1902 WB Record Almanac, Record of Events for 1901

Dec 1900
29. Charity ball at armory for benefit of City Hospital a big success. Paper served on 
senator-elect William Drury at the instance of S. S. Staples, the defeated Democratic 
candidate, protesting against the administration of the oath of office. Decision by Judge 
Woodward granting the county commissioners the right to erect a court house on the river 
common site. 
29. Ambrose Hawk of Forty Fort suicides by shooting.
30. Rev. Eugene Garvey of St. John’s Catholic Church, Pittston, invested with the robes 
domestic prelate, receiving the degree of monsignor.
31. Great New Year Eve celebration, culminating with an impressive spectacle on Public 
Square. Annual Assembly ball at the armory. Strike at Wyoming Valley lace mill settled.

January, 1901. 
1. Y. M. C. A. open house a great success. St. Aloysius celebrates with a minstrel 
entertainment in afternoon and ball in evening. Moriah esteddfod at Nanticoke. Formal 
opening of Central M. E. Church’s handsome new parsonage.
2. Port Blanchard Hotel, built over a hundred years ago, destroyed by fire. New Year ball 
of Young Men’s Hebrew Association. Hotel Sterling passes from the control of W. A. Reist to 
Fred. Godfrey of Hotel Jermyn, Scranton, and C. J. Capwell of Wilkes-Barre. Another cold 
snap, thermometer 20 degrees.
3. Mine officials overcome by afterdamp at Lauren Run colliery of Algonquin Coal Co. at 
Parsons---inside superintendent David J. Williams and assistant inside foreman William 
Morgan taken out dead and others have very narrow escape. Private Kelly of Pittston receives 
five bullet wounds, in the Phillippines. 
4. Bishop Fowler lectures on “Gen. U. S. Grant” at Nelson Memorial hall.
5. Yale alumni banquet at Westmoreland Club house. A. O. H. quarterly convention.
6. Kripplein Christi school house dedicated. Thomas Gilson, Plymouth mine foreman, found 
along a road, death probably due to the cold.
7. Judge Woodward retires after more than 20 years’ service on the bench---George S. Ferris 
takes his seat on the bench. Farewell banquet at West End Wheelman’s club house for E. A. 
Rhoads, transferred from Wilkes-Barre. Republican city convention.
8. Liquid air lecture in Y. M. C. A. by Eugene C. Foster. Car of powder explodes on Central 
Railroad near Mountain Park, wrecking several cards and tearing up the track, no one hurt, 
concussion heard as far as Scranton. Mrs. Thomas Evans of Wilkes-Barre dies three days after 
her husband, owing to shock. City councils vote in favor of public baths. 
9. Banquet of Wilkes-Barre Council, Royal Arcanum. Dwyer wins wrestling match from little of 
Massachusetts.
10. Damp and unseasonable weather---mercury 40 degrees.
11. Grip threatens to become epidemic. William Griffith of Pittston reads a valuable paper 
before the Historical Society---“The Buried Valley of Wyoming.” Thirteen druggists of 
Wilkes-Barre arrested by State officers on the charge of not having their licenses properly 
displayed.


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12. Jr. O. U. A. M. councils present a flag to the Y. M. C. A. Girls at the South Wilkes-
Barre silk mill strike because the management refused to reinstate girls who were discharge.
14. Convention of miners in Edwardsville---about 400 delegates, representing 60,000 miners. 
Superintendent G. O. Thomas of Pittston overcome by afterdamp and had a narrow escape.
15. Banquet of Luzerne and Lackawanna Dental Society at Hotel Sterling. C. M. B. A. 
Installation and banquet. Committee of councils hears argument against municipal electric 
light plant. 
16. Sixteenth annual banquet of the Luzerne County Medical Society, United Mine Workers in 
convention at Edwardsville adjourn after formulating a number of requests. Centennial Lodge 
of Odd Fellows celebrates twenty-fifth anniversary with banquet and entertainment.
17. Closing of City Hospital building fund---receipts, $52,504.80; total expenditures, 
$52,667.80. Anthony Lindacher found dead.
18. Local McAll Mission observes thirtieth anniversary of the general mission. Alexander 
Mitchell, thirty years superintendent of the Wyoming division of the L. V. Railroad, resigns; 
to be succeeded Feb. 1 by John T. Keith of the Hazleton and Mahanoy division.
19. Ex-congressman John Leisenring of Upper Lehigh dies in a Philadelphia hospital. Mercury 
5 degrees above zeron.
21. Much more moderate weather---45 degrees above zero. Judge Farris decides that Mayor 
Nichols shall hold over another year.
22. Death of William S. Wells, over sixty years a resident of Wilkes-Barre. Babylon breaker 
at Duryea destroyed by fire; loss $125,000.
23. Operetta at the Nesbitt under the auspices of the Holy Savior Church. First supper in 
new Central M. E. Church. George Hughes of Plymouth, 38 years, takes his life by shooting.
25. Caledonian club banquests at Wyoming Valley Hotel in celebration of the 42d anniversary 
of the birth of Robert Burns. Rev. D. Ebenezer Edwards, former Wilkes-Barre pastor, dies at 
Allentown. Reception for bible classes at Westminster Presbyterian.
27. Service in the First M. E. in memory of the late Queen Victoria.
28. Liedertafel concert. Striking silk mill girls have a public meeting in B. I. A. hall 
and explain their side of the case.
29. Banquet at Westmoreland Club of Ninth Regiment officers. Second annual banquet of 
Builders’ Exchange at Wyoming Valley Hotel.
30. Third anniversary banquet of the Knights of Columbus at Wyoming Valley Hotel. 
Commencement exercises at school of osteopathy. Dwyer-McCormack wrestling match at the 
Nesbitt—neither able to secure a fall in the time limit, one hour. Second degree murder in 
the case of Ralph J. White of Sweet Valley. Murder case against three Italians charged with 
killing peddler named Moran and trying to burn his body near Hazleton, dismissed for want 
of evidence. 
31. Twelfth anniversary of the Elks---reception for ladies in afternoon and banquet in 
evening. First anniversary banquet of the Young Men’s Drill Organization. Mr. and Mrs. 
James Thompson of Carbondale, the latter formerly of Wilkes-Barre, celebrate golden wedding.

February.
1. Engineers of Wyoming division, L. V. Railroad, call at the house of retiring 
superintendent Alexander Mitchell, and present him with resolutions.
2. Ralph White of Sweet Valley, convicted of murder in the second degree for shooting a 
nephew, sentenced to fifteen years. Mrs. Bertels of Humane Society goes to White Haven and 
takes eight small children, half starved and half frozen, from a hovel.
3. Quarterly C. T. A. U. convention in Kingston. Rev. Mr. Dillion is nearly killed in 
riotous demonstration at Pittston---mob of Lithuanians force their way into a hall where he 
was speaking and oerpower his protectors, dragging him along the street until he is rescued 
by alderman Barrett. Services in memory of Queen Victoria in Calvary Church. Three inches of 
snow---mercury 29 degrees. 
4. St. Aloysius minstrels at the Nesbitt for the benefit of Mercy Hospital. Many sleighers 
out.
5. John O’Dea of East End acquitted of the murder of Archibald Campbell on the ground of 
insanity. Death of R. D. Lacoe of West Pittston, a well known local scientist. Death of 
Charles J. Balliett, a lower end pioneer.
6. First reception and ball of Wilkes-Barre Canton, I. O. O. F. Henry J. Foote of Forkston, 
Wyoming County, killed by being caught by a log. Another cold snap---mercury 17 degrees. 


