Editor-in-Chief: John G. Jasuta

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1 Gonzales County Jail Museum Trina DeConcini

email: gsreports@texindbar.org Published By Texas Independent Bar Association Austin, Texas 78767 Web Page: www.texindbar.org Alan Curry Helena Faulkner Jeffrey S.

2 Published By Texas Independent Bar Association Austin, Texas Web Page: Alan Curry Helena Faulkner Jeffrey S. Garon Lee Haidusek Copyright 2013 Texas Independent Bar Association and the following Commentators John G. Jasuta Charles Mallin Gail Kikawa McConnell Angela J. Moore Editor-in-Chief: John G. Jasuta Doug O Brien Greg Sherwood David A. Schulman Kevin P. Yeary Clicking a hyperlink (such as a judge s name) will load the linked opinion or document in your web browser. It is TIBA s policy that commentators do not summarize or comment on cases in which they were involved. Volume 21, Number 19 ~ Monday, May 13, 2013 (No. 960)

We first wrote about the Gonzales County Courthouse earlier this year (see G&S, Vol. 21, No. 6; 02/11/2013). Like other Texas courthouses designed by San Antonio architect, J.

It also boasts three paintings by artist Carl Reuter on the first floor of the courthouse, and, unlike many courthouses built during this time, the clock tower and roof have not been removed.

The third one, built in 1857, had a cistern in the middle of the courthouse that could hold over three hundred barrels of water -- obviously not enough, however, because that courthouse burned down

3 We first wrote about the Gonzales County Courthouse earlier this year (see G&S, Vol. 21, No. 6; 02/11/2013). Like other Texas courthouses designed by San Antonio architect, J. Reilly Gordon, the Gonzales County Courthouse is a beautiful edifice, boasting arches, turrets, columns and balconies. It also boasts three paintings by artist Carl Reuter on the first floor of the courthouse, and, unlike many courthouses built during this time, the clock tower and roof have not been removed. Featured Article Gonzales County Texas The J. Reilly Gordon Courthouse RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS There have been four courthouses at Gonzales since it was created. The third one, built in 1857, had a cistern in the middle of the courthouse that could hold over three hundred barrels of water -- obviously not enough, however, because that courthouse burned down in December of The Gordon designed courthouse was completed in It features Romanesque Revival style and was built with red brick (from Missouri) and white limestone from a nearby quarry owned by Firmin Maurin, who was also the construction superintendent for the courthouse. Otto Kroeger, of San Antonio, was the contractor hired to build the courthouse. The contract to Gonzales County Courthouse, Gonzales, Texas Clock Tower construct the courthouse was let on June 26, 1894 and the building was completed on April 8, Initial cost of the structure was approximately Sixty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($64,500). The building was extensively repaired in 1958 and received a nearly complete restoration in Cornerstone TIBA s Texas Law Reporter - Vol. 21, No May 6, Page 1

4 TIBA s Texas Law Reporter - Vol. 21, No May 6, Page 2

The Old Gonzales County Jail Museum RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS The old Gonzales County Jail was designed by architect Eugene T. Heiner, who, like J.

" Contractor Henry Kane and Snead & Company Iron Works contracted to build the jail of concrete and steel for $21,600. The jail had family living quarters for the sheriff or jailer.

5 The Old Gonzales County Jail Museum RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS The old Gonzales County Jail was designed by architect Eugene T. Heiner, who, like J. Gordon Reilly, also designed other notable Texas courthouses. 1 He designed the jail to hold 150 to 200 prisoners and included a room specifically designated for "lunatics." Contractor Henry Kane and Snead & Company Iron Works contracted to build the jail of concrete and steel for $21,600. The jail had family living quarters for the sheriff or jailer. All of the ceilings are made of corrugated steel and concrete. On the lower floor are display cases for articles taken from prisoners, information on the sheriffs, deputies and other law enforcement officials who served through the years. There is also a room referred to as the "dungeon," where the only light and air came from holes above the door. The second and third floors feature a large room known as the runaround which is two stories high and was not used for hardened criminals. The death cells are at the front and have doors constructed with two-inch iron strip. In each wing of the room are two-story metal cells, built as rooms within a room and featuring more of the riveted doors. The gallows were last used in 1921 and were torn down in the 1950s. They stood in the run-around next to the third-floor walkway. The present gallows are an exact reproduction. Large doors to the cell blocks feature small swing-out doors with bars, from which the jailer could observe the prisoners, and inside the room are levers that opened and closed latches on the cell doors. 1 Austin County Courthouse (Bellville 1888)(burned 1960); Brazoria County Courthouse (Angleton 1897)(now a library); Brazos County Courthouse (Bryan 1892); Colorado County Courthouse (Columbus 1891); Falls County Courthouse (Marlin, 1888); Jasper County Courthouse (Jasper 1889); Jefferson County Courthouse (Beaumont 1893); Lavaca County Courthouse (Hallettsville 1897); Runnels County Courthouse (Ballinger 1889); Wharton County Courthouse (Wharton 1889). TIBA s Texas Law Reporter - Vol. 21, No May 6, Page 3

After the Old Jail was built, a set of permanent gallows were built for an execution in 1891. They were used again in 1897.

6 There were six legal hangings in Gonzales, the first in 1855 between the jail and the jailer s house that were on Market Square. In 1878 it was estimated that 4,000 people witnessed the execution of Brown Bowen. Another hanging was in After the Old Jail was built, a set of permanent gallows were built for an execution in They were used again in The hanging of Albert Howard on March 18, 1921, was the last held in Gonzales County. TIBA s Texas Law Reporter - Vol. 21, No May 6, Page 4

7 The Jail Museum is open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 1-4 p.m. Photos by Trina DeConcini TIBA s Texas Law Reporter - Vol. 21, No May 6, Page 5

Texas Independent Bar Association Austin, Texas Louis Lopez, Jr. Charles Mallin Gail Kikawa McConnell Angela J. Moore

email: gsreports@texindbar.org Published By Texas Independent Bar Association Austin, Texas 78767 Web Page: www.texindbar.org Alan Curry Helena Faulkner Lee Haidusek John G. Jasuta Copyright 2013 Texas