1900 WB Record Almanac, Murders in 1899

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There were only five murders in Luzerne County during the year 1899, as against six for 1898, and nine for 
1897.

On January 21 Peter Connell of Pittston was murdered by foreigners, who were returning home from a wedding.  
Connell’s sister was sick and he went out of the door to remonstrate with the foreigners, who were making a 
racket.  One of them pulled out a revolver and shot Connell through the heart.  Several arrests were made and 
there was a trial in court, but the crime could not be fastened on any of the defendants and they were 
acquitted.

On June 18, Thomas Lambert of Duryea was killed by a billy or stone in the hands of his brother-in-law, Joseph
Tomlinson, 17 years of age.  The testimony was to the effect that Tomlinson heard some noise in Lambert’s 
house and on going to the back yard saw Lambert abusing his wife, Tomlinson’s sister.  Tomlinson had some 
words with Lambert and the latter chased him, when he turned and struck Lambert over the head.  His skull was 
fractured and he died.  Tomlinson was acquitted on the ground of self-defense.

June 28 Frank Noonhart of Edwardsville shot his wife three times and she died instantly.  He came home in an 
ugly mood and there were some words because the supper was not ready.  The only witness to the crime was Mrs.
Noonhart’s little daughter. He was convicted of murder in the second degree and was give the full limit of the
law, 20 years in the penitentiary.

July 13 Willett Pulver and Charles Vargerson, both of Pittston, got into a quarrel outside of a saloon in that
city and the latter shot the former.  He died in the Pittston Hospital a day or two later.  Vargerson was 
convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in the penitentiary.

Nov. 28 in West Pittston John Lutz stole to his wife’s room at night and killed her with an axe.  She died two
days later.

Typed by Jeanne Marie Robertson,  October 11, 2003