Butch Remembers a Special Artist

  During my term as Sheriff in the late 1990’s, I appointed a couple of inmates as “trustys.” This has been a sheriff’s prerogative for many years, and continues today. A trusty is someone who has been sentenced for a non-violent crime and ordered to serve time. They are considered trustworthy, and receive special privileges, such as a private cell and freedom to roam about on the jail grounds. Subsequently they help with various jobs at the jail…cleaning, laundry, mowing, washing patrol cars, etc. If a trusty disobeys any rules, they can no longer serve in that capacity.

   One of the trustys I appointed was a fellow I attended school with. He had drinking  problem later on in life, subsequently resulting in three OWI arrests with a sentence to serve 18 months in jail. He possessed many skills, and helped out with many handyman jobs at the jail. We became friends during that time, and after his release, he visited my wife and me at our home. He was a good guy, and was able end his drinking habit.

   Another trusty who I appointed also had an alcohol problem, as was typical back in those days. (Most of today’s inmates have a drug problem, which usually affects people much worse than alcohol.) This second trusty was very mild-mannered and polite. He was also an excellent worker, and we could count on him to help out with anything that needed to be done at the jail. He requested to have his own cell at night, as he liked to draw, and didn’t want to be disturbed by other inmates, and I agreed. One day he showed me some of his drawings. They were amazing! I asked him if he had ever tried painting, and he said that he had done a few paintings at home, but would like to try it again.

   I told my wife, who was serving as the jail matron, about his artistic skills, and we decided to purchase some painting supplies, and let him give it a try. With our own money, we bought oil paints, brushes, and canvas and gave it to him one evening, and of course he was quite appreciative. Each evening, after supper and after his work was finished, he spent his time painting. His finished works of art were outstanding and were admired by everyone who worked at the jail. I contacted the Crawfordsville library to see if his paintings could be displayed at a showing, and they very kindly agreed.

   The public thought highly of his paintings, and we encouraged him to pursue his artistic endeavors after his release. After he had served his time, he sold several hundred dollars worth of his oil paintings! After I retired, I purchased two of his paintings, which are still displayed in our home. When I resumed my teaching career after leaving law enforcement, I lost track of this fellow. However, a few weeks ago, a library patron informed me that my former trusty was one of his co-workers. He stated that the fellow had given up drinking many years ago, and was a dedicated and conscientious worker…and still enjoys painting.

   I sincerely believe that God has given everyone a unique talent, skill, aptitude, or special ability. Sadly, some people never realize what that talent is during their lifetime. Sometimes it take special circumstances for that to occur. But there is one person who discovered his special talent in art…while he was in jail…a good guy who became a trusty.

John “Butch” Dale is a retired teacher and County Sheriff. He has also been the librarian at Darlington the past 36 years, and is a well-known artist and author of local history.