Vagrant Jailed in South Tacoma
A man found loitering in a private room is sentenced to 25 days by Judge Griffin.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Archibald McDonald, who was found in a room in South Tacoma a few days ago, was unable to satisfactorily explain his presence there when brought before Judge Griffin yesterday. In order to impress the matter on his mind, Judge Griffin sentenced him to 25 days in jail, or to pay a fine of $50. He went to jail.
“In order to impress the matter on his mind, Judge Griffin sentenced him to 25 days in jail.”
This incident reflects the era's harsh 'vagrancy' enforcement, where lack of stable housing or clear employment often led to criminalization. It serves as a reminder of how quickly transient populations could be cycled through the municipal justice system, a recurring theme in urban history.
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