1905 WB Record Almanac, Record of Events for 1904 Daily Record of Events in Luzerne County for Twelve Months from December 1st, 1903 to November 30th, 1904 December, 1903 Ira Rumsey of Kingston suicided by pouring carbolic acid into a glass of beer and drinking it. Samuel Kisner, formerly of Edwardsville, 74 years old, burned to death in the shanty in which he lived at Berwick. Dr. Judson Daland speaks before the local medical society on the treatment of aneurism. First annual concert of the Carroll Glee Club. Wyoming Seminary football banquet at Becker’s. Death of Andrew J. Baldwin of Wilkes-Barre, built the first cable line in America and about 9,000 miles of telegraph. Father MacCorry delivers his lecture, “The Story Beautiful,” in St. Mary’s Church. Elk’s lodge of sorrow, McKinley Chapel anniversary and sermon to Conyngham Post, G.A.R. Brydges Williams, formerly of Pittston, drowned while on a hunting trip in Montana. Conciliation boards meets in Wilkes-Barre. Annual exhibit of The Poultry and Pet Stock Association second lecture in Knights of Columbus course-Rev. Peter MacQueen, on “The Philippines.” Three bears shot on the Wilkes-Barre Mountain near Glen Summit. Baptist Young People’s Union rally at Plymouth. Pennsylvania State Grange Convention at the armory. Traction company men having asked for an advance from $1.75 to $2. A day, president Rigg offers them $1.80; the offer declined and committee instructed to endeavor to get better results. River common coal bid sent in by Wilkes-Barre & Scranton Coal & Iron Co. finally defeated in councils. Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union sixth anniversary entertainment. Court decides that coal leases include coal under abutting roads. Mass meeting of miners at East End. While Samuel A. Cohen lay dead at his home his store at Plymouth robbed of several hundred dollars’ worth of goods. Legislative committee of State Grange in convention makes elaborate report regarding taxation, good roads, etc. Col. H. M. Boies of Scranton dies suddenly at Hotel Sterling of heart disease. Priests of Scranton diocese in conference at Scranton. Special services in Westminster Presbyterian Sunday school and Douglass Mission in honor of Douglass Smith, who died Dec. 11 First car over the Laurel Line between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. Councilman Timothy Dietrick dies suddenly in a doctor’s office. Wilkes-Barre & Wyoming Valley Traction employees, after two conferences with the officials, finally accept the proposition of an increase from $1.75 to $1.80 a day. Inspection trips for railroad officials, city officials and newspaper men over the Laurel Line. Epidemic of burglaries in Wilkes-Barre vicinity. River freezes over for the first time during the winter. New pipe organ opened in Westminister church. Regular trips on the Laurel Line from Wilkes-Barre begun. Fifteenth anniversary of William J. Byars Council, Jr. O.U.A.M. Mass meeting of miners at Luzerne Borough. George Murphy, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed near Pittsburg. Miners at Lee Park have a mass meeting. Boom for Judge Wheaton for the Supreme Court bench launched. Two plays by the Sorosis girls of the high school. Mass meeting at Plymouth to devise means of assisting typhoid fever stricken Butler, Pa. Court decides that a water company chartered under the act of 1874 has a right to raise water rates. D. & H. R. R. Co. reduces fares between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton and intermediate points to meet the competition of the Laurel Line. Ex-Sheriff James Martin, appointed mine inspector for the Wilkes-Barre district in place of E.E. Reynolds, resigned. Rev. Malachi Kitrick of Wilkes-Barre celebrates his first mass in St. Mary’s Church. Shekinah Chapter election and banquet. Death of Joseph Stickney, formerly of Wilkes-Barre in New York City. New England Society dinner at Scranton. St. John’s Day banquet by Masonic lodges 61 and 442 at Wilkes-Barre. Committee appointed to investigate reform institutions in which Luzerne boys and girls are inmates makes report to the court. B. Frank Myers and Abram Salsburg appointed assistant district attorneys. Traction company firemen get an advance of 10 cents a day, from $1.85 to $1.95 for eight hours work. Conciliation board meets at Philadelphia. Earl M. Voshburg commits suicide by drinking carbolic acid. Letter from the Postoffice Department that Ashley and the West Side towns will not get free delivery Jan. 1, as expected, for the reason that not all of the territory has complied with the regulations regarding good sidewalks, street lights, etc. George B. Kulp retires as editor and publisher of the Luzerne Legal Register after issuing it for thirty-two years. Mild Christmas weather-mercury between 40 and 50 degrees. Patrick Fleming, formerly of Plymouth, shot and killed at Forest City. Banquet at Hotel Sterling in honor of ex-Mine Inspector E.E. Reynolds. First good sleighing of the season. Petition of union men presented to court against the appointment of James martin as mine inspector to succeed Mr. Reynolds. Mercury seven degrees above