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7. Lecture in the Union street school by superintendent of public instruction Dr. N. C. 
Schaeffer on “Grades of Thinking.”
8. Eighth annual assembly of Shawnee Wheelmen of Plymouth. Major-General E. S. Otis in town 
for a day. Italian woman discovered in Pittston breaker picking slate, after having labored 
in the mine for half a month, in boys’ clothes. Policeman Owen Hughes shot in the arm by the 
companion of a tramp he was trying to arrest. Employes of Lehigh Valley assembl at the home 
of ex-superintendent Mitchell and present him with a testimonial. Record publishes official 
census figures for Luzerne County.
9. Russell Uhl acquitted of the charge of selling oleomargarine.
10. Dedication anniversary of Kripplein Christi Lutheran Church. Dr. Raymond, president of 
Wesleyan University, preaches in First M. E. and Central M. E. 
11. Colonial Dames and Daughters of the American Revolution have a colonial tea at home of 
Mrs. W. A. Lathrop, Dorranceton. MacDowell piano recital in Concordia hall. Allen Myers of 
Harveyville, 43 years old, suicides with a razor.
12. Ralph J. White, convicted of murder in the second degree, suicides in jail by hanging. 
Union Defenders’ Day celebrated by Sons of Veterans. City councils make appropriations for 
the fiscal year. 
13. Court hands down decisions in township cases, sustaining objectives to some candidates 
and dismissing others. Remonstrances against a number of liquor license applicants filed. 
Thermometer 10 above zero.
14. Nicholas Burkhart, aged 27, weds Mary Jane Reaker of Plymouth Township, aged 14, 
husband signing contract agreeing to let girl live with parents until she is 16.
15. Wilkes-Barre assessors make triennial report. Mid-year convention of the county 
W. C. T. U. in Plymouth. Lehigh alumni banquet at Wyoming Valley Hotel. Hillman Academy 
Linonia Society twentieth anniversary. 
17. Four children break through ice at an Edwardsville pond and Kathleen Ryan, 9 years, 
drowned.
18. Historical Society annual meeting. No. 14 breaker of Pennsylvania Coal Co., near Port 
Griffith, destroyed by fire. Four double blocks and dive single houses destroyed by fire at 
Sugar Notch. Wake Robin Club celebrates tenth anniversary with banquet at Hotel Sterling. 
Prudential Insurance Co. banquet at Wyoming Valley Hotel.
19. Lively municipal election in some of the wards. Knights of Pythias celebrate thirty-
seventh anniversary with banquet. “Mother” Jones speaks to silk mill girls in B. I. A. hall.
20. Heptasophs have installation and banquet. Holy Savior Church bazaar closed---profits 
$2,800.
21. Liquor license remonstrances hearings begun. Second annual photographic exhibition under 
auspices of Wilkes-Barre Wheelmen. Preparing to develop copper find in Columbia County.
2. Mystery surrounding the death of Cornelius Shovlin of Midvale at Mercy Hospital---brought 
to the Bristol House unconscious by some stranger. Business almost entirely suspended---
Washington’s birthday. 
24. Fire at Ashley destroys Mansion House and postoffice building and causes death of 
Eugene Fenner. Miss Kate Williams of Plymouth dies while on way home from church. 
25. License decisions handed down---nearly all applications against which there were 
remonstrances refused.
26. Elbert Hubbard lectures on “The Roycrofters.”
28. Continued cold weather for a month, mercury below the freezing point aout all the time. 
The Brooks and Dale coal interests pass into possession of D. & H. 

March
1. Cambro-American banquet at Wyoming Valley Hotel. Judge Lynch renders decision that 
streams must not be polluted sawdust, etc.
2. No end yet to Dillionis cases in Pittston---Dillionis arrested on the charge of starting 
a riot and placed under bail and fined by an Inkerman justice of the peace.
3. The home of Mrs. Nancy Snedday of Plains Township broken into, the defenseless old woman 
criminally assaulted and beaten.
5. Ninth Regiment returns from the Washington inauguration. J. Fred. Wolle of Bethlehem 
gives organ recital in First Presbyterian Church. Frank Nutze of Freeland suicides by 
shooting.
6. School Board case argued before Judge Ferris. Robbers make haul of jewelry and money at 
home of Miss Levy, South Franklin street.
7. Andrew Fitzpatrick of Plymouth stricken in a mine and dies soon after. 


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Anthony Baumann, formerly Wilkes-Barre lawyer, dies in Scranton.
8. Lafayette alumni banquet at Scranton.
9. Last of the license decisions handed down by the court. Mine inspectors meet in Wilkes-
Barre to consider legislation affecting them. 
10. Rev. Dr. Dunlap and Rev. Dr. Halsey in Presbyterian churches in interest of foreign 
missions.
11. Recital by Henry Waller and Miss Elizabeth Davies at the residence of A. J. Davis. Judge 
Halsey sentences John Lutz of West Pittston to death.
12. Methodist Ministerial Association of Wyoming district meets at Ashley. Bamford silk 
ribbon mill strike settled by granting an advance to some of the girls and promising benefit 
to all in time. Councils strike out all deficiency appropriations, amounting to over nine 
thousand dollars.  Engineer, fireman and brakeman killed by the bursting of a Lehigh Valley 
freight engine boiler at Mud Run. Major Galley of the Salvation Army lectures on the 
“Galveston Horro” in B. I. A. Inaugural recital at Central M. E. Church by I. V. Flagler. 
13. Ex-prisoners of war association meets in Scranton. Annual entertainment for South 
Washington street synagog children.
14. Hardware dealers of Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys meet in Wilkes-Barre and organize. 
Dr. A. B. VanOrmer of Gettysburg lectures in high school on “The New Education.” Ice 
companies doing business in Wilkes-Barre consolidated. 
16. United Mine Workers in convention at Hazleton adjourn after being in session for several 
days, giving the operators until April 1 to meet them in joint conference. Georgetown young 
man arrested on the charge of criminally assaulting four girls under ten years of age.
17. Bishop Talbot confirms in St. Stephens. Calvary and at Dorranceton. 
18. Combined A. O. H. societies celebrate St. Patrick’s day with an entertainment in an 
armory. Cynonfardd Society eisteddfod in Edwardsville.
19. Board of Trade calls upon president Nicholls of District No. 1 to do all in his power 
to avert a strike.
20. Northeastern Pennsylvania bowling club series won by Commercials of Scranton. Elks of 
Scranton second.
21. Annual convention W. H. M. S. of M. E. Church of Wyoming district in Kingston.
22. Girls at Bamford silk ribbon mill go on strike again, alleging that the management did 
not live up to its promises. Appropriation committee from legislature visits hospitals in 
this section. Luzerne County Taxpayers’ Association organized.
23. Michael Granahan of Pittston killed in a runaway accident.
24. Beginning of series of dedicatory services in new Central M. E. Church. Eighth 
anniversary of Young Women’s Christian Association in First. M. E. Church. Rev. Dr. Tuttle 
in his former pulpit at First M. E. 
25. David Clark of Hazleton, thirty-nine years master mechanic of the Lehigh Valley railroad, 
dies. W. A. Banfield and Dr. F. C. Johnson appointed prison commissioners in place of Col. 
E. A. Beaumont and John Brazelle. 
26. First thunder shower of season.
27. Father Phillips and delegations from Hazleton and Pottsville boards of trade have 
interview with J. Pierpont Morgan in New York City and he assures them that he will do all 
in his power to prevent strike. Strike sympathizers at Bamford silk ribbon mill break many 
windows and throw stones at superintendent Spears and foreman Greene while they are on their 
way home, the former quite seriously hurt on the head; crowd also drives policemen away. 
Episcopalians take turn in holding services in Central M. E.: Bishop Talbot preaches. 
Interscholastic debate between Cazenovia and Wyoming seminaries at Kingston on “Expansion,” 
won by the former. Second annual concert of Westminster Sunday School orchestra. Jail 
appointments made by the new board of prison commissioners. 
28. President Mitchell of United Mine Workers. Father Phillips and presidents of various 
districts of Mine Workers arrive in town. Chancellor Day preaches at Central M. E. 
29. President Mitchell and United Mine Workers officers hold and all day session in Wilkes-
Barre and announce that there will be no strike. James Pollock, who escaped from jail 
March 2, recaptured sleeping in a barn near Huntsville.
30. General rejoicing over settlement of strike. St. Stephen’s Industrial School closing.
31. Dedication of Central M. E. Church by Bishop Fowler---$45,000 raised and subscribed 
during day and the total debt provided for. Confirmation in Lutheran and Reformed churches. 


