davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
THE CELLS

the questioners do not hesitate to give
the truth wide berth when putting the
man through the rack. He may be told
that his family has deserted him because
he has brought disgrace upon them; he
may be told that his best friends have
refused to come to his assistance, though
repeatedly telephoned for to do so. They
may tell him that his wife or mother has
already given the truth in the matter.
and that he might as wen tell a straight
story SO as to lessen his sentence; in fact,
all sorts Of artful lodges are resorted to
to get the desired information. They even
go to the extent of waking him up in the
middle of the night and firing questions
at him when he hardly knows about what
he is talking in the hope that he may
give something away. Once the sweat
ing process is over the man is taken back
to his cell, only to be sent for again and
again should it be deemed necessary 10
further ply him with questions.
Remanded for Trial
Should enough be found upon which to
hold him for court he is remanded for
trial and then he has to await the action
OF the courts. Should it be found that
mistake has been made, an apology is
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

within the tolls of the law than is often
times imagined.
THE terrible dread IS to what is going
to happen comes over man just so soon
as the blue-coated minion OF the law
places his hand on his shoulder and says
4 want you. The brass buttons, the
billy, the absolute ignorance as to what
is before the man. and even what the
charge is, appear to creep all over him
at once, and he gives up almost in de-
spair.
"The police do not always make the same
announcement in placing man under
arrest: many of them have expressions
which are peculiar to them. For instance,
one will say:
Well. guess you're wanted or Bet
ter take a ride with me in the carriage
You've had too much fresh air
We'll, l guess your time is about up
this to one who is well known to the
law and to the policeman making the ar
rest.
" The captain would like to have lit
tie conversation with you in his private
Office
Say, wish you'd walk around to No.
/ with me for a minute
g 4 am sorry for you. old man, but the
BOSS wants you
Say, 1 guess you'll get off all right
but the Cap" wants you now.
In novels, perhaps. you will find this
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

7 N ORDER to be placed on Uncle Sam s
large and rapidly growing pension
L roll many men have stretched their
conscience as we'll as Imagination
and there are some queer and laughable
reasons assigned in applications fled
Every disease and ailment known to the
science of medicine is alleged, and claims
are urged with energetic persistency.
Some of the causes alleged are as odd as
they are interesting. 1t is a curious para
dox that our generous and free-handed
pension system promotes at once eXtraor-
binary physical disability and remarkable
longevity, as is attested by the following
extract from a letter recently received by
the Commissioner:
Il have tried every way possible to get
pension, and ! just know | am entitled
TO one if any man in America is / con-
tracted disease while fighting for the flag
in the first year of the war, and i have
been total wreck ever since. For years
and years have believed every day would
be the last one for me IN this world of
trouble and ingratitude. AS l stated, l
am nothing but piece of a man. and 1
do not think l can live many years long
er. / would come to the encampment if
could get my pension.
A rather remarkable declaration was
made by a Michigan veteran. He stated
under oath that he picked up shell on
the battlefield of the Wilderness and took
it into his tent. While holding the mis-
sile between his knees examining it the
shell exploded, badly SCATTERING his ner-
vous system" Miraculous as 1t may apy-
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

pear. the applicant testified that he es-
capped other injuries. This man eyentu
ally had his name placed on the roll.
An ex-soldier in Ohio wrote: II don't
exactly know what disease l am suffer
ing from, but l do know that l deserve
a pension, as l am suffering the pains
of death all over my body and am the
father of eleven children. My wife has
been dead nearly year and if l could get
me Il pension | would marry again.
Another veteran in West Virginia thinks
he should receive 4 pension because. as
ne states it, during the war he fell off
Il thirty-foot bridge, which resulted in a
general breaking up of the system
A veteran of the Fifth Wisconsin In
fantry was salivated by reason of an ex-
cessive use of salt pork during his army
career. and he applies for pension be-
cause he got salvation in the army as
he puts it. This applicant was found
deserving and entitled to good rating
and he got it.
Under the provisions of the dependent
pension law it is only necessary for a
claimant to show that he is incapacitated
from manual labor, whether the causes
are due to army service or not makes no
difference. To show this incapacity and
inability to perform manual labor the af-
fidavits of neighbors are necessary. recit-
ing that fact. A veteran in Howard
county, Maryland, sent the testimony of
a neighbor. who. no doubt, meant we'll,
but did not know. how to express him
self. The latter swore to the statement
that he had known the applicant fifteen
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

