The Story lives on in the music….

Jerry Day local musician and artist from the DeRidder area recounts a day in the early 1970’s.:

"I was recording a 33 Long Play Vinyl Record at Swallow Recording Studio in Ville Platte, La. It was there that I met a man by the name of Sam Pruitt who was there recording also. He recorded a 45 RPM Record with two songs on it. One of them being the song, The Hanging Jail. What a great voice Mr. Sam Pruitt had. It was a great honor that I rerecorded the song, The Hanging Jail to represent our great city of DeRidder and to tell this amazing story."

Souvenir CD’s can be purchased in the Gothic Jail gift shop for $10 proceeds go toward operations and repairs for the jail.

Lori Darbonne director of the Beauregard Tourist Commission said, "I have heard several renditions of the Hanging Jail song, but by far this is my personal favorite. Jerry Day has a strong characteristic voice that serves the song well. Clear and precise the story of The Hanging Jail can clearly be heard. This will make for a great addition to the jail’s giftshop. Plan your visit today."

This article originally appeared on Leesville Daily Leader: Song tells story of Hanging Jail