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April
1. Councils reorganize for the fiscal year. Arthur W. Jackson retires as jail warden and 
George J. Llewellyn takes his place.
2. Albert K. Smith of Wilkes-Barre, 17 years, suicides in the House of Correction at 
Philadelphia. Public meeting of machinists addressed by the national president, James 
Connell.
3. Bartel brewery workers at Edwardsville strike because management would not sign new scale.
4. Annual convention of W. F. M. S., Wilkes-Barre District, in Scranton. Jeremiah Hoover 
appointed deputy internal revenue collector in place of George J. Llewellyn, jail warden.
5. Contracts awarded for new electric road between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.
6. Inside foreman Camuel Morgan resigns from Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre and goes with D. & H.
7. Cloudy and gloomy Easter weather.
8. Appointment of council committees for the fiscal years. Kingston St. Aloysius Society 
fifteenth anniversary banquet.
9. Knights of Malta celebrate fourteenth anniversary with entertainment and banquet. Union 
Veteran Legion commemorates surrender of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant and ending of the Civil War. 
Rabbi Salzman observes fifth anniversary of connection with the South Washington street 
temple---congregation presents him with a purse. Adam Rhoads of Parsons fatally stabbed by a 
foreigner while on his way home at night. Annual Wyoming Conference veteran anniversary at 
West Pittston. 
10. Fiftieth session of Wyoming conference opens in West Pittston M. E. Church. Dr. and Mrs. 
Thomas J. Wheaton celebrate golden anniversary. Dr. C. B. Frantz, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, 
elected Mayor of Eldora, Colorado.
11. Wyoming conference fails to give the necessary two-thirds vote in favor of new 
constitution of the church at large, main opposition being caused by paragraph admitting 
women as lay delegates. Three hundred car repairers at Ashley shops of the Central railroad 
strike because twenty-seven men who were dismissed were not reinstated.
12. Committee of young men organizes to assist Mrs. H. W. Palmer in her B. I. A. work. 
Ashley shops shut down, throwing those who were not on strike idle also. Death of Hon. 
Theodorus Hart, publisher of the Pittston Gazette.
13. Strike at Ashley car shops settled by management agreeing to reinstate the men suspended.
14. Mr. and Mrs. Morris O’Connell and Mrs. Frank Cramer killed at L. V. South Wilkes-Barre 
crossing. Sermon by Bishop Fowler and ordination at Wyoming Conference.
15. Close of Wyoming conference and appointments; next session at Carbondale. Ball at armory 
in aid of the silk mill strikers attended by about five thousand people. Petitions presented 
to county commissioners asking that all toll bridges in county be freed. Opening session of 
Presbytery of Lackawanna in Scranton. John Kutafapa suicides at Kingston by hanging. Dr. 
and Mrs. Joel J. Rogers of Huntsville celebrate golden wedding anniversary. 
16. Bishop Fowler, appointed arbitrator by the court, hands down his decision in the Sherman 
street M. E. Church case, supporting the late pastor and his adherents. Twelve hundred 
miners of the L. V. at the Prospect idle because company discharged a boy who was told to 
oil a journal, he claiming that was not his work; Maltby mine of the same company idle 
because a driver boy was discharged; Harry E. and Forty Fort mines of Temple Iron Co. idle 
because driver obys were discharged for refusing to furnish cars to certain miners. 
17. Miss Mira Lloyd Dock of Harrisburg lectures on “Town Improvement.” Closing of the first 
season of work by the Busy Girls, a sister association to the B. I. A. Union C. E. 
missionary rally in the Memorial Church. Sheet metal workers of Bertels and Trethaway 
tinware factories go on strike. Superintendent W. A. Lathrop of Valley Coal Co. becomes 
president of new company to mine soft coal in the western part of the State; S. D. Warriner 
his successor. 
18. East End St. Aloysius Society celebrates fourth anniversary with a banquet. Maltby and 
Forty Fort strikes settled. Dr. Charles Dana of Tunkhannock burned to death in a barn fire. 
19. Memorial meeting in memory of Ralph D. Lacoe of West Pittston, by Historical Society. 
Annual Y. M. C. A. gymnastic exhibition in Nesbitt Theatre. 


Page 85
20. Col. C. B. Dougherty of the Ninth Regiment elected commander of the Naval and Military 
Order of the Spanish-American War for Pennsylvania. Widow of George P. Richards of Plymouth 
claims to have found in a bible a judgement note for $84,000 against Abram Nesbitt and 
institutes suit for its collection; Mr. Nesbitt pronounces the signature a forgery. Breaker 
boys at Baltimore No. 3 strike becase a few of their number were discharged.
22. Striking boys at Baltimore No. 3 ordered back to work by grievance committee. Several 
days of rain, river up to 19 feet.
23. Strike at the Prospect. L. V. declared off after investigation by United Mine Workers’ 
officers. Concordia spring concert; soloist, Miss Hoffman of New York City. St. George’s day 
banquet in Calvary House. Body of Louis Orio, an insane patient from Wilkes-Barre, who 
escaped from Retreat Asylum two months ago, found in the river at Bloomsburg. 
24. Case of smallpox discovered at Larksville house quarantined. Rival factios of the 
Democratic party get together, the two chairmen resign and Mayor J. Ridgway Wright elected 
chairmen.
25. Lutheran Ministerium, Wilkes-Barre conference, in session in Lehighton. Only one day of 
sunshine in nearly three weeks.
26. U. S. Marine Band concerts in armory. Flag presentation exercises at Hill street scholl.
27. Two trucks and several cars damaged by wreck on Ashley plane. Century Wheelmen of 
Philadelphia entertained by West End Club.
28. Rev. John H. Bickford of Pittsurg occupies his new pulpit in First M. E. Church. 
Liedertafel Damen Abend gives a farewell to John N. Baumann previous to his departure for 
Europe.
29. Spring session of Scranton Archdeaconry, Episcopal Church, in Pittston. Smoker by five 
companies of Ninth Regiment. Slosing exercises at Y. M. C. A. gymnasium.
30. Knights Templar, Dieu Le Veut Commandery, installation banquet. 

May.
1. Maud Gonne, the Irish “Joan of Arc,” and Major McBride, hero of the Boer War, lecture in 
armory. Reception by congregation of Parrish street M. E. Church in honor of Rev. Will H. 
Hiller’s return as pastor. Annual Luzerne County Bible Society meeting. 
2. Bamford silk ribbon mill to be removed to Paterson, N. J., on account of non-settlement 
of strike. First electrical storm of the season a severe one---one man killed by lightning 
near Wyoming, another dies of heart disease caused by frights, one woman has an arm broken 
by jumping from street car. St. Stephen’s Church steeple and the West millat Plymouth struck.
3. One hundred and fifty Italians brought from New York City by an agent who told them they 
were to work on a railroad at Avoca, he deserting them after collecting $8 from each. 
Cantata “David and Goliath” at the Nesbitt by Dr. Mason Glee Society for City Hospital 
benefit. John McRill of Wyoming suicides by shooting. Five more smallpox cases at Larksville. 
4. Nine cases of smallpox now Larksville. St. Clements Industrial School exercises.
5. Four young men ordained to the ministry at P. M. conference at Plymouth. C. T. A. U. 
quarterly convention at Georgetown. A thousand young people pledged to temperance at Holy 
Savior Church. 
6. Jennie Vernon, 9 years old, burned to death at Mehoopany.
7. Three cases of smallpox in Plymouth Township, near Larksville. Reception at Mallinckrodt 
Convent---twenty-one take the novitiate vows and eleven the finel vows. Explosion of powder 
at Henry Colliery---five men injured. 
8. Opening at Wilkes-Barre Furniture Manufacturing Co.’s plant at Irving Place. Sale of 
securities of the late Joseph Birkbeck at the court house. 
9. Three more cases of smallpox at Larksville, making fifteen altogether, one of them, 
Harrison Nesbitt, well known merchant and Red Man.
10. John Mannick of Hazleton suicides by shooting. County commissioners answer petitions of 
the Free Bridge Association that on account of new court house project the commissioners 
cannot now free the bridges.
12. Twelfth anniversary of Epworth League observed in First M. E. Rev. Dr. Mogg preaches to 
Odd Fellows. Twenty-ninth anniversary of the local Y. M. C. A. observed in Central M. E. 
Church.
13. Ringling circus attended by about 24,600 people. Two deaths from smallpox at Larksville---
child of Mr. and 