look Of supreme contempt for the lower
human animal on his classic features. He
is very handsome bird, too, probably
made so from his regular habits and Sc
lected food supply.
Occasionally fluff of feathers may be
seen waited from the tower, and those
who follow the line they have taken will
observe the hawk as he sits on the bal
cony and enjoys his repast. After the
daily meal he gives his coat a polish
wipes his yellow bill on the coping, looks
contemptuously about him for moment.
and then gracefully rises and scars aloft
until he has secured his bearings, when
he sets out for the Virginia shore and
disappears in the blue haze across the
Potomac.
In opposition to Major Harrison's re-
quest for permit to kill the hawk the
Humane Society OF the District of Column
bia will put in a counter claim that the
damage done to property by the bird is
not of sufficient Importance to Justify his
execution. Pigeons breed every month in
the year but February. and hawks are
birds of prey. their natural bent being
the preservation of life by the securance
OF food.
Under these circumstances it is not
probable that Mr.. Harrison will get his
permit without strenuous opposition, for
the Humane Society is determined to con-
test it to the end In the meantime the
crowds on the Avenue at o'clock are
daily increasing, and the flutter of
feather is the signal for n cheer for the
hawk and a craning of necks to get
glimpse of the pathological tenant OF
the tch
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

man gets lonely he calls for drink CT
water just to see a human face.
There is no guard. Every fifteen min
utes in accordance with a recent order of
Major Sylyester's the orderly on duty at
the station drops his newspaper Che
spends much time reading) and makes
visit to the cells to see that none of the
prisoners have harmed themselves. Then
al. is silence until the reporters arrive.
Once man is booked for that is what
the write-up of name, age, occupation, and
nativity is termed in police parlance,
the newspaper men are given free access
to the corridor in which the cell where
ne is locked up is located. and they
pump him for all he is worth so as to get
a story for their papers.
Frequently however, suspects. or per-
sons who are simply locked up as wit
nesses, are not booked and then the
reporters are not, as rule, allowed to
talk with them. But the persons under
suspicion have n much more formidable
and dreadful ordeal to go through.
Frightens Prisoner.
THE captain will perhaps walk back to
his cell and glare at the prisoner in the
sternest and most formidable manner,
using every effort in his power to get the
man as scared as possible before he is
taken to the captains Office for Il sweat
ing The captain will return to his Office,
and the prisoner will be sent FOR. Once
in the Office the man under arrest has to
face the questions of the shrewdest set of
cross-examiners in the police service, and
he has to try to answer as many questions
as possible at the same time, and if he |
has anything to conceal and is not an old |
hand at the game, it is safe to predict he |
is innocent If he comes out without hav- |
ing given up the information sought. for |
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
UNIQUE PETITIONS FROM PENSIONERS.

years, and that che would not work IN
less compelled to-" The witness evident
ly intended to say that the claimant, while
really unable to work by reason of his
physical infirmities, was frequently COM
PEELED to attempt labor in order to sus-
tain himself.
The widow of man who shouldered a
musket in the Pennsylvania Reserves
wanted a pension. and was asked if her
husband was ever wounded.
Oh, yes she replied. He received
an AK wound of the right foot
Being asked TO explain the circuui-
stances surrounding the wounding of her
husband, she said he cut his foot while
splitting wood. 1t was not during the
war that this accident occurred. but in
1879, at their home in Pennsylvania. She
was asked what bearing such an occur
renee could possibly have upon the PEN
sion law. and the widow answered curtly:
We'll. sir. the AK he cut his foot with
is the same one he brought home from the
war 1t was an army AK
An ex-cannOneer of one of the regular
batteries claims that he stopped a cannon
ball with his abdomen. and has since
been greatly troubled with stomachic
disorders. The ball, he says. was spent
one. and came bounding along, striking
him squarely on the exterior of the inner
man and knocked him into the middle
of the following week.
member of the well known Garibaldt
Guard recites in his application for PEN
sion that he was '.probed'' by a rebel
bayonet at the Bull Run fight. and Jer-
sey cayalryman says he was severed by
a rebel sabre at Spottsylvania Court
house.
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
q HAWK IN THE pOSTOFF|CE TOWER.

