The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-01
TALES FROM A SLATE
POLICE STATION INCIDENTS WHEN
PRISONERS ARE .CHALIxEDv UP.
Humorous Remarks of Some of the
Bibulous Gentlemen BARREL
House Row Products.

a varied assortment of names and crimes
at the close of the day. The name of the
fastidious gentleman arrested for driving
his blooded horse through downtown
street faster than five miles hour is ar
rayed with that of the barrel house loafer.
All is equality on the slate, and first come
is first served there. As each prisoner is
brought in he is led up to the desk, behind
which sits the turnkey, AL Taffe occupying
the position by day and John Long by
night, both being veterans in the service.
The name of the prisoner is placed upon
the slate, followed by his offense, age ma
tive country, color, and the name of the
officers who arrested him. The prisoner is
then searched and any valuables which
he may have are deposited in a large safe
and credited to the prisoner from whom
received. This is done to prevent the other
prisoners from robbing their companions
in durance vile.
There are, rule, very few arrests
made during the morning. Here and there,
perhaps, the detectives find a man for
whom they have been searching, and oc>
casionally a loiterer or fast driver is sent
in, but the majority of the prisoners do not
begin to arrive before l o'clock in the
afternoon, continuing until l the next
morning. From s o'clock in the evening
most of the calls which are made for the
wagon are to bring in drunk some
vagabond who makes it a point to get in
the way Of police officer in order to get
a nights lodging. The ''drunks'' present
all the stages of intoxication, from the man
who has had only enough drinks to make
him comical to him who has to be dragged
from the wagon to the cell, unconscious
from liquor. At about half past o'clock in
the morning the prisoners are lined up and
taken to the Police Court where they are
given a hearing. For a few hours after
they leave the cell room is empty, but it is
not likely to stay so for long. In all prob
ability the detectives bring in one or two
men, and perhaps one or two sent in
on warrants which were placed in the
call. By O'Clock several fast drivers,
loiterers and violators of city ordinances
bond to appear in Police Court or have
been locked up with the other unfortu-
have arrived, but only one of the lot win
probably attract attention He is a full
blooded Weary Watkins, having all the
characteristics of that class of travelling
gentlemen. This specimen had ventured TO
the heart of the city at the imminent risk
of being offered some work, and while
walking along East Washington street the
pictures of the great flowing Chicago
bowl" displayed in front of the barrel
houses, had proven too much for his re-
sisting powers, and not being in a financial
condition to pay. for several of the drinks
patrolman Rinker, the. guardian angel of
the barrel house row. was called in and
the hobo placed under arrest He Is not
affected by his incarceration, but imme-
diately hunts for the soft side of the iron
bunk in his cell and is soon sleeping as if
he were in his accustomed box car.
Some time later an excited little German
was brought in by, sergeant, charged with
carrying concealed weapons. He had been
found with revolver in his possession, and
not being able to explain to the satisfaction
of the police officer was arrested: He as,
was loudly exclaiming against being put
into the cell room.
you here, / should not go, hat nothing
done; you. should not so DO do nothing
By the time he had made his last asser-
ton the poor falloW was near the hobo.
who had slept peacefully through the clank-
ing of the great iron doors, but IS the
word work struck his ears he jumped
from the bunk with look os genuine hor-
ror in his eyes He gazed at The GERMAN,
he had been dreaming about work. He
went back to his bunk, then, turning.
What they got you fer. Dutcnie?"
II hat only a gun to kill dose rats, and
the policeman meet und he schust arrest
'Wer OATS tough" said the tired man.
as he again closed his eyes to the troubles
and njustices of this cruel world.
Several drunks were next brought in The
first was almost past navigation. but his
slamm M9Iu in his face were: .Wen, youzh
kin shee / amt drunk" Another was
Of e cheap Whisky. and asserted his rights in
vigorous terms. The third who arrived
soon after the others was Just drunk
son to laugh thereat. When he was
marched up to be slated he took it all as
fe what iua''i Is your manner" asked the man
MY names wy dom choo know me?'
ssYes, / know you, but how do you spell
your nance" asked his interrogation, as it
is always policy to keep the prisoners in
IVY. you look in the, city directory an
said tell the geeean your name and
be quick, said the officer In charge glvlng
the prisoner a shake to impress him with
.sWell, then, it's Wilson-plain OF Henry
Wilson. Now We know reckon, he added
WHATS he charged within asked the
turnkey, addressing the officer at the mans
SIDE but before Good d0na sad
Charged with bad whisky, charged clean
to the mouth. An I'm liable to go off at
any minute he said, as he started ior the
open door, suddenly changing his mind
officer and brought back to the desk with
suddenness that surprised him.
indicating h tina that p he was charged with being
writing, and. spying the DR." after his
Nov, see here, you're gon too fur when
you put me down doctor, fer l never
killed nobody. You take that off and put
me down ben drunk, an glad of 1T.
.'Well, that's all right. How old are you?
again began the turnkey. almost losing his
unlimited amount of patience.
How OF? Well, now, whatd you reck-
Here, I'm tired of this You. tell me
your age, and tell me quick, or there will
be trouble around here.
Now, look ere, mister. dom choo git
nd an r TO cOun fore
/ can tell you just zactly = but before
he could finish he was the recipient OF an
other sharp shaking up, and ordered TO
give his age in years as they did not care
for the months and days. He said II that
was all they wanted he could easily tell
them that I'm forty-eight years DID,
and as the turnkey wrote forty,,,eight after
his name, he added" or / will be forty
eight mex September causing the figures I
to be erased and rewritten
BY that time all were out or patience
and he was quickly searched and showed
into the cells, where the last heard was
Weary Watkins saying, in an envious tone:
well, id be happy If | was as drunk
as YOU
A NEW QUAKER CHURCH.