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Mrs. Timble and son of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Lyons, 10 years.
14. Third Larksville smallpox victim---Ann Lyons, 14 years.
15. Annual diocesan C. T. A. U. convention in session at Scranton. Special session of 
Lackawanna Presbytery at Forty Fort. Body of Ralph J. White, convicted of murder in the 
second degree, who suicided in jail February 12 and over the interment of whose remains in 
Sweet Valley cemetery there was so much contention, stolen from the grave at night. One more 
smallpox case in the Larksville region. 
16. Class of four hundred confirmed at St. Mary’s Church. Fourth smallpox death at 
Larksville---John Lyons 27 years old.
17. News from New York City of the sensational death of Father E. S. Phillips of Hazleton. 
Two more smallpox deaths---Mrs. Elias Trimble and child of Mrs. Leslie Lyone---six deaths 
altogether. Route taken by those who stole the body of Ralph White from the grave at Sweet 
Valley traced to a pond about a mile and a half from the cemetery.
18. Seventh death from smallpox---John Reed.
19. Forty-third anniversary of a. M. E. Zion Church. James McLaughlin of Avondale, 80 years, 
suicides by cutting his throat.
20. Thousands of people attend funeral of Father Phillips at Pittston. Eighteenth case of 
smallpox---one at Luzerne Borough and another at Larksville. Machinists at Lehigh Valley 
shops, Central Railroad shops and Dickson Works strike for nine hour day. Allentown district 
of Evangelical Association in the Grove street church. Body of Ralph J. White found in the 
road about a mile and a half from the Sweet Valley cemetery and placed back in the grave. 
Martin Carney, formerly of Ashley, killed on an Ohio railroad. 
21. Death of Martin Cawley of Duryea, shot by Joseph Yescavious May 17. Father Eugene A. 
Garvey of Pittston named as bishop of the new diocese in Western Pennsylvania. 
22. Sub-district Epworth League convention in Parrish street M. E. Church. Lehigh & Wilkes-
Barre committee presents grievances to officials. Wallace circus at West Side Park.
23. Twenty-second case of smallpox---four at Larksville. Frank Neuer, who escaped from jail 
April 27, captured at Albany, N. Y.
24. Decision of board of arbiters in relation to South Wilkes-Barre silk mill strike---five 
of the eight old loomfixers to be reinstated and three of the new ones to remain; employes 
to return May 27 after being out over four months. Miss Dock of Harrisburg repeats her 
lecture on municipal improvement to councilmen and Board of Trade members in city hall. 
Father Husale of Plains appointed to succeed late Father Phillips at Hazleton. Oscar J. 
Harvey reads before the Historical Society extracts from his forthcoming history of Wilkes-
Barre.
25. Rain and cloudy weather for a number of days---rainy and cool spring. Charles DeGraw of 
Eaton Township, Wyoming County, suicides. 
26. Conyngham Post and auxiliary organizations attend services at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. 
Central Labor Union declares strikes at South Wilkes-Barre silk mill and Georgetown silk 
ribbon mill off, in the latter case the new superintendent granting the requests acceded to 
by the former superintendent and an additional increase of about ten per cent. Moses Cohen, 
a well known local pugilist, suicides by inhaling gas. Seven more cases of smallpox, four in 
Larksville, two in Edwardsville and one in Kingston---twenty-nine altogether.
27. Authorities of Wilkes-Barre take up the smallpox question---all residents who have not 
been vaccinated in five years ordered to have it done under penalty; peddlers of rags, etc., 
ordered to discontinue until further notice; emergency hospital to accommodate fifty 
patients ordered erected. School Board also passes resolution that all school children must 
be vaccinated. Thirtieth case of smallpox---at Larksville. Lehigh Valley Railroad Company 
brings from new York City fifty machinists to take places of strikers at North Wilkes-Barre 
shops. B. E. Robinson, 58 years, suicides at West Nanticoke.
28. Argument in court on injunction proceedings to restrain city from transferring to the 
county river common suite for new court house. Thirty-first case of smallpox---at 
Edwardsville. President Underwood and other Erie officials in Wilkes-Barre on tour of 
inspection. Over four hundred vaccinated free at city hall. Three Italians killed by 
explosion of giant powder along route of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton railroad, near Avoca.


Page 87
29. Sixteen anniversary Court Primrose Lodge of Odd Fellows. Thirty-fifth case of smallpox---
two in Edwardsville, one in Larksville and one in another portion of Plymouth Township.
30. Lewis Williams of Buttonwood, 19 years, killed in Ohio. Thomas McAndrew of near Avoca, 
23 years, burned to death in a house destroyed by fire. Eighth death from smallpox---Mrs. 
Kester of Luzerne Borough.
31. William Ludwig, baritone, at St. Mary’s Church concert. Long spell of wet weather. 

June.
1. Grand Jury recommends that toll bridges be made free---county commissioners now 
confronted with a serious problem in view of the fact that a new court house is needed.

2. Reception of Blessed Virgin Sodality at St. Mary’s church. Smallpox appears in Wilkes-
Barre---Philip Solak of Murray street; two new cases on the West Side---one in Plymouth 
Township and one in Edwardsville; ninth death---Polish child at Edwardsville. Rev. B. F. G. 
McGee preaches special sermon to P. O. S. of A. Announcement from Washington that government 
has purchased the Anning Dilley property, corner South Main and South Street, for a public 
building. 
. 
Tuesday, June 3
•School board re-organizes.      •Injunction asked to prevent the use of the Helfrich house 
near Mallinckrodt Convent as an emergency hospital for smallpox.

Wednesday, June 4
•Examinations for mine foremen’s and assistant foremen’s certificates in city hall.      
•Presentation of a $600 punch bowl by Lehigh Valley Coal Co. employees to the retiring 
general superintendent, W.A. Lathrop.

Thursday, June 5
•Cornerstone of First Primitive Methodist Church laid.       
•Annual Old Ladies’ Home festival.

Friday, June 6
•W.J. Harvey tenders a banquet to horsemen at Wyoming Valley Hotel.

Saturday, June 7
•Annual Hillman Academy Linonia Society banquet.       
•Death of Rev. T.H. Pearne in Cincinnati, one of the circuit riding ministers in Wyoming 
Valley fifty years ago.

Sunday, June 8
•Number of Republican candidates drop out on the last day for registration.       
•Strikes at the Morgan & Menzies hosiery mill at Ashley, the Morgan Mill at Lee Park and 
the Templeton mill at Plymouth.      •Forty-one cases of smallpox altogether – two more at 
Edwardsville and one at Larksville.

Monday, June 9
•Children’s day exercises in a number of Sunday schools.

Tuesday, June 10
•Forty-second cases of smallpox – child in the Slovak home in Wilkes-Barre.       
•George S. Robinson benefit in the Nesbitt.

Wednesday, June 11
•All remaining streets of Wilkes-Barre grabbed by the Focht syndicate, under the Act just 
signed by the governor.       
•Hillman Academy declamation contests and commencement.       
•“The Messiah” by a chorus of 150 voices at St. Mary’s Church.       
•First spell of hot weather – thermometer 87.      
•Forty-fourth case of smallpox – child at West Nanticoke and adult in Plymouth Township.

Thursday, June 12
•Wilkes-Barre Institute commencement.       
•Twelfth annual commencement of City Hospital nurses’ training school.       
•Central Labor Union causes arrest of four watchmen employed at Lehigh Valley shops, where 
there is a strike of machinists, on the charge of flourishing firearms – placed under $500 
bail each by alderman Gaughan.       
•Tenth death from smallpox – Miss Julia Keating of Edwardsville; forty-fifth case – at 
Edwardsville.

Friday, June 13
•Forty-six smallpox case – Edwardsville.

Saturday, June 14
•Eleventh annual Wilkes-Barre high school commencement.      
•Commencement at St. Mary’s Academy.  
•Central  Pennsylvania Telephone Co. linemen of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton strike for an 
increase in pay.  
•Forty-seventh smallpox case – child two weeks old in Plymouth Township.

Sunday, June 15
•Announcement of granting foremen’s and assistant foremen’s certificates.      
•No changes in machinists’ strike at Ashley and Lehigh Valley shops and Dickson works.

Monday, June 16
•Stationary firemen in State convention decide to request a reduction in hours of employment 
from twelve to eight hours, to go into effect on July 15, 1902.      
•Baccalaureate sermon for Wyoming Seminary graduates by Rev Dr. W.F. McDowell of New York 
City; conference sermon by Rev. C.M. Surdam of Pittston.     
•Osteopathy baccalaureate by Rev. Morvin Custer.       
•St. Mary’s congregation begins making the series of jubilee visits in a body.      
•Fifty-second smallpox case – one each at Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Larksville, and two 
at Edwardsville.  

