Forest City - Festus Madden's trial for the murder of Patrick Fleming in Forest City, on Christmas morning, commenced in the County courts Monday afternoon. Madden was arraigned before the court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Highlights: It is alleged that Fleming was intoxicated and threatened the Madden home with snow and other missiles, and produced a gun. Madden came out, when shots were exchanged, Fleming using a revolver and Madden a shotgun. Each fired two shots, one causing the death of Fleming. / Upon calling the roll of prospective jurors it was ascertained that a number of the men drawn for jurors had failed to put in an appearance, either through dislike in serving on a case where capital punishment might be involved or disinclination, and these the judge fined $5 each. / Calvin Lincoln, of Forest Lake, was accepted by both sides and was the first juror to take a seat in the jury box. / Judson Savory, of Jackson, had an opinion when he read the account, but has forgotten what that opinion was; let it drop. Accepted by Com'th and passed over to defense, who accepted him. / Sheridan Pierce and his son, Frederick, of Susquehanna, sat in the jury box together. This is the first time in the history of Susq. Co. that a father and son sat on the same murder case. Verdict: Sheridan Pierce, the foreman of the jury, in response to the formal inquiry of Prothonotary Titsworth, as to whether they had arrived at a verdict, replied, "we have--not guilty." The defendant was at once congratulated by his attorneys and he then stepped over and shook hands with such of the jurors as were in reach, and as he and his wife were about to leave, Mrs. Madden turned back towards Judge Searle and said, "Thank you, Judge." with happiness beaming all over her face.

Elk Lake - B. A. Risley recently purchased a phonograph and is enjoying it.

Herrick Centre - William Pickering, who with his family expects to leave for California the last of the month, resigned his position on the school board. His successor has not yet been appointed. AND The two ladies who have been occupying the old Barnes school house have been removed to the Hillside Home at Scranton and Truman Dunn has contracted for the building and land.

Glenwood - Lost, lady's hunting case gold watch, between Clark's Green and Lenoxville. Finder please inform Miss Ida Decker, of Glenwood, and receive reward. AND - Members of Capt. Lyon, Post No. 85, G.A.R., will meet in their hall, Saturday, April 30th, to arrange for decoration day. As the comrades' ranks are thinning out, we would like to see all interested there, on that day. AND A paper is being circulated to purchase a cow for George Ransom, whose only cow died a few days ago. A little from each one will help the poor man out.

Middletown - Miss Sadie Reilly, who has closed a very successful term of school here, has accepted a position as teacher near Cortland, NY. AND In Flynn, hay and cider are the two scarce commodities in the village, at present.

Forest Lake - Sap season has done well and is doing yet.

Hopbottom - The Young People's Auxiliary Society will hold a maple sugar social at the home of W. E. Brown, Wednesday evening, April 27th. Proceeds to be used toward buying a new carpet for the Universalist church. All are invited. "Flinch" and "Panic" will be the games of the evening.

Brandt - It is probable that the working force in the chamois tannery at Brandt will be doubled during the present season. Scranton capitalists are the principal owners of the industry.

Springville - The Hawke Stone company's quarry was the scene of a terrible, if not fatal, accident Tuesday just prior to the noon hour. U. D. Barber, foreman of the quarry, was preparing to remove a mass of top rock by means of dynamite, when an explosion accidentally occurred and he was blown some distance, his eyesight apparently destroyed and his face burned and blackened in such a horrible manner as to render him unrecognizable. He was alone at the time of the accident, which makes it impossible to learn any details. The theory advanced is that in his hurry to touch a blast off before dinner he accidentally dropped a match in a hole containing a charge of powder, which exploded. Mr. Barber is a steady, industrious worker, aged about 40 years, and has a wife and family who are dependent upon him for support. The possibilities of his surviving are not of the brightest. [U. D. Barber died in 1943]

Montrose - An alarm of fire was sounded Wednesday, just before noon, and the fire companies responded with alacrity, but when it was discovered that the building on fire was the old Jessup farmhouse at the top of Bank hill, which has long been a dilapidated condition, the house was allowed to burn, precaution being taken to guard the surrounding property. The house was occupied recently by Italian workers engaged on the Lehigh Valley extension and it is thought that matches left by them in the house were nibbled by rodents, thus causing the conflagration.

Susquehanna - Erie Engineer, Henry C. Pettis, of the Oakland Side, who lost both legs while on duty in January 1903, on Monday, resumed work on his engine. AND On Monday, a 58-ton electric Erie turntable replaced the old hand turntable; it required two steam derricks and a large force of men 18 hours to make the change; the old table was taken to Greenwood Lake.

Franklin Forks - Two of the small pox patients have been fumigated and clothed in a new suit and released from the house. AND We have a new blacksmith; John Dillon is working with Fred Knapp in his shop.

New Milford - The young ladies of St. Mark's church are rehearsing the three-act comedy-drama, "Diamonds and Hearts," which will be presented at the Opera House on Friday evening, April 22nd. The rehearsals are under the able management of Mrs. J. H. Safford, whose splendid efforts in the past have proven so satisfactory in the production of the drama in New Milford. Cast members are: Beatrice Howell, Mary Talbot, Henrietta Hayden, Jane Boyle, Katherine and Ralph Shields, Roy Shadduck, Merritt Hayden, A. L. Hawley, Lester Stark and Merle Shelp.

Silver Lake - Our new supervisor, P. R. Kane, is out trying to fix the roads, which are in a very bad condition.

Great Bend - Calvin Towner is suffering from an old wound received in the Civil War. It is feared he may lose his left arm.

News Brief - No doubt a lot of good people will be horrified to learn that the popular game of flinch is nothing more than the Chinese gambling game of fan tan, with a few changes to make it easier.