1903 WB Record Almanac, Record of Local Events for 1902


Daily Record of Events in Luzerne County for Twelve Months from December
lst, 1901 to November 30th, 1902.

December 1901

1. Rally day at St. Clement and Grove street Evangelical Sunday schools.
2. Ninety-third smallpox case and twentieth death--one new case at
Plymouth and three deaths. End of strike at Maffet colliery,  Sugar
Notch, on since September.
3. Annual Y. W. C. A, dinner and supper.
Lecture by Dr. B. F. DeCosta in Knights of Columbus course. Rev. Patrick
Kain, D D. of Philadelphia lectures on "Belshazzar's Feast."
4. Rev. Dr. Russell H. Conwell lectures on "The Jolly Earthquake." Rev.
Philip J. Hob installed as pastor of Krippiein Christi
Lutheran Church. Sleighing carnival--mercury 22 degrees above zero.
5. Seminary football team banquet. St. Aloysius Society smoker. Plymouth
authorities beginning to take vigorous hold of the smallpox situation.
6. Ninety-ninth case and of smallpox and twenty-first death. Fire
destroys the Globe store building and stock and damages the Simon Long's
Son's stock; total loss about $210,000; heaviest loss by fire in
Wilkes-Barre in many years. Garfield Lodge, Sons of St. George,
twentieth anniversary. Coldest of the season--mercury two degrees below
zero in Wilkes-Barre.
7.Sanitary Committee of Wilkes-Barre decided that on account of smallpox
street cars shall not enter Wilkes-Barre from Plymouth and that all
people coming from Plymouth must have certificates stating that they are
not from the smallpox district. Ebenezer S. Blanchard of Port Blanchard,
74 years old, born in the homestead, a descendant of Pilgrim stock,
passes away. Stephen Barnes, one of the smallpox guards at Plymouth,
found dead at his post, heart disease being the cause. Cold continues
two degrees below zero on Public Square. Maggie Thiesel found dead in
station house from alcoholism.
8. No entry.
9.  Sanitary Committee regulations modified  so as to permit street cars
to go to the border of Plymouth and have a car stationed in Plymouth to
convey passengers; all passengers to have certificates; men stationed at
all the bridges to inspect certificates. President Gompers, President
Mitchell and other labor leaders address mass meeting in the Nesbitt.
10. Ten out of nineteen law students fail to pass examinations. One
hundred and second smallpox case--one at Plymouth.
11. Plymouth people object to the quarantine established by
Wilkes-Barre.
George Bednar of Duryea, 56 years, suicided by cutting his throat. One
hundred and fifth smallpox case--two at Hazleton and one at Plymouth.
12. Wilkes-Barre and Plymouth authorities discuss smallpox
situation--latter object to the quarantine and physicians appointed to
revise the rules. Hendler light injunction argued in court. William
Wesley of Hunlock Township stricken with apoplexy in the Grand Opera
House and dies.
13. One hundred and eleventh smallpox case and twenty-second death--two
new cases at Hazleton, one at Plymouth.  Reception at the high school by
school societies for new members of faculty. Mass meeting of miners at
Landmesser hall addressed by national vice president Lewis.
14. One of the severest rain storms in years, rain and high wind all
day.
15. Storm of Saturday causes one of the severest floods in the memory of
Wyoming Valley residents--water all the way from River street to the
border of Kingston--Westmoor. Irving Park and part of Firwood under
water, many houses being under to the first floor--no trains on any of
the railroads on account of washouts and bridges being washed away,
water over the bank on South River street--many people taken from their
homes in boats. 
16. Water goes down only a foot in twenty-four hours--Westmoor, Irving
Park, parts of Riverside Park and Firwood still under water; coal and
provisions taken to the residents in boats--first train through on the
Lehigh Valley in thirty-six hours by way of Pottsville branch; no trains
on Jersey Central. Temperature 21.
17. The flood subsides and the affected districts again above water.
Serious damage to roadway and traction company tracks on the
flats--Lehigh Valley getting some trains through, but still none on the
Central. Several arrests for shoplifting.
18. Capt. Coolbaugh of Co. K  presented with a sword by members of his
company. New Jersey Central gets trains through on its main line, the
first since the 14th.
19. One hundred and seventeenth smallpox case--three at Plymouth. Street
car traffic over the Market street route, interrupted by the flood,
resumed.
20. Annual New England Society dinner. Banquet of Kappa Delta Phi
fraternity men of Wyoming Seminary. Mrs. Hannah M. Wright of Washington,
D. C., who comes from an old Wilkes-Barre family, adds $5,000 to the
endowment fund of the City Hospital.
21. Traction men get an increase of five cents an hour.
22. Passion Play pictures shown at Holy Saviors Church. Forty hours
devotion begins at St. Mary's in charge of Father Splinter. River closed
for second time this winter.
23, Princeton Alumni banquet; Prof. Woodrow Wilson the guest of honor.
International Association of Stationary Firemen in state convention in
Wilkes-Barre decided not to federate with the United Mine Workers.
24. Death in Texas of George Sealey, a Wyoming Valley man who became one
of the richest men in Texas. Large number of poor children made happy by
presents at the United Charities. Edward T. James of Hazleton appointed
mercantile appraiser by the county commissioners.
25. A sloppy Christmas. Salvation Army has a Christmas tree and gives
presents to 300 poor children and the United Charities about 50. One
hundred and eighteenth case and twenty-fourth death from smallpox--one
new case and one death at Plymouth.
26.Annual  Camp Crag dance. Annual dinner at the Y. M. C. A. for
newsboys, messenger boys and bootblacks.
27. Annual charity ball. Strike of the edgers and folders at the North
Wilkes=Barre lace mill settled.
28. Fire at the Grand Opera House a few minutes after the matinee.
29. No entry.
30. Councils finally pass the sanitary ordinance, providing for a site
for an emergency hospital, but nothing further is done. Mrs. H. W.
Palmer announces to the B. I. A. that she is about to give up the detail
work of the association and that Lincoln E. Brown of Boston will take
charge. A Susquehanna County girl dies
of asphyxiation, with suspicion of suicide, in a Wilkes-Barre bawdy
house.
31. Galland Bros. gives a complimentary concert to their employees.
Annual assembly ball at armory. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Trescott of
Harveyville celebrate silver wedding. Druggists have a watch night
smoker. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Burt of Miner's Mills celebrate golden
wedding.

