The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-07
In KANGAROO COURT
Cochrane Distinguishes Himself
as an Amateur Pleader.
SUNDAY RECREATION IN JAIL.
A Prisoner Accused OF . Breach Of
Etiouette-The Land Boomers
Effective Argument.

OF the county jail had high time yester-
day afternoon by holding kangaroo"
court, and A. ID. Cochrane, charged with
using the United States mails for fraudu-
lent purposes. distinguished himself as
attorney for the defendant, who was on
trial before the court for violating one of
the jail rules. The kangaroo" court is
organized by the prisoners for the purpose
OF trying and iniiicting punishment upon
inmates of the Jail who do not behave
themselves properly. They elect their
own judges and court officers, and the pro-
ceedings are conducted as far as possible,
similarly to a court of justice.
The kangaroo code provides a penalty
for any prisoner who listens TO or inter-
feres with the conversation that visitor
10 the Jail may have with any other
prisoner. Yesterday morning a gentleman
called at the Jail and asked to see an ac-
cused smuggler named Zetterman. While
the visitor and Zetterman were talking
through the bars William Smith, another
suspected smuggler, stepped up and asked
the visitor question. The offender was
quickly hustled off and his hearing set for
2 O'Clock in the afternoon. At that time
the prisoners were all out en- masse in the
corridor to witness the trial. If found
guilty, the rule provided fSne of not less
than 81 nor more than 81, or eight days at
jail work, cleaning up, sweeping out the
cells, etc., or both.
The judge, Hon. Tom Burns, a chronic
petty larcenist, took his seat behind an
upturned box and savagely demanded or
der. High Sheriff Jake Terry, alias Cow
boy Terry, who is charged with snug
mo inf he Ial
the offender with murderous looking
cudgei. The prosecuting attorney, Bill
Davis, serving a sentence for stealing an
overcoat from secondhand store, stated
that he was ready to proceed with the
trial. motion for continuance was
Immediately made but was as promptly
overruled. A jury of twelve men was
drawn and ali qualified by saying they be-
lieyed the prisoner at the bar should not
only be fined but be compelled to
do the drudgery of the jail for eight
days.
The first witness, Zetterman, was called
by the prosecuting attorney, but the ex-
animation was stopped by the high sheriff
and the prisoner having an impromptu
fight, in which the cudgel and Smiths
unfortunate head played an important
part.
Here, here, order in court" savagely
demanded the judge, rapping the box
with the heel of a brogan, which served as
gavel.
''The prisoner won't keep his seatp'
roared High Sheriff Terry, applying the
club again.
II demand the right to address the
court" gasped Smith. in smothered
voice, from under the high sheriff s coat
tails
1.-The prisoner will be allowed to address
the court" said Judge Burns, with great
dignity.
II want to engage an attorney to fight
this case" exclaimed the prisoner, rub
bing his head and regaining his feet,
meanwhile keeping his eye on the sheriff,
who waved the cudgel in threatening
manner.
You have that privilege" said the
judge, "and hereby appoint Hon. A. d.
Cochrane to defend you
Hon. Cochrane stepped forward, smiling
and bowling as the courtroom resounded
with cheers and the clapping of hands.
The witness was examined and then cross
questioned; but when Cochrane attempted
to impeach him by proving his previous
bad character, he was overruled by the
judge, who explained that before his
court "by-gones were by-gones."
Prosecuting Attorney Davis launched
forth into demonstrative and vigorous
argument to the jury, after all of the wit
nesses were examined, and when he had
finished he sat down and mopped his per-
spring brow; he surveyed the jury, and
from the looks on their faces he was conf
dent that he had won the case.
Hon. Cochrane rose slow. V and all ewes
We're fastened on him. He started in
quietly by saying: "Your honor, and gen.
tlemen OF the jury, there is no doubt in nv
mind but that the prisoner at the bar is
guilty of no intentional misdemeanor
Then he rubbed his hands and began an
argument that excited the sympathy of the
jury, though it had but little perceptible
effect on the judge. His honor was out of
tobacco and he looked forward to appro-
priating the 81 TO be derived from the fine
10 the tobacco fund, consequently he de-
termiued not TO allow any amount of argu-
ment to change his opinion. The
attorney for the accused warmed
up as he proceeded and became elo-
quent and pathetic He painted
colors that it made him hero in the ewes
OF all hut the judge, whose ap, elite would
not admit of anything but a smoke.
When at last he sat down Cochrane was
satisfied that he had distinguished him.
self, while Davis looked chagrined and
squelched.
The judge could not hut see the effect of
Coehrane's eloquent plea and so concluded
TO take the bull by the horns by instruct
ing the jury to bring III verdict of guilty..
The jury repaired to an adjacent cell and
in few moments returned with the YER
diet mot guilty."
The court broke up amid cheers and
Judge Burns adjourned TO a cell and pro-
ceeded TO drown his sorrows in a copy of
us This Your Son, My Lord?"
COCHRANE'S LAWYER FRIENDo