zero. Convention of Zionists in Memorial Hall. River blocks up for the second time. Joseph Stickney of New York City, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, bequeaths $5,000 to the Home for Friendless Children and $5,000 to the City Hospital. Harvesting of ice a foot or more in thickness begun. Opinion by the court denying the right to recover damages when mine laws are violated. Mass meeting of miners of the Hollenback Local on Wilkes-Barre Heights. Smallpox again appears in Luzerne County – Hugh Boyle of Indiana County, visiting at Luzerne Borough. P.M. Gilligan reappointed mercantile appraiser. Confirmation of the report that the Westinghouse Co. has secured a controlling interest in the Laurel Line. Continued cold and good sleighing. Annual dinner for newsboys, messenger boys and boot blacks at the Y.M.C.A. Assembly ball at the armory. January 1904 Open house at the Y.M.C.A. Wilkes-Barre, attended by several thousand people. Moriah Eiseddfod at Nanticoke. Annual inspection of the fire department. St. Aloysius Society New Year ball at the armory. Red Ash miners meet and decide to not go back to work. Four degrees above zero in Wilkes-Barre. Knights of Columbus have d4egree work, many visitors present. Thermometer not above ten degrees above zero all day, going down to eleven below at night in front of the Record office and fourteen below at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. Shortage of coal and actual suffering in many cases on account of the suspension of ten days. North Wilkes-Barre miners hold a mass meeting at Goeringer Hall. Annual Young Men’s Hebrew Association ball. Mercury at 7 a.m. twenty-two degrees below zero at the Wyoming Valley hotel, Wilkes-Barre and twelve below on Public Square; twenty-five below at Bear Creek and thirty-eight below at Orange, Luzerne County. Giannini’s Italian band at the armory. More moderate weather after the cold snap. Atlantic School of Osteopathy decides to locate in Buffalo. Prof. William B. Scott of Princeton addresses Historical Society on investigations in Patagonia. Edward Purchas resigns as manager of the Wyoming Valley Hotel to manage a large New York hotel. Republican primaries. Yale alumni banquet at the Westmoreland. Seven per cent, over the April rate the scale for miners’ wages for December. D. & H. R.R. Co. puts on several fast new trains between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, making the distance in thirty-one minutes. Wilkes-Barre Republican convention. Annual banquet of Young Men’s Musical and Literary Society of Central M.E. Church. Cartoonist Davenport in Knights of Columbus entertainment course. Mayor Price submits his message to councils, with a number of recommendations. City Controller’s estimate of receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year submitted to councils. Tenth anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania observed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wilkes-Barre. Luzerne County medical Society annual banquet. Palmer Debating Club of the B.I.A. annual banquet. Miners’ mass meting at Miner’s Mills. Augustine C. Kelley appointed manager of the Wyoming Valley Hotel in place of Mr. Purchas, resigned. Conciliation board meets at Hazleton. Cornell alumni banquet at the Westmoreland Club. Y.M.D.O. anniversary banquet. Luzerne County School Directors’ Association annual convention. Merchants’ Association meets and takes action to drive out the trading stamps. After being on strike since July 27, 1903, Red Ash men decide to go back to work. All requests having been granted but the discharge of the superintendent; strike started over the dismissal of a driver boy but other grievances cropped out, relating to the charge for powder and dynamite, cost of coal sold to employees, etc. Third district C.T.A.U. convention at White Haven. Death at Nanticoke of Joseph Pugh, a well known rock contractor who sank some of the most important shafts in the anthracite region. City Democratic convention. Case of smallpox discovered in Wilkes-Barre, child in a family named Sterling, recently removed from Philadelphia. Martin mine inspector case argued in court. Fred Doud of Hazleton suicides by drinking carbolic acid. Banquet of the field force of the New Century Correspondence School. St. Conrad’s Glee Club banquet. Mercury again ten degrees below zero in Wilkes-Barre. Kingston sub-district Epworth League convention at Forty Fort. City Democratic convention. More moderate weather. James Pollock, who broke jail July 8, 1903, for the third time, captured at Wyoming. Trainmen of the Lehigh Valley get an increase. Last commencement in Wilkes-Barre of the Atlantic School of Osteopathy, the school to be removed to Buffalo. Child in Sterling family on Loomis street, Wilkes-Barre, dies of smallpox. Ice in the river breaks-thicker than for many years; goes out without jamming at the Wilkes-Barre bend; highest point reached 20.5 feet at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, 23d; great fear of a flood for a time. Dedication of the Dorranceton M. E. Church. Court sustains the appointment of James Martin as mine