January 1902

1. Brisk New Year weather--mercury 20 degrees. Open house at the Y. M.
C. A. attracts several thousand people; some new features of
entertainment, including amateur photographic exhibit and calendar
exhibit. Annual fire department inspection. One hundred and twenty-third
smallpox case and twenty-seventh death--
four new cases and one death at Plymouth.
2. No entry
3. Arthur Trethaway takes a number of prizes at Philadelphia poultry
show. Cold snap--mercury 18. 
4. Mr. and Mrs. C. Brahl celebrate fiftieth anniversary of wedding. A.
O. H. quarterly convention in Wilkes-Barre. Republican city primaries.
5. One hundred and twenty-fifth smallpox case--one in Plymouth and one
in Plymouth Township.
6. Annual court house changes--Judge Freas begins his term. Eight young
men admitted to the bar. Judge Lynch in charging grand jury says
alderman and justices must try many cases that now find their way into
court. Edith Warner, 
15 years, near Laceyville, killed in coasting accident.
7. Republican city convention for counting the vote cast at the first
Crawford County 
system primaries in Wilkes-Barre. Northeastern Pennsylvania bowling
league season closed--West End Club of Wilkes-Barre a close second.
Lecture by Dr. James J. Walsh in Knights of Columbus course. Oxford
street school house at Lee Park destroyed by fire--loss about $11,000.                 
8.  "The Holy City"  produced in St. Stephen's Church. Miners at the
Buttonwood mine of the Parrish Coal Co. strike because thirty of the
employees do not belong to the union. The Kilties Band at the Nesbitt.
Wilkes=Barre Council, Royal Arcanum, banquet and installation. Smallpox
appears in Pittston and West Pittston--one case in the latter place and
three in the former--one hundred and twenty-ninth case altogether in the
county. Another strike ordered at the West knitting mill at Plymouth.
9. One hundred and thirty-fifth smallpox case--six more at Pittston. W.
F. M. Round lectures in the First Presbyterian Church on prison reform
work. Ice fourteen inches thick at Bear Creek and Ganoga Lake.
10. Alexander, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hahn of Plainsville, 4 years,
dies of hydrophobia. Buttonwood miners decide to return to work, those
not members of the union having agreed to join. Superintendent
Chamberlin of the Wilkes-Barre Bell Telephone  exchange promoted to be
general superintendent of the North Pennsylvania division. Gertrude D.
Smith succeeding him in Wilkes-Barre.
11. Yale men's annual banquet. Commander E. W. Brown of the Union
Veteran Legion entertained by Wilkes-Barre Legion. Members of the
Luzerne County Bar Association meet and discuss plans for getting rid of
accumulated Common Pleas cases.
12. Honor roll prizes distributed at Westminster Presbyterian Sunday
School.
Rev. Morvin Custer resigns as pastor of the Ashley Presbyterian church
to practice osteopathy. One hundred and thirty-seventh smallpox
case--one each at Plymouth and Pittston.
13. Opening of the United Mine Workers' Convention. George P. Dreyer
elected captain of company F. Ninth Regiment. One hundred and
thirty-ninth smallpox case-one at Sturmerville and one at Hughestown.
14. Paur symphony orchestra at the Nesbitt. Rev. Dr. Floyd W. Tomkins
begins a series of meetings at the First Presbyterian Church. United
Mine Workers pass a resolution favoring a specified time throughout the
entire coal field for making new agreements with the employers.
15. Annual Luzerne County Medical Society banquet.
16. One hundred and forty-second smallpox case and twenty-seventh
death-three new cases at Plymouth and one death at Duryea. Smallpox
finds its way to Lackawanna County--four cases in Scranton.
17. Prof. Edward H. Williams of Lehigh University reads a paper before
the Historical Society on effect of glaciers on the river systems of
Northern Pennsylvania. Burglars rob Maxey's Drug store.
18. Smallpox appears in Pittston Township, three cases. Petition
presented to court to compel the county commissioners to pay the
Memorial Hall appropriations.
19. Quarterly C. T. A. U. convention at East End.
20. Court decides that the new controller. George R. McLean must make
out the report for 1901 and not his predecessor. Plumbers banquet.
Smallpox appears at Wyoming.
21. John Lutz hanged in the Luzerne County jail for the murder of his
wife, November 28, 1899. Annual meeting of the United Charities and
Humane Association. Hamilton Wright Mabie lectures on the "Literary
Life." St. Cassimer's Lithuanian Church and parsonage in Plymouth
Township destroyed by fire. Men at the West End Coal Co. mine at
Mocanaqua strike for the reason that some of the men do not belong to
the union.
22. West End Coal Co. men return to work on assurance that the non-union
men employed are not permanent employees. Discovered that a man named
Davis from Plymouth, in whose family there was smallpox without the
knowledge of the authorities, attended United Mine Workers' convention
in B. I. A. Hall,  Wilkes-Barre, going to and from his home;
Wilkes-Barre authorities close B. I. A. Hall with two young men in it to
fumigate and disinfect the place. Handsome home of Mr. and Mrs. W. T.
Payne of Dorranceton badly damaged by fire. Master Builders organize an
exchange. Ice which became blocked January 2 goes out and river rises
ten feet owing to heavy rain.
23. Party of engineers in explosion in the Coxey mine at Pittston
Junction--three deaths and two non-fatal. Archdeaconry of the Episcopal
Church and Womens' Auxiliary meet in Calvary Church. Sanitary committee
decides to make the quarantine against east and west side towns
stricter.
24. Isaac H. Evans shoots and fatally wounds a burglar at Duryea, who
gave his name as Michael Melville of Newark, N. J.
Capt. James A. Dewey of Wanamie elected a major of the 9th Regt. Thomas
Condron of Plains dies under the influence of ether while having teeth
pulled.
25. Neil Hanlon, a tramp, murdered at the Empire and John Connors,
another tramp, arrested. Sanitary committee decides to enforce
quarantine against East Pittston also.
26. Tenth anniversary of Christi Kripplein Lutheran Church.
27. Board of Trade discusses an industrial fund to help local industries
and others deciding to locate here. Cold wave --mercury drops from 50 to
20. Pay department of Lehigh Valley Coal Co. removed from Bethlehem to
Wilkes-Barre.
29. Joseph Matusivick of Hazleton acquitted of the charge of murdering
Louis Yesuskie. Brisk snow storm--three inches. Opening of new organ in
St. Mary's Church--recital by Gaston Dethier.
30.Lehigh Valley Medical Association meets in Wilkes-Barre. Knights of
Columbus fourth anniversary banquet. James P. Meighan, for twenty-two
years clerk at the Wyoming Valley Hotel, dies suddenly. Osteopathy
alumni banquet. Sixteen new cases of smallpox and three deaths during
the week--seven at Pittston, two at Duryea, one at Hughestown, two at
Plymouth, four in Plymouth Township.
31. Elks' anniversary ladies' reception and banquet. Chairman William H.
Reichard of select council observes the fortieth anniversary of his
connection with the Hazard works. Ex-prisoners of war annual meeting at
Scranton. 

February 1902

1. Robert E. Speer lectures on "James Tyson, Redeemer of Desert."
Michael Carey of Philadelphia killed by an electric wire in
Philadelphia.
2. Young Men's Christian Association observes thirtieth anniversary.
The most disagreeable day of the winter--snow, sleet, rain and in the
evening freezing. Two weeks' mission begins at Holy Savior Church.
3.   Sanitary committee of Wilkes-Barre lifts quarantine from all places
but Plymouth and East Pittston; no more permits to be issued for
Plymouth and no permits already issued to be good between 7:00 p. m. and
6:00 a. m.; nine new cases of smallpox in Plymouth in two days.
4. Thomas McGuirk trying to organize a baseball club. Mrs. Elizabeth
Davis, daughter Lizzie and son, Edward die of smallpox at the Plymouth
emergency hospital, making four members of the family dead within two
weeks; Father and other two children ill with the disease. Michael
Melville, the burglar shot at Duryea by Isaac H, Evans dies at the
Pittston Hospital.
5. Operetta "Cobwebs" produced at St. Clement's. Mass meeting in city
hall in relation to the changing of the name of Canal Street.
6. No entry
7/ Strike at a mine of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. at Plymouth.
Debate at Wyoming Seminary between Independent Society team of that
place and Genessee Wesleyan team, won by the latter.
8. Dedication of the new chapel at St. Marys' Convent.
9. No entry
10. No entry
11. Historical Society annual meeting. Last lecture in the Knights of
Columbus course by Conde B. Pallen, LL. D., Ph. D., on "Christopher
Columbus." Men at the Nottingham return to work pending a conference,
all but two of the discharged committee being reinstated.
12. Seventy remonstrances against the granting of liquor licenses.
Lincoln's birthday observed by the schools; department commander General
McCauley at the G. A. R. court appoints mine inspector and mine foremen
examiners.
13. No entry
14. Lafayette alumni banquet at Hotel Sterling. Banquet of Independent
Society of Wyoming Seminary. German-English Lutheran Church on Ross
street dedicated as William McKinley Memorial chapel by the G. A. R.
15. Sudden death at Philadelphia of Dr. Benjamin Fulmer, a vetinary
surgeon known in Wilkes-Barre. Clerks in the Pennsylvania freight office
present to Isaac H. Strauss a solid silver service, the latter going to
Pittsburgh.
16. No entry
17. Hearing of liquor license applications begun. Boarding house of
George L. Burnett and Michael Dougherty, who had applied for license to
sell liquor, destroyed at Harveys Lake by incendiary. Edward
Bloom of Plymouth, fireboss at No. 2
D. & H. mine missing since morning of the 16th, found dead in the mine.
Blizzardy weather--several inches of snow.
18. Most spirited municipal election in Wilkes-Barre in years. Charles
H. Price elected mayor. John Casper, 23 years old, Lithuanian, seized
with illness in a saloon and dies within a few minutes. Miss Katherine
Toohey makes address before Y. W. C. A. on Shakespeare’s women.
19. Many remonstrances heard in liquor license court. Quarantine lifted
from east Pittston--Plymouth the only place now quarantined. Lehigh &
Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. refuses to reinstate the two Nottingham firemen
discharged for examining cards during the company’s time and orders the
mine shut down.
20. Smallpox again in Wilkes-Barre, the first case since June-a son of
Owen Boyle of Fulton street. Two new cases of smallpox for the week, one
in Plymouth and one in Wilkes-Barre.
21. Wesleyan alumni banquet at G. S. Bennett's. Arrival of the body of
William Carroll of Duryea, killed by accident in Cuba. Rev. Mr. & Mrs.
Sackett of Plains celebrate twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Ferguson's
grist mill at Trucksville destroyed by fire.
22. The most disagreeable day of the winter--continued snow and sleet, a
foot deep. Union Veteran Legion  observes Washington's birthday. Annual
prize speaking contest for Nesbitt prizes at Wyoming Seminary.
23. No entry
24.Heavy fog causes railroad and traction company accidents. Court
refuses 111 liquor licenses--twenty-five in Pittston, among them some of
the most prominent hotels. About four hundred Wilkes-Barreans go to
Scranton to hear Paderewski. Firemen at the Avondale and Pettebone D. L.
& W. mines discharged because they would not work according to the new
shifts and other employees also quit. Anthony Sennick found murderously
assaulted in a West Pittston Mine a couple of weeks ago dies at the
Pittston Hospital. His two assailants are afterwards convicted of first
degree murder.
25. Residents of the lowlands alarmed about prediction of another severe
flood. 
Two Lehigh Valley passenger trains collide near Newport station--several
passengers and train men hurt. Nieces and nephews of the late Joseph
Birkbeck contest his will.
26. No entry
27. Fred Gregory and Charles Smith blown to pieces at Oliver powder
mills.
Co. E. 9th Regt. celebrates its twentieth anniversary with a clam bake
at Parsons.
28. Another great flood, the second of the winter--water higher than at
any time since 1865, registering 31.3 feet at midnight, four feet higher
than the December flood--all lowlands under water and manly houses badly
damaged, water reaching to the porch of the Wyoming Valley
Hotel--railroads again badly crippled, many bridges being damaged  and
some washed away. United Mine Workers' officers in session at Scranton
decided to stand by the firemen at the Avondale and Pettebone mines who
refused to work according to the new schedule laid down by the company.
Four new cases of smallpox for the week, three in Pittston and one in
Plymouth Township.

