Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-04
ESTABLISHED IN 1865
WILL RENDER
DECISION SATURDAY

| DECISION SATURDAY
The hearing on the petition of James
| Ryan for transfer of hotel license
from his present stand, No. 526 Mill
| street, to the northeast corner of Mill
and Centre streets, which took place
at the court house yesterday involved
what in all probability was the hard
! est contest that was ever fought out
here over the mere matter of license
transfer. The Issue is not yet known,
for Judge Evans has reserved his de-
cision.
Hon. Grant Herring, of Bloomsbury,
represented Mr.. Ryan. He seemed to
anticipate fierce opposition and was
ready for the fray. Incidentally. it
might be mentioned that he never gave
better account of himself in a con-
test.
Opposed to Mr.. Herring was Hon.
II. NJ. Hinckley, giant of the local
bar, who was backed by some sixty
citizens residing in the vicinity of
Centre street, who had signed strong
remonstrance, which was presented to
the court. All day long it was battle
between giants. When court adjourned
if one might judge from the merits of
the case and the points scored in com
bat, the issue seemed much in doubt.
Court convened at 10 a. m. with his
Honor Judge Evans and Associates
Blee and Welliver on the bench 7 he
hearing of testimony Immediately be-
gan.
James Ryan. the applicant, was the
first witness. He has resided in the
third ward for forty years. He has
been in the hotel business at the pres
ent stand on Mill street for thirteen
years. The new location, for which he
asks transfer of license is situated at
the northeast corner of Mill and Gen.
tire streets, about a square and half
further south, in the built up portion
of town. He described his present
stand as totally lacking in accommod-
ations. His business is conducted in a
mere basement which is mouldy, damp
and dimly lighted, while the stable
room amounts to practically notf ing.
The new location on the other hand,
in addition to large and pleasantly
lighted rooms on the first floor, has
eight bed rooms and bath room,
while the stable sis one of the grand
est in Danville. - His patrons are mill
men and farmers. The trade as il re-
lates to the latter class is increasing
and hence there is pressing need for
more stable room. He has purchased
the property for which the transfer
is asked and has received the deed
His intention is to abandon the old
stand.
Mr. Hinckley conducted a vigorous
examination. Mr.. Ryan testified
that he entertained no strangers or
travellers over night during the past
month. He couldn't tell how many he
has entertained during the past year,
as he keeps no register. He has had no
boarders during the past year, as his
place was not fit. 3" During last year
he did not accommodate any horses,
owing to the fact that the stable was
not in fit condition.
w. Dosh Holloway was the next wit.
ness called. Since license had been
granted to old stand, which is poorly
adapted as hotel, he did not see why
the license should not be transferred
to the new building, where the public
could be much better accommodated
Harry Millard on being sworn, very
emphatically set forth his reasons for
believing the new stand necessity. In
the first place he considered North
Mill street deficient, with the excep-
tion of Peifer's hotel, in decent public
houses, especially when it comes to
putting up horses. In the second place,
he said, James Ryan is a man that ev-
erybody likes and wants to patronize
it therefore follows that he ought to
have roomy, cheerful establishment
in which to entertain his friends.
Chief of Police Mincemoyer swore
that while on North Mill street at
different times farmers and others have
come to him and asked to be directed
to a place where they might put up
their horses, as Peifer's stable was
full, and stable connected with one
of the other hotels was not used by the |
landlord, but had been rented out to
another party.
Fred Vincent and Joseph Smith fol- |
lowed, each confirming preceding wit
nesses.
1t was nearly eleven O'Clock when
Mr.. Hinckley called Rev l. Dow |
OFT, pastor of Trinity M. E. church, |
to the stand. Mr.. OFT expressed him
self in very decided terms, to the et,
feet that there is no real necessity for
a licensed house at the corner of Mill |
and Centre streets; that such a place |
as prayed for would lead to a deprecia
tion of property on East Centre street,
which is a pleasant residential
thoroughfare, and would prove a great
and annoyance. The build
ing on the corner to which it was de-
sired that the license be transferred, |
he stated, is only some $50 or 300 feet
from Trinity NJ E. church and st.
Joseph's Catholic church and this cir
cumstance, the witness felt sure, was
one that ought to weigh against the |