TidBit in time

The most important office in the county was that of sheriff. Some of the old-time Hot Spring County sheriff ’s elected were Tom Morehead (1896), E. B. Stanley (1914), Daniel Bray (1919), Will Richardson and Tom Fisher (1923). Tom Fisher was the most popular sheriff ever elected in Hot Spring County. He held office for 20 years, dying in office, I believe in 1944. Will Richardson served as his chief deputy. Sheriff Fisher never wore a gun. He always kept it stored at Miller’s Drug Store. He was a kindly person and always treated everyone fairly. He helped the poor and signed notes for many who needed to borrow from the local banks. That was probably his first mistake – learning how to sign his name. While making a campaign speech, one of his opponents criticized him for letting a prisoner escape. Tom told the crowd, “I know where the boy is. All I have to do is send word to him and he will come in. If you want someone to shoot your boy, elect my opponent!” That took care of that. On election night a great throng of people would assemble on the courthouse lawn to hear the returns. Many spent the entire night there, sleeping on blankets on the grass. After the final returns were in, Tom Fisher would take the crowds to the Sanitary Café operated by Pete Harris and his brother Gus and buy their breakfast. This old building was under the Main Street Viaduct on the east side and was demolished by the Highway Department.

This Tidbit in Time shared by the Hot Spring County Historical Society The Heritage, Vol. 6, p.151