OCR Text |
Show martin is mm I HIS CELL I COITflL A coal oil stove in J. H. Martin's cell yesterday afternoon caused some inconvenience and excitement in Judge Harris' division of the district court and necessitated adjournment of court for a few minutes. Fumes from the stove found their way through the floor of the court room, a part of which is directly over Martin's Mar-tin's cell, and became so thick that witnesses and jurymen together with all others In the court, were seized with sneezing. Bailiff Charles Ellsworth was instructed in-structed to ascertain the cause and he immediately went to the sheriff's office. In the meantime Judge Harris Har-ris excused the jurors and everybody began to Investigate. It was at first thought that the courthouse was on fire, but all such speculation was set at rest when Sheriff DeVine opened the door of the cell occupied by Martin Mar-tin and found that the oil stove wick had been turned a little too high, and Martin having fallen asleep, the smoke had accumulated without any alarm. Martin was still asleep when the sheriff entered and when he was awakened he was at a loss to know Just what had happened. He stated that he was sleeping nicely and had felt no discomfort. He explained that his cell was a little colder than usual and he undoubtedly had turned tht wick a little too high. He had gon! to sleep before the stove had begun its smoking process and was so deeply deep-ly embraced in me arms of Morpheus that he was undisturbed. It was intimated that Martin had turned up the wick with suicidal Intent, In-tent, but the idea was scouted by the sheriff, and Martin said that the presumption pre-sumption was nonsensical. He said that he knew he could not well be suffocated in a cell with so manj crevices and by an oil stove which gives not much more heat and smoke than a Rochester lamp, and, besides, he could not understand why anyone should conclude that he has a desire to commit suicide. No damage was done, either to the cell or to Martin, but the room was covered with soot and Martin's face had the appearance of that of an engine en-gine fireman. Peace was soon restored and tho court resumed session. Martin was returned to the cell In a short time. nn. |