Tuesday, June 17
•Nothing to report.

Wednesday, June 18
•Pennsylvania conference of the M.P. ministerial association at Harvey’s Lake.      
•Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association in session at Harvey’s Lake.      
•Strikes at the Keystone, Maltby, and  Forty Fort collieries because companies would not 
discharge non-union workmen.

Thursday, June 19
•Fifty-third smallpox case – at Plymouth.      
•Many June weddings.      
•Seminary commencement day.
•Dr. Jay F. Schamberg of Philadelphia speaks about smallpox at medical society meeting.



Friday, June 20
•Michael Crooks, the Polander charged with fatally stabbing Adam Rhoads at Parsons, 
April 29, 1902,acquitted on the ground of self-defense.       
•Seven graduates at Mallinckrodt Convent commencement. 
•Miners at the Keystone, Mill Creek, return to work, grievances having been adjusted.       
•St. Aloysius Society banquet in honor of society’s patron saint.       
•Mr. and Mrs. Darling of the dog and pony show, charged with trying to poison showman 
Samwell, discharged for lack of evidence.       
•Rev. Patrick Loughney of Pittston ordained to priesthood at Scranton.      
•Osteopathy alumni banquet at Harvey’s Lake.        
•Amos Sutton of Lehman, 70 years, marries Sophia Doggett, 23 years.       
•Reunion of the Stroh family, one of the oldest in America, at Forty Fort.

Saturday, June 21
•Nothing to report.

Sunday, June 22
•Frank Deitrick, city clerk for about fifteen years, resigns to accept position with New 
York City financial firm as local representative.

Monday, June 23
•Rev. W.J. Hill of Derr M.E. preaches to Sons and Daughters of St. George.       
•Rev. Will H. Hiller of Parrish street M.E. Church preaches to Knights of Malta.        
•Third case of smallpox in Wilkes-Barre and fifty-fourth altogether – child on Murray street.

Tuesday, June 24
•Board of School Government elects school teachers.      
•Board of Trade condemns recent legislation by which the Focht-Emery street railway bills 
were passed
Wednesday, June 25
•Dr. Matthews retires as one of the proprietors of the Atlantic School of Osteopathy and Dr. 
Hewish and W.A. Schlingmann take an interest.
Thursday, June 26
O.O. Esser, formerly superintendent of the Wyoming division L.V. dies at Tunkhannock.       
•No. 2 Baltimore breaker of the D.&H. near East End, destroyed by fire, including the 
washery and other buildings; men have a narrow escape.
Friday, June 27
•Nicholas Capace, on trial for the murder of Antonio Dunorio, a Freeland barber, pleads 
guilty to murder in second degree and is given extreme penalty, twenty years.         
•Quarantine lifted in West Side smallpox cases.        
•Tillman Newhart of Avondale, 21 years old, suicides by taking carbolic acid.      
• Strike at West End Coal Co. colliery at Mocanaqua ended – on for nearly two months.
 

Saturday, June 28
•Eight days of severely hot weather.       
•Heavy downpour of rain in Wilkes-Barre for over an hour – none in Nanticoke or Pittston
Sunday, June 29
•Republican primaries according to the Crawford County System – light vote.         
•Strike at Harry E. colliery, Forty Fort, ended by non-union carpenters resigning.
Monday, June 30                                 
•Evening of Gounod music at Central M.E.         
•First children’s day service at St. Clement’s.        
•Stationary engineers in convention decided to support stationary firemen in request for 
an eight hour day, to go into effect 

July 15.  (out of order)                                 
•Fifty-fifth case of smallpox – at Plymouth.

July.
1. Hottest of the summer so far---thermometer 100 in Wilkes-Barre, same at Harvey’s Lake 
and Dallas. Major Elisha A. Hancock announces that the will give from $5,000 to $15,000 for 
the erection of a monument or some other memorial in Wilkes-Barre, his native place. Fifty-
sixth small pox case---in Plymouth.
2. Argument in court on court house site injunction. Intense heat continues---101 in the 
shade---many prostrations in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity---Italian laborer in North Wilkes-
Barre, farm hand near Wyoming, baby in Wilkes-Barre, and Plymouth woman killed by the heat.
3. Slight relief from the extreme heat during the afternoon---mercury 92. President Warfield 
of Lafayette delivers address at commemorative exercises at Wyoming Monument.
4. Quiet Fourth in town---thousands of people at the various picnic resorts---only one fire 
alarm. Republican county chairman Reese D. Lloyd completes recournt of primary votes and 
announces the nomination of Dick for controller---Joseph D. Lloyd announces that he will 
carry the case to court and also cause arrests on the charge of illegal voting, etc. 
Midsummer horse races at West Side Park. B. I. a. boys entertained by Mrs. Palmer at her 
cottage on the mountain.
5. Thomas Phillips, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, son of Rev. T. M. Phillips, dies of heat in 
New York City.
6. Lehigh Valley secures Seneca Coal Company collieries at Pittston. Thirteenth day the 
mercury has been above 90, two days reaching 100. Quar-

[page 89]
terly convention county A. O. H. John Mulish of near Maltby assaulted and robbed, dies from 
fracture of the skull.

7. Mercury 84, cool breeze, great relief after the long spell of extreme heat.
8. United Mine Workers of District No. 1 in convention in Scranton. Public school janitors 
get increase in wages of from $20 to $30 a year. Eleventh death from small pox---Joseph 
Adamson of Larksville.
9. Charles Ferguson returns to his after an absence of 32 years; she believed him dead and 
married again and had four children; second husband killed by the discharge of a gun.
10. Mayor Nichols dismisses chief of police Kline; sergeant John W. Jones made chief and 
Patrick F. Conroy made sergeant. Body of an infant three or four days old found buried in 
Hollemback culm bank badly burned.
11. Prohibition county convention in B. I. A. hall. County controller Lloyd dismisses chief 
deputy Donaughey on account of activity on behalf of Lloyd’s opponent in primaries.
12. Reception in Bennett Chapel for Rev. Charles Seward, the new pastor. Frank Lorenz, 
residence not known, suicides at White Haven by hanging. 
13. Semi-annual inspection and contests of the fire department.
14. A. M. Woolbert of near Trucksville found dead along the Dallas road. State firemen in 
convention decide to strike unless they are granted the eight hour day.
15. Conference at Ashley between shop men and officials results in no agreement. Harry 
Phillips named deputy controller in place of Mr. Donaughey.
16. Nearly all mines in the Wyoming region closed on account of strike of stationary firemen; 
bosses and other employees keeping up enough steam to operate fans and pumps; men in 
Hazleton region not organized and few idle; none of the large industries idle, men having 
been granted the requests. Kingston Coal company miners strike on account of some difference 
in pay for rock cutting. Republican county chairman Reese Lloyd certifies the nomination of 
Arthur E. Dick of Hazleton as controller candidate; Joseph D. Lloyd gives notice that he 
intends contesting.
17. Strike of firemen remains firm, many at the mines in the Lackawanna region also go out. 
Supreme Court refuses to grant a new trial to John Lutz, convicted of murder in first degree. 
Frank W. Wheaton appointed additional law judge y Governor Stone.
18. United Mine Workers decided that all firemen members of that organization shall return 
to work---State Firemen’s Association much discouraged over this decision Foreman Roberts 
and five other men hoisted in a bucket up the Stanton upcast air shaft and fight and 
extinguish a fire caused by lightning---in constant danger of an explosion of gas. Kingston 
Coal Company minters’ strike settled with a compromise.
19. Machinists of Lehigh Valley and Central shops have conferences but not settlement 
reached. Ninth Regiment off for brigade encampment at Mt. Gretna.
20. First break in machinists’ strike in Wilkes-Barre---Dickson works men decide to return 
to work at old hours, with a slight increase in wages. Death of Judge Alfred Darte of the 
Orphans’ Court. Mayor Nichols signs ordinance giving traction company perpetual franchise 
for South Canal and some other street. James Thomas, former Wilkes-Barre resident, found 
murdered and robbed in Bloomsburg. Frank W. Wheaton named for judge by Republican county 
committee and Dr. A. G. Fell elected county chairman.
21. Stationary firemen and United Mine Workers hold stormy conference in B. I. A. hall; 
latter refuse to assist former, alleging that they are bound to recognize the contract with 
the operators made for a year; firemen finally decide to call strike off providing the 
operators take all of the old firemen back. Death of Dr. I. E. Ross, one of the oldest 
physicians of Wilkes-Barre.
22. Judge Wheaton takes seat on bench. Nine young men admitted to the bar. The strike of 
stationery firemen formally declared off, all but seven of the companies agreeing to take 
back their firemen, United Mine Workers promising to try and get the others back also.
23. Fred H. Gates elected city clerk in place of Frank Deitrick, resigned. Lehigh Valley 
machinists’ strike at North Wilkes-Barre and Coxton shops declared off without any 
concessions---men to apply as new applicants for work. United Mine Workers hold conference 
and discuss plans to have firemen not reemployed reinstated, but nothing definite decided 
upon.

