The Auburn Women’s Jail and Alma Bell

At the turn of the century, the Placer County women’s jail was a makeshift cell underneath the north staircase of the Auburn Courthouse.

It was created out of necessity. It had become too expensive to house women prisoners in local hotels, and it was too dangerous to house them with the men in the main jail. The problem was solved in 1905 when a secure space was created that included an open toilet, room for two sleeping cots and a washbasin.

Dozens of women spent time here for their crimes. Recorded in the Auburn jail registry are accounts of horse abuse, deserting children and vagrancy. However, it was the charge of insanity that was most frequent. From 1895 to 1923, 30 percent of all women prisoners were locked in jail on charges of insanity. This precedent would bode well for a young woman named Alma Bell.

Alma was the youngest in a large family whose head of the household was a drunk. Her father frequently disappeared for weeks at a time, and her mother barely made ends meet. Alma and her siblings were familiar with the pangs of hunger. At 16 years old Alma took employment as a domestic worker in a local household. This is where she would meet the young man who allegedly was her lover, and whom she admittedly killed.

His name was Joe Armes and he was the son of Alma’s employer. Alma was quite taken with young Joe and the two spent a great deal of time together. The relationship was not well known, but in trial, Alma claimed they had been lovers and Joe promised to marry her. It is important to note that in 1909 when a man promised to marry, he was under moral obligation to do so, or he would be outcast from his community.

On the night of June 5, 1909, Alma successfully lured Joe out of his cabin. According to witness reports, Joe was anxious for Alma to leave and he ended up walking with her intending to take her home. They were several yards away from the cabin when Alma pulled out a small pistol that was strapped to her ankle and shot Joe point blank. He died almost immediately.

Alma was arrested the next day and taken to the women’s jail cell. She pled her case to anyone who would listen. She insisted she and Joe had been lovers and she allowed it to happen only because Joe intended to marry her.

The community was on her side. The Nov. 18, 1909, Oakland Enquirer reported that Alma received a letter stating, “The country will rise up in arms against the prosecutor if you are convicted.”

The case went to trial the second week of November 1909. On Nov. 27, the verdict “Not guilty by reason of insanity” was rendered. Alma Bell was a free woman. Later, she was quoted as saying, “I killed him because I believed I was right in doing so.”

The women’s jail cell was eventually replaced with more modern accommodations. But the original cell that housed Alma Bell and dozens of other women has been preserved and is curated to look as it did in 1909.

When you visit and peek into the cold, dark walls, remember the past and recall the story of Alma Bell and the news that made sensational headlines.