Guardhouse - Tools of the Trade
The following tools or props would be found at the guardhouse.
Hand Shackles-similar to handcuffs.
Leg Irons-A ball and chain used to keep soldiers from running off.
Log- A form of punishment where a soldier had to stand and hold a log on his shoulder. (not shown)
Barrel-This was another form of punishment where a soldier had to stand on a barrel for an unspecified amount of time.
Sawbuck-Soldiers straddled a sawbuck like they would a horse with their arms shackled behind them and their legs tied around the beam.
Platform Bed-A wooden platform where the guards could rest when not on patrol, but they could rest here only during the day.
Gun Rack-A place where guards rested their guns when not on patrol
Leather Buckets-Used to extinguish fires. One of the duties of the guards was to watch for prairie fires and to sound the alarm in case of fire. All guards on duty would then form a bucket brigade to fight the fire. |
Did You Know?
Fort Scott is the only NPS unit that was directly involved in "Bleeding Kansas". Fort Scott was a proslavery town, but many free staters lived in the surrounding area. Located on the grounds was the Western or Proslavery Hotel, directly across from it was the Fort Scott or Free State Hotel.