1898 WB Record Almanac, Local News Summary for 1897

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January
1.  Over 3,000 attend open house at Y. M.C. A.; largest number in the history of the Association.  
Open house by all the clubs.  St. Aloysius matinee and ball at the Armory.  Moriah Church 
eisteddfod at Nanticoke.  Presentation of silver water service to ex-chiefs Roth and Constine 
by Wilkes-Barre Fire Department.
4.  New Year ball of the Y. M. H. A.
5.  Painters’ and Decorators’ State convention in Wilkes-Barre.  Mad dog bites a man at Exeter.
7.  Record publishes plans for the big new hotel, and for West End Wheelmen’s club house.  
Cornerstone of M. E. Chapel of Dorranceton laid.  Elijah Wall of near Tunkhannock drowned 
in the river at that place.
9.  Wilkes-Barre and Northern car has a frightful run down hill near Dallas, crashes into an 
electric car and into a house:  Elwood Leonard of Sweet Valley killed.
10.  Rev. Dr. Tracer of St John’s Church preaches his first year anniversary sermon.  
[Resigned near close of year.] John S. Macknight dies in Philadelphia.  Edward Lynn, 
formerly of Parson, killed at Jersey City.
11.  Bicycle racing at the Armory.  Superior Court begins its sessions in Scranton.
12.  Good Fellows and Royal Ar[?]num banguet.  Iron rod weighing several tons falls down 
No. 2 shaft at Plymouth, killing one man and injuring four others.  Associated Boards of Health 
of Luzerne County organized.  
13.  Medical Society annual banquet.  Joseph Kurnath murder Joseph Kollata at Port Griffith.
15. First of the series of lectures by college men – Prof. Lounsbery of Yale – “Shakespeare’s 
Reputation.”  Child of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Bull, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, burned to death at 
Scranton.  George Richmond, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed at Pittsburg.
16.  Yale alumni banquet.  Man giving his name as John Lawton, suicides at Munro’s hotel.  
18.  Scranton archdeaconry sessions in St. Stephen’s.  East End Wheelmen present badge 
to “Joe” Rice.
19.  Polk Miller in the Y. M. C. A. entertainment course.  
20.  Press Club annual ball.  Harrison Carman struck by the black Diamond at Fairview
 and badly hurt. 
21.  Court refuses Treasurer Robinson an additional clerk.  Prospecting for coal in the 
vicinity of Bear Creek.
22.  Westmoreland club purchases Hunt property adjoining St. Stephen’s.
24.  Twenty-fifth anniversary of the Y. M. C. A. observed.  Rev. Dr. Tuttle in his former pulpit, 
the First M. E. Catholic Church at Luzerne Borough dedicated.  C. T. A. U. convention in Wilkes-Barre.
25.  Caledonians honor the memory of Burns at Wilkes-Barre, Kingston and Pittston.  
Mrs. Jonas Long gives a large reception.  Coldest day of the season, 2 above zero.  
Lucian Drake, 30 years, suicides at Hazleton.
26.  Masonic banquet for ladies attended by over 500.  Controller Lloyd files a case to 
determine the rights of the Auditors.
27.  William Shaffer, who escaped from jail Jan. 7, captured after an exciting time at his 
home in Hazleton.  Henry Floyd of Sugar Notch drops dead in mine.
28.  Day of prayer for colleges.  Chancellor Day speaks at Seminary and First M. E. Church.  
First sleighing of the season -- snow 3 ½ inches.  Epidemic of burglaries and arrest of several 
boys.  Record describes new postoffice. 
29.  Record prints particulars of the sensational conspiracy for a general jail delivery.  Chancellor 
Day speaks to the students of the High School.
30.  Startling developments coming to light with reference to the jail delivery conspiracy.  
Postoffice moved to its new location on North Main street, opposite Record office.

February
1.  Elks’ anniversary banquet.  “Terrible Pete” Wassil sentenced to death.
2.  Col. Hay of Washington lectures in the Grand on “Rome”.
4.  Concordia ball.  Alfred Watson confesses to recent burglaries and implicates other boys.  
Conspiracy case of George W. Koons against A. L. Spencer and Thomas Aubrey attracting 
considerable attention.
5.  Professor Fullerton of University of Pennsylvania lectures in the college course.  
6.  Prothonotary Llewellyn petitions for and additional clerk.
7.  John Davis of Plymouth dies while singing a Salvation Army meeting.
9.  Rev. William J. Day installed as pastor of Luzerne Borough Presbyterian Church.
10.  Luzerne and Lackawanna County W. C. T. U.  in session in First Presby-chapel.  Rev. 
Ebenezer Flack installed as pastor of the Plymouth Presbyterian Church.  Stafford Society 
banquet and ball.
11.  John Mearosky, another of the alleged jail delivery conspirators, arrested.  Verdict of 
guilty in case of conspiracy to defraud charged against A. L. Spencer and Thomas Aubrey.
12.  Annual Historical Society meeting.  Archibald Buchanan of Pittston suicides in Music 
Hall. John Grablic stabs his brother Michael at Pittston.
13.  Plymouth Township’s new school building dedicated.  Receiver appointed by Monitor 
Clothing Co.
