The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-05-16
Is a Noted and Fearless Officer,
and is Faithful and
Efficient.
HIGH TRIBUTE PAID HIM.
Career Successful One in Sew
eral States and Services
Are Valuable Here.
[ConnlIunlcafed.1

The city OF Clarksburg as Its needs
require, possesses gallant and eff;
ficient police force. There lis, how
ever, one officer, charged with the
preservation of the peace, and the.
enforcement of the law, in manner
connected with the police force OF the
city, but more directly holding his
Authority under the state govern-
ment, who is deserving of honorable
mention, and the respect and appre-
citation to which his moral worth and
valuable services entitle him.
Mr.. Thomas L. Powell, lieuten-
ant of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad
police, whose special jurisdiction is
the station and yard of the railroad
company here, although his functions
and authority as a railroad police
man extend throughout the road, is
the gentleman to whom attention is
directed. Lieutenant Powell has
served many years as an officer OF
the law. He was for eight years in
the service of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, in this capacity, in
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Mary
land and Washington, d. g. He has
since served for over six years as
special police officer for the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad company in
Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia,
attaining by sheer merit the rank of
lieutenant, which he now holds with
his headquarters in this city, where
he is well known and highly respect-
ed. During the years that have
come and gone,, within the last two
| decades, Lieutenant Powell has dis
charged the arduous and trying dtl-
ties of his position in the states nam
ed, and here in Clarksburg, faithful
ly,. efficiently, intelligently and fear
lessly; night and day, in all kinds of
weather, without regard to himself,
or the onerous and exacting nature
of these duties. His most striking
characteristics have always been,
his perfect sincerity, honesty and
absolute bravery. Indeed, his friends
say of him, that when Thomas L..
Powell was created, the element of
fear was left out. Certainly 1t Isl
true that he knows no fear. Of
kindly and pleasant demeanor, al
ways ready and willing to render as
sistance to any one in need, consti-
ttuting himself the special guardian
and protector of ladies and children,
and of the weak and helpless, he has
won high praise for his manlinessI
and moral worth in this regard. That
he is patient and forbearing, with al
commisseration for the unfortunate,
and even the depraved is well recog-
nized. Generous with his means,
and always glad to encourage any
one to better his condition, or II he
has strayed from the right path, to-
lead better life, kind heart beats
in Lieutenant Powells bosom. Yet
low black-guards,c criminals and des-
peradoes, know that he is not a man
to be trifed with. T1ere is the look
of lion in his eye. They know
that this quiet, modest, unobtrusiveI
gentleman, who seems to be every
where at the one and same time.
when on duty, will discharge that
duty in every instance. to the ut
termost without thought Of danger
or personal consequences. That no
obstacle, no combination Of rufiians
or outlaws, can deter or awe him in
the least. That he stands as "a
stalwart representative Of the dig
nifty and majesty of the law, without
fear, and without reproach. II he
has enemies, they are such as are
, an honor to him. What faithful and
fearless officer Of the law is without
enemies? Lieutenant Powell s
compelled at times to be stern. With
all the responsibility of his trying
position pressing upon him, charged
as he is with the protection Of the
property of the railroad company,
and It's patrons in the yards. re-
quIreed to see to the safety and vel
fare Of the travelling public, and
daily brought in contact with all
sorts, kinds and conditions of man
kind many times alone at night, and
single handed, often surrounded by
desperate criminals and outlaws,
some OF whom would not hesitate
to take his life. II opportunity served
J ne must maintain constant atti-
tude Of firmness and uncomproniis-
) ing sternness. An officer less reso-
lute and stern than he Is, would be
powerlessto cope with the criminal
classes Stories illustrating his dar-
ing and courage, his remarkable judg-
ment In the discharge Of his duty,