March 1902

1. Water in the river stationary for awhile and in the afternoon again
starts rising.
2. Greatest damage by water in the history of Wyoming Valley--river gage
registers 31.3 feet, within one foot and six inches of the 1865
flood--hundreds of houses underwater almost to the second floor--seven
lives lost in the county--water below South street covers all streets to
and including South Main--all River street submerged.
3. Intense excitement after the flood--
submerged streets not yet above water.
4. The flood waters subside and disclose the wreckage. 
5. Fifteen inches of snow following so close after the flood assists in
keeping up
the demoralization of traffic. Railroads gradually getting into shape
after the flood.
6. Body of William Reiley, the Luzerne Borough man drowned on the flats
in the flood, found near West Side Park. Trouble at the Nottingham
settled by company agreeing to reinstate the two discharged
committeemen.
7. United Charities furnishing relief to flood sufferers, railroads
getting some trains through and street car traffic gradually resumed;
Record's flood relief fund reaches the sum of $1,286.25. 
Twenty-three Pittston liquor dealers who were refused licenses apply for
a rehearing. Presentation of marksmen's badges at the armory, the
address being by Gen. Paul A. Oliver. Three new smallpox cases for the
week, all in Plymouth Township.
8. Body of Frank Eroh, the Hobbie school teacher drowned furing the
flood in Wapwallopen Creek, recovered a fourth of a mile further down
the stream
9. No entry
10. At a congregational meeting of the First Presbyterian Church the
resignation of Rev. F. B. Hodge, D. D. for thirty-three years pastor of
the church was read; congregation elected him pastor emeritus at a
salary of $2,000 a year and other considerations; words of eulogy for
Rev. Dr. Hodge. Delegates from various labor organizations of the State
convene in Wilkes-Barre to form a State Federation of Labor. Eleventh
anniversary of the B. I. A. observed with an oratorical contest.
11, Agreement reached with Plymouth authorities with reference to
quarantine by which Plymouth agrees to give permits to its own people
for a time longer. Wilkes-Barre to bear the expense. Mrs. Margaret E.
Sangster lectures under the auspices of the Y. W. C. A. on "A personal
friend to rich and poor." W. E. Woodruff lectures in St. Stephen's
parish house --"Pilgrim and Puritan."  Smallpox discovered among a lot
of bridge builders at White Haven--one case--the whole lot placed in a
box car and sent a couple of miles out of town; another of the bridge
builders taken with the disease in Avoca.
12. Judge Wheaton declares unconstitutional the act under which the Free
Bridge Association proposed to free the toll bridges of Luzerne county.
Young Women's Christian Association Anniversary. Plymouth Board of
Health and advisory committee disapprove of the action of some of the
authorities in allowing Wilkes-Barre to issue permits for Plymouth
people in Plymouth and declare that no passes shall be issued in that
place and that the authority of the guards shall not be recognized. One
department of the North Wilkes-Barre Lace Mill strikes for the reason
that two boys were discharged for violating the rules of the
company--the entire mill thrown idle.
13. Attorney Sigmund Zeisler of Chicago breaks the talking record in the
Luzerne County courts by arguing for four days in the case of E. O.
Myers vs. the Consumers' Coal Co., involving royalties to the amount of
$250,000. All but one of the twenty-three Pittston liquor dealers who
applied for a rehearing refused. Farewell banquet of the Wilkes-Barre
Wheelmen and disbandment of the organization. The river again rising
owing to melting snow--residents living on the lowlands again alarmed.
Quarantine against Plymouth and Plymouth Townshop finally removed by the
Wilkes-Barre authorities--all places now free from quarantine. State
Federation of Labor convention adjourns. Two smallpox cases and one
death during the week  --one case at Avoca and one near White Haven, the
death being in Plymouth Township, making  189 cases and 48 deaths.
14. Coal companies post notices stating that the agreement made with the
miners a year ago will remain in effect for another year--the miners
dissatisfied that none of their requests are granted. Independent
Society of Wyoming Seminary has open house.
15. State firemen's association decides to again ask for an eight hour
day. Plymouth Coal Co. applies to the court for a receiver.
16. No entry
17. A. O. H. societies celebrate St. Patrick's day with banquets and
entertainments. Cynonfardd Literary Society eisteddfod at Edwardsville.
Dr. Mason Glee society wins male chorus prize at the Allentown
eisteddfod--"The Pilgrims." Body of William Walters of Edwardsville
drowned in the flood while trying to cross the North street flats on
March 2, found imbedded in the mud on the flats.
18. Free Bridge Association decides to appeal the Judge Wheaton decision
of March 12 in the higher court. Cold wave, with blizzardy
weather--mercury 26 degrees.
19. Electric plant power house at Wyoming destroyed by fire.
20. Women's Home Missionary Society of Wyoming district. Central Labor
Union Committee investigates and disapproves of the strike at the North
Wilkes-Barre lace mill, but strike goes on.
21. Bishop Fowler lectures in Central M. E. Church on "William
McKinley."
22. Final license hearings in court --another Pittston saloon keeper
refused.
23. Pleasant Palm Sunday--confirmation in Lutheran and Reformed
churches. Death of Dr. Joel J. Rogers at Huntsville
--the oldest physician in the county.
24. Strike of Pittston Township school teachers, on for several months,
settled by directors promising to turn over the State appropriation.
Court appoints tax collectors for Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton and
Pittston--the various city treasurers
25. No entry
26. Mayor Nichols issued a farewell address in which he tells the people
of Wilkes-Barre some plain things. Judge Lynch creates a sensation among
attorneys by cutting down a number of referees' bills. Executive Board
of the State Firemen's Association meets in Wilkes-Barre and decides to
go out with the miners in case of a strike.
27. Miss S. W. Underwood of Scranton lectures at the Wilkes-Barre
Institute on "The purpose of the kindergarten." Mayor Nichols issues a
volume containing his addresses and lectures during his ten years, in
the mayor's office. About ten acres affected by cave-in at Pittston--a
number of houses damaged.
28. Congressman Palmer has an amendment to the River and Harbor bill for
the removal of the government dikes north and south of Wilkes-Barre.
29. Republican City Committee reorganizes by electing John D. Farnham as
chairman.
30. David P. Potts, a well-known character about town, found dead at his
home. Announcement that John L. Poettiger has resigned as chief deputy
in the register's office and that Peter J. McCormick is to take his
place.
30. Easter--sunshine in the morning and rain in the afternoon.
Celebrations in most of the churches with some Sunday school
anniversaries. James Larkins found murdered in his shanty at Harvey's
Lake.
31. At St. Mary's convent four young ladies take final vows. Engineer F.
R. Hoover killed on run away C. R. R. train.

