The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-05

formed. He is a close student of events,
and an omnivorous reader.
That he is not easily tripped into ex-
pressing opinions was fully demon
strated while he was in this city during
the strike of last fall. On his trail
constantly We're some of the best and
most alert newspaper men of the coun-
try, who have made study of the
science of extracting information and
opinions from all kinds and conditions
of men. They all conceded that Mitch
ell was one of the hardest propositions
they ever encountered, when he had
made up his mind not to talk
John Mitchell, who has been re-
elected president of the United Mine
Workers of America, is in his thirtieth
year, and is the youngest man ever to
reach such a position as he now oc-
cupies. His mother died when he was
two years old, and four years later his
father was killed in an accident in the
mines. and the child was left to the
care of friends. He entered the mines
when thirteen years old, and from that
time made his own living. He con-
nected himself with the knights of
Labor when sixteen years old while
working in Illinois, and has been n
member of that organization ever
since. He has worked in "A number of
states, at one time being employed in
the mines of New Mexico.
Returning to Illinois from the west.
he married and settled down at Spring
Valley. where hic family of a wife and
four children live. His first service in
public capacity was in 1897, when he
was appointed an organizer of the
United Mine Workers by President
Ratchford, and in the same year he
was elected a member of the Illinois
state executive board. In 1898 he was
elected national vice. president of the
organization. and became acting presi-
dent when Ratchford determined ia
give his time more fully to the work
of the industrial commission, and in
January, 1899, Mitchell succeeded to the
presidency by election.
During the last two seasons the
| healthful and interesting sport of
| bowling has taken a big hold on the
Scranton athletics loving public, and
today II is doubtful If there is a winter
pastime as popular as the game they
used to play 'in old Ben Franklin
| day." as Frank Daniels would delight
to merrily warble. The day of the
| bowling green is over, but in it's mod
ern form bowling has been given a
| warm welcome, and among all the
local adherents of the sport perhaps
the man who has done the most to-
wards giving this city bowling enter
tainment In the form of exhibition
matches, tournament games, out-of-
town teams brought here, etc, is
Charles Fowler.
Whenever any bowling enterprise has
been inaugurated Charlie" Fowler has
been one of the most active movers in
1t. He Is himself a bowler OF no small
reputation and the 2S6 game which he
| bowled one day this season stands as
a high-water mark toambitious rollers
| He 1t was who last year was one of the
| leading spirits in creating the Bowl.
| ing League OF Northeastern Pennsyl.
vania. and he again II was who this
season ably assisted in launching the
| association on another annual tourna.
| ment.
His bowling enterprise brought the
| mighty Rosevlle bowlers of New York
| to this city Saturday, and he 1t is who
| captains the Commercials, the lusty
infant among local bowling teams.