The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-12


 open door and ushered us into large empty room. Pointing to stout frame and beam, she triumphantly explained: That is the gallows."
 T was reminded of the impressive man. ner in which 'tis said the old stage driver in Italy would rise on his box as he ap- preached the Eternal City and dramatic ally exclaim: "Ecce Rome!' Behold Rome!' This was the final triumph. the crisis, the piece de resistance
 She stepped on the trap and ran her fingers over a rope which was suspended from the beam above her. I shuddered. She smiled. have seen women toy with watch guard as gently, as coquettishly.
 Has that rope been used?"I asked with dry throat
 "oh, yesl This place was used last and this" touching a shorter one knotted stoutly on the beam, was used year or so ago.
 How many executions have you wit nessed?'
 "one of my officials duties as jailer is to assist the sheriff at executions. I have aided in four.
 nave had as many as seven mur- derers in here at one time I have been here six years and have never had an escape"
 When we left tho jail did not carry away disagreeable impression. She invited me to come again when I was not en route to an outgoing train and make her a real social visit I felt fattered She is not a pretty woman, because she has a mouth that droops at the corners and a square face; but she is cordial frank and kindly. Her eagle eyes fol- lowed me in memory for days.
 Molly Grady is not all business. She has had real romance in her life, but this also I gleaned elsewhere. Some years ago she married a man named Estes. For him she entertained the deep est affection. He was a sandy-haired hill billy. but she believed in him and loved him. He felt that the great west held opportunities for a penniless man and went hither with the promise to send for her as soon as he established him. have gone by, and Estes has neither come nor sent for Molly. He is not dead however, for he broke his mysterious silence when she instituted divorce pro- ceedings upon the grounds of abandon ment after he had been gone over two years. He wrote her that he still loved her, and not to get a divorce from him. This letter she added to his first love letter. and the collection formed her treasure trove for some more months of incertitude. Finally, no further message coming, her pride won over her love, and she sued for a divorce, which was grant, ed her.
 But how did she come to be a jailer?' naturally inquired of one who knew her life. story I then heard the most inter- esting chapter.
 Tn the early nineties her brother, John Grady was indicted for murder. She loved him devotedly, and came often to the jail to see him. Once dark found her there, weather bound She agreed to keep guard while the jailer went to town on an imperative errand. She was on the alert, and presently heard grating sound, then a crash as of breaking irons She stole swiftly to the rear of the prison yard. A flash of lightning revealed the form of a man about to descend from the window to the ground.
 Halt, or I'll shoot.' she cried. The would-be fugitive sprang back into the jail. She was totally unarmed and had only bluffed him. She ran to the absent jailer's room, secured the Keys, unlocked her brothers cell and put him on guard while she went for help. But for her courage, quick wit and prompt execution there would have been general exodus of prisoners. Later, after four very re- markable 'mistrials," her brother was acquitted of the crime with which he was charged She had never ceased her efforts in his behalf. His attorney was Judge Wellington Vandiver, the rlatform hu- morist, lawyer author and chancellor.
 Talladega county, famous for it's High land City, its Indian battle its marble quarries, it's gold mines, It's coal mines, it's cotton factories, it's great deaf, dumb and blind asylum, has again come before the public as the only county in these United States possessing 6 woman jailer.