The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-08-18
1ne DISCARDED nIeH1 SICK.
IL Was bess Deadly Than the Billy and
Could BE Put to Many Uses.

Probably the most popular order which
Superintendent Byrnes ever issued was
the one abolishing the night stick No
citizen was ever known 10 call night
srick anything but club, a term which
is never used by the police TO designate
any weapon they ever carried. Club was
hard, harsh name that most citizens were
unable to disassociate from clubbing and
led many to believe that they might some
day have the misfortune 10 be unjustly
dubbed II will surprise such people TO
learn that II they ever should be dubbed
they will fare worse under the weight OF
the short, hard batons now carried than
under the blows of the old time night
sticks. The explanation is simple.
The night sticks were made Of the best
seasoned locust Well seasoned locust be-
comes comparatively light and is springy.
The batons, or billies, which replaced them
are made Of the heaviest wood available
rosewood, lignum vitn and the like-and
are short and absolutely devoid of pliabil-
ity: consequently blow on the head,
which. dealt with a night stick, would re-
suit only in a scalp wound, II dealt with the
policeman's present weapon might result
in fracture Of the skull.
So true is this that many Of the older
policemen who have carried night stick
for years will draw revolver on a refrac-
tory prisoner. hoping to intimidate him by
the exhibition Of IL, rather than to risk
drawing the billy, which would have lit
tie or no terrifying effect on the prisoner
and might result in his death II the officer
was forced to use IL.
The night stick had many uses with
which the general public had little chance
to grow familiar. The regulation length
was 90 inches, but they often exceeded this
by two or four inches. The leather thong
which the user wrapped about his hand to
reinforce his grip on the weapon was
nearly as long and was strong enough 70
sustain the weight Of most men. 1t gave
its possessor a reach OF at least five feet
and time and again the night stick has
been used ms a support until other assist
ance could come for some unfortunate
who had fallen or jumped overheard, and
in cases OF great emergency where the
| drowning man or woman was losing
strength or growing benumbed with cold
awaiting the arrival OF boats or ropes the
night stick and strap have been used &c
drag them up TO the pier. Again, it has beer
found invaluable as life saver when lit
tiers were too far away and the ambulance,
| WIS AdiNl III lt0IohHAhH ~ a 'dAAs A'OAl
men with two night sticks, one Of thu
sticks slipped under the knees, the othel
under the arms Of the patient, could carr
him easily and rapidly to the hospital Of
station.
Another and probably the least though
Of use to which the handy night stick ha
been put was in extinguishing fire. Fire.
started. no one knows how, in rubbish II
cellars OF in bedding OF clothing in room
and closets are among the most common
that give the firemen run. Many such
fire that would have resulted in a damag
ing confagration il left 10 await the ar
rival of the fire department has been beat
en- out with a night stick. Last, but no
least. the fear Of it has quelled many al
incipient riot, while the judicious use Of
has kept many dangerous corners free Q
the corner loafers which made them dan
gerous and has done more than the fea
of arrest and imprisonment to break u
the gangs which used to infest many poi
tons Of the city.-New York sun.