14.  Kingston Heptasophs have their first banquet.  Herman Kramer, L. V. brakeman, has 
his skull fractured.
16.  Quiet election.  Melancthon’s 400th anniversary observed in St. John’s Lutheran Church.  
Shawnee Lodge of Odd Fellows, Plymouth, celebrates anniversary.
17.  Conyngham – Turner wedding.  Gus Mendelssohn dies from opium poisoning in East 
Market street Chinese laundry.
[1]8.  Record publishes Mine Inspector William’s annual report.
19.  Prof. O. W. Atwater of Wesleyan lectures in college course.
20.  Black Diamond breaker, North Wilkes-Barre, destroyed by fire.  Addition to silk mill opened.
22.  Eisteddfods at Avoca and Nanticoke.  Washington’s birthday celebrated at school flag 
raisings at Askam, Glen Lyon, Miner’s Mills and Edwardsville.  Bishop Fowler lectures on 
“Abraham Lincoln” at Nelson Hall.
23.  Lafayette Alumni at Scranton.  First charity ball at the Armory; about $1,200 profit.  
156 tuberculous cows from the Piollet farms in Bradford County killed in compliance with law.
24.  First symphony concert of Concordia Society orchestra.  Berkley Robinson of near 
Meshoppen suicides by hanging.
25.  Hebrew charity ball.
26.  Large New England luncheon to Y. M. C. A. members.  Princeton alumni banquet at 
Scranton.  Formal opening of Calvary club house.
27.  Warrior Run postoffice and store burglarized of $300 worth of goods.
28.  Col. L. F. Copland lectures in Y. M. H. A. course.  Three fires in two hours.

March
1.  Jolly Ten ball.  Judge Bennett hands down decision in case of Wright heirs vs. Warrior 
Run Mining Co., granting judgment in favor of former for $42,116.  Cambro Americans and 
Ivorites celebrate St. David’s Day.  Disastrous cave[in] at Wyoming; postoffice and other 
buildings wrecked.  Rev. H. B. Johnson of Japan lectures in Central M. E. church on
 “Japan’s Tomorrow”.
2.  Annual town Improvement Society meeting.
4.  West Side part leased by Elwood Smith.
5.  Annual Young Women’s Christian Association meeting.
6.  Hearing in Prof. Dean’s suit against Spring Brook Water Co.
7.  Nelse Miller convicted of murder, dies at jail.  Re. Dr Ives begins religious revival 
at Central M. E.
8.  Several Plymouth councilmen arrested on charge of bribery.  
9.  Pianist Sieveking at the Grand Max Kaiser has a desperate fight with burglars 
at Plymouth.
12.  A fox caught in the heart of the city.  Empire mine closes down indefinitely.
14.  Rev. Dr. John Easton preaches in Wilkes-Barre.
15.  Col. Patty Lindsay of the Volunteers of America, speaks at the Grand.  Joseph Cramer, 
12 years old, dies of hydrophobia at Duryea, and his father falls over dead on coming home 
and seeing him.  Leuthiel Chalker and Ichabod Corson, brothers-in-law, killed by train at Wyoming.
16.  A. O. H. banquet.  Mrs. Bottome, founder of King’s Daughters, lectures in Y. M. C. A.
17.  St. Patrick’s day parades  at Pittston, Hazleton and Scranton.  Eisteddfods at Hazleton 
and Edwardsville.
18.  Purim ball of Sons of Benjamin.
19.  Dr. Warfield delivers the last lecture in the University course.  Y. M. C. A. evening 
school closing exercises.
20.  Mrs. Burton Downing gets alimony based on husband’s income of $3,600 a year.
22.  Hester Brace and Sarah Miller, mountain cut-off murder suspects, released from custody.
23.  James M. Boland, re-elected jail ward.  Rev. Dr. Searles’s lecture in First M. E.
24.  Gas from bore hole at D. & H.  No. 2 ignites, making a grand spectacle.  Annual Luzerne 
County Temperance banquet.  Michael Magee of Nanticoke suffocated by gas at Mauch Chunk. 
 Gus Cohen drops dead at Grand Central hotel.
25.  Water coming into Avondale mine at Plymouth.  Suicide of Nellie Gardner with laudanum.
26.  Serious squeeze at the Woodward mine.
28.  Young Men’s Institute organized.  New bridge from Wyoming to Port Blanchard.  Detective 
Hall of Baltimore speaks at Y. M. C. A.
29.  West End Coal Co., breaker at Mocanaqua burned.  Russell H. Conwell lectures on Cuba. 
 John Gibbons of Pittston fatally poisoned by drinking tea.  Mrs. Henry Deisroth of Hazleton 
suicides by drowning.
30.  Anna Dickinson case called in U. S. Court at Scranton.  President Maxwell of the Lehigh 
& Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. confers with coal officials relative to mine troubles.
31.  Y. M. C. A. annual athletic contests at the Armory.  Mrs. Ryley’s new play,
 “Mysterious Mr. Bugle,” produced here for the first time.

April
1.  Annual Old Ladies’ Home Meeting.
2.  Maltby breaker of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. destroyed by fire.  West Side mine situation 
becoming serious.  Avondale shut down and Nottingham made a pumping station.  
