| Description |
xvi, 219 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
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text txt rdacontent |
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unmediated n rdamedia |
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volume nc rdacarrier |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-214) and index. |
| Contents |
What's a nice girl like you ...? -- First days on duty -- Home sweet home -- Behind the scenes -- Mrs. Sheriff's hat tree -- With a little help from my trustees -- It takes a county -- Wedding bands and badges -- With a little help from my youn'uns -- With a pistol in her (apron) pocket -- Here's the grocery bill, honey -- Loaves and fishes -- Bootlegging babysitters, straight pins, and whirligigs -- Guests of the county -- Pa, I hear them sawing again -- Escape encounters of the fourth kind --Nerves of steel-or not -- An unglamorous and thankless job -- 'Til death do us part -- The final chapter -- Appendix 1 : Jailhouse family members who provided information -- Appendix 2 : Alphabetical listing of jailhouse wives -- Appendix 3 : Jailhouse wives by state and county. |
| Summary |
The office of county sheriff has existed in America since 1634. Between 1800 and 1960, families of the sheriff lived in or near the jail. All family members, young and old, worked alongside the lawman to fulfill the required duties, without additional pay. The "mom and pop" jail was truly a family business. After the middle of the 20th century, fewer families carried on this tradition as counties modernized and jails became professionalized. During an era when many women concentrated on hearth and home, thousands of women quietly and without pay served in law enforcement. They organized, administered, presented reports to county commissioners, prepared for inspections, comforted victims, disciplined unruly inmates, fought with escapees, rode shotgun with their husbands as backup, and raised children, tended gardens, and kept house. They risked their lives every day and some paid the ultimate price. This is their story. |
| Subject |
Sheriffs -- Family relationships -- United States -- History.
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Police spouses -- Family relationships -- United States -- History.
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Police spouses -- Family relationships.
(OCoLC)fst01068693
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United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
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| Genre/Form |
History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
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| ISBN |
0275993051 (alk. paper) |
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9780275993054 (alk. paper) |
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