Being a selfish bird, he kept the secret
of his discovery, and as a reward for his
perspicacity and judgment has grown fat
and happy. while safe from his natural
enemy-man.
Daily at o'clock he may be seen how
ering high above the pigeon loft: swiftly
he circles round and round in the air
half mile above his quarry, his form a
mere speck in the ether, but gradually
growing more and more distinct as he
descends. His hawk-eye finally selects
fat pigeon, and from that moment the
birds doom is sealed, unless he escapes
within one of the sheltering boxes.
Pigeons, as a rule-and city pigeons
iavariably-never look above them for
danger. They are used 10 danger from
boys and vehicles, but not from the skies,
and they coo and firt with each other in
fancied security until there is rush of
wings, a short, sharp struggle, and the
hawk has datred down, caught one of the
fat fellows in his merciless talons and is
soaring aloft with him before the excite
ment has abated or its occasion been de-
termined.
Straight up to the tower the hawk
flies, and perches on the stone balcony
$50 feet above the busy pavement of Penn
sylvania Avenue, where he proceeds with
deliberation to pluck the feathers from
his victim and to devour him in choice
epicurean style.
This hawk is a regular Beau Brummel
in his dainty mannerisms, and none but
the most select morsels will satisfy his
taste. He takes his time about his meal,
and for An hour daily sits there in safety,
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

A COMMUNICATION has just been
N received by the Postmaster Gen.
1 eral from that well known Wash
ingtonian, Duncan B. Harrison,
actor. soldier and raconteur, that
has been laid aside for consideration be-
fore decision can be rendered. Major
Harrison wants a cunning permit for use
within the building of the Postoffice De-
partment, and for this reason made APP
plication direct to the Postmaster-General
instead OF to Mai Richard Sylvester, SUI
perintendent of Police of the District.
The warlike actor-soldier- author has
blood in his eye, but it is not human
gore he seeks. He wants TO kill hawk,
and has declared that he Will charge his
gun with small shot, conceal himself near
where the bird sits daily. and slaughter
him without danger to the inhabitants of
the city who may be beneath the falling
shot at the time.
Not everyone knows that there is a
hawk IN the postofiice, but such is the
fact, and he has been coming there at
the same hour every day for more than a
year.
Harrison wants to kill the hawk from
what he calls motives OF sympathy for
the pigeons that the hawk eats. On the
corner of Twelfth and C Streets there is
their home. and the shrewd bird of prey
made the discovery about a year ago.
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23
kLO OLE on, Jimmy, guess the old
man wants you
~ "Ah. gwan, 1 amt done nut


