The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-07

Police officer Martin Gurrell yester-
day resigned from the force, after
twenty-five years of service. He Is
succeeded by William Thompson. The
resignation and the nomination to fill
the vacancy were sent to select coun-
Gil by Mayor Moir last night. The
nomination was confirmed forthwith
and unanimously. The resignation
was transmitted in the following COM
muniCation:
April 6, 1899.
To the honorable the select council
Gentlemen--I have this day received
the voluntary resignation Of Martin
Gurrell patrolman. I accepted the
same with regret, knowing as you all
do that in Mr. Gurrelfs resignation the
city loses valuable officer. He served
the city for twenty-five years as patrol
man and one year as chief of the de-
partment. His devotion to duty, his
high sense of honor and his sterling
manhood made him al all times a model
officer, and he now leaves the service of
the city without a blot on his record.
Respectfully submitted,
James Moir mayor.
When the nomination of Mr.. Thomp-
son was read, Mr.. Chittenden moved
nomination forthwith. Mr.. Melvin
| moved as an amendment that it be re-
ferred to committee, saying that hc
knew nothing of the nominee and
that probably the other members were
in the same boat His motion was
not seconded. Mr. Chittenden said he
knew Mr.. Thompson and would vuuch
for him. The motion to consider the
| nomination forthwith was carried by
the following vote:
Ayes--Messrs. Ross, Thomas, Chit
| tenden, Wagner. Schneider, Shea, San
derson. Fellows, Schroeder. Lansing,
| O'Boyle, Coyne. Williams-13.
! Nays-Messrs. Kearney, Roche, Mel
! vim, McCann--i.
NOMINATION CONFIRMED.
The nomination was then confirmed
| unanimously.
The new patrolman is a resident of
| the Twelfth ward and steel worker by
trade. He is "a years of age. five feet,
nine inches in height weighs 1873
| pounds, possesses an excellent phys
ique and is Il mat of pleasant address
and exemplary habits. He is a per-
sonal friend of the new mayor. and
had a petition endorsed by Rev. DR..
S. c. Logan, George Frable, George
Okell, Rev. DR.. James Mcleod and
John McWilliams.
Mr.. Gurrelrs resignation is due to
his disnclination to return to night
patrol duty. When directed TO do 50
last Monday he took a few days to
consider the matter, and yesterday
came to the conclusion TO resign.
I Mayor Moir expressed regret at not
being able to continue Mr.. Gurrell on
day duty. The necessity for more
patrolmen made it impossible TO do
Lso he stated.
A Mr.. Gurrell was the Oldest member
on the force, both in years and point
of service. He was appointed by
Mayor McKune July "a. 1871, and after
a months service in the central city
was sent to take charge of the West
Side district, continuing in that posi-
ton until Mayor Fellows reduced him
to the ranks.
| When Chief Robling went out with
the Thirteenth regiment in April, 1898
Mr. Gurrell was made acting chief
1t was only at the urgent solicitation
of the mayor and chief that he ac.
cepted the place. He served as head
of the department until Chief Robling',
return last month. and made a recoTC
that he might we'll feel proud of
Upon relinquishing the office of act
ing chief he was assigned TO do duty
as day sergeant at the Center stree
station house, and in connection there
with to act as emergency man in tn,
central city.
on the day the new mayor was in
augurated he was notified that th'
Office he filled was to be done ava.
with, and that he would be compelled
to resume regular patrol duty. Afte
giving the matter due consideration
he concluded that he would retir
rather than take up the onerous nigh
. work again.
During all his years of service h
never lost a single shift from Hines
and was never subjected to any pen
! atty for the infraction of rule of tn
department.