The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-03-20
COUNTY JAIL CLUBS
A Queer Organisation Of Prison.
ers Behind the Bars.

The Kangaroo Court asA Its vasaeps
OmUbals-Aa Initlation Int che
Mysteries of the 1iys-
tie Order. :
The most interesting Of these inn
promptu clubs Is the one called in the
vernacular 1.-THE Kangaroo Court" It
is found almost entirely in county jails |
In which petty offenders and persons
awaiting trial are confined. During
the day, writes Josiah Flynt in Har-
per's Magazine, the prisoners are al
lowed 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 uten-
sils. The prisoners can and do walk,
jump, and play various games. After
awhile these games become tiresome
pnd "The Kangaroo Court" is formed.
It consists of all the prisoners, and the
officers are elected by them. The posi-
tions they fill are the "judgeship," the
''searchership," the ''spankership, and
general "juryship." To illustrate the
duties of these various officials, shall
give personal experience in county
Jail in New York state. It was my first
encounter with "The Kangaroo Court"
had been arrested for sleeping In an
empty "box car" The watchman
found me and lodged me in the station
house, where 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 I re-
piled that SIT might be Billy Rice"
What are you doing around here,
Billy?" he queried further.
Looking for work, your honor"
Thirty days," he thundered 1t 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
the facts, imaginary and otherwise,
that we had cared to give him about
our family histories, we were ushered
peu-mell into the large hall. Sur
rounded in twinkling by the other
prisoners, we were asked to explain
our general principles and misdemean-
ors. This over, and few salutations
exchanged, a tall and lanky rogue cried
out in loud voice: saaes.s
"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 fagstones.
As soon as entire quiet had been
reached, the tall fellow, who, by the
way, was the judge, instructed half
grown companion, whom sc nicknamed
''the searcher," to bring his charges
against the newcomers He ap-
preached us solemnly, and in most
conventional manner, and said:
"Prisoners-you are charged with
havin' Doodle in yer pockets Wha'
does ye pIead-guilty or not guilty9"
Twas the first in line, and pleaded
not guilty. -,
care We willin' TO he searched7"
asked the judge.
II am, your honor" replied.
Then the searcher inspected all my
rockets, 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 l was
guiltless.
"You are discharged" exclaimed the
Judge, and the jury ratified the decision
with q grunt. -
A young fellow, . vagrant by profes.
sion. was the next case. He pleaded
not guilty, and allowed himself 10 Dc
searched, But unfortunately he had
forgotten q solitary cent which was IN
his vest pocket. It was quickly confis.
| Gated. and he was remanded for trial
on the charge of contempt OF the kan
oru." The next victim pleaded guilty
to the possession of thirty-six cents
| and was relieved of half. The last man
the puiltiest of all, although he pleaded
| innocence, was found out, and his three
dollars were taken away from him In
stanter. He, too, was charged witt
| contempt of court. His case came W
soon after the preliminaries were over
and he was sentenced by the judge Il
walk the length of the corridor on'
hundred and two times each day OF M
confinement, besides washing all tn'
dishes used after dinner for . week.
After all the trials were over, tn
confiscated money was handed to tn
genuine turnkey, with instructions tina
L be invested in tobacco. Later IN TN
day the tobacco was brought into Tn
iail and equally divided among all In
prisoners
The next day I, with the other las
arrivals, was initiated IS member 0
the kangaroo court. 1t was very slin
ple proceeding. had to promise tina
j would always do my share OF the nee
essary cleaning and washing, and ais
be honest and fair In judging the case
which might come up for trial.
Since then have had opportunitie
of studying other kangaroo courts on
they have all been very much like Tn
one l have just described. They ar
both socialistic and autocratic, ana
times they are very funny. But whel
ever they are they command the n
spect of iailbirds, and II q prisoner II
snlta the court he is punished yer
severely. Moreover, it avails him not, :,
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