Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-10-17
THE SHERIFFS PRISONER

In the pioneer days of Minnesota nv
father was elected Sheriff of - County.
and In due time our family took up its
residence in the county Jail. I was the
only child, and was at that time about
thirteen years old. About month after
we took possession we received prisoner
who was known over a wide circle of
country as Black Jim, horse thief, robber
and general desperate. He was a man
about thirty years of age, very dark COM
plexion, quick and wiry, and his cap
ture was hailed as great event. Officers
had been after him for over two years,
and two of them who had turned up
missing were believed to have been shot
down by the desperado. He was brought
to Jail loaded down with irons, and up
to the time of his examination father en-
ployed two extra guards. After he had
been remanded to the higher court, Black
Jim was so quiet and humble that the
extra guards were dismissed, and he was
looked after by our regular turnkey,
who was middle-aged man named An
drews.
The Jail was built of stone, and was
the only stone Jail in the State at the
time. The prison part was twelve feet
wide by the width of the building, max
ing corridor about twelve by thirty.
There were no cells in this corridor, but
it was clear space, with hunks for five
or six prisoners. It was shut in by iron
bars running from top to bottom, and
admission was had by a single door. The
windows were small and we'll guarded
There was no fear of Black Jim or any
other prisoner getting out if properly
looked after.
Two weeks after our prisoner had been
remanded father was called upon to or
ganlze posse and seek the capture of a
gang Of horse thieves raiding in a neigh
borhood twenty miles away. I heard
his instructions to Andrews before he
left. He said:
''Don't take your eye off Black Jim.
This afternoon my wife will go on duty,
and you can sleep and be ready for
plight"
cob, you needn't be afraid of any
thing going wrong" replied Andrews.
sgd just like to see Jim hoodwink me.
and l can watch for three days and
nights, if necessary"
l saw that father didn't like his boast
ing, but he was in a hurry to be off, and
he left right away after dinner. An
drews took up his station in an armchair
in the corridor, and brought in some
wood for the big stove Git was OCTOBER,
filled up the water pals, and was busy
for an hour or two. I happened to be
In the corridor when the gate bell rang,
and was sent out to answer it. The call
er was kcen-looking man about forty
years old, pretty we'll dressed, and he
had package under his arm. When he
had followed me into the Jail building
he said to Andrews:
al am Lawyer Thomas, of Brockville,
and have come to see my client"
Black Jim's examination had taken
place at town eight miles away, and
neither Andrews, my mother, nor my
self had been present, therefore we did
not know any of the lawyers in the
case. Father had not said anything
about visitors, and when Lawyer Thomas
demanded an interview with his client,
Andrews did not hesitate to let him into
tie ward. From the moment I saw
Thomas at the gate 7 took dislike, TO
him. set him down as a bad mgn.
wanted to protest VIXEN Ap1sreTs let him