Many collieries threatened.  
4.  Annual Missionary Sunday at First M. E. Evangelist B. Fay Mills at Memorial.
6.  Knights of Malta open their fine new hall in the postoffice building.
7.  Beginning of Wyoming M. E. conference at Oneonta, N. Y. Another conspiracy discovered 
to release Peter Wassil from jail.  Mass meeting in court house to protest against increases in water rates.
9.  Record prints anthracite coal statistics from all of the districts.  Surrender of Lee commemorated
 by the veterans.  Prof. Winchester lectures on “The English Lakes.”  Jury in U. S. court at Scranton
 awards Anna Dickinson 6 ¼ cents damages.
11.  Palm Sunday a beautiful day.
12.  Bispham, baritone, and Gregorowitsch, violinist, at the Grand.
13.  Mayor’s annual message to Council.
14.  Mayor Nichols starts a relief fund for the poor.
16.  Sousa’s band at the Grand.
17.  Mayor Nichol’s relief station for the poor besieged.
18.  Beautiful Easter.
19.  Amateur concert in Loomis Hall, arranged by Miss Brundage.  Half a dozen houses burned at
 Mill Creek and four at Plymouth.  James Slocum, an old settler of Exeter, killed by train.
20.  George Welley struck by a street car and badly hurt.
21.  Masquerade of the “Black Cat” at Loomis Hall.  Many applicants continue at the food relief station.
22.  Annual Board of Trade meeting.
23.  Annual Y. M. C. A. clam bake.  Mine investigating commission in the Hazleton region. 
 Dance of Camp Crag club in Loomis Hall.
24.  Evangelist B. Fay Mills lectures at Y. M. C. A.
26.  Daniel L. Hart’s play, “The Jucklins.”  Ninth Regiment off for New York City to participate 
in the Grant monument dedication parade.
27.  Anthony Zemitis, on re-trial, acquitted of murder.  The agitation for making Wilkes-Barre
 a city of the third class started at a meeting of citizens.  Father Stafford lectures at Pittston on “Macbeth.”
28.  Jail conspirators convicted for attempting to break jail.  Schumann concert with Madame
 Clementine DeVere.
29.  Suicide of Peter Reese of Wilkes-Barre.
30.  Dieu le Veut Commandery public installation.  Sixteenth barn set on fire.	

May
1.  Close of Music Hall for all time.
2.  Quarterly C. T. A. U. convention at Plains.
3.  The last of the mountain cut-off murder suspects released from jail on nolle prosequi.  
John Cononath pleads guilty to murder of John Giletta at Port Griffith Jan. 12, 1897, and gets 11 years.
4.  James Farrell and Patrick Burke fight at Scranton with decision in favor of Burke.
6.  Legislative commission investigating condition of mines begins its work in Wilkes-Barre. 
 Agitation for a city of the third class becomes quite general.
7.  Lehigh Alumni banquet; President Drown present.  Prof. W. B. Owen of Lafayette lectures 
on “Spelling Reform.”  Wilkes-Barre C. E. Union at Westminster Church.
8.  Flag raising at Country Club.
10.  Rockafellow again found guilty of embezzlement.  Annual Board of Trade meeting.
11.  Committee of 100 petition Council with reference o water and third class city questions. 
 Traction cars come together in the fog at Suburban Park, injuring several.
12.  Body of William Darragh of Wilkes-Barre found in the river.  Ninth Regiment band 
concert at Concordia Hall.
13.  Work begun on new telephone company’s line.  Heavy rains causes Pennsylvania 
Company’s dam at Yatesville to burst; damage $7000.
14.  William Wallace of Nanticoke suicides by jumping in front of a train.
16.  Twenty-fifth anniversary of Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Epworth League’s eight 
anniversary observed in First M. E.
17.  First annual concert of the Wilkes-Barre Mandolin Club.
18.  West End Wheelmen Club’s concert at Concordia Hall.  National Slavonian Society 
in session in Wilkes-Barre.
19.  Diocesan C. T. A. U. convention at Nanticoke.
20.  Scranton Elks entertained by local members.  Hastings, anti-infidel lecturer, at the 
Y. M. C. A.  James Judge of Pittston defeats Jack McWilliams of Boston in Scranton.
21.  Burglars raid several places at Luzerne Borough.  H. M. N.  Richards of Reading 
lectures on “Pennsylvania Germans” before Historical Society.
23.  Prof. William North Rice of Wesleyan at First M. E.  Rev. G. W. Sandt of Philadelphia , 
holds re-union of his confirmants in St. John’s Church.  Judge Bennett decides that there shall
 be only six school controllers in third class cities.
24.  Concordia Smoker.
25.  Famous Wintersteen-Waller conspiracy trial begun Bloomsburg.
27.  St. Boniface German Catholic Church dedicated.
28.  Breaker of the Wyoming Coal & Iron Co., near Maltby, destroyed by fire.  
Westmoreland school dedicated.  
29.  Memorial Day observed in several places.  Michael H. Burke of Ashley dies in station
 house from laudanum poisoning.  West End Wheelmen amateur races.