~ "Ah! gwan, amt done nut
tim
We'll, you'd better take a ride any
way"
This little colloquy between a police
man and a resident of the "slums'' is but
one of many that occur in various parts
of Washington in the lower quarters
where lawbreakers are common and the
arrival of the patrol wagon is looked upon
as matter of daily routine.
ITO these people this means nothing -
said an old member Of the local police
force TO the writer, but did you ever
stop TO think that most people in Wash
ington and elsewhere, stand a much
larger chance OF being placed in the tolls
of the law than they imagine, and espe
cially is this true under the suspicion
charge which is in vogue in this city to
sucn large and necessary extent?
When One Is Arrested.
Have you the least idea what it means
TO be arrested OF course you have. but
how small a number OF our people have
any knowledge of just what it does
mean. / venture to say that there are
but very few who know what a man has
to go through with. once the 'bluecoat
has taken him in the name of the law.
But little of the inner workings of the
Police Department is known to other
than the regular habitues OF the police
and criminal courts. Few people are
aware of the treatment that is handed
out TO those under the ban of suspicion.
The surroundings of the man under ar
rest, the questions that are asked him,
and the stratagem used to get straight
and truthful answers. and the cell he is
the uninitiated.
did you ever stop to think how easy
1t is for a man to get placed under ar
rest?
Few Admit Guilt.
There are but few people who fall in
knowledge that they have been guilty of
any wrong. Those who do admit their
guilt form but small proportion OF
those who are placed in the cells of the
local station houses each day.
There are those against whom COM
plant has been lodged, but who have
been given notice that their arrest and
trial were inevitable, that are locked up
pending q hearing in the Police Court
Many of these are not guilty of any Of
who swears out the warrant probably
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

had some grudge to work out, yet the
majesty of the law is compelled to take
its course and if they are unable to
give bond for their appearance they are
compelled to sleep on hard bench in
dark and dreary cell in the station house.
But this is not all; by far the greater
number of prisoners are those arrested
on suspicion not alone OF having COM
mitted some crime within the jurisdfc-
tion of the local police, but on descrip-
lions that are sent out daily by the police
OF other cities.
Daily Descriptions.
There is at Police Headquarters and in
the various branch stations a bulletin
board on which are placed every day pho
tographs and circulars of men and wo-
men who have committed an offence and
fed for other chimes. Oftentimes a re-
ward for the criminals capture accompa-
mics the circular.
"A policeman may go on his beat after
having studied the bulletin board and meet
some man or woman whom he thinks
might perhaps be one of the persons de-
scrihed in the circulars; there is some
thing familiar in the features, something
in the walk the color of their hair or
eyes. or the clothes tally with the descrip-
ton given. He Immediately thinks he has
the man wanted and it is this suspicion
that causes many mistakes to be made.
Men of responsibility visiting in the city,
without the proper means of identifica-
ton, are taken INTO custody and are COM
PEELED to give an account of themselves
and Of their movements.
Private Detectives.
every large department store, and
ter, have private detectives who are con-
stantly on the watch for shoplifters, and
frequently they make arrests.
when accidents occur, those who are
thought to be responsible are placed under
arrest, persons wanted as witnesses in
various trials in the courts are put in
custody when their testimony is consid-
cred of Importance and fear is entertain
ed that they may leave the city before
they have an opportunity of telling what
they know on the stand.
"a suicide is found under suspicious
circumstances. Those nearby who may
have had something to do with the sus-
picious circumstances are oftentimes
placed under arrest until an investigation
can be made and the mystery cleared up.
so it can be readily seen, although you
may not have given the matter thought,
that it is much easier for one to come
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