inspector. Caledonians celebrate the 145th anniversary of Robert Burns with a banquet. Committee of councils recommended the granting of franchises to both the Ashley and West Side electric light companies. Concordia midwinter concert. County controller files his annual statement. Flood in Bloomsburg and Catawissa receding-more damage than in 1865. Annual Liedertafel concert. Many liquor dealers arrested by the State “pure food” department, charging adulteration of blackberry brandy, etc. Anniversary mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Georgetown, for Father Manley. Banquet for James L. Lenahan to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of his admission to the bar. Fire at Plains does damage to the extent of $10,000. Bloomsburg and Catawissa gorge in the river extends to West Nanticoke and people there greatly excited, fearing a flood. Debate between Wyoming Seminary and Cazenovia Seminary won by the latter. Irish Catholic Benevolent Union convention in Wilkes-Barre. Ice in the river again blocked. February, 1904 D.L. & W.R.R. Co. acquires the Pennsylvania R.R. canal from a point a mile below the Nanticoke dam to Northumberland. Annual Elks’ banquet. Luzerne County Fair Association’s buildings sold at sheriff’s sale. Funeral of the Palmer family, father, mother and two children, killed in the Chicago Iroquois theatre fire. Merle D’Aubigne lectures on the McAll Mission in the First Presbyterian Church. Harry Myer of Georgetown dies of fracture of the skull, caused by being assaulted by two men. Edwardsville postoffice burglarized and safe blown open. Kinder-Symphony in Columbus Hall. Fire at Bloomsburg Normal School does damage to the amount of $25,000. Wesleyan alumni banquet. George Lazarus appointed receiver of the Firwood Lace & Trimming Co. Flood warning sent from Harrisburg to Wilkes-Barre and other places along the Susquehanna. Warm weather and indications of rain cause widespread fear of a flood. C.T.A.U. regiment reorganizes. American Church Missionary Society convention in St. Stephen’s Church. Ice breaks and gorges at Butabach’s causing the water to overflow upon the lowlands-great anxiety in Wilkes-Barre and vincinity. Serious flood-back water from southern gorge causes the river to rise to 25.7 feet, flooding Westmoor and the lowlands in the southern section of Wilkes-Barre, stopping street car traffic on the West Market street route, causing damage at Plymouth and Nanticoke also; bridge at Berwick and one in course of construction at Creasy carried away; river filled with floating ice. River remains about stationary, the lowlands where the day previous there was sheet of water now covered with ice, people skating to their homes; river again blocked bank high and grave fear of another devastating freshet. Concert of the Schuberts at St. Stephen’s. Bridge at Berwick that went out with the flood burned in order to prevent further danger from it. Water receding but flooded sections still covered with ice; ice even with the river bank in most places and gorges below Nanticoke and in New York State remain. Carroll D. Wright re-appointed umpire for the Conciliation Board by Judge Gray. Banquet of the Junior Bar Association. Historical Society annual meeting. Annual debate between Cliosophic and Sorosis societies of the Wilkes-Barre high school won by the former. Cold snap again-six degrees below zero. Light vote polled for municipal election. Rally of miners of Local 905 at Plymouth. Commissioners of Luzerne and Columbia counties request State to rebuild bridge at Berwick carried away by the flood. Side altars and statues at St. Aloysius Church dedicated. Knights of Columbus banquet. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Deibel of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Princeton alumni banquet. P.O.S. of A. attends church at Zion’s Reformed. Eighteenth anniversary of the local Salvation Army corps. W. J. Grawal, who swindled Wilkes-Barre merchants out of $500. Worth of goods, placed under $2.500 bail for court. Opening of the new operating room at the City Hospital. Engineers at city hall meeting report in favor of the removal of the Nanticoke dam. Nesbitt contest in oratory at Wyoming Seminary. Mayor Price signs the ordinance granting the Ashley company an electric light franchise for Wilkes-Barre. Lecture by Garrett P. Serviss in the Y.M.C.A. course. Eastern Pennsylvania conference of the United Evangelical Church in session in Wilkes-Barre. Mock trial at the Y.M.C.A. John Sucky, for sixteen years in the City Hospital with a broken back, dies. Remonstrance court. Judge Shay of Schuyhill, who heard the latest Luzerne County court house case, hands down an opinion declaring the contract with Wilson J. Smith legal and dismissing the bill. Lafayette alumni banquet. Mule barn and contents of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. between Pittston and Plainsville, together with twenty-one mules, burned. Forty hours devotion at Holy Savior Church Two hundred and fifty liquor licenses refused. Evangelical conference makes appointments and adjourns. Odd Fellows entertain Gen. Raney and staff at