31.  Forepaugh and Sells Bros. circus.  Beautiful Memorial Day.  First Annual Plains eisteddfod.  
Unknown suicide found along Central tracks at Solomon’s Gap.

June
1.  Suicide of Joshua Nafus of Exeter Township by hanging.  Sale of $100,000 of city 
improvement bonds at 4 ½ per cent, bringing $9,550.50 premium.  No. 8 hose house, 
East End, dedicated.
2.  State Funeral Directors'  Association meets in Wilkes-Barre.  State Grand Lodge 
American Protestant Association convenes.  Mrs. Pfouts of Buttonwood entertains 
Daughters of American Revolution.
3.  Reception by Mrs. John Conyngham at County Club.  David R. Evans of Regent street 
attempts to kill his wife and daughter.  
4.  Annual festival at Old Ladies’ Home.  Banquet at Scranton in honor of Gilbert H. Cobb;
 appointed Pennsylvania freight agent.
5.  Annual Y. M. C. A. athletic events.
6.  Dedication of St. Leo’s Church at Ashley.  Burglars blow open a safe at Jonas Long’s 
store.  M. E. Chapel at Dorranceton dedicated.  Three children of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Shepp 
of Barney street died within a week of scarlet fever and diphtheria; none left.  
7.  Burglars enter a number of place in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity.
8.  Rev. Dr. and Mrs. N. G. Parke of West Pittston celebrate 50th wedding anniversary.  
School commencements begun.
9.  Another epidemic of burglars.  Commercial graduates of high school  have class day exercises.
10.  Ten hospital nurses graduate.  Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry reunion.  Grammar grades 
of public schools  have their exercises.
11.  High School, Female Institute, and Harry Hillman Academy commencements.  Cpt. John 
W. Reynolds and John Kyler burned to death in a dredge boat near West Pittston.
12.  Semi-annual inspection of the fire department.
13.  Children’s day exercises in many of the churches.  Baccalaureate and conference 
sermons at the Seminary.
14.  Daughters of the American Revolution take formal possession of Queen Esther’s rock.
15.  Annual Academy senior dance.  Death warrant read to “Terrible Pete”  Wassil.	
16.  Luzerne County Veteran Association at Luzerne Borough.
17.  Helene Roberts insurance case called for trial.
19.  Patrick Mullen of Pittston fatally shot by Thomas Donohue.
20.  Rev. Dr. Jones preaches Queen’s Jubilee sermon in Grand Opera House.  Six hundred
 confirmed at St. Mary’s Church by Bishop O’Hara.
21.  Nathan Reisman of Scranton killed by falling from D., L. & W.  bridge at West Pittston.
22.  Five thousand attend Queen’s Jubilee celebration at Farview.  E. S. Vannan of Carbondale 
and Thomas Morris of Nanticoke killed on Queen’s Jubilee train.  Malinckrodt commencement.
23.  John Grablick of Pittston Junction gets 7 years for killing his brother-in-law, Michael.  Royal 
Arcanum Day at Harvey’s Lake.
24.  St. Mary’s Academy commencement.  Dr. Hakes read paper before Historical Society on 
anniversary of discovery of American continent by John and Sebastian Cabot.
25.  Three double blocks and six single houses destroyed by fire at Plymouth.  Jr. O. U. A. M. 
present flags to Wilkes-Barre township schools.
27.  Grace Lutheran Church dedicated.  Rev. Dr. Pearce preaches to the clerks.  Rev. Dr. Mills 
of memorial Church preaches his fifth anniversary sermon.
28.  Suicide of John Broadt at Hazleton on the day of his trial for the killing of an Italian in self defense.
29.  Last spike driven in Wilkes-Barre Northern railroad extension to Harvey’s Lake.
30.  Burglars make a heavy haul at the residence of John Hallock at Dallas.

July
2.  Annual reunion of Rickett’s battery.
3.  Wyoming massacre anniversary observed.  Address by Rev. Dr. H. M. Kieffer of Easton 
and poem by Homer Greene of Honesdale.  Old Union breaker of D. & H. Coal Co. 
destroyed by fire at Mill Creek.
4.  Pastors preach patriotic sermons.
5.  Hottest day in two years; thermometer 98.  Annual dance and fireworks at Glen Summit hotel.
6.  Public school teachers appointed.  State dentists convene at Glen Summit.
8.  Institute of Sisters of Christian Charity at Malinckrodt convent.  Committee of citizens meet 
committee of council to talk over the water and third class city questions.  Bartel Brewing Co. 
put up brewery at Edwardsville.
10.  Hottest day, with one exception, in recent years; thermometer 99. For over a week mercury
 was not below 90.
11.  Fall of 19 degrees in temperature in three-quarters of an hour, owing to a storm.  
Miss Rosina Davis, evangelist, in town.
12.  Mrs. Kate Brown dies after hearing news of the death of Mrs. Edward Gates, her niece.
  Several buildings at Oliver’s powder mills destroyed by fire, with loss of about $17,000.
