The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1893-07-22
he WOULD NOT LEAVE THE COLONY.
Prisoner Who Climbed . Coc0snut Tree
and Ue0ed = Regiment.


A Prisoner Who Climbed . Cocosaut Tree
and De1ed = Regiment.
II Ii the custom in the British army
that whenever q regiment IL transferred
from one colony to another prisoners
who may be in the Jail are handed over
to the outgoing corps and continue their
sentences at the new station. In one
case one Of these jailbirds made up his
mind that he would not leave the colony.
Private johnson was one Of the smart
est men In the corps. and furthermore
he was an excellent groom and almost
"cordon bleu." He had one sad fail.
ing. He was o thief. His REGULATIONS
had, however. been generally small, and
he had escaped serious punishment. One
night large store in the town was bro
ken into and a considerable amount OF
money stolen. II was conclusively
proved that johnson was the thief, and
be was sent 10 Jail. When the regiment
was leaving the colony, johnson, with
some other soldier prisoners, was to be
handed over according to custom. When,
however, his cell was visited, it was
empty. and there was not . sign of
johnson anywhere.
A search was made In every direction.
and at last a prisoner pointed TO cocoa
nut tree which grew in the middle OF
the prison yard. and there comfortably
seated among the tuft Of leaves WAS
johnson. The warden at first tried TO
get the man down by quiet persuasion,
then he threatened, then stOrmed and
swore. johnson laughed contentedly at
every mood, but did not move. The fact
was reported TO the colonial secretary,
who recommended that the fire engine
he called out and the man washed down.
The chief Of the fire department hardly
thought II was consonant with his dig
nifty to wash prisoner out of cocoa
nut tree and reported that there was not
pressure Of water enough TO get stream
TO the top Of the tree. This was proba-
bly, true. for the tree was tall one.
The case was again referred TO the CO
lonial secretary. who took it before the
governor His excellency was having
luncheon with some of the departing
officers and their friends and was having
a good time. He was vexed that at such
IA time he should be troubled with official
work. as hastily glancing over the docu-
ment lie added the following instruc-
tons: Cut the fellow down. | mean
the tree"
This could only he done by the engi-
neering department. SO orderlies we're
sent ont 10 find the chief engineer
While all this was going on, tiIrc was
slipping away. Almost al the t-o0rs
were on board the trool,ship. and rs ,hes
vessels wait for no o:.e the escort which
lad been sent TO bring johnson down to
the ship hal 10 hurry OF. not 70 lie Lite
Itself. johnson beloved farewell. and
despite the strong language Of the ward
en- still laughed and did not move. Be
fore the engineer department had come
TO conclusion as to how TO cut down
the tree and lower it gradually, the
troopship had up anchor and was steam
ing out Of the harbor
Then johnson climbed down the tree
and finished his sentence on the island.
10 which he had taken fancy. His con
viction had carried with il his discharge
with ignominy." He settled in the island
and WAS soon in easy circumstances. He
had undoubtedly hidden his stolen prop
erty, and after his release dug il up and
started in business. When johnson was
last seen, he was fourishing and had
large cocoanut grove around his cottage