[page 90]
25. Ashley shops union workers decide to return to work after being out since May 20, but 
car men decide to prolong the strike.
26. Charles W. Jones, formerly of White Haven and a member of the Ninth Regiment, killed in 
Wisconsin.
27. Ninth Regiment returns form Mt. Gretna. Anthony Walsh of Olyphant jumps from a Mountain 
park excursion train near Ashley to get his little boy’s hat, which had fallen from a window, 
falls under the wheels and is killed in sight of his wife and child. George H. Burros of 
Wyalusing killed in railroad wreck in Colorado.
28. C. T. A. U. quarterly convention. 
29. Another hot wave, with mercury between 90 and 100. South street ridge closed to traffic 
on account of defects. 
31. Col. C. Bow Dougherty entertains officers of Ninth Regiment in honor of twentieth 
anniversary of his connection with regiment. First demonstration of wireless telegraphy in 
Wilkes-Barre. William Watkins of Parsons killed in Scranton D., L. & W. shops.

August
1. Colored people celebrate anniversary of emancipation day at West Side Park with addresses, 
music and athletic events. Farewell reception for Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Hunton, who remove to 
Chicago.
2. After a lull of several weeks, another smallpox case discovered, a child in Plymouth, the 
fifty-seventy altogether.
3. William Rosencrans of Tunkhannock, an employee of the Hall Signal System Company, killed 
by a train on the Lehigh Valley. Richard Heffernan of Plymouth Township, killed in Utah. 
Iron Workers and Ashley called to work on Monday; Carmen still remain out. Fifty-eighth 
case of smallpox---another child at Plymouth.
4. Half a dozen men badly burned by an explosion in the Stevens Coal Co. mine at Exeter 
Borough. Saloonkeepers and brewery men come to an agreement and fear of a boycott is over. 
All day rain does much good.
5. The Kilties, Canada’s crack military band, at the armory.
6. Mrs. William Berger of Wilkes-Barre feigns sleep while a burglar ransacks room.
8. Executive boards of three anthracite districts meet in Hazleton to confer about several 
questions that have arisen, among them the refusal of some operators to allow inspection of 
mine workers’ card. The will of Samuel P. Williams of Pittston, involving a $50,000 estate, 
being contested. Prof. H. C. Davis and wife return from the West to find their house 
burglarized.
9. United Mine Workers in session at Hazleton issue a lengthy statement regarding situation 
and arrange for a conference later on. J. W. Thomas succeeds William Master as Jersey 
Central freight agent in Wilkes-Barre. Twelfth death from smallpox---child in Plymouth.
10. Owen J. Gallagher, a former Wilkes-Barre resident, killed on a railroad at Pittsburg. 
Heaviest wind storm of season.
12. Robert Shortz dies from inhaling illuminating gas. Edward A. Davenpot killed in Ohio by 
falling from a smoke stack. Thomas Casper, thought to have been murdered and his body buried 
in a mine several years ago, returns home. Annual Y. M. D. O. camp begins at Harvey’s Lake. 
13. Brotherhood of the Union State convention at Wilkes-Barre. J. T. Croner, a Freeland 
merchant, suicides by shooting. Samuel Abraham, charged with robbing and murdering Anthony 
Mulish at Maltby, in South Africa.
14. Ganoga Lake ice handlers strike because company would not reinstate a discharged driver.
15. Miners at No. 5 D. and H. in Plymouth Township strike because an order was issued to 
place all refuse, rock, etc., on one side of their chambers. 
16. George McGuire, a former resident of Laurel Run, killed near Philadelphia.
17. Landslide on Lehigh Valley at Vosburg channel stalls traffic for over twenty-four 
hours---eight trains on one side and four on another side at one time. Rescue Mission and 
United Charities children given outing at Fernbrook Park. Patrick Melvin, formerly of 
Wilkes-Barre, killed in the State of Wyoming. John Mitchell, president U. M. W. of A., 
speaks at Plymouth---parade of 5,000 union members.
18. Rev. Dr. W. L. Hunton of St. John’s Lutheran Church preaches his farewell sermon; to 
become pastor of largest English Lutheran Church in Chicago. Socialists of Luzerne County 
have annual convention and place ticket in field.
19. John Mras, a prominent Plymouth hotelkeeper, suicides by jumping from a boatin midstream, 
his wife vainly trying to save him. Opening of Grand Opera House for season.
20. Schooley’s Battery reunion at Nay Aug Park, Scranton. Sixtieth case of smallpox---two 
more at Plymouth.
21. Thirty-third annual convention of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of the United 
States and Canada at Plymouth. Seven County Veteran reunion at Lake Lodore.
22. Body of John Mras, who suicided by jumping in the river the 19th, found a short distance 
below Plymouth.
24. Five fatal accidents. Democratic primaries do not arouse much interest. Another heavy 
downpour of rain and washout at Vosburg tunnel, at same place as a week ago. 
25. Reese D. Reese of Plymouth suicides by drowning.
27. United Mine Workers’ convention of three districts begins sessions in Hazleton. Harvey 
Weiss elected assistant city clerk. Democratic county convention. Samuel Hasslacher, 
formerly of Wilkes-Barre, dies in Canada.
28. August Philliski of Wilkes-Barre fond dead on a picket fence at Plymouth, having died 
of heart disease. 
20. Mail collector O. s. White invents an improved mail box. Carey family reunion at 
Fernbrook Park.
30. Judge Kelly of Scranton decides that new trolley company has right of eminent domain. 
Thirteenth death from smallpox---at Plymouth.
31. Eighteenth annual Caledonia games at Hanover Park. Two young ladies take black veil and 
one the white veil at St. Mary’s convent. Police make raid on South Fell street and capture 
fourteen people.

