used. On July 3, 1914, a Matron was hired for the Jail at a salary of #300.00 a year. A bathtub was authorized by the Board of Supervisors to be installed in the Sheriff's living quarters in the Ovid Jail. On Sept. 18, 1914, a change of the brick used for the jail was decided. Common brick was to be used, but would not look correctly with the Court House building, so pressed brick was used at an additional cost of $1,400.00. On March 23, 1921, twenty-five barrels of hard cider were found in the County Building. Sheriff O'Connor was relieved from his office and Officer Frank Felber was appointed to fill out the term of O'Connors office. On Dec.. 6, 1929, the County Court House was damaged by fire. The Court House at this time was remodeled. In Aug. 1952, the first escape from the Waterloo Jail was committed by William Yolland of Seneca Falls. This was done by filing and sawing his way through the bars. Yolland was serving a short sentence. Yolland and two other Inmates escaped. Yolland was captured the next day riding a bicycle down East Lake Road. The other two Inmates were captured in New York City. Additional Notes: Waterloo Observer, Dated April 1, 1885: "A number of tramps were safely housed in the jail, on Friday last. A pair of driving gloves valued at $1.25 were stolen from George Beedles store by one of the Gentry who was not identified. Waterloo is becoming all together too much of a paradise for these vagrants, who have run a big bill of expense to the Village, Town and County." "The Seneca Falls Reveille recently presented some reasons why Geneva should be annexed to Seneca County, and make that Village "The County Seat". Geneva seems willing, as the height of her ambition is to become the "Seat of something" History Credits: Mr. John Becker's book on Seneca County History of Seneca County History of Cayuga County History of Seneca Falls-Historical Society History of Waterloo- Historical Society Seneca County Historian History of Ovid Newspaper Articles" Seneca County Courier Seneca Falls Reveille Seneca County Press Waterloo Observer