frontier jail

 

While in Motley County, I did not do anything to be put in jail.  (Did you know Motley County is one of thirty prohibition or entirely dry counties in the State of Texas?)  I wouldn't have been incarcerated here anyway; this jail was erect in 1891 and was in service until 1984.  Cells were on the top floor with the jailer's living quarters on the lower level.  There was a handy trap door if needed for a hanging.  If you go to Matador, may be you'll be lucky enough for a day pass to tour the jail. (I had to peer through the first floor windows)

 

Matador, Motley County, Texas

2.19.2017

This 2-story jail was erected in 1891, the year Motley County was organized, after County Judge H. H. Campbell and commissioners Dan Browning, A. B. Cooper, J. J. John and W. E. Power awarded a construction contract to local builders J. F. Aiken and J. T. Cornett. Cells were on the top floor of the structure and jailer's living quarters on the lower level. The first courthouse, also built in 1891, later burned, but this jail remains as a symbol of Motley County's frontier heritage.
Built in 1891 and in service until 1984, this sandstone citadel marks the time when the Ol' West transitioned from lawlessness to order Motley County is one of thirty ^[4] prohibition, or entirely dry, counties in the state of Texas.

calaboose

 

I was in no danger of being fined because there were no prisoners in the jail.  In fact, the calaboose hadn't been used in years.  Spur preserved its historic jail inside a chain link fence.  A marker indicated the calaboose was built in 1920.

 

Spur, Texas

11.25.2015

the facilities

 

When the Lynn County Court House was built in 1916, jail cells were constructed on the third floor.  Modern amenities included plumbing, but no privacy.  The jail was handily connected via a hallway to the courtroom.  Upon hearing the jailbreak story, and if one looks closely, a blood stain may be seen on the marble wall.  During a jail escape in 1936, a prisoner wrested a gun from the deputy and fatally shot him.  The escapee was soon caught several miles away but the event is part of Lynn County history.  If you're in Tahoka, visit this building on the National Register of Historical Places and ask for a tour.

 

Lynn County Court House

Tahoka, Texas

3.17.2009