Doing some research for the Prairie Post column and came across a fact from 1885. That year the Stutsman County jail was empty at Christmas time.

That was 124 years ago and I doubt it has been true since.

Keep the jailers in the Christmas thoughts. While the prisoners have made the bad choices that put them behind bars the people who are on the other side of the bars are just doing their jobs.

So, this holiday, keep in mind the jailers, police officers, ambulance attendants, firemen, nurses and everyone else whose job will keep them away from family even if for just an 8 hour shift on Christmas.