by Patricia Feager, 5/24/2018
No Messing With Texas in Grapevine
Unless You Want to Go to Jail
Down on Main Street in the City of Grapevine, is an 8 x 10 foot concrete jail one block northwest of the city's railroad tracks. Construction began in the month of June 1909. The Marshall had his own gun but Town Council gave him $4.50 to purchase a pair of handcuffs. Visitors can stop by for a good lookie at the jail if they park at the Farmer's Market's parking lot at 510 S Main St in Grapevine.
For his services and risking his life with criminals, the Marshall was paid $25.00 per month. Unless you were someone like, Bonnie or Clyde, most criminals were just ordinary people who got a little messed up from time to time and did something stupid, like rob the Jewelry Store on the corner on Main or rob a bank.
Nonetheless, the City of Grapevine continued to prosper and grow and some of the people who lived there were a little "loca," if you know what I mean. By 1924, James S. Daniel was elected Marshall and maintained law enforcement. Between the 1930's and 40's that old jail was packed with lawbreakers into their one and only outdoor cell.
Stupid is as stupid does and some boys back then had to go to jail to learn a lesson. Take for example Odell Chambless. Not only did he rob the bank and get locked up after getting caught, one day after he was released, he was sitting in the chair at the Barber Shop getting a shave, when he looked up at the Barber and said, "Don't you remember me?" asked Odel Chambless.
Now who in their right mind would ask a man with a shaving knife in his hand, a stupid questions like that?
The town has grown up like weeds and trees around the old concrete jail on Main Street. It was rough and tough back then and law officials had their share of tragedy with Bonny and Clyde Barrow at that time. Just down the old Highway 114, west of Grapevine in the city of Southlake (where my Real Estate Office is located) two Motorcycle Patrol Officers were shot and killed by Clyde Barrow on Easter Sunday. That sure was a tragedy, and Clyde escaped jail time in Grapevine before getting shot down on May 23, 1934 in Bienville, Parish, Louisiana.
If you're ever in Grapevine, check out the old concrete jail, relax, and have a good time! If you're thinking about moving to Grapevine, I can help you too.
Patricia Feager
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