Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1895 — TOO BIG FOR JAIL. [ARTICLE]

TOO BIG FOR JAIL.

A Kentucky Giant Who Wouldn't Stoop to Enter a Prison Door. James McDowell, a man of herculean build and standing seven feet and one inch in his bare feet, treated Grayson, Ky., to a regular picnic a few days ago’ Jailer Brown had a warrant issued for him, the charge being that McDowell had smuggled liquor to prisoners in jail McDowell was easily found and went to the jail door, which was only six and onehalf feet high. But he refused to stoop to enter the jail. The jailer begged, then threatened, but the giant stood immovable. Brown tried to bend McDowell’s legs at the knee. He got up twenty feet away. Help was called for, but McDowell stood at the door, grim, but steadfast. A crowd began to gather. Soon all the town was attracted to the giant at the jail door. He was good-natured, and laughed and jested with the crowd. Toward evening McDowell announced that he was getting weary and would go home, promising to appear in court the next day, adding that if the door was enlarged he would go into the jail, but he would never bow to any jail door. Brown let him go. McDowell came back as he had promised, ’ pleaded guilty and paid his fine.