PIONEER JAILS IN HAMILTON COUNTY

                    
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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

 

 
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People and Places: Gazetteer of Hamilton County, TX
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Copyright © March, 1998
by Elreeta Crain Weathers, B.A., M.Ed.,  
(also Mrs.,  Mom, and Ph. T.)

A Work In Progress