April 1902

1, Cold and dreary moving day. Court hears argument on the petition for
the removal of Dorranceton's newly elected councilmen for being
deadlocked on the election of a president. Strike of painters
--employers refuse to advance wages from $2.25 to $2.50 for an eight
hour day.
2. County commissioners return from a road-inspecting trip and favor
macadam in preference to the Telford style for country roads.
Examination for candidates for mine inspector in the First (Luzerne
County) district. Maurice Gaertner appointed poor director in place of
Louis Tisch.
3. No entry
4. Simon Grobletzski  of Edwardsville dies at the City Hospital of
fracture of the skull supposed to have been murderously inflicted.
5. Stanley Malenski dies at Retreat poor house from injuries inflicted
in a bar room fight at the Empire in February.
6. Woodward, Pettebone and Avondale men held another meeting but decide
to remain out until another conference with the officials is held.
7. Reorganization of municipal government--Charles H. Price takes the
mayor's chair, succeeding Francis M. Nichols, who for ten years occupied
the place. Coroner's jury finds the Simon Grobolski of Edwardsville. who
died of fracture of the skull at the City Hospital, was hit on the head
with a stone by William Yoncovidge. Court removes the eight Dorranceton
councilmen who were deadlocked since February over the election of a
president and appoints eight other citizens in their places. Judge
Ferris hands down a decision in the case of
J. C. Patterson & Co. vs. the Building Trades Council declaring a
boycott illegal.
Closing and awarding of prizes at St. Margaret's Guild of Calvary
Church.
8. Lecture by Prof. Herbert W. Conn on "Our Friend the Microbe." Four
masked men rob the Hudson post office of nearly $200 in stamps and money,
hold up Father Spotanski until after the safe blowing and then escape.
9. Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Presbytery of Lackawanna,
Wilkes-Barre District, in West Pittston. Reception for
S. L. Brown, retiring superintendent of Calvary Sunday school after a
service of thirty years--presentation of a watch. Joseph Machutis
accused of the murder of Stanley Molenski at the Empire, arrested in
Illinois. 
10. Nearly two weeks of rainy and cloudy weather, Arbitrators appointed
in the strike of the painters.
11. United Mine Workers' Executive Committee calls out all engineers,
pumprunners, etc., remaining at work at the Woodward, Pettebone and
Avondale collieries, also the fire fighters at the Jersey, where some
firemen were discharged because they would not agree to the swing shift;
miners have been out for several weeks.
12. Strike of painters ended--arbitrators award the $2.37 1/2 cents a
day, an advance from $2.25, their request being for $2.50. Order by the
United Mine Workers' Executive Committee for a strike at the Woodward,
Pettebone and Avondale mines not generally obeyed
--only a few of the engineers and company hands quit, Fire fighters at
the Jersey mine, however, go out. Grand jury recommends that the county
commissioners be compelled to put the court house in a sanitary
condition.
13. No entry
14. No entry
15. Congregational Association convention in Nanticoke. Semi-centennial
session of Wyoming Conference in Waverly, N. Y. Bishop Merrill
presiding.
16. Union men working at the Pettebone, Woodward and Avondale mines
given twenty-four hours to quit or be expelled from the union; D. L. &
W. places about forty non-union men in the Jersey mine to fight the
fire.
17. No entry
18. Democratic state chairman Creasy confers with local politicians in
Wilkes-Barre. Prof. Winchester lectures on "Charles Lamb.' Mrs. Palmer
reads a letter to the B. I. A. boys from the noted Confederate general
James Longstreet.
19. Exciting contest in the Third district for delegates to the
Republican State convention between the Watres and Elkins forces.
20. Oliver Purvis, janitor of First National Bank building found dead in
paymaster Marple's office over the bank with a bullet in his head,
evidently suicide. Three fishermen arrested for taking trout under six
inches from streams near White Haven--fined $10 for each trout or $480
altogether.
21. Supreme court hands down an opinion giving the Luzerne County
commissioners the right to build a new court house on the river common
site, affirming the opinion of Judge Endlich. Wyoming conference
adjourns and appointments made. Body of Miss Annie Mooney of Warrior Run
found in the river--evidently a suicide.
22. John Connors, alias John Webber, convicted of murder in the second
degree for the murder of Neil Hanlon at the Empire. Presbytery of
Lackawanna in the Presbyterian Church at Kingston. Luther League
convention in St. John's Church. Ordinance introduced into councils to
rescind resolutions exchanging river common site for the Public Square
site for new court house.
23. Farewell reception at Nanticoke for
Rev. Dr. Bradshaw.
24. Several hundred men engaged in fighting the forest fires prevent the
flames from spreading to the Glen Summit Hotel and cottages and the
Oliver powder works. Trestling at the Plymouth-Carey avenue burned by
brush fire, bridge having been opened only a few days since being
repaired after the flood; loss about
$20,000.
25. John Webber, alias John Connors, sentenced to twenty years for
killing Neil Hanlon. Judges approve Osterling plans for new court house.
Sun Narrow Fabric Co. suspends operations.
26. Luncheon given by Dr. F. C. Johnson to the Record employees previous
to the departure for Europe. Farewell reception at Concordia hall for Eli
T. Conner, division superintendent for Lehigh Valley Coal Co. previous
to his departure to become superintendent for the Webster Coal Co.
Opening of the Plymouth-Larksvile branch of the traction company.
27. Michael Chory shot dead at Freeland after an altercation in the
Greek Catholic Church. Large number of young people take their first
communion in St. Nicholas Church.
28. Mine foreman Daniel Sullivan killed in Mt. Lookout mine just as he
was about to take the carriage to be hoisted out of the mine for the
last time, intending to take a position elsewhere. P. F. Lynch appointed
tax receiver to collect school and poor taxes.
29. Luzerne County Bar Association takes action with reference to the
death of  attorney E. F. McGovern.
30. No entry

May 1902

1. Peter Lesko, a demented foreigner, shoots and wounds another
foreigner at North Wilkes-Barre, then fortifies himself on a hill and
defies a crowd of people, shooting into the crowd and wounding one man,
also fires upon the police, but is captured after an exciting chase.
2. No entry
3. No entry
4. Holy Savior congregation celebrates the first anniversary of total
abstinence pledges. Talmadge memorial services at A.M. E. Zion Church.
5. No entry
6. James M. Coughlin re-elected superintendent of public schools. Bishop
Talbot administers the rite of confirmation at St. Clement's Church.
County superintendent of schools Frank P. Hopper unanimously re-elected
with an increase in salary of from $2,500 to $4,000 a year. Joseph
Machutas acquitted of the charge of murdering Stanley Molensha at the
Empire--the verdict a big surprise. Rev. E. A. Loux installed as pastor
of the Plymouth Presbyterian Church.
7. Old Prospect breaker of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. in Plains
Township, near the city line, destroyed by fire--loss about $30,000.
Prohibition county convention.
Word from Washington that the Van Kirk & Robbins fountain pen endles
chain scheme must be discontinued as illegal;
about 55,000 letters in the Wilkes-Barre post office to be returned to
the writers.
8. Installation of Rev. George H. Broening
Ph. D., as pastor of the Ashley Presbyterian Church.
9. United Mine Workers order a general strike to go into effect May 12
and a convention of representatives from the various locals in Hazleton
on the 14th is to decide whether or not it shall remain permanent.
Watres and Elkin meet, in debate in the armory, both being candidates
for the governorship.
10. Hottest primaries ever experienced in Wilkes-Barre for the election
of delegates to the Republican State convention--Drs. Morgan and Fell
being for Elkin for governor and Hon. C. A. Miner and Hon. Morgan B.
Williams for Watres. First shovelful of earth for the proposed new
court house excavation taken from the river common site. 
11. Derr M. E. Church celebrates thirteenth anniversary of the Epworth
League. Grove Street Evangelical Church celebrates the thirtieth
anniversary of the church, the first pastor, Rev. J. E. Fehr of Reading,
being present. Bishop Hoban at St. Vincent's Church, Plymouth, speaks
about the strike and the relation between the operators and the men and
counsels the men to stand firm if they decide to strike; other Catholic
clergymen speak to their congregations along the same line.
Walter L. Miles, son of Myles W. Miles of Edwardsville, killed in a base
ball game at West Chester Normal School.
12. Convention of return judges for the election of delegates from
Wilkes-Barre to the Republican State convention, the hottest political
gathering held in recent years by the Republicans of this city; although
the Elkin men claimed the victory at the primaries the Watres delegates
are declared elected. Linonia Society has minstrel show. The strike
order generally obeyed throughout the anthracite region--
all of the mines idle.
13. Richard H. Richards elected common councilman at a special election
in Sixth Ward to succeed Owen D. Jones, elected city treasurer. Much
anxiety regarding the strike situation. Walter E. Rice of Dorranceton a
victim of the naptha explosion near Pittsburg, 31 years old.
14. Annual session of the Susquehanna Dental Association. Man named
James V, Connors, who has been at Retreat, dies in the Wilkes-Barre
lockup.
15. Convention of miners at Hazleton votes for a continuation of the
strike--461 to 349.
16. Death in California of attorney E. V. Jackson. a former member of
the Luzerne County bar. Arthur, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Burns, and
Francis, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Loftus, each 3 years old, drowned in a
creek near their homes in Tunkhannock.
17. No entry
18. No entry
19. Passionist Fathers lease the Lacoe cottage at Harvey's Lake to
establish temporary quarters. Forepaugh & Sells Bros. circus at West
Side Park. S. D. Wolff of Meshoppen killed by a train. Supreme Court
hands down a decision sustaining the lower court in declaring the free
bridge act unconstitutional. President John Mitchell of the United Mine
Workers establishes headquarters in Wilkes-Barre.
20. Lecture by Miss Ellen M. Stone, the captive missionary. Smallpox
breaks out again after being wiped out for several months, two cases at
Avoca and one at 
Forty Fort--one hundred and ninety-second cases altogether.
21. President Mitchell calls out firemen, engineers, and pump runners on
June 1 unless the companies grant them an eight hour day without loss of
pay; riots in the Pittston district, caused by crowds chasing non-union
men working at the washeries; a couple of men hurt. State Federation of
Boys' Clubs in convention in B. I. A. hall.
22. Confirmation by Bishop Talbot at St. Stephen's Church.
23. Reception at Bennett chapel for the new pastor, Rev. Mr. Mackellar.
Bishop Talbot confirms at Calvary Church. Smallpox again breaks out at
Plymouth, two children being taken with varioloid--one hundred and
ninety-fourth case altogether.
24. Cornell defeats Wyoming Seminary in track meet contests on the
Seminary grounds. Rev. Richard D. Jordan, formerly of Parsons, ordained
at Rome to the priesthood.
25. Rabbi Salzman of the Jewish Temple preaches a memorial sermon to the
G. A. R. and  S. A. W. V. Blessed Virgin Sodality receptions in Catholic
churches. Westminster Presbyterian Church dedicated.
26. Representatives of the Anti-Saloon League create another sensation
when they come into court and after constables of Pittston report no
violations of the liquor law the representatives furnish witnesses to
prove a number of violations. Lillian Dailous, a domestic employed in
Wilkes-Barre commits suicide by taking poison and then jumping into the
river. Last night of Sisters of Mercy fair at the armory.
27. Conferees of Bradford, Wayne, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties meet
at Hotel Sterling to attempt to break the deadlock on Congressional
nomination, but do not succeed in doing so. Anti-Saloon League
convention in
Y. M. C. A. hall. Dieu le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar, takes part in
State convention parade at Scranton.
28. Thirty-four take the final vows and twenty-six the novitiate vows at
Mallinckrodt Convent. United Mine Workers establish local headquarters
in 
Wilkes-Barre. City Hospital nurses' training school commencement has
twelve graduates. One hundred and ninety-fifth case of smallpox--a child
in Plymouth Township-last of the cases for the year.
29. Engineers of east and west sides meet and decide to remain at work
after June 2.
30. Dr. Mason Glee Society wins first prize at the Scranton eisteddfod
and Wilkes-Barre Choral Union second prize in the chief choral
competition. Beautiful Memorial Day weather. B. I. A. boys have athletic
contests at Mrs. Palmer's cottage on the mountain after the exercises in
Hollenback Cemetery. Matinee races on the West Pittston track.
31. No entry