13.  W. L. Conyngham retires as director of L. V. R. R. after 30 years.
14.  Lt. Col. C. Bow Dougherty elected colonel of the Ninth Regiment, Major Wallace lieutenant
 colonel and Captain Peck major.  Father Rea of Sugar Notch celebrates silver jubilee.
15.  Auditors speak of vigorous reforms needed with reference to Ransom poor farm.  Michael
 Baab struck by an engine and hurled 50 feet.
16.  Hotel and residence of Michael O’Malley, Maltby, robbed of $1,300.
17.  Peter Wassil makes a statement placing the responsibility for murder of Krupersavage on 
his brother-in-law, Frank Sockalofski.
18.  Big Frank Smith and Vincent Pavisc shot in the head at Pittston after a christening.
19.  Governor Hastings refuses to grant respite to Peter Wassil.  Lance and No. 18 collieries of 
the L. & W.-B. Coal Co. suspend work indefinitely.
20.  Major Irving A. Stearns accepts management of the Coxe interests.
21.  Burglars again about.  Jail guarded inside and outside for fear of an attempt to release Peter 
Wassil.  Group 3 of the State bankers in session in this city.
22.  Hanging of Peter Wassil at Luzerne County jail.  Five horses burned at Duryea.  Republican 
picnic and rally at Hanover Park.
23.  Empire mine powder magazine struck by lightning.  Many buildings badly damaged and 
John Higgins killed.
24.  Patrick McAfee of Parsons runs from policeman and is killed by falling down the river bank.
25.  Rev. Mr. Bolliger installed as pastor of St. Luke’s Reformed Church. 
26.  Morris Williams of Shamokin appointed to succeed Major I. A. Stearns as general manager 
of the Susquehanna and allied coal companies.
27.  William Keenan of Georgia droops dead at West Pittston, where he visited.
29.  Charles Millarkey, who was shot by Andrew Joblonowsky at Duryea on 26th dies.
31.  Testimonial banquet to Major Irving A. Stearns in Concordia Hall.

August
1.  Rev. Henry Varley, evangelist, at Central M. E.  and Y. M. C. A . Cave affects residence districts 
of Pittston.  C. T. A. U. quarterly convention in Wilkes-Barre.  Rev. Dr. Tuttle preaches at Glen Summit.
2.  Lodge of Elks instituted at Pittston.
3.  Sisters’ institute at Malinckrodt convene during the week.
4.  Midsummer meeting of the Luzerne County Medical Society at Glen Summit – paper by Dr. L. H. 
Taylor on “Double Consciousness.”  Severest electrical storm of the season.
5.  Five County C. E. rally at Farview.  Edward Moran charged with being the barn incendiary, held 
for court.  Two prisoners attempt to break jail.
6.  Harry E. Kulp of Wyoming shoots a burglar while trying to get into his home.  
7.  Little interest in the primary district convention election.
9.  Republican district conventions.  Shawanese Boat Club organized at Harvey’s Lake.
10.  City engineer Ingham submits his report with reference to river bank cave.  
Burglars active throughout the county.
11.  Desperate burglars assault William Duffy at Plymouth.
12.  National circuit bicycle races at West Side Park.  County Commissioners sue tax collectors
 who are behind in their duplicates.
13.  Glen Summit guest and cottagers have their annual excursion to Harvey’s Lake and Lake Ganoga.
14.  John L. Sullivan umpires Wilkes-Barre-Scranton base ball game.  No. 9 Hose co. has a flag-raising.
16.  Two thousand five hundred men in Hazleton region, L. & W. B. Coal Co., collieries strike.  
17.  Gang of robbers murderously assault William Harpster, Jr., at Luzerne Borough.  Some of them
 captured with dynamite and revolvers in their possession.  Reception at Mallinckrodt convent.  Raid 
on the Arabian colony in South Wilkes-Barre and one of the Kearney boys held under heavy bail. 
19.  Collision on the Wilkes-Barre & Northern R. R. at Fernbrook; two hurt.  Schooley’s Battery reunion
 at Hanover Park.  L. & W.-B. miners at Honeybrook region receiver answer from company, but decide
 to remain out of work until more concessions are received.
20.  Frank Frankowicz dies of typhoid fever in jail.  Miners’ strike in Honeybrook region settled, owing
 to concessions from the company.
21.  Body of an unknown man found hanging in the woods near Luzerne Borough, a bullet hole in the
 head.  John T. Friend charged with swindling Charles Wood out of $4,500, brought here from Ohio.
26.  Inquest in case [o]f Miss Jemima Jenkins of Plymouth fails to discover the person responsible for 
her death.  John McDermott, who disappeared from town in April, not yet found.
27.  Another strike in Hazleton region –1,500 of Van Wickle’s men go out.  Incendiaries at Exeter nail 
down hose cart and obstruct plugs and then start a fire; damage $10,000.
28.  Annual Caledonian games at Harvey’s Lake.  Republican primary elections.
30.  Opening of city teacher’s institute.  Small sized riot at Kingston because of an A. P. A. lecture.
31.  Republican county convention.  Rev. Dr. Swallow at the temperance rally at Mountain Park.  
James Ferguson of Nanticoke suicides.

September
1.  Death of Bishop Rulison in Germany.
3.  Serious time in the Hazleton strike region.  Strikers march from place to plac[e] and stop the work 
at collieries. 