September
1. Body of Reese D. Reese, drowned August 25, found in the river at Hunlock. Cornerstone of 
First German-English Lutheran Church laid.
2. Six thousand people in Labor Day parade.
3. Judge Ferris hands down decision recognizing legality of Board of Six school directors 
for Wilkes-Barre. Judge Wheaton makes his initial charge to grand jury and creates favorable 
impression.
5. Dr. H. N. Young appointed on State Board of Dental Examiners. Reunion of 143d Regiment 
at Harvey’s Lake---ex-Governor Chamberlin of Maine present. Judge Wheaton decides that no 
injunction can issue on account of the abstractions of files from court house office, as 
there are insufficient accommodations.
6. News of the assassination of President McKinley at Buffalo causes great excitement in 
town.
7. Body of unknown man found hanging in woods near Ashley. Ethylwyn wins series of club cup 
races for the season at Harvey’s Lake and also takes the cup, having won for three 
successive years.
8. Lambs’ Club of Philadelphia, on the way to the national G. A. R. convention at Cleveland, 
stops with Conyngham Post for a day. Consecration of Father Eugene A. Garvey of Pittston as 
bishop of the new diocese of Altoona in the cathedral at Scranton---Cardinal Martinelli 
officiating. Prayers in the churches for recovery of Presient McKinley. 
9. Opening of public schools for school year; first of the manual training department in 
connection with the public schools in Wilkes-Barre, in accordance with act of the 
legislature. Rousing indignation meeting at Plymouth regarding attempted assassination of 
President McKinley. Edward E. Reynolds of West Pittston recommended as mine inspector of 
the Fourth or Wilkes-Barre district in place of g. M. Williams, resigned. District 
Superintendent R. Mainwaring of the Temple Iron Co. resigns.
10. Warnke washery at Duryea closed temporarily on account of theft of brass. Reunion of 
Co. F, 53d Regiment, at Fernbrook Park. Liverymen and undertakers form association.
11. Reception for new pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rev. Mr. Beattes. Kingston 
citizens hold indignation meeting to take action with reference to alleged utterances 
regarding attempt upon President McKinely’s life. Ethelwyn wins harding cup in series of 
races at Harvey’s Lake.
12. Annual W. C. T. U. convention in West Pittston M. E. Church. Goods stolen from Rev. Mr. 
Hill’s residence found in Scranton and arrest made. 
13. Crowds of people in front of the Record bulletins all afternoon and night until the 
announcement of President McKinley’s death at 2:25 a. m.; court house bell tolled; general 
sorrow throughout the city. Joseph Rerko, 22 years, of Wilkes Barre, suicides at 
Edwardsville by swallowing carbonic acid. Motorman John Pierson of the Kingston street car 
line meets his brother and sister from the West, on his car, after not seeing them in twenty 
years. Miss Nellie Kearney of Scranton killed by a train with a straw ride party on her way 
to Pittston. 
14. Republican primaries for Orphans’ Court Judge so close between Nicholas and Hand that 
the official count will be need to decide. Body of unknown peddler, about 40 years old, 
found in a cave hold filled with water near East end.
15. Special sermons and prayers in about all the churches with reference to the national 
sorrow, at death of the President. Harvest Home services in Lutheran and Reformed churches.
16. Capt. George W. Zeigler retires from Exchange Hotel and E. M. Smith takes charge. 
Corporal Mentz of Co. F, Ninth Regiment, dishonorably discharged for making a profane remark 
concerning the deceased President. Sixty-first case of smallpox---at Plymouth.
17. Annual convention Women’s Foreign Missionary Society, Wyoming District, in Forty Forst 
M. E. Church. Votes cast at Republican primaries counted and mayor F. M. Nichols declared 
nominee for Orphans’ Court judge. Opening of West Pittston fair.
18. Burglars enter four places at Wyoming. Many societies and organizations generally pass 
resolutions relative to the late President’s death.
19. Armory jammed at the McKinley memorial services; thousands unable to gain admission; 
overflow meeting held in Central M. E. Church. Business generally suspended and many 
buildings draped in mourning.
20. Wilkes-Barre United Choir and Wilkes-Barre Female Chorus sing at Pau-American Exposition 
esteddfod.
21. Ninth and Thirteenth Regimental matches at Scranton won by the latter. Jonathan W. Davis 
of Plymouth appointed deputy factory inspector.
22. Rev. W. J. John of South Wales preaches in his new charge, the First Baptist Church. 
First anniversary of the Branch Y. W. C. A., Heights. Jewish Day of Atonement. Installation 
of Rev. Mr. Beates as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
23. Strike of machinists at Exeter Works, West Pittston, because ten hour day was restored, 
settled by evening. Eighth annual Sunday school convention of the Wilkes-Barre conference 
of the Lutheran Church at Hazleton. Rev. I. I. Porter, many years ago pastor of the Kingston 
Presbyterian Church, dead at Watertown, N. Y. 
24. Egbert Wandell of Meshoppen fatally hurt while walking on railroad with his wife.
26. Irem Temple pilgrimage to Williamsport and Lock Haven.
28. First fatality at the big Ross street sewer, Morris Braun killed by iron bucket falling 
on him. Said to be a legacy of $40,000 for Mrs. Minich, who died friendless at Retreat poor 
house a year ago. Sixty-second case of smallpox---at Plymouth Township.
29. Lieut.-Col. George W. Wallace and Joseph Connery killed by falling down Twin air shaft 
at Pittston Junction. St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church at Sturmerville dedicated by Bishop 
Hoban. 
Reopening of Calvary Church after improvements. Two Italians suffocated by gas in a well 
near Yatesville, going in after a bag of chestnut with had fallen in. Memorial Sunday in 
First M. E. Sunday School---two deaths during the year---Prof. Krebs and George A. Wells.
30. Lithuanian-Polish club holds a mass meeting in Landmesser hall.

October 
1. Judge G. A. Endlick of Reading hands down opinion giving county commissioners power to 
accept river common site for new court house and the city power to transfer site. Ben. F. 
Dilley celebrates his sixty-fifth birthday anniversary by giving social session in Elks’ 
hall. Reception at the B. I. A. for the new superintendent, Albert L. Marcy of Dorranceton. 
Opening of the Dallas fari. Arrest of twenty-two Plymouth saloonkeepers on charge of keeping 
slot machines. National Hosiery Workers’ convention at Plymouth.
2. Two young ladies become novitiates at St. Mary’s Convent. Ninth Regiment turns out at 
funeral of Lieut-Col. Wallace.
3. Mayor F. M. Nichols appointed Orphans’ Court judge by the governor. 
4. Lucien Auman, formerly of Plymouth, a veteran of the civil war, suicides at Hotel Wilkes-
Barre by inhaling gas. Wyoming District Epworth League convention in Scranton.
5. A. O. H. quarterly convention. Patrick Dean of Plymouth shoots and seriously wounds 
Joseph Povolish while the latter was breaking into Rickard’s drug store. Scranton defeats 
Wilkes-Barre Country Club team at golf. Sixty-sixth case of smallpox---two more at Plymouth. 
John Conahan, formerly 

[page 93]
of Wilkes-Barre, killed at Frackville, Pa.
6. Military funeral of Philip Dindinger of Wilkes-Barre, who died in the Philippines in 1900. 
Rally at Y. M. C. A., address by ex-State Secretary Hurlburt. Dedication of St. Mark’s 
Catholic Church at Inkerman. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh P. Brislin of Hanover 
Township dead in one week of diphtheria/
7. Mayor Nichols declines appointment for Orphans’ Court Judge to devote his time to his 
campaign. Luzerne and Lackawanna County retail merchants combine to refuse credit to 
undeserving people.
8. Project to borrow $60,000 for municipal purposes again introduced into Common Council and 
referred to Finance Committee. Thomas Boland, 63 years old, having walked from Chicago to 
Plymouth to visit relatives, starts to walk back. 
9. Exceptions filed to Judge Endlich’s court house opinion. Opening of Bloomsburg fair. 
Robbers in Kingston Polish Catholic Church steal altar vessels, etc. Reception for Rev. 
William J. John, new pastor of the First Welsh Baptist Church.
10. Annual diocesan parade of the C. T. A. U. in Wilkes-Barre. Notice filed with the 
prothonotary of an Independent ticket.
11. Houses at Laurel Run damaged by Red Ash cave. Judge Troutman takes the oath of office 
and his seat on the Orphans’ Court bench.
12. Christian Bach, postmaster at Kingston, resigns on account of poor health. Wilkes-Barre 
defeats Binghamton and Scranton at gold at Binghamton. Word received that James, son of Mr. 
and Mrs. C. D. Boyle of Plymouth, a U. S. Marine, was killed by falling from a bridge in 
Japan.
13. Heavy rain all day. Sixty-eighth case of smallpox---two more at Plymouth.
14. Several cases of hydrophobia reported in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity.
15. Sunday School institute at St. John’s Lutheran.
16. Automatic signals being placed on Central Railroad.
17. Sixty-ninth case of smallpox---in Plymouth.
18. Paper before the Historical Society by Samuel H. Lynch on “Reminiscences of Early 
Wilkes-Barre.” Dr. Cobleigh’s cottage at Harvey’s Lake destroyed by fire. Thomas Macfarlane 
appointed postmaster at Kingston in place of Christian Bach, resigned.
19. Fire in No. 1 air shaft at Nanticoke threatens serious consequences for a while.
20. Attempt to dynamite the house of mine foreman Reese Morgan on Wilkes-Barre Heights. 
Third district C. T. A. U. convention at Avoca.
21. Luzerne County Teachers’ Institute in the Nesbitt Theatre. Free Bridge Association meets 
and instructs attorney to use every effort to compel county commissioners to free the 
bridges. Only two bids for coal under the river common received---one from the D., L. & W. 
and the other from the L. V., the prices being $1,800 an acre, which would yield about 
$66,000 instead of the $600,000 figured on.
22. Luzerne County C. E. Union annual convention in Memorial Church.
23. School directors of the county in annual session. Remains of Mrs. Sarah Tolan of 
Kingston Township found in a pond near her home.
24. Bloomsburg alumni annual meeting.
25. Two explosions of gas in the Buttonwood mine of the Parrish Coal Company---six men 
killed and seven injured, among the killed being two assistant foremen and among the injured 
the inside superintendent. Death at Scranton of Rev. Richard Horns, an old Methodist 
minister, who served charges in Luzerne County.
26. Mrs. Conrad, and insane patient at Retreat, suicides by hanging.
27. Autumn anniversary of the Sunday schools of St. Stephen’s. Sixth victim of Buttonwood 
mine explosion passes away. St. Mary’s Polish Catholic Church at Nanticoke dedicated.
28. Fall meeting of Scranton archdeaconry in session at Sayre. Seventy-first case of 
smallpox in the county---one at Plymouth and one in Hazleton.
29. Mitchell day parade---eight thousand men and boys in line; mass meeting at West Side 
Park addressed by president Mitchell and others. Coray and Yerkes mass meeting at the armory. 
Henry Austin Adams lectures on “The Theatre” in Columbus hall, the first lecture of the 
Knights of Columbus series. Seventy-second case of smallpox---one at Plymouth. 
30. Dr. W. R. Price lectures in the Nesbitt on “Psychology.” Annual donation day at the Home 
for Friendless Children. Special grand lodge session of Odd Fellows. Father O’Malley of 
Kingston transferred to St. John’s Catholic Church at Pittston and Father Thomas Brehony 
transferred from Eckley to St. Aloysius Church, Wilkes-Barre. Charles H. Memory resigns as 
auditor of Temple Iron Co. and is succeeded by George L. Houser of Mauch Chunk.
31. Annual Hallowe’en celebration of Caledonian Club. Body of Alexander Miscavitch and 
Conrad Warner, the latter unconscious, found under a trestling in North Wilkes-Barre through 
which they had fallen while running to a fire the evening before, the boy unconscious 
fourteen hours before being found.

