The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-30

the employ of the Lackawanna Rail-
road company is Patrick OKeefe, the
special claim agent, who looks after
the company's interests along the
main line. Mr.. O'Keefe enjoys the
reputation Of being one of the shrewd-
est and most successful secret service
men in the United States, and his
knowledge of men who make a bus-
ness of purloining other peoples prop
erty from the rolling stock of great
railroads would fill a good sized book.
He came to Scranton from the Ill-
nois Central, where his services were
continually in demand in running down
criminals who steal anything from a
newspaper to freight car on the
great western lines. In speaking of
the success attained in his calling, Mr..
OKeefe unhesitatingly says that luck
plays an important part in all of the
work. During his short residence here
he has enlisted many friends by his
courteous and obliging manner.
The return of General Superinten-
dent T.. G. Russell to the duties of
managing such an important business
as that carried on by the Lackawanna
Railroad company, after a months alb
sence because of failing health, is n
significant fact in view of the many
persistent rumors that have been go
ing the rounds of the newspapers.
The talk about w. +. Hallstead re-
turning to the company as vice-presi-
dent and general manager was un-
doubtedly due to the fact of Mr.. Rus
sells temporary retirement and the
latter's assuming the responsibilities
may have a quieting effect on all ru-
mors about such a change. Mr.. Rus
sells family will take possession of a
house on North Washington avenue
in a few days and his headquarters
will again be at the Lackawanna sta
tion in this city.
City Detective John Moir has been
one of the prominent figures in local
police circles ever since he undertook
the duties of detective, and of late he
has been especially so, because of his
having been at the business end of
several exceedingly clever captures.
Jack" as he is almost universally
known, is Chief Robling's right-hand
man, and does an enormous amount of
police work, covering the ground which
certainly ought 10 be looked after by
more than one man, and doing so in
a brisk, energetic manner.
Detective Moir, in the course of his
life. has had varied and adventure
some time of il, and has had a great
insight into the seamy side of, human
nature, as the result of which he can
tell some stories which would bring
JOY to the heart of a Jacob A. Riis, or
an Ambrose Bierce.
He is one OF the most popular men
connected with the police force, being
well liked by practically every one
thrown in contact with him, except. of
course, those who unwillingIy have
business dealings with him.
There are many, many things that
Playwright Daniel l.. Hart, of Wilkes
Barre, can do very, very well, but the
one thing that he can do especially
we'll is tell a good story. He has a
reputation for storytelling extending
over the country, and 1t was to be ex-
pected that when he was called before
the curtain at the Lyceum on Satur-
day night, during the presentation of
his new play, 1.-The Parish Priest" ,"
that he would tell at least one narra-
tive. He did, and though it was per-
haps little hard on Scranton, and in =
cidentally on himself. it was a good
one. The story as he told 1t, runneth h
thus:
Il remember very distinctly one sea-
son recently when l was touring the
south with Stuart Robson, who was
producing one of my plays. We played
to immense business, $1,000 and 81, 400
a night, and for the purpose of letting
Mr.. Robson know that l was in the
business, / used to write the words,
They know me here, Dan l.. Hart"
on the bottom of the statement of box
office receipts turned in by the local
manager to Mr. Robson every night.
OF course, they didn't know me, and 1t
was Mr.. Robson they were coming ia
see, but / didn't want him to think So
The plan didn't work very well, though
l am bound to say.
in the course of time we arrived in
Scranton, where. some one has been
kind enough to say. my genius ha:
never been appreciated. Well, it wasn't
appreciated that night, at any rate, fol-
We played to the smallest house of the
season, s124, 1 think it was. / didn't
write the familiar words on the bot
tom of the statement that night, but !
happened to be conversng with Mr.
Robson when it was handed him. He
read it attentively. and looking up
said with that peculiar accent of his
One hundred and twenty-four dollars
Well, l guess they know you here