The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-05-08
"TnE KANGAROO COURT"
A UNIQUE FEATURE OF LrFE
AMONG IMPRISONED TRAMPs.
Trial of Prisoners by Their Fellows
to Collect Tobacco Money-Ex.
perience in a County Jail.

knows them better, perhaps, than any
other author, says:
The most interesting OF these i'm
promptu clubs is the one called in the
vernacular "rhe Kangaroo Court" II
is found almost entirely in county
iails in which petty offenders aud per.
sons awaiting trial are confined. Dur.
ing the day the prisoners are allowed
the freedom of large hall, and at
night they lodge in cells, the locks of
which are sometimes fastened and
sometimes not. The hall contains
tables, benches, daily papers, and, in
some instances, stoves and kitchen
utensils. The prisoners eau and do
walk, jump and play various games.
After a while these games become tire
some, and "The Kangaroo Court" is
formed. 1t consists of all the prison
ars, and the officers are elected by
Them. The positions they fill are the
'judgeship," the "searchership, the
'spankership" and general 'jury-
ship. To illustrate the duties of
these various officials, / shall give a
personal experience in a county Jail in
New York State. 1t was my first en-
counter with "The Kangaroo Court. 4"
l had been arrested for sleeping in
an empty "box-car. The watchman
found me and lodged me in the sta
tion-house, where 1 spent most
gloomy night wondering what my
punishment would be. Early in the
morning 1 was brought before "the
squire" He asked me what my name
might be, and replied that "It might
be Billy Rice"
"What are you doing around here,
Billy?" he queried further.
Looking for work, your Honor"
"ThirtY days." he thundered at me,
and I was led away to the jail proper.
| had three companions at the time,
and after we had passed the sheriff
and his clerk, who had noted down all
facts, imaginary and otherwise, that
we had cared to give him about our
family histories, we were ushered pell-
NELL into the large hall. Surrounded
In twinkling by the other prisoners,
we were asked to explain our general
principles and misdemeanors. This
over, and few salutations exchanged,
tall and lanky rogue cried out in a
loud voice:
"The Kangru will now klect."
There were about twenty present,
and they soon planted themselves
about us in a most solemn manner.
Some rested on their launches, others
lounged against the walls, and still
others sat quietly on the fag-stones.
AS soon as entire quiet had been
reached, the tall fellow, who, blythe.
way, was the Judge, instructed half.
grown companion, whom he nick
named "the searcher," to bring his
charges against the newcomers. He
approached us solemnly and in most
conventional manner, and said:
"Prizners-you is charged with
havin' Doodle in yer pockets. Wha'
does We plead-guilty or not guiltyP"
I was the first in line, and pleaded
not guilty.
"Are ye willin' to be searched?"
asked the judge.
4 OOuI A1OuOI, ISDll6u.
Then the searcher inspected all my
pockets, the lining of my coat, the
leather band inside my hat, my shoes
and socks, and finding nothing in the
shape of money, declared that 1 was
guiltless.
''You are discharged" exclaimed
the judge, and the iurymen ratified
the decision with grunt.
A Ayoung fellow, a vagrant by pro.
fession, was the next case. He plead.
ed not guilty, and allowed himself to
be searched. But unfortunately he
had forgotten solitary cent which
was in his vestpocket. 1t was quickly
confscated, and he was remanded for
trial on the charge of contempt of the
''Kangru." The next victim pleaded
guilty to the possession of thirty-six
cents, and was relieved of half. The
last man, the guiltiest of all, although
he pleaded innocence, was found out,
and his three dollars were taken away
from him instanter; he too, was
charged with contempt of court. His
case came up soon after the prelimi-
naries were over, and he was sentenced
by the Judge to walk the length of the
corridor one hundred and three times
each day of his confinement, besides
all the dishes used at dinner
for a week.
After all the trials were over, the
money was handed to the
genuine turnkey, with instructions
that it be invested in tobacco. Later
in the day the tobacco was brought
into the Jail and equally divided
among all the prisoners.
The next day l, with the other late
arrivals, was initiated as member of
the Kangaroo Court. 1t was very
simple proceeding. had to promise
that J would always do my share of the
necessary cleaning and Washing, and
also he honest and fair in Judging the
cases which might come up for trial.
Since then l have had opportunities
of studing other Kangaroo Courts,
but they have all been very much like
the one l have Just described. They
are both socialistic and autocratic,
and at times they are very funny. But
wherever they are they command the
respect of iailbirds, and if prisoner
insults the court he Is punished very
severely. Moreo yer, it avails him
nothing to complain to the authori.
ties. He has too many against him,
and the best thing he can do is to be-
come one Of them as soon as possible
RemarkabIe Firo Soroons