Brownwood: Bob Hope, Mae West & Rae Bourbon
Rae Bourbon & Brownwood History & Brown County Jail: A Colorful History
The old Brown County Jail, now the Brown County Museum of History, was started in 1902 and completed in 1903 and exemplifies the principles that governed jail design in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The building was constructed using stone cut in Brown County and many historians believe it came from what is now Lake Brownwood. One of the most famous prisoners to ever occupy the old jail was Ray Bourbon, an English actor. He claimed to have acted with Mae West and others of the era. He owned 35 cats and 75 dogs, among other critters. Bourbon boarded the animals with a Mr. Blount in Big Spring when he was on the road. Upon his return, Bourbon got into an argument with Blount over the bill and killed him. Bourbon was brought to Brownwood to stand trial. One day during his stay at the jail, he asked to make a phone call and when he had completed the call he could not find the jailer. Discovering the front door open, he walked out. As he walked down the street, he remembered some American movies where they turned prisoners loose in order to shoot them, so he promptly walked back to the jail. Bourbon died in jail before his sentence could be carried out. The museum was organized in 1983 by a group of Brownwood citizens to showcase the history of this area.
The most famous prisoner was Rae Bourbon, 76, a female impressionist that had worked with Mae West. He had left 70 dogs, 5 cats, and 2 skunks with an animal shelter in Big Spring, run by a man named Blount. Two of Bourbon's "friends" from Kansas City named Crane and Crisco went to BigSprings and one of them shot Blount. Bourbon was brought to Brownwood for trial. Bourbon was tried and convicted by a Brown County jury of conspiracy to commit murder and Bourbon died while the case was on appeal. Bourbon was a person who claimed to have known and helped Pancho Villa smuggle guns from Texas and was a personal friend of many of the movie stars in Hollywood. Bob Hope even called William B. Bell, his attorney, one day about him while Bell was in a pre-trial hearing. Bell's daughter, Susan, has written a screen play about the case.
An escape he made from the jail in December 1970 made the headlines. One day he asked to make a phone call, and when finished he looked for the jailer but did not find him. The outside door had been left standing open, so he walked out. After he got down the street, he reasoned that maybe they had let him escape so that they could shoot him and it would all be over. After he was discovered by law enforcement officers just a short distance away from the jail in a pickup, he was merely escorted back to his cell.
More on the Ray Bourbon Sandwich
Steve Puckett and Steve Harris owners of Steves' Market and Deli in Brownwood, Texas reported that they named a sandwich after Ray in their restaurant. In honor of Ray's place in the local town's history, they have put together the Ray Bourbon Club, consisting of toasted focaccia, sliced ham, swiss cheese, bacon, and a charred pineapple bourbon sauce. Of course, it would have to include ham ... (October 2001) Update: Steve and Steve sent along two photos (here and here) showing the front of their restaurant, featuring a smiling Ray, welcoming customers to the establishment.
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