JUNE 1902
1.Knights of Phythias have memorial services in G. A. R. hall.
2. Board of school government reorganizes--Dr. G. W. Guthrie elected
president. About ninety-five per of the firemen, seventy-five per cent
of the pumpmen and fanmen and forty per cent of the engineers in the
Wyoming Valley obey the strike order--bosses and non-union men take the
strikers' places and no colliery seriously crippled. Court hands down an
order that deputy constables, who for many years have been drawing
compensation from the county, are not entitled to it.
3. Several disturbances in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity caused by crowds
threatening non-union workmen at the mine. Prof. E. L. Ammerman gives
demonstrations in  wireless telegraphy in the Y.M.C. A.  Explosion at
the Oliver powder mill, causing damage to the amount of $7,000.
4. Sunday school workers have an institute at Kingston. Supreme Court
sustains the Lower Court in finding in favor of the board of six school
directors.
5. Several disturbances incident to the strike--Charles McCann, 13 years
old, shot in the back by a guard at the Stanton colliery; fence at the
Murray burned and trestling at the Stanton set on fire for the third
time in two days; big crowd at the Hollenback and an arrest of a man who
stoned a non-union man. Martin Tougher, 42 years, suicides at Pittston
while demented.
6. Guards at the Stanton colliery, frightened by the excitement of the
night before, quit and receive their pay; President Mitchell goes to a
couple of places where there were disturbances and advises the miners to
parrot property to see that no lawless acts are committed; women at
Hudson chase a guard into a barn and take away his star and revolver.
Owen McGovern, superintendent for the Brodhead Construction Co., found
dead in his shanty at Plainsville, death due to natural causes.
7. No entry
8. No entry
9. Reception in honor of Rev. L. Lindenstruth's twenty-fifth ordination
anniversary. High School commencement exercises begun. Police cut down
strike effigies, taking a wagon load to the city dump.
10. William Scott of Plains, a deputy at Duryea, set upon and seriously
assaulted by a mob of Italians.
11. Wilkes-Barre Sub-District Epworth League convention in Derr Memorial
Church. Rain relieves the destructive drouth.
12. Mercury at 90 degrees. More non-union men taken to the Susquehanna
Coal Co. mines at Nanticoke.
13. Twelfth annual Wilkes-Barre High School commencement, class
numbering one hundred and forty. Wilkes-Barre Institute commencement,
class numbering nine. One of the fiercest electrical storms in
years--boy killed at Forty Fort and mule barn burned near Edwardsville.
Smallpox quarantine again lifted in Plymouth Township--last place in the
county.
14. Soft coal mine workers come to Wilkes-Barre to confer with President
Mitchell.
15. Rev. Dr. A. W. Hayes of Binghamton,
 N. Y.  preached the baccalaureate sermon at Wyoming Seminary and H. A,
Fuller of Wilkes-Barre addresses the Christian associations in the
evening.
16. Mine workers making strenuous efforts to get out the fire bosses and
all other employees except those attending to the mules. Annual retreat
of priests of Scranton diocese at Glen Summit hotel.
17. Samuel Geisinger of Lee Park, 72 years old, commits suicide by
shooting. Strike at the Wilkes-Barre lace mill because the management
would not discharge a couple of girls whose fathers work as non-union
men at the mines, the entire mill with its nine hundred employees thrown
idle. Democratic State Chairman Creasy meets the county chairmen of
Northeastern Pennsylvania in Wilkes=Barre.
18. President Mitchell issues a call for a national convention of miners
to consider a general strike. Wyoming Seminary commencement. Peter
Lenouskey convicted of murder in the first degree for the killing of
Anthony Sennick, in February, Victor Zorambo having been convicted April
30.
19. Concordia male chorus decides to enter the big Baltimore saengerfest
in June, 1903. St. Mary's Academy commencement. Press League of Bucks
and Montgomery counties comes to Wilkes-Barre for annual outing.
20. Cramps of Philadelphia awarded contract for erection of
Wilkes-Barre's government building.
21. No entry
22. Socialists of the county hold annual convention.
23. No entry
24. Annual commencement of St. Ann's Academy. Mallinckrodt Convent.
Examination for foremen's and assistant mine foremen's certificates in
city Hall building. Number of engineers, firemen and pumprunners of the
Susquehanna Coal Co. at Nanticoke return to work. At a special election
in the Fourth Ward of Wilkes-Barre William B. Robinson elected common
councilman to succeed John R. Lee, deceased. 
25. Michigan and Ohio soft coal men confer with president Mitchell.
26. Thomas Barthwick of Duryea, backed by coal company, institutes suit
against seven members of the U. M. W. of A. on the charge of hanging him
in effigy. St. 
Aloysius Society observed its twenty-second anniversary.
 27. Homeopathic Society annual banquet and meeting at Harvey's Lake.
Third annual commencement of the Mercy Hospital training school for
nurses. First mine disturbances in some weeks-two civil engineers and a
fire boss badly beaten at the Stanton and guards attacked at Duryea.
Result of law examinations announced-largest class in the history of the
county examined.
28. President Mitchell leaved for Chicago to confer with soft coal men.
29. One of the deputies on duty at the Nottingham accidentally shoots
himself in the back while examining a revolver.
30. Number of engineers and pumpmen in the Pittston district return to
work. Wilkes-Barre Board of School Government appoints teachers. Joseph
Venekes of Pittston shot and killed by a revolver in the hands of
constable Michael Dowd during a scuffle, the former resisting arrest.