expression. arrest you in the name OF
the law. but none of this in the real
workings of the force: there is no time
for it. And, would you believe it, most
policemen feel very badly over having to
place man Under arrest, unless, of
course. it is one of the regular disturbers
OF the peace on his beat, and then he
is glad of an opportunity tc get him out
of the way even for little while.
Police Determined Man.
But let the prisoner refuse to accede
in a quiet manner to either one of these
requests, let him resist the officer VINO
has thrown out the gentle hint that he
is wanted. Then the quiet sympathy is
replaced by determination that is very
necessary in a good policeman. Out from
the holster comes the billy most for
midable WEAPON of innocent appearance
and the quiet sympathy the officer wanted
to show is thrown aside and the prisoner
is quickly subdued in the name of the
law The call is rung for the patrol
wagon. which in peculiarly short space
of time comes rolling rapidly up to the
roughly in and very frequently the police
man sits ON him all the way to the sta
ton to keep him quiet. Once at the sta
tion house questions are fired at him by
the sergeant who sits behind an imposing
desk, while at each side is a policeman
to keep him from getting outside the
building
What is your Nance
Your address,?
Your age?'
Your nationality
Your occupation
Charge Entered.
''This information secured, the sergeant
enters the charge against him on the
blotter. Then he is searched. Should a
gun be found in his pocket it is taken
away from him and an additional charge
of carrying concealed weapons is placed
against his name: his pocket knife CT any
other sharp instrument, pins, needles. or
drugs are taken from him. Then he is
hustled to the dark and dreary cell, there
to remain until some one balls him out
or until morning, when he is taken to the
police court for trial.
'Of course if the offence is not a very
serious one and the man is not too drunk
to care for himself and he has money he
is allowed to put up cash collateral for
his appearance in the court.
Sends for Friend.
Usually the first thing a man wants
after he has been locked up is to send
for some friend. The boys in charge at
the station are very accommodating in
this matter and will send such telephone
messages as are requested, or they will !
send note if the man under arrest has !
the money to Pay for the messenger boy. |
In the meantime the prisoner remains !
in the cell. And such a place as it usu
ally is. Clean, of course. to scrupulous |
extent. But comfortable. l should hardly |
say SO. The walls are of bare brick. with |
the only furniture pine bench with the |
soft side up and a peculiarly shaped tin |
cup. SO constructed that it will slip back |
and forth through the bars. Every time |
The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-23

Inner Workings Of the Police Department When
a Prisoner Is Taken Into CUSTODY Surround
iRgs of the Suspect, Questions That Are
Proposed, and Shatagem Used to Get Straight
and Truthful ARswers--AnyoRe Liable to
Come Under Suspicion and Land in a
Cod Cell. j J j j j + j j
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-12-12
Our erazing Land

The recent annual report OF the Sec
retary of the Interior makes pointed
reference to a bill now pending before
congress providing for leasing the re-
naming six hundred million acres Of
public land for grazing purposes, con-
Gemning the measure as one calcula-
ted to work much injury to the nation.
The question Of the position Of the
remaining public lands is one which
has an interest for every citizen both
East and West The bulk of our beef
and mutton supply comes from this
section, and as the free range is be-
coming more and more overcrowded.
and the GRASSES trampled out and eat
en- up by the roots, the greatest dis
cussion is given to the necessity for
some regulation of this vast acreage
.of government lands, by leasing or
otherwise, which will enable stock
growers to improve II and prevent
.overgrazing. 1t is estimated by ag.
ricultural experts that we're the range
properly controlled it would support
at least one-half more stock than it
does at present, which would mean,
Of course, cheaper beef.
In considering this problem, how
ever, another question of prime inn
portance arises, and this question Sec
retary Hitchcock discusses in his re-
port No leasing law should ever be
enacted which will interfere with the
development Of the country through
actual settling and homemaking and
irrigation. The leasing bill referred
to would stop all settlement by home
steaders and would practically turn
the western states over to immense
live stock interests. The secretary
does well to direct attention to the
dangerous provisions of the bill; still
there is little if any danger Of its pas
sage, since statesmen realize that the
remaining public lands are the herit-
age Of the people, and must be reserv-
ed for actual settlement. Nor would
such measure get past the presi-
dents keen scrutiny.
Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-12-12
Masonic Election

At the stated meeting of Milford
Lodge, No. 344, f. & A. NJ, held
Wednesday evening the following
were elected officers FIR the ensuing
year;
w M-Wm. B Kenworthey.
S. W-Pierre NJ. Mills.
j. W.-George r. Bull
Secretary-Nathan Emery, Jr.
Treasurer-Randall D. Sayre.
Trustees-C. w. Bull, A. Riviere.
Representative to Grand Lodge
J. H. Van Etten.
Monsaquila Bethel of Philadel-
phia, representing the grand master,
was present as an instructor and
installed the several officers.
1t was decided by the members to
have a banquet on the night of 81.
Johns day, inasmuch as the one
held last year was such an enjoy
able occasion, and committee was
appointedto take the affair in charge