The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-04-26
4
"THE KANGAROO COURT
A. UNIQUE FEATURE OF LIFE
AMONG IMPRISONED rRAMPs.

NV Among Outcasts. in Har-
" per, Joaiah Flynt, who
has lived with tramps and
knows them better, perhaps, than any
other author, says:
The most interesting OF these i'm
promptu clubs is the one called i'm the
vernscular "The Kangaroo Court" 1t
Is found almost entirely in county
jails III which petty offenders aud per-
sons awaiting trial. are confined. Dur.
ing the day the prisoners are allowed
the freedom of q large hall, and at
night they lodge in cells, the looks Of
which are sometimes fastened and
sometimes not. The hall contains
tables, benches. daily papers, aud, in
some Instances, stoves aud kitchen
utensils. The prisoners can and do
walk. jump and play various games.
After while these games become tire
some, and ''rhe Kangaroo Court" is
formed. 1t consists Of all the prison
era, and The officers are elected by
them. The positions they fill are the
'iudgeship, the "searchership, the
''spankership" and general "jury-
ship To illustrate the duties of
these various officials. l shall give
personal experience in county Jail IN
New York State. 1t was my first en-
counter with "The Kangaroo Court"
had been arrested for sleeping in
al empty "box-car." The watohman
found me and lodged me in the sta
tion-house, whore / spent most
gloomy night wondering what my
punishment would be. Early in the
morning ! was brought before "the
squire" He asked me what my name
might be, and replied that SIT might
be Billy Rice"
''What are you doing around here,
Billy?" he queried further.
Looking for work, your Honor"
"Thirty days." he numbered at me,
and 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 twinkliug by the other priso ners,
we were asked to e=r!=;: cur genera!
principles aud misdemeanors. This
over, and a few salutations exchanged,
tall and lanky rogue cried out in O
loud voice.
''The Ksngru will now klect."
There were about twenty present,
and they soon planted themselves
about % in a most solemn manner.
Some rested on their launches, others
lounged against the walls, aud 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 a half
grown companion, whom he nick.
named ''the sesrcher," to bring his
charges against the newcomers. He
approached US solemnly and in most
conventional manner, and said:
''Prizners-yoG is charged with
hsvin' Doodle in yer pockets. Wha'
does ye plead-guilty or not guilty?"
l was the first in line, and pleaded
not guilty.
''Are we willin to be searched?"
asked the judge.
''I am, your Honor, replied.
Then the searcher inspected all my
pockets. tho lining Of my coat the
leather band inside my hat. my shoes
and socks, and tihdIng nothing in the
shape of money, declared that / was
guiltless.
"You are discharged" exclaimed
the Judge, and the jurymen ratified
the decision with a grunt.
Ayoung fellow, a vagrant by pro-
fession, was the next case. He plead
Ell not guilty. and allowed himself to
be searched. But unfortunately he
had forgotten n solitary cent which
was IN his vestpocket. 1t was quickly
contiscated, and he was remanded for
trial on the charge Of contempt Of the
"kangru." The next victim pleaded
guilty to the possession of thirty y-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