July 1902

1. Body of Louis Viassa, a striker living at Old Forge, found outside
the stockade of the William A. colliery shots having been heard during
the night.
2. Reception for Rev. Gustav Anderson, the new pastor of the Swedish
Lutheran Church. Some disturbances in the strike region--four men
brought before alderman Pollock from Drifton charged with inciting to
riot and placed under bail for court; seven coal and iron policemen of
the William A. colliery near Duryea arrested on the charge of murder for
the killing of the Italian striker found dead outside the stockade July1;  
an engineer at the William A. pursued and shots exchanged.
3. Annual observance at the Wyoming Monument--address by Alfred Mathews
on "Connecticut Character and Achievement." Another riot at Drifton and
several men brought to Wilkes-Barre and bound over to court;
Pennsylvania Coal Co. announces ten per cent increase in wages of those
who remained at work.
4. Hot fourth of July--the mercury 87; two fires in Wilkes-Barre.
Caledonian games and horse races at West Pittston fair grounds.
5. No entry
6. Thirteen Miner's Mills people have a hearing on a charge to riot and
put under bail to keep the peace.
7. Nanticoke burgess arrested at the instance of a non-union man on
charge of failing to remove an effigy of the latter when requested to do
so. Joseph Bott of Hazleton dies of stab wound in the abdomen inflicted
at a picnic July 4. Carmen Diucca charged with the crime escapes.
8. President White of the Garment Cutters' Union promises president
Mitchell a fund from all union men throughout the country.
9. Samuel Freeman, 26 years old. suicides by jumping from the Market
street bridge. Ford Wrigley, son of Rev. Abel Wrigley of Mill City,
Wyoming County, drowned in a pond.
10. First annual commencement of the nurses' training school at Retreat
Asylum.
11. Ninth Regiment off for division encampment at Gettysburg. Big mass
meeting of miners at Edwardsville.
12. President Mitchell leaves for the convention of the Mine Workers in
Indianapolis. North Wilkes-Barre lace mill employees decided to not go
back under the rules laid down by the company.
13. Mrs. George Dutter of Wilkes-Barre, 64 years old, suicides by taking
poison.
14. No entry
15. Annual session of the Department Council, Patriarchs Militant of
Pennsylvania, in Wilkes-Barre. Father 
McAndrew celebrates the twenty-fifth year of his ordination to the
priesthood previous to departure for Europe.
16. No entry
17. Coal run through one of the Susquehanna Coal Company breakers at
Nanticoke, the first since the strike. Mrs. Frank Becker of Camptown
breaks her neck by a fall.
18. Camp Wilkes-Barre established at Rocky Forest, Wyoming County.
19. Arrival of the Ninth Regiment from camp at Gettysburg. Last of the
Patriarchs Militant ceremonies at Wyoming field, Kingston--decoration
degrees conferred. Presentation to chief of police Jones of a gold badge
by members of the force.
20. Another of the severe electrical storms for which the summer has
been noted--  several places struck by lightning, among them No. 3 mule
barn, near East End, the barn. a team of horses, etc., destroyed.
Quarterly C. T. A. U. convention at Kingston.'\
21. Rain almost every day for several weeks.
22. Scores of idle miners and their families support themselves by
picking huckleberries. A watchman at No. 9 colliery at Sugar Notch
accidentally shoots and kills another while examining his gun.
23. Bids for the erection of the new court house opened but not made
public.
24. Contract for the construction of the new court house awarded to the
Hendler Construction Co. of Wilkes-Barre for
$597,000, exclusive of furnishings--three other bidders, William M.
Miller & Son of Pittsburg, Nelson & Buchannan Co., Chambersburg, and
Wilson J. Smith, Wilkes-Barre. Garman Democrats, under the name of the
Tedyuscung Club, have a banquet at Harvey's Lake.
25. First check--$26,000--arrives for the relief of the miner's in
District no.1.
26. Y. M. C. A. boys break camp at Nuangola Lake. Wilkes-Barre printers
go to Scranton and defeat the printers from that place in base ball,
while the Scranton
court house clerks come to Wilkes-Barre and defeat a similar team.
27. No entry
28. Mr. and Mrs. John Hart of Wilkes-Barre celebrate fiftieth
anniversary of their marriage. Laborers employed to start excavations
for the new government building refuse to go to work for $1 a day.
Secretary-treasurer Mullahy of the State Firemen's Association placed
under $12,500 bail, charged by twenty-five men with posting their names
as being unfair workmen. 
29. Men prevented from starting the Warnke washery at Duryea--workmen
and train crew stoned. Father Kiernun of Parsons celebrates his silver
jubilee. Hendler Construction Co. withdraws its bid for the erection of
court house, alleging that the commissioners specified a stone which was
not bid upon and that the company is unable to get the stone specified
at a reasonable figure, also that the architect is opposed to the
company.
30. Hendler Construction Co. offered court house contract on its own bid
for stone selected by the company but refuses to take the contract. One
hundred and fifty men at the stone crusher near Bear Creek strike
because two men discharged were not reinstated. Pittston's new theatre
leased to M. F. Coons of the Nesbitt and Grand.
31. Wilson J. Smith signs contract for erection of court house,
commissioners awarding it without the dome in order to come within the
amount of money they may legally raise. First effort to start collieries
since the strike--the Oxford and Cayuga at Scranton,  a couple of
hundred men mine some coal and send it through the breaker. Furious
electrical storm in Pittston and vicinity--one boy killed.

August 1902

1. Unusually severe electrical storms.
2. A number of citizens secure preliminary injunctions to restrain the
county commissioners and Wilson J. Smith from proceeding with the
erection of the proposed new court house. County controller McLean
addresses a lengthy statement to the court asking that the court house
contract be not approved and setting forth the present and future
financial condition of the county.
3. Most terrifying electrical storm of the season, accompanied by high
wind and hail; Reily's store and saloon building at Hudson struck by
lightning and destroyed by fire and several other buildings damaged,
causing a loss of $20,000.
4. Conyngham Relief Corps holds memorial service for deceased members.
5. Joseph Kearney dies at Mercy Hospital after suffering for over four
months with a broken neck, not being able to move a muscle below his
head.
6. Daniel J. Sweeney, a watchman at the Bliss mine, Nanticoke, murdered
by having his skull fractured at night while on his way home; three
arrests of foreigners. Many miners leaving for the Pittsburg soft coal
fields. Five bids for the river common coal received
7. North Wilkes-Barre lace mill employees after being on strike since
June 17 decide to return to work. Mine foreman John C. Williams killed
and Alexander A. Kayser seriously injured in a runaway on the
boulevard; Dr. Person of East End has an arm and a leg broken and
sustains injuries to the spine while attending the injured man. 
8. The Public Alliance, a new organization appoints a committee to see
Senators Quay and Penrose in an effort to have them use their influence
in favor of arbitrating the anthracite strike. Expert testimony taken to
show what the cost of the proposed court house will be according to the
revised Osterling plans--Mr. Bussells, superintendent for Bruce Price of
New York City, testifying that the plans are incomplete and that the
completed court house will cost about 
$1,500,000.
9. Word received of the death of William Freeby of Wilkes-Barre of
cholera at Manila, June 18. William S. McLean elected chairman of the
Democratic county committee. Fourth suspect arrested in connection with
the murder of Daniel Sweeney, the Bliss mine watchman.
10. No entry
11. Harry S. Weston, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, shoots and kills a woman
at Allentown he was infatuated with and mortally wounds himself.
12. National Powder Worker's Union organized in Wilkes-Barre. Five
Edwardsville men placed under bail for court on the charge of
intimidating men on their way to work at the Woodward. Miners' Relief
plan circular states that $2.50 will be given married men each two
weeks, 35 cents each two weeks for each child, and $1.50 to single men.
13. Committee of councils rejects all bids for river common coal and
will readvertise.
14. Court house testimony resumed--
W. H. Shepherd testifies that completed court house would cost nearly a
million and a half dollars. Serious riot at the Warnke washery at Duryea
following attempt to start operations; stones thrown at the special
policemen; one of the strikers shot in the leg.
15. John Yates, colored Hazletonian, dies in Hazleton Hospital from
bullet wounds
--not known whether he was murdered or shot while in the act of robbery
16. Aigo, owned by E. R. Troxell, wins the series of yacht races at
Harvey's Lake. Sergeant James Hall thirty years on the local police
force.
17. Anthony S. Ambrose, supreme president of the National Slavonic
Society, in this region to find how many of the members are in want and
to furnish relief. Cornerstone of St. Peter's Lutheran Church laid.
18. Coal and iron policemen arrested August 14 trying to operate Warnke
washery at Duryea have a hearing before Judge Halsey and all but three
discharged. Alvah, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Jennings of Tunkhannock, 12
years, fatally shot while hunting. Richard R. Lynch, formerly of
Plymouth, drowned in the Ohio River by jumping in while delirious owing
to typhoid fever. Dennis Quigley, formerly of Brodrick, killed by a
train at Deposit, N. Y.
19. Schooley's Battery reunion at Nay Aug Park, Scranton. John Mullery
and Charles Thain of the local labor paper placed under heavy bail on
the charge of libel.
20 Peaceable starting of the Warnke washery at Duryea--many coal and
iron policemen and guards about the works and the sheriff on hand with a
force. George S. Curtis of Nicholson, Wyoming County, suicides by
shooting.
21. David Ford, 77 years, of Rome, Bradford County, killed in runaway
accident.
22. Preachers throughout the country comment on President's Baer's
letter to W. F. Clarke of Wilkes-Barre.
23. No entry
24. No entry
25. No entry
26. Mine workers' officials hold lengthy conferences. Further testimony
in the court house case to the effect that the plans are not complete
and that beams, etc., are not strong enough.
27. Mitchell replies to the speech of ex-mayor Abram S. Hewitt.
Workingmen’s Alliance nominates Col. T. R. Martin for Congress and
nominates three candidates for legislature. United States secret service
officers make an important haul of alleged counterfeiters at Port
Griffith --Sisto Incognoli, Joseph Incognoli and Dominick Williams, all
Italians, the former having served a term in Sing Sing on the same
charge; clue furnished by spurious money being shipped to New York City.
City officials and councilmen entertained by Albert Lewis at Bear Creek.
28.Bloomsburg celebrates its centennial anniversary.
29. Publis Alliance sends a letter to President Roosevelt calling upon
him to proceed to end the strike. Report that Lehigh Valley would
concentrate its non-union forces from several collieries at the
Dorrance to operate that mine; pickets stationed all the way from North
Wilkes-Barre to Plainsville all night prepared to meet the non-union
men.
30. Wilkes-Barre printers entertain Scranton typos-base ball game, lunch
and entertainment. Nineteenth annual Caledonian games at Hanover Park.
Beethoven Maennerchor of New York comes to Wilkes-Barre on its annual
outing. An exciting night at Edwardsville--two barns burned, a couple of
non-union workmen and guards badly beaten and some non-union workmen
turned back. Col. Jared A. Smith of the United States engineer corps
hears citizens with reference to the removal of the river dikes.
31. Hot wave--thermometer 90 degrees.

