PIONEER JAILS IN HAMILTON COUNTY
Students of humanity say there is enough tragedy and
romance in the life of every man and woman to make an interesting novel.
It is equally true that in every community, from its first inception to
its present period, there have been many occurrences that had a momentous
bearing upon the course of its development. Some of these occurrences,
while trivial, make highly interesting reading. Realizing the value of
these high spots in the past history of Hamilton, the News has gathered a
few items of interest about the first courthouse and the first jails built
in Hamilton, which are symbolic of the first law and order in the county.
It was stated by a citizen, who was a lad at that time
that the first jail built in the county was made of heavy logs, squared
and notched to fit closely. Each log was driven full of nails, a unique
but inexpensive method of preventing the prisoners from sawing their way
to freedom. This substantial prison was about 14 feet square and such a
thing as a jail delivery was unheard of. This first jail, of which no
trace remains, was situated on Pecan Creek in what is now the north side
of the town.
Another authentic story of an early Hamilton prison
house is that it was constructed of rawhide planks, one by twelve inches,
that were sawed by the old Snow
Sawmill on the Leon River. This old county landmark is now entirely
obliterated and only a few people in the county know that it ever existed.
These rawhide boards were laid one upon the other and nailed securely
together, the ends being finished ship-lap fashion. The entire building
was a solid box like structure about 14 feet square. Nothing seems to be
know about the roofs and floors of these two buildings, but it is
naturally assumed that they were as secure as the wall and were filled
with iron spikes to prevent a sawout. All traces of this jail, which was
also located on Pecan Creek, have disappeared.
The third county jail is still in existence and was
built of heavy stones. One wall shows the removal of a number of stones,
evidence of an attempted jail break and that it was not as secure as the
first two jails. It is stated that when desperate characters were confined
in these jails, they were chained to the walls and a guard placed over
them to prevent escape. Evidences of the original floors and roof still
remain. This old jail is back of what is now the City Bakery and is uses
as a store house.
With the increase of population in the county, the need
for a larger jail was recognized. The present and fourth jail stands on
the west side of town. It is modern, comfortable, and affords ample room
for the inmates. The city sees no need of having to add to it for many
yeas to come.
The Hamilton County News, Vol. IV, Number
11--Section One
Historical and Trading Expansion Issue
W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher
Subscription Price ONE YEAR ..$1.00
June 29, 1934