The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-06


after DR.. Robinson's Thanksgiving SER
mon and made affidavits in the case at
the solicitation of ]. w. Guernsey, who
has been DR.. Robinson's chief represen.
tative and who prompted Attorney
Charles l.. Hawley in conducting the
case last night. They are Frank Kar-
cher.20 years old of 518 8Lacka wanna ave.
nue, tile laying apprentice. 8. B.Koeh-
Ter, % years old, clerk. who lives with
his mother at 527 Olive street, and
Laverne B. Lyons, Of Adams avenue,
driver Of an express wagon. who work.
ed for Jones & Shelley at the time the
alleged evidence against the policemen
was obtained.
Long before the time announced for
the beginning of the investigation. T. 80
O'Clock, the mayors reception office,
doorways and the corridor were occu-
pied by at least 15O persons and equally
that number left the building, being un.
able to get within hearing distance Of
the witnesses. OF those present prob.
ably half were Immediately interested
as friends Of the principal parties; the
other half were curiosity seekers.
COnduoting the Investigation.
Mayor Connell was seated behind the
same table from behind which on Tues
day he addressed the policemen and
witnessed their signatures denying the
charges. He was attended by Luther
Keller, Thomas ]. Foster and Captain
w. A. May. who were present by the
mayors request as his advisors. Lieu
tenant Davis and Patrolman Block
were represented by Attorney John F.
Scragg. Mr.. Guernsey throughout the
two and one-half hours that the in
quiry lasted, stood behind Attorney
Hawley's chair. Chief of Police Slmp-
son sat near the mayor, and his ad-
visOrs, but took no part in the proceed
ings. Mayor Connell opened the inves-
tigation by reading a letter from Dr.
Robinson naming Lieutenant Davis and
Patrolman Block as the men accused
he also read the following purported
excerpt of DR.. Robinson's sermon:
II have personal knowledge that O
certain police officer Of the Scranton
police department led young men into
dens of infamy of this city"
mot guilty." was the response of the
two accused men who stood before
the mayor and then seated themselves
rear their counsel.
At this point Attorney Hawley read
the following, which, he averred, wal
the real phraseology contained in DR.
Robinson's charge:
II happen to know that some young
men In whom was interested. were
guided to a place Of infamy by tn.
very police officer who was set in thu
street to defend and uphold right liv'
ing"
Whichever was the real utterance, Il
was indicated between Mr.. Hawley ant
the mayor that the Dhraseology of tht
two were synonymous. Mr.. Hawley ther
stated II was not his purpose, as DR.
Robinson's counsel, to attempt n con
vlction; he should simply confirm th'
charge.
Earcher tho First Witness.
Frank .Karcher. the tile laying ap
prentice, was the first witness called
by MIR. Hawley. He proved to be ,
very bad witness from q technica
standpoint, and. from his own admis
sions knew the location Of various
houses Of prostitution and assignation
and had, az recently as last winter
been arrested at night on a charge o
being drunk and fighting over a dis
reputable woman in questionable 10
Guilty. Attorney Scrasg asked the wit
ness IL he knew the woman was Kilt!
Woods, who last August jumped from
a four-story window while trying t
elude O policeman. Karcher said he di'
not know the woman's name.
How old are you, Mr.. Karcher? TO-
Where do you live? Lackawanna ave
nue..
How long have you lived in this city
About ten years.
Do you rscollect the time Of the fireman
parade In this city about six weeks or tw
months ago? Yes. SIR
In whose company were you that ever,
ing? Two band men from Binghamtol
and Mr.. Koehler.
About what time did you first see Office
Davis? should Judge about II o'clock.
Now state to the mayor just what oc
Cured. Well, coming UP Lackawann
avenue we met the two band men, and a
the corner of Penn and Lackawanna, on
Ger Davis and another officer was there a
the time and we stopped to talk to then
One Of the Binghamton men asked ques
ton about different houses-which on
was the best house. The officers sal
there was several good places arount
Just then a girl known as Lou" Brow
by everybody came across the street. Sh
! spoke to the officers and very vulgar lar
guage was used. After she had gone on
Of these Binghamton fellows asked abou
her house and they said It was q fra,
class place.
Do you know which officer said It was
frst-class place? think It was the othe
| ofEicer.
which officer was It that took part
the vulgar conversation? 1t was neithe
| officer. II was the Brown woman.
! Where is the Brown womans place
| Behind the Globe store.
what Mayor conasii ssld.
The mayor here called attention
the fact that the witness was undt
oath and that any testimony ne migf
give against the place would be sui
fcent ground for proceeding again
Il
/ now ask you to state what was sai
II anything, by Oflicer Davis In reply
| the question about different house.
Both of1cers were talking. They to-
where they were located.
Was there anything said about wheth,
they were safe places or not? No. sir.
Who was the other ofiicer with ono,
Davis? I don't know.
Did the officers inform you that tn
woman. Lou Brown. was running
house7 No. sir.
| II wasn't necessary, was itf No. sir.
Did you ever inform the Rev. DR.. Rohi
|Se~ of this remarkable convstsatioi
No, ~.
! MSo IA you arst iafarn < NJ \