A Jail, a Hanging Tower, and a Cat Spirit

One hundred twelve years ago, Hidalgo County conducted its one and only hanging of a convicted criminal. His name was Abram Ortiz. His crimes: kidnapping and murder. Ortiz was hung from the second story of the Hidalgo County Jail, a building that–quite remarkably–still stands today. 

Historic County Jail

The Old Hidalgo County Jail was hastily built in 1909-1910 after the county seat was moved to Chapin, Texas, and the county seat was required to have a jail.

“I’m really proud we made it last over 100 years,” says Museum of South Texas History senior archivist, Melissa Pena. “It wasn’t meant to. Not a lot of effort was put into it.”

The jail was one of the first buildings in Edinburg, previously named Chapin. It sits downtown, due north of the Hidalgo County Courthouse. It’s most significant feature: a towered cupola, notoriously home to a hanging trap.

Despite the ominous feature, the old jail served the local community in a variety of ways before becoming the cornerstone of the Museum of South Texas History. After a new jail was built in 1922, the building was repurposed and expanded for City offices, the fire and police departments, and a community center for club gatherings.

Edinburg’s oldest building was almost turned into an H.E.B. parking lot, according to Pena, but was saved by Hurricane Beulah in 1963. Flooding in downtown Edinburg caused the grocery store chain to rethink its location. 

Five years later. the jail received historic Texas landmark status.

By the late 1960s. the jail had been through numerous remodels and renovations–including encasing the hanging trap in concrete–according to a 1967 article in The Monitor.  The Hidalgo County Historical Society spearheaded acquiring and converting the old jail into a museum.

The Hanging Trap

In February 1912, husband and wife Martin and Florencia Martinez were violently attacked by two men. Martin was beaten to death, and Florencia was kidnapped, assaulted, and held captive for days. 

Pena reports that Florencia was able to escape–but only with the help of a cleaning woman, because of the terrain. “The other woman showed her how to get out and where to go.”

One of the men, Abram Ortiz, was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. 

Hundreds gathered around the jail on the day of his execution. “Everyone came out that day,” says Pena. “They picnicked and watched the hanging. It was a big day.” 

A plaque in the Museum’s hanging room indicates that Ortiz was led from his cell to the hanging room in iron shackles; the noose was placed around his neck, and at 11 a.m., the trap was sprung. 

Reportedly, his final words were, “There is no heaven and there is no hell.”

Ortiz was the only convicted man to be hanged by Hidalgo County.

Spirits at the Museum

In the 1967 newspaper article announcing the Historical Committee’s plans to turn the old jail into a museum, committee chairman Laurie A. McDonald is quoted, “The jail will be just as it was on that day in [May] 1913.”

Subsequently, the concrete was removed. and the hanging trap was restored. 

Deterioration caught up with the old building, and it was closed to visitors about 10 years ago. The Museum undertook a capital campaign to refurbish the historic building, and in 2020, it was reopened to the public.

The general public isn’t the only group welcome. 

It has long been rumored that spirits roam the old building. “I work in the jail side,” shares Pena. “You think there’s someone in the office next to you or feel like someone is looking over your shoulder.” 

It’s a feeling shared by other Museum staff, Pena says, but not an ominous one. She’s grown accustomed to it but will announce herself on occasion–“Good morning. I’m here. Let’s have a good day.”–or even explain out loud what she is working on…to whomever may be listening and interested. 

Lately, a potentially furry presence has reportedly been felt, similar to a cat rubbing against your leg. “We’ve even heard it meow,” says Pena, who also confirms it’s not Stevie, the Museum grounds’ resident cat. Stevie is known to be very territorial and wouldn’t welcome another cat. At least not a living one.

To learn more about the Old Hidalgo County Jail, visit the Museum of South Texas History at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg. For hours, exhibits, and event information, visit mosthistory.org.