Martinsburg City Code Enacted June 1892

Chapter 45 - Establishing the town Police force

Sec 1.That from and after the 1st day of June 1892, there shall be appointed by the Mayor and council for the town of Martinsburg, one sergeant, and as many police officers as may be deemed necessary, and in the manner hereinafter prescribed.

Sec 2.The policeman shall be nominated to the council by the Sergeant and if said nominations are proper the council shall confirm the same

Sec 3. The Sergeant shall be subject to all orders of the mayor

Sec 4. The police duty of the Sergeant and policeman require them to protect the town, to enforce the ordinances, to prevent the gathering of crowds on the sidewalks and streets and to arrest offenders.

Sec 5. The policeman shall be assigned chiefly to night duty.

Sec 7. The mayor shall appoint special policeman, or detectives, whose pay shall be $1.50 per day, payable by the council.

Laws of Martinsburg WV 1868 - 1898

Chapter 9 - To prevent certain improper practices

Sec 1. BATHING IN TUSCARORA

That no person shall bathe in the Tuscarora within the corporate limits of said town, or within 1/2 mile of said limits, from sunrise until one hour after sundown; and every person offending herein shall pay a fine of one to three dollars.

Sec 4. KITE FLYING AND HOOP ROLLING

If any person fly any kite, roll any hoop or bullets, play at football, bandy or shinney or engage in any  play, sport or exercise which might produce any bodily injury or endanger the life limb or property of any person shall pay a fine of one to 10 dollars.

Sec 5. RUNAWAY TEAM

If any owner or driver or person having charge of any wagon, cart , carriage or other wheeled vehicle shall cause the horse or horses to run away with the same, in this town, through any negligence or want of proper care or shall cause horses or animals to stand on any street without being properly fastened by the bridle or reins shall pay a fine of one to three dollars.

Sec 6. RAPID RIDING THROUGH TOWN

No person shall gallop any horse, mare, gelding, mule or ass, or ride any such animal at an improper speed on any street in this town; nor shall any person race such animal and if they do shall pay a fine of one to ten dollars.

Sec.7 LEADING HORSE ON SIDEWALK

If any person shall lead, ride or drive any horse, mare, gelding, mule or ass, or shall drive any cart or wagon on any sidewalk in this town they shall pay a fine of one to three dollars.

Sec. 10 SLAUGHTER HOUSE

No person, without permission from the Council shall keep any slaughter house in this town or kill or slaughter any animal.

Sec. 12 EXPLOSIVES IN STORE HOUSE

It shall not be lawful for any person to keep in any shop, store or other building within the city, without special permission of the Council, a greater quantity of gun or rock powder, dynamite etc. than 25 pounds, nor more than one barrel of gasoline or like explosives. Fine of five to fifty dollars.

Sec.14 WATER, SLOP, COAL ASHES

It shall not be lawful for any person to throw the water, slop or offal from his or her house or kitchen into or upon any street in this town

Sec. 16 OFFENDERS OF PRECEDING SECTIONS

If any person shall have offended against any of the sections listed then they may be forthwith arrested by the Sergeant or policeman or if no such officer is present, then any citizen being 21 years old or older may arrest such offender and take him or her before the Mayor who shall hear the said complaint and give judgment.

Sec 22 STREET WALKERS

All women of disreputable character, commonly known as "Street Walkers", who may be found standing or loitering about the street or stores of this town at night after 9 PM and who cannot prove they have business to be out shall be arrested by the Police and shall be fined one to five dollars or locked up for one to five days at the discretion of the Mayor.

Sec 23 BAWDY HOUSE

No person shall, in the city limits, keep any bawdy house, house of ill-fame or house of assignation, or shall knowingly lease or let any house for such purpose. Fine to be ten to twenty five dollars.

Sec 37 LABORING ON THE SABBATH

If any person on the Sabbath day be found laboring at any trade or calling, or employ his apprentices, servants, in labor or other business, except in household or other work of necessity shall pay a fine of five to twenty five dollars

Sec 42 HITCHING TO LAMPPOSTS

It shall not be lawful for any person to hitch a horse or other animal to any lamp post within the corporation

Sec 48 HOG PENS AND PIG STYES

It shall be unlawful for any person or person to allow his or her hog pen or pig stye to become foul at any time, so as to become a nuisance shall pay a fine of one to five dollars. Any one refusing to clean their hog pen or pig stye shall be fined an additional one to ten dollars for every 24 hours the pen or stye is not cleaned.

Sec 61 HITCHING HORSES

No person shall hitch a horse or horse attached to a wagon on any street to any tree, post ot other thing, except a regular hitching post. Fine shall be one to five dollars

Sec 62 HOW LONG HORSE IS TO BE HITCHED

No person shall permit a horse or horse attached to any wagon to remain hitched for longer than one hour

Sec 67 UNLAWFUL TO BURY THE DEAD, WHERE

It shall not be lawful to bury any person within the city limits, except in places set apart for cemeteries. A fine to be paid of five to ten dollars

CHAPTER 23

LAWS IN RELATION TO CHAIN GANGS

Sec 1 WHO SHALL CONSTITUTE CHAIN GANGS

Chain Gangs are to be established and to be composed of male persons above the age of sixteen who are convicted of a misdemeanor or have failed to pay any fine or penalty.

Sec 5 WORK TO BE DONE BY THE CHAIN GANGS

The Chain Gangs shall be required to work on the streets, alleys, lanes and public property of the city and shall be allowed the price fixed by law by the hour for their labor until all fines are paid.

Sec 6 WHAT CONSTITUTES A DAYS WORK

The work of the Chain Gang shall be from sunrise until sunset, with an intermission of one hour at noon, not to exceed ten hours in one day.