September 1902

1.Annual institute of Wilkes-Barre public school teachers. Father T. J.
Donahoe observes the twenty-fifth anniversary of his rectorship at St.
Vincent's, Plymouth. Labor Day celebrated with a parade of about 5,000
and a picnic at Hanover Park. Miss Minnie Benscoter, otherwise known at
Marie Wells, suicides in a South Fell street house by taking carbolic
acid. Presentation of a diamond ring to electrician James Fagan of the
traction company previous to his departure for Virginia, to become
associated with a company there.
2. Opening of court after the summer vacation. Bliss mine of the D. L. &
W. started with about one-fourth the full number of men. Two improved
batteries found near the jail and the Dorrance breaker--the  find a
mystery.
3. Dr. S. C. Swallow speaks at the Prohibition county convention.
4. Fourth arrest in the Sweeney murder at Hanover.
5. No entry
6. Republican primaries slimly attended. Harold Heinerdinger of New York
attempts suicide by shooting on account of some domestic trouble; bowels
perforated by bullet in eight places;  recovered and discharged several
weeks later. Alarm caused at Dorranceton by a settling over the Payne
mine, affecting slightly some of the handsome residences on Wyoming
avenue.
7. Trouble at Edwardsville owing to altercations between deputies and
strikers. Rev. George Reschke installed as pastor of Kripplein Christi
Lutheran Church.
8. John Kosti shot to death and Frank Patrick, Italians seriously
injured by a mob at Maltby thinking they were non-union men on their way
to work, they being strikers on their way to join the crowd--mob
patrolling the streets since early morning because of a rumor that the
Maltby and Forty Fort collieries were to be started. Sheriff Jacobs goes
to Harrisburg to see about the calling of troops. D. J. Roderick
appointed mine inspector of the Hazleton district.
9. Convention of Republican return judges decides to abolish the
Crawford County system. Opening of the fair at West Pittston.
10. Reunion of the 143d Regt., Pa. Vols.,
at Wyoming Monument. Reunion of Co. F. 53d. Regt., Pa. Vols., at
Fernbrook Park.
11. Seven men placed under bail charged with rioting which resulted in
the death of John Kosti at Maltby on Sept. 3
12. School children at Lee Park refuse to attend school because some
children of non-union workmen were not refused admission. More
incendiary fires at Edwardsville--two barns burned to the ground and
waste saturated with oil and ignited thrown open the porch of a
restaurant.
13. Lively Democratic primaries. Street car stopped at Parsons and
non-union men taken from the car; mob attacks bricklayers at the same
place because not all of them could show union cards. Morgan Beynon of
Nanticoke killed in Bernice mine; his wife and young child dead only a
short time and his daughter seriously ill.
14. Eighth anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. W. D. Johnson, Calvary
Church. McKinley memorial service held in some of the churches. Cold
weather, frost and mercury at 43.
15. Democratic district conventions. Lackawanna Presbytery in the
Pittston Church.
16. No entry
17. Reunion of the 52d Pa. Vols. at Memorial Hall, Wilkes-Barre. Mob
tries to assault a bridegroom in a Hazleton Italian Church because he
was a non-union man --riot averted by the arrival of officers.
18. Bishop Fellows of Chicago arrives to have a conference with Mitchell
on labor matters.
19. Opening of the Bee Hive's new store on South Main street. 
20. Nathan Mills, an employee of Posten Bros., finds cash and checks
amounting to $100,000 at Glen Summit and is rewarded with $10 by the
loser. New Globe store opening.
21. No entry
22. Disturbances more or less serious in various parts of the county,
chiefly assaults upon non-union workmen; Sheriff Schadt of Lackawanna
County calls upon the governor for troops and the 13th Regt. ordered
out.
23, Serious disorder in various parts of the county--attempt to blow up
a D. L. & W. bridge near Pittston, attempt to blow up a house with
dynamite at Plymouth, boy shot during a fight with a mob in North
Wilkes-Barre, a number of assaults, train with twenty-three cars loaded
with coal wrecked near Sugar Notch. Sheriff Jacobs shortly after
midnight calls upon the governor for troops and the latter decides to
postpone action until the morning so that he may look into the
situation.
24. Shortly before noon Col. Dougherty receives orders from the governor
to assemble the 9th Regt. and  by evening the Wilkes-Barre companies
were quartered at the armory, the companies in other towns going to
their respective armories to await orders from Gen. Gobin. Serious riot
at the Exeter mine--pickets patrol the roads and assault men going to
work; many shots fired and one man wounded in the leg; a couple of old
men beaten into insensibility. Harry Sutton of Nescopeck, 30 years old,
suicides by hanging while an officer waits down stairs to take him to
jail on disorderly conduct charge made by his wife.
25.Ninth Regiment still stationed at the armory on account of the rain,
called out several times on account of reports of disturbances, but no
serious trouble; one battalion of the Fourth Regiment sent from
Shenandoah to Duryea to be on duty in that region; General Gobin comes
to Wilkes-Barre and vicinity to look over the situation. Disorders
continue at various places.
26. Board of Government of the C. T. A. U. calls off the October 10
parade on account of the strike and unsatisfactory railroad terms. Six
Exeter Borough policemen strike because the chief is employed at
non-union work. James Sanders of Plymouth, stabbed by Michael Gillan of
the same place, dies at Mercy Hospital. Rain for three days.
27. Thomas Smith of Freeland, accused of murdering Michael Charo,
acquitted.
28. President Mitchell issues a lengthy statement in answer to the one
made by president Baer a couple of weeks ago. 9th Regt. moves from the
armory to camp at West Side Park. Attempt to wreck freight train with
dynamite on the Lehigh Valley cutoff.
29. Joseph Gollin of Nanticoke, shot by James Sweeney of the same place,
dies at Mercy Hospital.
30. Samuel H. Tally, for many years Lehigh Valley train master, resigns
and his place taken by X. J. Schatzel of Wilkes-Barre. President
Mitchell holds a conference in Philadelphia with some stranger, name
unknown, together with the district presidents, and peace rumors are
again rife. Opening of the Dallas fair.

