The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-19

South - Assistant Postmaster d.
W. Powell.
Judge Joseph Burlington. Of the
United states District and Circuit
court, IL a dignified man and he pre-.
sides over a very dignified court. but
even a dignified Judge Of a dignificd
court likes a display Of wit. IL It's
good, even IL the fireworks are intro
duced while court Is in session. In the
Martin case, which Is on trial before
him. John Lennon, of Olyphant, was
called as a witness Saturday. He tes-
titled that he was well acquainted with
Mr. Martin before the accident he suf-
fered and had considerable business
dealings with him. He went to see
him at the Jermyn the other day and
Mr. Martin did not seem to know him.
The witness thought Mr.. Martin Of un-
sound mind from his manner, appear
ance and speech.
what made you think he was of un.
sound mind?" asked Attorney O'Brien.
"Well, for one thing. ! owed him
bill and he never asked me for It,"
This caused a merry ripple Of laugh
ter in which the court Joined. ana then
Lennon was turned over to Mr.. Palmer
for cross-examination.
80 you think it an evidence Of in.
sanity because he did not dun you for
the money!" asked Mr.. Palmer in his
severest manner.
II do. considering the fact that he Is
a lawyer" replied Lennon.
The howl of laughter that followed
disturbed the court for several minutes
during which the lawyers in the court
threw many sly jibes at Mr.. Palmer.
who returned gallantly to the attack.
What did Mr.. Martin say to you?"
he queried.
"why, I asked him how he liked the
hotel he was stopping at and he said
good.'
Then you think 1t an evidence Of
insanity because he said the Hotel
Jermyn was good?" said Mr.. Palmer,
with a now-I've.got-you air.
THAT would depend on the part of
| the hotel he was In. / suppose" re-
| torted the witness. with a sly look, and
| again the laugh was on Mr.. Palmer,
and a good, vigorous, hearty laugh 1t
| was.
II think you had better leave this
| witness alone" remarked the Judge
with a broad smile after he had ceased
| laughing.
Mr.. Lennon was asked no more ques.
tions.
During the last week public attention
was drawn considerably to John H.
Brooks. whose great golfing work on
the links at Miami and Palm Beach,
| 1,,c rvtx ci la ro1 M,
ton in the columns of the leading
newspapers. and he is also spoken OF
with his brother. Thomas Brooks. as
being two of the sponsors Of the talked
Of Atlantic league base ball team,
which efforts are being made to locate
here for the coming season.
Mr. Brooks is probably one of the
most thorough sportsmen in these re-
gions and. in fact, in the entire state
Personally, he Is splendid athlete
He played four years on the Princeton
varsity nine. acquiring the name OF
being the best college shortstop on the
diamond at the time. He Is also a
clever polo player, is we'll versed In
foot ball and is a splendid golfer, as
his work in this tournament of the
East Coast Golfing club has shown
where he has held his own against
some of the best golfers OF the country
Mr.. Brooks has been prominently
identified with several bail teams In
Scranton. both amateur Young Mems
Christian association nines and also
with venture in the Eastern league
With those associated with him he
made the most generous efforts to give
Scranton winning team. and no pains
or money We're saved to establish a
pennant- bringing team here. Mr.
Brooks Is an ardent lover Of base bal
and. although he says he does not In.
tend to be one of the prime movers ir
maintaining a team for Scranton this
year, still he is willing to go into it.
Former County Treasurer, now As.
sistant Postmaster David w. Powell
is one of the busiest men in the city
these days, supervising. as he is. the
installation of the new system of re-
gistering letters at private houses anc
looking after the increased bushes:
of the office. He takes much pride
and wakes very enthusiastic regarding
the future of our local post Office.
Upon Mr.. Powell devolves a large
part of the detail work of the Office
and that he does It we'll is widely ans
we'll known. A. part of his work il
tn, hearing Of complaints made BY
people who haven't received their mai
or who have sent mail that WASH
delivered. or who have had a. hun
dred other things happen them. ant
to say that he handles them diplo
matically is drawing it mild. He re-
ceives at least a dozen and sometimes
more of these visitors each day ant
with each is just as courteous and a!
gentlemanly as it is possible for MAJ
to be.
Mr. Powell is highly thought OF b!
Postmaster Ripple. who considers hin
an almost invaluable assistant. Th
rest of the government employees II
the building like him. too. and he i
especially popular with the carriers.
After the last of this month a fami
liar figure will be missing from tn
court house. ]. w. Benjamin. 70
twelve years janitor. retires to max
room for some other Republican VIII
was fortunate enough to be nearer
politically. the powers that be. Excep
during the Spanish war, when h
served as second lieutenant of Com
pany II, he was never away a da,
from his post. even for illness. H
proved himself an obliging, courteous