Concordia Hall. March 1904 Cambro-American Society banquet at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. Irish-American Club banquet at Concordia Hall. Fire at Plymouth destroys the People’s Theatre and other buildings. First Presbyterian Church extends a call to Rev. Edward G. Fullerton, Ph. D., Bridgeport, Conn., to become pastor. Thawing and rain cause the river to rise to 19.2 feet but ice remains unbroken. Gang of alleged burglars that operated extensively in Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys captured in Scranton. Farewell bachelor dinner to Martin Freeman by the Y.M.H.A. Fire at Hudson destroys two buildings, including Green’s hall. Ice breaks and jams again-river rises suddenly, reaching 26 feet. Wyoming Valley in the grasp of another great flood-water reaches 30 feet, all the lowlands to the south of the city flooded by back water; many houses at Plainsville under water to a depth of from one to six feet; Westmoore a lake; all west side towns suffer. Nordica-Damrosch concert at the armory. River reaches a height of 30.6 feet, nearly as high as in 1902; water in Firwood section, at Breslau, Buttonwood and Plymouth higher than in 1902 owing to back water; higher at Plainsville and that district than in 1965; street car service out of business and Pennsylvania D.L. % W. and Lehigh Valley railroads crippled. Receding flood leaves ruin in its path, great damage all the way from Pittston to Nanticoke; water still on portions of the lowlands; river 25 feet. Debris and ruin after the flood. Public inspection of the new postoffice building in Wilkes-Barre. Water slowly recedes leaving wreck and ruin along the streets, in the yards and in the houses of the affected area. Thousands of people view the flood sights. Attempt to dislodge the gorge at the Wilkes-Barre * Eastern bridge north of Wilkes-Barre with dynamite not very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Weitzenkorn held up while driving along the Askam road and robbed of money and jewelry to the value of $500. All but one of the liquor license applications for Lee Park knocked out. Street car company still chopping away through the ice at the lower end of Wyoming and the bridge company on the West Market street flats. Galand Bros. Close down their big factory, girls having voted to strike, alleging that the firm discharged members of the union and hired other girls in their place. Rev. Francis Kelley lectures in Knights of Columbus course. Four inches of snow. Louis Kossuth day celebrated by the Magyars in the Y.M.C.A. auditorium. Harry Gaughler, a D.L. & W. brakeman, compelled to remain at Kingston for over a week on account of the flood, hurries home to see his wife and children at Northumberland and just before reaching there is run over and killed. Young ladies of the Heights Settlement give elaborate affair at the home of Mrs. Lathrop in Dorranceton for the support of free kindergarten. Twelfth annual Cynonfardd Society eisteddfod at Edwardsville. St. Patrick’s day celebrated with a parade at East End and banquets by the A.O.H. societies. Annual convention of the First district of the I.O.O.F. at Plains. Meeting in City Hall to consider the flood situation; a number of resolutions presented looking to the removal of the Nanticoke dam and the discontinuance of dumping refuse into the river. Rev. Samuel C. Hodge of Tunkhannock resigns to become pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Trenton, N.J. Children’s room at the Osterhout Library opened. Republican primaries for district conventions. Traction company’s Grove street line opened. Hundreds of people view the great ice blockade at Wyoming. Retreat begun at St. Mary’s Church. Record prints historical sketch of Dickson Works to be removed to Scranton. Postmaster Hahn applies for three additional men on account of increase brought about mainly by removal of postoffice so far from the business center. Republican district conventions,. Quarantine lifted from the last of the houses in Wilkes-Barre in which there was smallpox. County officials and architect Osterling at variance with reference to the court house plans, county officials claiming that certain modifications will cost a great d4al more than stated by the architect; county controller announces that he will not approve any more bills until the architect furnishes a statement. Remains of Vito Vicarra found in the woods near Campbell’s Ledge, Pittston, with two bullets in his body and clothing burned. Gorge at Butzbach’s moves away and becomes so disintegrated further down stream that a channel for the river is opened and water falls five feet at Wilkes-Barre. Luzerne county Temperance Union convention at Edwardsville. Annual exhibit of the Wyoming Valley Camera Club. Ice and gorges in the vicinity of Bloomsburg go out. Herman Ormanoskie, a young man, bound and gagged and placed on a railroad track near Nanticoke and discovered by an engineer a few feet ahead of the engine. Prof. Griggs lectures in the First Presbyterian Church chapel on “Savonarola.” Industrial school closing at St. Stephen’s and the First Presbyterian. Four men killed at