4.  Democratic primaries.  Congregational Association meets at Edwardsville.
6.  Sheriff issues proclamation in the Hazelton region.  Parson eisteddfod.
7.  Democratic county convention.  Sheriff swears in deputies in Hazleton strike region; arms stored in 
coal company offices. 
8.  Joseph Reese of Plymouth dies of starvation.
9.  Reunion of the 143rd Regiment, Pa. Vol., at the old camp at Luzerne Borough.  Luzerne County 
W. C. T. U. in annual session in Kingston.  Borough of Courtdale formed out of Pringleville. Madame 
Lucette Ryley’s new play, “Coat of Many Colors.” Has its initial production here.
10.  Sheriff Martin’s deputies in Hazleton region fire into the strikers and kill twenty and would seventy 
men.  Third Brigade called to Hazleton.  Judge Searle, especially presiding, refuses to grant F. V. 
Rockafellow a new trial.  Miranda Alford of Pittston, patient at the Danville Asylum, escapes and suicides. 
12.  Funeral of four of the victims of the strike; no trouble.
13.  Lewis Troo of Pittston, 16 years old, on trial charged with murder.
14.  Troo acquitted of the charge of murder.  Anthony Bendrift, Plymouth banker, 
held for court for embezzlement.
15.  Mine carriage falls down shaft at Alden with ten men on it and all hurt.  All quiet in Hazleton region.
17.  Reunion of the 132nd Regiment Pa. Vols. In Wilkes-Barre.  Rev. Dr. Chapman lectures before 
Christian Endeavor Union.
19.  Strike at the Heidelberg colliery or the L. V. Coal Co. near Avoca.  William Shaffer, jail breaker,
 gets three years.
21.  Opening of West Pittston fair.  Hazleton deputies, who did the shooting at Lattimer, have a hearing 
before Judges Lynch and Bennett, who sat as justices of the peace, and much testimony was taken.
22.  Each of the Lattimer deputies held under $5,000 bail for court.
24.  Reunion of the 52nd Regiment, P. V., at Scranton.
25.  John T. Friend found guilty of false pretense, charged with having received $4,500 from Charles 
Wood for patent right territory.  Mortars dedicated at Forty Fort cemetery and in front of Memorial Hall.
26.  Fire at Smithville; damage $12,000.  Harvest home festival in Christ Lutheran and Westminster 
Presbyterian Churches.  Memorial services in First M. E. Sunday School.
27.  Mass meeting at Pittston called by priests to take action with reference to Lattimer affair.  
Suicide of Elsie Adams, colored, in Wilkes-Barre.  Wilkes-Barre’s first chemical engineer arrives.
28.  Clarence Eddy, organist, opens new organ in First M. E. Church.  Thos. Donohue of Pittston 
charged with murder of Patrick Mullen, pleads guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to six years.  
Opening of Dallas fair. 
29.  Annual meeting Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of Wyoming district in Ashley M. E. Church.  
Ladies’ Auxiliary, A. O. H., banquet in Concordia Hall.  Alexander Steele of Huntsville killed and his 
brother Henry and John McNulty of 
Wilkes-Barre badly hurt by being struck by D. & H. train at Parsons.  Ninth Regiment returns after being 
on duty nineteen days in the Hazleton region.

October
1.  Dr. F. M. Brundage appointed consul to Aix La Chapelle, Germany.  Foreigners at Heidelberg 
No. 2 mine of L. V. Coal Co. at Smithville prevent miners from going to work.  Five arrested and sent to jail.
2.  Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre miners to the number of several thousand meet on river common and 
talk over grievances.  Foreigners at L. V. Heidelberg No. 2  at Smithville do not disturb men going to work.  
Fanny Crosby, blind hymn writer, at Y. M. C. A.
3.  Bandmaster Alexander presented with a handsome badge by members of the band.  State firemen’s
 officers arrive.  Organ dedication in First M. E, Church.
4.  Beginning of firemen’s convention.  Y. M. C. A.  educational class enrollment social.
5.  Thousands of strangers and visiting firemen in town.  Souse concert at the Grand Opera House. 
 Republican candidates, Beacom and McCauley, hold a reception in town.
6.  Paper by Dr. F. C. Johnson before Medical Society on proposed sanitarium for tuberculosis at White Haven.
7.  State Firemen’s parade – 7,800 men in line; parade three and one-fourth miles in length, ta[ki]ng 
an hour and a half to pass one point.
8.  Last event of firemen’s week – tournament contests.
9.  Wilkes-Barre golfers defeated at Scranton.  Last of the fire companies leaves town, the William Penn, 
of Philadelphia.  Miss Maggie Goldsmith, [5]0 years, suicides at De Mund’s,  near Dallas.
10.  Reformed Church sesqui-centennial observed in Zion Reformed Church.
11.  Annual C. T. A. U. parade at Hazleton.  Death of Rev. W. B. Westlake at Dallas.
12.  Property owners along river common receive notice that a number of people will apply for patent for
 land under the river.