November
1. Sharpened spoon found in the cell of John Lutz, under sentence of death for wife murder, 
supposedly for suicide. Rev. Dr. Henry L. Jones mentioned as a possible successor to the 
late Bishop Littlejohn. Daniel Montague, formerly of Lehigh Tannery, killed on a railroad at 
McKee’s Rocks, Pa. Seventy-third smallpox case---in Plymouth Township.
3. Sixth anniversary of Holy Savior church—confirmation of a large class and blessing of a 
bell presented by the young ladies. Reopening services at the Parrish Street M. E. Andrew 
Sagierhof, a Polander living at Wyoming, suicides at Scranton.
4. Horace C. Lutz, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, dies in Denver, Colo. Harry Ruhlin defeats 
“Jack” Ashton in a tame twenty rounds at Luzerne Borough.
5. Good weather for election and much interest.
6. Order issued for a strike of miners at Temple Iron Company collieries in Luzerne and 
Lackawanna counties, to go into effect Nov. 11, because the company discharged strikers 
form the Maltby of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company who had found work at the Harry E. and 
Forty Fort mines.
7. Rev. J. F. Beates of St. John’s Lutheran Church lectures on “Mormonism.” Rev. V. H. 
Lukens of the First Presbyterian Church lectures on “Alaska.” Farewell reception for Father 
O’Malley in Kingston.
8. Judge Endlich of Reading hears argument and fiels opinion dismissing exceptions to his 
court house opinion. Reception for Father Brehoney, the new rector of St. Aloysius Church. 
Major Frank L. McKee elected lieutenant colonel of the Ninth Regiment in place of Lieut.-Col. 
Walace, deceased; Captain Pierce elected major.
9. Building Trades Council banquet. Temple Iron Co. agrees to take back discharged employees 
and the strike order issued by the United Mine Workers rescinded. Seventy-fourth case of 
smallpox---at Plymouth. Body of unidentified man found under some steps at Swoyerville.
10. Close of the Rees evangelistic meetings, which have been in progress at Central M. E. 
Church for several weeks.
11. Seventy-sixth case of smallpox---two in Plymouth Township. Free Bridge Association 
applies for a write of alternative mandamus to compel county commissions to proceed with 
freeing the bridges.
12. Governor respites John Lutz, sentenced to be hanged Nov. 21, to Jan. 21, to allow 
insanity expert to appear before board of pardons. The expert subsequently reports him sane. 
Judge Halsey hands down opinion in which gross election frauds in Plains Township are spoken 
of. Councils award light contract to the old company for seven years, the rate being $60 a 
light. Nineteenth annual Luzerne County Sunday School convention in First Presbyterian 
Church.
13. Father Thomas F. Burke lectures in St. Mary’s Church on temperance. Wilkes-Barre sub 
district Epworth League convention at Askam. Patrolman Daniel Thomas dismissed from the 
force by Major Nichols.
14. Fourteenth death from smallpox since the outbreak. Ground covered with snow---first of 
the season.
15. Women’s Relief Corps district convention in Memorial hall. Fifteenth death from smallpox---
in Plymouth Township. Mrs. Daniel Showers of Freeland suicides by hanging. 
16. Joseph Hendler asks for injunction to restrain city from signing electric light contract. 
Judges examine court house plans. Mrs. Barbara Roscanna of Plymouth arrested on the charge 
of infanticide. 
17. Hon. William Abraham (Mabon), member of the British Parliament, preaches in Wilkes-Barre.
18. Banquet of Wholesale Merchants’ Association at Hotel Sterling. Paul Schmalzriedt, 
14 years old, commits suicide by taking carbolic acid and persuades his brother, 9 years old, 
to take some also, the older one stating that he was tired of life; younger boy recovers.
19. Mrs. Sarah Kelly of Pittston, said to be 107 years old, passes away. Semiannual 
convention of the Baptist Young People’s Union at Nanticoke.
20. Reception at St. Stephen’s parish house in honor of the twenty-seventh anniversary of 
the rectorage of Rev. Dr. Jones and the fortieth anniversary of his entrance into the 
ministry. Annual meeting of the Women’s Home Missionary Society of Wyoming Conference in 
Central M. E. Church. First Baptist Church semiannual tea. Annual exhibit of the Wilkes-
Barre branch of the Needlework Guild of America.
21. Annual donation day at the Old Ladies’ Home. Government accepts the proof of title to 
the Dilley property.
22. Several thousand people in the armory to see the Lyman H. Howe moving pictures. Dieu Le 
Veut members and their ladies have an evening’s enjoyment at the Oneonta. Seventeenth death 
from smallpox---one in Plymouth Township. 
23. Eighty-second case of smallpox---three more in Plymouth Township.
24. Elks’ annual memorial service---Arthur C. Moreland of New York City the orator.
25. Eighty-fifth case of smallpox---three more in Plymouth; eighteenth death---in Plymouth. 
Banquet in honor of Hon. William Abraham, M. P., at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. L. T. L. 
thanksgiving service in Central M. E. Church. County commissioners file answer to the 
petition of the Free Bridge Association.
26. Four companies of Ninth Regiment go to Towanda to assist in soldiers’ and sailors’ 
monument dedication. Concordia fall concert with Arthur Hochmann, pianist. Hon. William 
Abraham speaks of the labor question at B. I. A. hall.
27. Certain taxpayers take a hand in the free bridge controversy, filing a statement with 
the court, claiming that the act under which the Free Bridge Associaiton is acting is 
unconstitutional. Officers and directors of the Summit Lake Ice Co. ask for injunction to 
restrain Wyoming Ice Co. from transferring or selling stock of the ice combine. Eighty-sixth 
smallpox case---at Plymouth.
28. Cold Thanksgiving weather---mercury 22. Egbert-Marsh-Salter concert in Central M. E. 
Church. Ruhlin knocked out in fourteenth round in fight with “Young” Ryan at Duryea. Eighty-
ninth smallpox case---three at Plymouth.
29. Madame Sarah Grand lectures in the Nesbitt on “Mere Man.” Mr. and Mrs. J. I. Ribble 
celebrate silver wedding anniversary. Three bears shot by Georgetown hunters in the vicinity
of Bear Lake.
30. Ninety-first case of smallpox---two more at Plymouth.