Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1894 — A Sheriff’s Posse. [ARTICLE]

A Sheriff’s Posse.

The full name of the Sheriff’s posse Is posse comitatus, or power of the county; the Sheriff being the chief executive officer of the county, he and his assistants embody the power of the entire county. All male persons except physicians and clergymen are liable to be summoned to' serve on the posse, and there is no formal warning for duty, as there is for the jury. The Sheriff simply calls on the first suitable men whom he meets to come with him, bringing arms, and the men are legally bound to obey the call. In cities the same power to a limited extent lies in policemen, and Constables in the country possess it. That is, they may call upon the bystanders to assist them; and persons so called upon are bound to answer the call, or be punished for refusing to do so.