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CITY OF DUBOIS Page 125
of the Brunswick Hotel at the corner of West Long Avenue and Jared
Street. He went into the bar room and found the demi monde with
their gentlemen friends holding a dance. The appearance of the
"Squire" was sufficient to stage a mild riot for his benefit. The
"Squire," believing the dignity of the law was being insulted,
climbed on a chair and shouted, "I command the peace." About that
time several able bodied men grabbed the "Squire," and tossed him
over the bar to the floor on the other side. This was more than he
could stand and when he got himself untangled from the mess, he
rushed out to his office, which was a few doors west on Long Avenue,
to get his revolver to defend himself. When he got in his office it
occurred to him that he was Justice of the Peace and should arrest
the offenders. In writing the warrant, he found he did not know the
name of any one, and he hurried back to the bar room, but the lights
were all out, the crowd had melted into the night and the dignity of
the law, as well as that of the "Squire," could not be avenged.
The constables were not very discriminating, and
although it was their duty to return these places to court, it was
rarely done. On one occasion a constable was notified of a
disorderly house in a prominent part of town, and was given a list
of witnesses with the request to have it returned. The constable
said, "I did not know this house was so bad as that. I must see
about it." There was no return made, but the place quieted down.
Gambling rooms were very numerous and not interfered
with. However, when Clearfield County became a separate judicial
district, with a resident Judge, the Court began to take an interest
in DuBois, and in four or five years there was a material difference
in the law and order of the town.
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