13.  Annual meeting Women’s Home Missionary Society, Presbytery of Lackawanna, in West Pittston 
church.  Col. Reichard’s old company holds its annual reunion .  F. V. Rockafellow, ex-banker, sentenced 
to one year in the penitentiary.  Thomas Kelly of Wilkes-Barre killed in the West.
14.  Pettebone miners also formulate grievances to present to D., L. & W. officials.  Austrian government 
asks for explanation and investigation of Lattimer shooting.  Arbitrators in civil suit against Friend award 
Charles Wood $10,000.
15.  Three prisoners, Henry Evans, Daniel and Lawrence Sullivan, escape while being taken to jail.
15.  Rev. Dr. Swallow, prohibition candidate for State Treasurer, speaks in Wilkes-Barre.  Welsh Prize
 singers in the Grand.
18.  Martin Burns of Scranton killed by falling down cellar steps while visiting at Avoca.  Explosion at 
Harry E. colliery; one killed and several badly hurt.
19.  Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., lectures in Y. M. C. A. lecture course.  Blumenberg-Steinberg-Kaiser 
concert in Concordia Hall[.]   Epidemic of pickpocket and fake advertising arrests.  Bold attempt to
 rob D., L. &  W. ticket office at Plymouth.  Dedication of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument at Tunkhannock.
20.  Many crooks and pickpockets continue here since the firemen’s convention.  Dr. Charles H. 
Miner reads paper before Medical Society on “Malaria and its Germ.”  Second Primitive church, 
East End, corner-stone laid.  Annie Huncach of Merton in jail charged with strangling her infant.
22.  Several Georgetown fires.  Foreigners  make an attempt to assassinate Sheriff Martin.  
St. Stephen’s Sunday Schools have their autumn anniversary.
25.  Riot at Brodrick in which one man is killed.  Beginning of thirtieth annual session of county
 teachers’ institute.
26.  D. & H. watchman at Miners’ Mills attacked by toughs.  Judge Lynch charges the grand jury
 with reference to the Lattimer riot.
27.  Banquet of Merchants’ Retail Association.  Ex-Governor Pattison and Democratic State 
and local candidates in the court house.  Rev. Sam Jones in Y. M. C. A. hall.  Girls at Avoca 
silk mill attack those who refuse to strike.  Deputy Collector  Brundage seizes 500 pounds of 
unstamped oleomargarine.
28.  Third class city meetings in court house resumed.  Bloomsburg alumni banquet.  Grand jury 
returns true bills against Sheriff Martin and his deputies for Lattimer shooting.
29.  Nesbitt Theatre opening.  Miners in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity being organized.  Lightning at 
Tunkhannock strikes the Keeler House and does considerable damage.
30.  Third district C. T. A. U. convention at Sugar Notch.  Two men killed and one injured by caving 
of sewer trench in Wilkes-Barre.  Grand jury again recommends bridging of pond holes on lower flats road.
31.  Reformation anniversary observed in Lutheran churches.  Prof. Livingston Barber of Rutgers 
College opens y. M. H. A. lecture course.

November
1.  Mass meeting of miners at Landmesser Hall.
2.  Fine election day weather – medium vote.  “Pirates of Penzance” for Mercy Hospital benefit.
4.  Third class city Council committee submits its report recommending that an attempt be made 
to have defects in city charter remedied.  Death of Rev. William J. Keatley at Clark’s Summit.
5.  Death of ex-County Treasurer R. A. Whiteman at Noxen.  Nine houses destroyed by fire at Noxen.  
State Councilor Dickerson of the Jr. O. U. A. M. speaks here.
6.  James J. Corbett in town.
7.  Corner-stone of St. Joseph’s Catholic chapel at Georgetown laid.  Twenty-fifth anniversary of St. 
John’s Lutheran Church celebrated.  
9.  Andrew Javolonsky sentenced to ten years and six months on charge of murdering Charles 
Melesky at Duryea June 26, 1897.  Women’s Philharmonic Orchestra in Y. M. C. A.  Third class city
 ordinance before Council defeated 13 to 8.
10.  Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, D. D., L. L. D., of Wyoming and Idaho elected bishop of the Central 
diocese of Pennsylvania of the Protestant Episcopal Church.  Annual exhibit of needlework guild.  
Annual convention of Luzerne County Sunday School Association.
12.  Young Women’s Christian Association State convention.  Cases of Sheriff Martin and Deputies
 postponed to January term of court.  Edwin S. Valk badly hurt at Newark.  Anna Hutnock acquitted
 of the charge of infanticide. 
13.  Young Women’s Christian Association State convention farewell meeting in First M. E. Church.
14.  Mrs. L. M. Lake of Chicago begins a series of temperance lectures.
15.  Postoffice robbery at Sugar Notch.  Peter Kropp of East End has his skull fractured by piece of
 iron thrown in order scatter a crowd of boys.  Reception to Mrs. Clinton B. Fiske, national president 
of Women’s Home Missionary Society, at the home of Mrs. Martha B. Phelps.
16.  Julius Ganski of Hanover Green dies of hydrophobia.  Welsh Association and Baptist Young People’s 
Society meet at Parsons.