October 1902

1. John Mullin of Avoca found dead on street car track near Avoca;
suspicion of foul play.
2. Mitchell and the district presidents off for Washington to confer
with President Roosevelt. Soldiers called to Plymouth by a disturbance
at the North American washery--several of the mob arrested and placed
under bail for court.
3. Keen disappointment over the news from Washington that the conference
with the President regarding the coal strike resulted in nothing
satisfactory. Gen. Gobin makes an inspection of all the military camps.
Greater part of the 9th Regt. called to Plymouth to quell riot caused by
assaults upon non-union workmen--one man shot in the thigh by a colored
cook at one of the stockades.
4. Country club annual meeting--Scranton wins at golf. Body of brakeman
James Fisher of Wilkes-Barre, swept from White Haven L. V. bridge during
February flood, found near Mauch Chunk.
5. Mission for men begun at St. Mary's Church. Disturbance at
Kingston--attack made on non-union man's house during a christening and
one man shot in the leg.
6. Mitchell has a conference with labor commissioner Wright in
Philadelphia;  receives a communication from President Roosevelt
appealing to the miners to sacrifice their claims for the time owing to
the great public necessity; circular issued calling upon the local
unions to meet and declare whether or not the miners remain from work
for fear of personal violence. Conference of pastors and laymen of
Wyoming District in the West Pittston M. E. Church.
7. Court makes an order that constables must live in the wards or
districts for which they are appointed.
8. Locals pass resolutions to the effect that men will remain out and
are not deterred from going to work through fear. 12th Regt. arrives
from Shenandoah region to do duty in the Wilkes-Barre region, also the
Philadelphia Second City troop of Calvary; balance of the Eighth
Regiment goes to join the other part at Duryea. Lehigh Valley cattle
train dynamited on the cutoff--a number of cars wrecked and 155 cattle
killed--evidently the intention to dynamite a coal train.
9. All anxiously awaiting the result of the operators' conference in New
York City. Additional troops arrive and are stationed throughout Wyoming
Valley.
10. Disappointment again over the unsatisfactory outcome of the New York
conference.
11. Col. Theodore Hoffman, commander of the 8th Regt. on duty at Duryea,
dies at Scranton Hospital of bronchitis and heart trouble.
12. About fifteen thousand people see dress parade by the 9th Regt.,
City Troop and Battery C at West Side Park. Rev. Dr. Mills of Memorial
Presbyterian Church announces his resignation.
13. Judge Wheaton decides that the insolvent laws do not excuse a person
from paying taxes.
14. Mr. and Mrs. Seligman Burgunder celebrate fiftieth anniversary of
their marriage. Services in memory of the late Rev. Dr. H. H. Welles in
the Forty Fort Presbyterian Church. Frank Schropp of Hazleton suicides
with carbolic acid.
15. News received from Washington that the commission appointed by the
President is satisfactory to both sides and that the strike will be
settled. William Morgan, a former resident of Nanticoke, killed on a
railroad at Conshohocken. Ordination of Harvey P. Walter, the new rector
of St. James's Episcopal Church, Pittston. Adam Evans of Luzerne Borough
shot dead. Job Lonsdale of Plymouth killed in a mine in Centre County.
Lehigh Valley Coal Co. barn at Exeter destroyed by fire--loss $18.000.
16. Eclipse of the moon. Maj. Gen. Miller inspects the 9th Regt. camp.
Body of Thomas Sowden of West Pittston, 39 years, found in a Wayne
County Pond.
17. Mr. Mitchell addresses a lengthy statement to President Roosevelt
approving the commission appointed by the latter.
18. No entry
19. Twenty-five thousand people go to see the soldiers at West Side
Park. 
20. Convention of miners meets in the Nesbitt Theatre to consider the
arbitration proposition--president Mitchell given an ovation. Death at
Carbondale of Rev. Dr. Y. C. Smith.
21. Convention of miners decides to end the strike, by a unanimous vote.
22. Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church meets in Zion's Church,
Wilkes-Barre. Preparations at the collieries for a resumption of work.
Two attempts to wreck D. L. & W. trains near West Pittston.
23. Only a few of the collieries ready for resumption--work to be
resumed gradually; a number of steam men refused positions but no
trouble of any account. Realistic sham battle by the troops at West Side
Park. First mine fatality after the strike--William Doran killed by a
fall of coal at the William A. mine near Duryea.
24. Christopher Wren of Plymouth exhibits many Indian relics from his
collection at the Historical Society meet.
25. Judge Pennypacker. candidate for governor, Charles Emory Smith and
others speak at a big mass meeting at the armory.
26. John Mainwaring, Sr. of Duryea, father of the Republican candidate
for register of wills drops dead. Presentation
of a gold, diamond studded medal and gold watch to president Mitchell by
the Polish, Lithuanian, Slavish societies.
27. Annual Luzerne County teachers' institute at the Nesbitt Theatre.
Price of all sizes of coal raised retail fifty cents a ton.
28. William T. Evans, 18 years old, of Salem Township, found dead in a
hotel at Baltimore, having been asphyxiated by gas. David W., son of Mr.
and Mrs. Edward Hughes of Kingston, killed in New York City.
29. Luzerne County School Directors' Association annual convention.
Mitchell day parades in Wilkes-Barre, Plymouth and Hazleton. Elaborate
exercises at the mortgage burning at Memorial G. A. R. Hall. First snow
flurries of the season; thermometer 40.
30. Body of unknown man found in reservoir at Wyoming.
31. Ninth Regiment breaks camp after being in service for thirty-eight
days.

November 1902

1. President Roosevelt's arbitration commission makes its first visit to
Wilkes-Barre, goes through the Dorrance mine and to Ashley and Sugar
Notch; leaves for Hazleton next day. Democratic mass meeting at the
armory.
2. St. John's Lutheran Church celebrates thirtieth anniversary.
3. Close of one of the liveliest political campaigns in the history of
Luzerne County.
4. Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M. celebrates l50th anniversary of the
initiation of George Washington into the Masonic order. Fine election
weather. After a lull of several months smallpox again breaks out in
Luzerne County, a child in a family at Swoyersville. Neil Dougherty of
Wilkes-Barre killed in Philadelphia by a beam falling on him.
5. No entry
6. Sensation in court at the counting of the vote--some Wilkes-Barre
Township election officers admit that the vote returned was fraudulent,
claiming that a mob of Socialists broke into the polling place and
altered the returns.
7. No entry
8. Mine foreman Daniel Dorris shot dead at Glen Lyon by Patrick Hennessy
because the latter could not get his job back.
9. Rev. T. A. Mills. Ph. D., preaches his farewell sermon in Memorial
Presbyterian Church previous to going to San Jose, California.
10. Sentence of death passed upon Victor Zorambo and Peter Lenouskey,
convicted of murdering Anthony Sinnick in February. 9th Regt. band's
fifteenth anniversary celebrated with a benefit concert in the armory.
11. Booker T. Washington opens Y. M. C. A. lecture course.
12. John Smith and Michael Yushkis, two of the men charged with the
murder of mine watchman Daniel Sweeney at Nanticoke, plead guilty to
murder in the second degree. Gwent Society of Edwardsville has a reunion
celebration.
13. Ario Smith m formerly of Wanamie, killed at Williamsport by the kick
of a horse.
14. Rev. David Craft read a paper before the Historical Society about
the French refugees in the Wyalusing region.
15. No entry
16. No entry
17. Isaac Dean, a pioneer of the Lackawanna and Luzerne region, dies in
Scranton. Arnold Lohmann makes his professional debut as a violinist in
a concert in Concordia Hall.
18. Word received by Peter Nalley of Avoca that his son was murdered in
Utah by a band of desperadoes while he was acting as deputy marshal.
First of the series of concerts in the Nesbitt by the Philadelphia
Symphony orchestra. Motormen and conductors of the traction company
given an unsolicited advance of five cents a day. Three more cases of
smallpox in the family at Swoyersville in which a case was discovered
Nov.4. P. M. Gilligan of Newtown appointed mercantile appraiser.
19. Annual exhibit of the Wilkes-Barre branch of the Needlework Guild of
America.
20. Property of the Pond Creek Coal Co., near White Haven, sold to W. G.
Thomas and Co. of West Pittston, for $2,250. James Rhoads of Wyoming,
four weeks married, killed while employed on the Lehigh Valley R. R.
21.Lehigh Valley railroad employees have a banquet and business meeting
at Hotel Sterling.
22. Michael Yushkis, who pleaded guilty of murder in the second degree
in connection with the killing of Daniel Sweeney of Nanticoke, presents
a petition asking leave to withdraw his plea.
23. St. Paul's German Lutheran Church has a memorial service for
deceased members. Irish-American Club has exercises in memory of the
Irish martyrs, Allen, O'Brien and Larkin.
24. Fall concert of the Concordia society
--soloist, Mis Voight. Board of Trade discusses the proposed loan and
Dr, F, C, Johnson reads a paper on observations in Germany.
25. Presentation of prizes to 9th. Regt. companies that made the best
records at the spring inspection with elaborate exercises at the armory,
followed by the annual harmony dinner at the Westmoreland Club house.
William H. Killert, a well known commercial man of Bridgeport, Conn.,
found dead in his room at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. Half a dozen
semi-convertible cars received by the traction company, the first of the
kind in use on the system.
26. No entry
27. Cornerstone of the proposed government building laid with Masonic
ceremonies. Judge Lynch presiding and addresses by Judge Woodward and
Congressman Palmer. Union Thanksgiving services in the First M. E.
Church--sermon by Rev. Walter Miller. Reception to president Mitchell at
Hotel Hart by Holy Savior church choir. William Stoneham of Luzerne
Borough, 22 years old, killed in a Kentucky mine a few days before he
was to leave for home.
28. Raphael Yarace, who left Plymouth at the beginning of the strike,
killed while working in Troy, N. Y. Court speaks vigorously about the
unsanitary condition of the court house and improvements to cost between
$4,000 and $5,000 are decided on.
29. Dr. Mason Glee Society wins male chorus first prize at the Brooklyn
Saengerfest--$500.
30. Polish citizens celebrate efforts of Poland to gain independence.
James McCutcheon of Parsons dies of bullet wound in the head. Sermon to
the Jr. O. U. A. M. by Rev. Dr. Mogg of Central M. E. Church. First real
snow storm of the season, two and a half inches.

1-23-09 Typed by Irene G. Transue