Early 1900's through Late 1975

The story of The Jailhouse movie is based on the circumstances and events of an actual jailhouse in rural Pender County, North Carolina. This long-forgotten jailhouse has a haunting story of its own to tell. This is the true history behind 'The Jailhouse.'

EARLY 1900'S

Pender County Jail is constructed. It is hailed as a "very modern structure…and will have all the conveniences of a well-constructed and well-planned jail. Living quarters for the jailor occupy the first floor. Rooms and iron cells for the prisoners occupy the second floor." (from Pender County news clippings, Bill Reaves Collection)

Fire breaks out in the garage at the rear of the jail. The garage and all its property, including the Sheriff's car, are destroyed in the "roaring furnace." It is reported that "There were several prisoners in the jail at the time, but they exhibited little excitement." (from Pender County news clippings, Bill Reaves Collection)

1950's

Pender County Sheriff John Thomas Wells is killed in the line of duty. The Sheriff had gone to investigate a reported gun battle and when he arrived at the scene, one of the men involved in that battle used his shotgun and "fired the fatal shot, which tore through the Sheriff's head" from about 5 feet away. An eyewitness reports that afterwards, the man "pointed the gun to his right side and pulled the trigger, the shot coming out his left side." (from The Pender County Chronicle, November 1953)

X-rays reveal that Jack Williams, the man who killed Sheriff Wells and then himself, "was full of buckshot from his head to his feet" and was thought to be "crazed from the pain of buckshot all over him." (from The Pender County Chronicle, November 1953)

1971

The "Wilmington 10," a group of civil rights activists imprisoned for nearly ten years on a conviction of arson and conspiracy in connection with the Fire-bombing of a white-owned grocery store, are held in the Pender County jail until their trial and convictions almost two years later.

1973

Members of the "Wilmington 10" are released from the Pender County jail under $350,000 bail (from Bill Reaves, 1979). Convictions of the "Wilmington 10" group are overturned by the federal appeals court in 1980.

1975

JAIL BREAK ATTEMPT.Inmate Freddie Kee attacks Deputy Tim McCoy when the Deputy unlocks the jail cell to return a prisoner from the hospital. "Kee reportedly struck McCoy in the face and then other prisoners joined the attack, beating him with lengths of metal loosened from the barred windows. Kee was then said to have taken McCoy's service revolver, fired a shot into the floor and called down from the second floor jail cell that McCoy was hurt." (from The Pender County Chronicle, July 18, 1975)

Raymond Meadows, Deputy-Jailor, and his wife, Vallie. B. Meadows, Jail Matron, who live on the first floor of the jail at this time hear this call and radio the Sheriff for help and backup.

Kee uses the stolen gun to shoot the door leading to the fire escape in an attempt to break free from the jail. The bullet only penetrates one layer of the metal door, however, and Deputies from Pender and the surrounding counties are able to apprehend Kee two hours later.

The Pender County Jailhouse transfers all inmates and closes its doors for good.