''Jail Tree''

By Crusader1307

The term ''Jail Tree'' applied to a form of incarceration location created in The American Western Frontier of the 19th Century AD. With many ''Boomtowns'' (Silver, Gold and other precious Minerals), springing up almost overnight – the establishment of any legal authority was null. In order to ''maintain'' any Violators of The Law, the creation of ''The Jail Tree'' became. Normally, an old (large) tree was found within the confines of The Town. Either a chain of cable was wrapped around the trunk, to which the prisoner was handcuffed. He would remain there until He could be judged (and punished). In some cases, trees were large enough to have their trunks hollowed out. The small and crapped space was then used to place the handcuffed prisoner inside. As one can imagine – especially in The Territories of Arizona and New Mexico, the temperature in Summer would be quite unbearable – while awaiting judgment. With the establishment of more permanent facilities, ''Jail Trees'' ceased.