The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-17

When the second week of the April
quarter sessions opened yesterday
morning, and the list for the day was
called over. it was found that there
were only two cases ready for trial,
while four judges were on hand pre-
pared to preside.
One of these cases was assigned to
Judge Swartz, in the superior court
room. and the other to Judge Gordon,
in No. 2. Judge Archibald attended to
some matters that were disposed Of
summarily in the main court room, and
then entered upon the drawing of q
jury for the Bowman murder case,
which is to be put on trial this morn
Ing. Judge Kelly having been associ-
ated with counsel for the defendant in
this case, could not try it and retired.
to come on the bench again Thursday,
when Judge Gordon Is to hear the
civil case of Dean against Church.
Very little difficulty was experienced
in selecting the Bowman jury. The
commonwealth gave notice that IL
would not press for a first degree ver-
dict and as the case hinges on points
of law rather than evidence the make
up of the jury is not as important
matter as 1t usually is in murder trials.
The defense, as told at length, yester-
day, is that Knierim died from q
chronic stomach ailment, and that the
knife wounds inflicted six weeks pre-
viously had not even a remote connec-
tion with his death.
THE BOWMAN JURY.
The jurors selected to try the case
are:
NJ. II. Keller, butcher. Gouldsboro
Jacob Straub, carpenter, Scranton.
Marshall Keller, harness maker, Dun
more.
Clarence Decker, farmer, Greenfield.
Thomas r. Brooks, paymaster, Scran-
ton.
John j. Feeney, janitor, Scranton.
Thomas Collins, laborer, Scranton.
George Nealon, miner, Moosic.
=. F. Calpin. contractor, Scranton.
NJ. c. Whalen, masseur, Scranton.
James Coolican, miner, Dunmore.
Martin Mannion, laborer, Carbondale.
Attorney Clarence Ballentine is as
ISOLATED with Assistant District Attor-
ney Thomas in the prosecution. The
defendants attorneys are Joseph O'Bri-
en- and p. f.. Kilcullen. This is Mr..
kilcullen's first appearance in a jury
trial
The case, tried before Judge Swartz,
was that against Merritt L. Jackson,
of Dalton, charged with arson. Attor-
ney c. II. Soper represented the COM
monwealth, and Attorney George w.
Beale, the defense. There was a large
delegation of Dalton residents present
as witnesses or spectators.
1t appears that early last summer
Jackson's wife deserted him. taking
with her their children and all the fur
niture, save a few chairs, a stove an
old bed and bedding, a table and two
kerosene lamps. July 20, between 8
and o'clock in the evening. while
jackson was carrying his washing to
a washerwoman living a mile and "a
half away. fire broke out in his house
and ii was partly consumed. The
damagesamounted to $169, according to
the appraisement of the Phoenix In
surance company. of London, which
carried 81 900 policy on the house and
blacksmith SHOP, and which was made
out in favor of Charles Dupont Breck,
who held $400 mortgage on the prop
crty.
SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.
There were number Of suspicious
circumstances connected with the fire
and the people of the village began to
discuss it in mysterious tones.
Mrs. Barbara White. who discovere
the fire and gave the alarm, which
brought out the fire fighters and saved