17.  Rev. Dr. Loba of Evanston, Illinois, speaks of McAll mission work in the First Presbyterian Church. 
 Musical talk at the home of Mrs. W. P. Ryman by Miss Alice Jane Roberts of Elmira.
18.  J. C. Wells dies; apoplexy the cause.  Mrs. Fiske, national president Women’s Home Missionary
 Society, in Central M. E. Church.
[1]9.  Prof. De Motte lectures on “Harp of the Senses” in Y. M. C. A.
22.  Rev. William J. Richards installed as pastor of the Welsh Congregational Church.
23.  Annual fall Concordia concert.  Albert C. Robinson, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, burned to death at
 his home in Athens, Pa.
24.  Miners to make a demand for a reduction in the price of powder.  Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Walters 
celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
25.  Raw and damp thanksgiving.  Several hundred Wilkes-Barre singers participate in Allentown 
eisteddfod.  West End Wheelmen’s new club house formally opened.  
26.  President Ratchford of the Mine Workers of America addresses a meeting in Landmesser Hall. 
 Frank Sheridan of Plymouth township suicides.  
28.  Rev. Dr. Trabert of St. John’s Lutheran Church preaches his farewell sermon; will go to Minneapolis.
  Y. M. C. A. district convention at Montrose.
30.  Explosion in Buttonwood mine and mine set on fire, but soon under control.

December
1.  John Yuscavicz shoots Joseph Markwa and Mrs. J. W. Solomon at Ashley.  National organizer M. W.
 Burke of the Clerks’ Association speaks in Loomis Hall.
2.  Fire at the Conyngham mine not yet out – flooding and pumping for about four years.  Body of Martin 
Spangelberger found on Wilkes-Barre mountain.
3.  Movement started to organize a Commercial Men’s Club.
5.  “Joe” Rice enters six day bicycle race in New York city.  Elks’ annual memorial service.  Record
 describes new Mercy hospital.  Father Fitzmaurice of Hazleton appointed to succeed Father Phillips
 at Plains parish.
6.  First social of Rambler bicycle club.  Commercial traveler Capt. J. L. Hill of Cincinnati dies in this city.
7.  Great interest taken in the six day bicycle race at Madison Square Garden.  District Epworth League
 convention in Central M. E. Church.
8.  Blumenberg-Schumann-Kaiser concert in Concordia Hall.  Annual banquet of Simon Long’s Sons to
 their employees.
10.  Opening of Jonas Long’s Sons new Scranton store: reception for the press and public.  Dr. f. C.
 Johnson read a paper before the Historical Society relative to the great flood of 1784.  West End 
Wheelmen minstrels in the Nesbitt.
11.  Congregational Church Association of northeastern Pennsylvania meets in Scranton.
12.  Serious wreck on the Lehigh Valley in Vosburg tunnel.  Bishop Hoban celebrates pontifical vespers
 in St. Mary’s Church at the twentieth anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Sodality.
13.  Fire in Duryea destroys property to the value of $50,000.
14.  Remains of William H. Law, bookkeeper for the Babylon Coal Company, found in Simpson & 
Watkins’s burned store at Duryea.  City council abandons the project for a crematory on account of
 inability to get a site.  C. D. Honeywell of Dallas appointed mercantile appraiser.  
15.  Hon. George R. Wendling in Y. M. C. A. auditorium in “Saul of Tarsus.”  Only two of the thirty-nine
 men wounded at Lattimer strike remain at the Hazleton hospital; each has a bullet in his brain.
16.  Joint banquet of Masonic lodges 61 and 422 in Concordia Hall.  Joseph Markwa, shot by John 
Yuscavicz at Ashley, dies from his wounds.  City Democratic committee decides to hold a municipal 
convention for the first time in some years. 
17.  Attempt to burn the company store at Parson, closely following the burning of the Simpson & Watkin’s
 company store at Duryea.  Discovery that part of what was considered the borough of Ashley is in 
Hanover township, which likely to create considerable confusion.
18.  Controller Lloyd refuses to countersign Coroner McKee’s bills for inquests in the Lattimer cases, 
claiming that separate fee bills should not have been made out in each of the cases; the coroner carries 
the case to court.  George L. Darte of Kingston appointed consul to Martinique.  Postoffices at Avoca 
and Dupont robbed, former of $200 and latter of $500.
19.  Cold wave and seasonable weather.
20.  “Paddy” Sheehan of Bethlehem knocks out “Reddy” Connolly of Wilkes-Barre in Nanticoke 
in twelve rounds.
21.  James R. Griner of Duryea, ex-member of the legislature from Wilkes-Barre, murders his 
step-daughter, Mrs. Caroline Schaeffer.  Griner then went to Pittston where he was arrested.  
New England Society dinner at Scranton.
22.  First festivity of the holiday s – dance in Loomis Hall given by Misses Young, Betterly and Hand.  
Opening of Westmoreland club house.  First heavy snow fall of the season.
25.  First service in St. Stephen’s new church.
28.  Banquet of alumni of University of Pennsylvania at Scranton.
31.  Prohibitionists of Luzerne county have a Swallow jubilee in Y. M. C. A. auditorium.  Annual Assembly ball.

Transcribed by Edwina H. Ward, January 13, 2009.