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A Gun, a Small Town and a Big Purse

In her book J.W. and Me, Barbara Montgomery shares memories of Rockwall, a small Texas town, in the early 1970's. As a former officer of the court, "Miss Barbara" was at the center of the judicial process that helped shape our community. Through her journey she met many memorable citizens, criminals, politicians and members of law enforcement.

At a recent lecture for the Rockwall Historical Foundation, Dr. Montgomery shared memories that surprised many, made us laugh and even brought tears to the eyes of the sentimental souls in the room. I asked Barbara if I could, on occasion, share some of her memories here on Planet Rockwall. With her permission, and as the first segment in an excerpt from her book J.W. and Me, I am happy to share her experience of buying her first “real” gun. The need to carry a firearm is affirmed with a memorable quote from Mattie Mays, one of the first women justices-of-the-peace in East Texas…

Excerpt from J.W. and Me, The Small Town Texas Experience
by Barbara Venton Montgomery

Guns are part of Texas culture. In the 70’s, there were gun racks in every pickup along with old beer cans on the floor. J.W. knew there were dangerous men who would sometimes be brought into court.

“Miss Barbara, you need a gun, not a little peashooter, but a police special. We’ll go to Town East and find you a 38.”

At the gun shop J.W. gave me my choice of three guns. I must have picked the right one because he nodded his approval. So I acquired a gun to carry in my purse or in the glove compartment. I took it with me to court. J.W. taught me how to use that gun by setting up beer cans behind the old Heath cemetery and having me blast away until I could knock them off the fence post.

I pulled the gun out only once when I planned to shoot two stalkers who wanted to steal my car. I’m a bad shot. They ran for their lives. Good thing. I later sold it to a Rockwall deputy and earned a blue belt in Karate instead.

When I first met Mattie Mays, one of the first women justices-of-the-peace in East Texas, she hauled a big gun out of the huge purse she carried and announced, “Honey, I’m never without it. I’m called in the middle of the night to look at corpses, and having that big “ole” gun gives me comfort.” When the first accused rapist appeared before me in court one night, I knew exactly what she meant.

Mattie also married people. I hoped I could do this because I was asked often enough, but city judges were not permitted, so I sent friends to Mattie and wrote out their vows in my fractured Spanish.

* * * * *

Mattie Mays was a retired Justice of the Peace of Rockwall County, Pct. #1. She was a member of the Mad Hatters Club of Dallas, the Tuesday Girls Nite-Out Club and an active member in the Martha Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church of Rockwall, where she was a member. Mrs. Mays had also owned her own beauty business and The Wedding Cottage in Rockwall. At the age of 85, Mattie Mays passed away on April 1, 2010.

One of Miss Montgomery’s most cherished friendships was with J.W. Cullins, Chief of Police for the City of Heath. In her book dedication Barbara writes, “J.W. Cullins, an honorable peace officer who taught me the difference between the law and justice.”

J.W. Cullins October 27, 1915 - December 14, 2010

Other books by Rockwall authors: