The Condemned Murderer Who Ran the Jailhouse Court

Thomas Blanck, the condemned murderer of Charles Bridwell, is growing a mustache, the growth of which has been something phenomenal. Less than three weeks have passed since he began coaxing the hairs on his upper lip to arrange themselves in symmetrical curves, yet even in the shadow of his cell visitors can see what a marked change has taken place in his appearance. He is pardonably proud of his effort, and if the supreme court should decide that he must die it is probable that a new picture will be taken of him.

It is a peculiar state of affairs that the man looked upon by the outside world as a cruel, heartless fellow, who cares no more for a human life than a snap of his finger, should be a favorite among his fellow prisoners, looked upon as a jolly fellow, and honored with the judgeship of that most mysterious organization known as the "kangaroo court." At the last election of officers Blanck was unanimously chosen as the presiding officer, and reports are that he is sustaining his office with great credit.

This court was created, according to the rules and regulations which govern it, for the mutual protection and advantage of the inmates of the county jail. All fines collected are used to purchase tobacco or any other articles wanted. The fines are always equally divided among the prisoners. It is in a great measure owing to the stringency with which the rules of this court are enforced that the cells are kept neat and tidy, the floors clean as wax. A copy of the rules fell into the hands of a Post-Intelligencer reporter yesterday afternoon, from which the following was taken:

"All persons on entering this jail shall be fined from $1 to $5. Those unable to pay the fine imposed by the court will be required to work the same out on the floor at the rate of twenty-five cents a day... All persons must pay the fine if possible, and any person having a way or means to pay his fine and refusing to do so, or any inmate persuading such person not to pay his fine, shall and will be punished with from twenty to one hundred lashes on the back... Any person caught stealing or entering another's cell without permission shall and will be punished with from ten to fifty lashes on the back..."

Blanck has all the rules and regulations well committed, and when a newcomer fails to pay his initiation fee he sentences him to sweep the floor in much the same manner that a superior court judge says: "Eight years in the penitentiary."

It is not generally known, but it is true just the same, that Blanck reads the Bible regularly. Last Christmas a woman whose name he will not tell gave him a nice leather-covered copy of the holy Scriptures. It occupies an honored place in his cell. On Sundays children bring him flowers. He enjoys them except when they make him think of life outside the prison walls.

"How are things outside?" he asked of a Post-Intelligencer reporter yesterday afternoon. "Are they better than when I was free? I can see that it is a beautiful day, and how much I would like to take a walk with you."

"Well, Tom," replied the reporter, "if you were free I would keep out of your way."

The prisoner laughed and replied: "Oh, no; there would be no necessity for that, because I would be your friend."