Dorrance mine of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. by carriage being hoisted to the sheave wheel, three of the men being thrown back into the shaft one thousand feet and the other caught in the carriage wreckage. George E. Fancourt of Kingston suicides by shooting himself in bed. Palm Sunday, with confirmations in Lutheran and Reformed churches. Stewart Culver of Salem township found dead with a bullet in his head. River for the third time in 1904 inundates the lowlands, going up to twenty-three and four tenths feet at the Market street bridge. Water receding in the river. Opening of Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Church Reception in Zion A.M.E. Church in honor of Bishop Small. April, 1904 Coroner’s jury says Annie Owens of Wilkes-Barre committed suicide by taking laudanum. Cold and gloomy Easter-mercury at freezing Annual Charity Ball. Opening of St. Aloysius Church fair. Close of Wyoming Conference. Councils of Wilkes-Barre, Pittston and Hazleton reorganize. High school alumni banquet. Wheaton boomers off for Harrisburg. Examination for mine inspector in First and Third districts held at Wilkes-Barre. Reopening social at the Y.M.C.A. Caledonians celebrate twenty-first anniversary. First annual banquet of the Eagles. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. William Burke of Sebastopol burned to death in their home. Farewell reception for Rev. Will H. Hiller and family at the Parrish street M.E. Church. Homeopathists banquet in honor of the 149th anniversary of Hahnemann. Pennsylvania Coal Co. miners meet at Pittston to consider grievances. James Eley suicides at Hillside. A.O.H. quarterly convention at Pittston. Rev. J.W. Nicholson takes the pastorate of the Kingston M.E. Church, succeeding Rev. L. C. Murdock, now presiding elder. Fire at Bear Creek destroys Albert Lewis’s wagon shed and horse barn, burning two valuable horses and a number of vehicles. Umpire Carroll D. Wright announces his decision in five cases referred to him by the Conciliation Board – all in favor of the companies, but two with conditions. Move to stop the fraudulent issuing of miners’ certificates. Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose West of Plymouth celebrate their silver wedding anniversary. Miner-Hillard Milling Co. plant at Miner’s mills destroyed by fire – loss $175,000; insurance $112,000. Charity ball finances yield $1,125 net. Convention of the Wilkes-Barre district of the Presbytery of Lackawanna Women’s Foreign Missionary Society at Plymouth. St. Margaret’s Guild closing for the season. Historical Society meeting-papers by A.F. Berlin of Allentown on “The Earl Smoking Pipes of the North American Indians,” and by C.F. Hill of Hazleton on “Relics of a Religious Nature from the French Indians Found in Luzerne County.” Mr. and Mrs. Wolfgang Riester of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Mine examining boards hold another session and decide to call a general convention of examiners to be held at Hazleton for the purpose of considering the issuing of certificates fraudulently. James Casal of Brodrick found dead in his home, having been killed with an ax. Bishop Talbot at St. Stephen’s Church expresses himself in favor of the division of the diocese. Rev. George A. Place comes from Hon4esdale to take charge of the Parrish street M.E. Church. Third district C.T.A.U. convention at Plains. Mrs. G. Murray Reynolds reads a paper on “Ethan Allen” before the Daughters of the American Revolution. Presbytery of Lackawanna opens in the First Presbyterian Church. D.L.Q.W. announces that it will erect a large electric plant near Nanticoke to furnish power and light for a number of collieries. Snow a quarter of an inch deep. Reception at Central M.E. for the pastor, assistant pastor and their wives. State nurses in convention at Hotel Sterling. Dr. Helen Webster resigns as principal of the Wilkes-Barre Institute and Misses Sarah H. Stites and Helen Hodge elected joint principals. Conyngham Post entertains State department officers. Mercury 27 degrees below zero. Veteran railroaders of the Pennsylvania hold their meeting and banquet in Wilkes-Barre. Annual literary contest between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton high schools in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton takes two out of three of the subjects. Investigation in the affairs of Duryea Borough results in the discovery of a great deal of corruption-paymen t of orders to people who did no work, etc. Alderman Donohue marries four couples in one day, three from Scranton and one from Noxen. Conciliation Board meets in Wilkes-Barre and refers one case to the umpire. Reception for the new pastor of the Parrish street M.E. Church, Rev. Dr. Place, and his daughters. Sons of St. George attend church at the First M.E. Spring weather at last-mercury 79 degrees. Maj. William Sharpe elected secretary of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade to succeed Garrett Smith, resigned. Italian Economical Club holds its first banquet at Obici’s in Wilkes-Barre. Concordia spring concert. D.L. & W. falls in line with the D. & H. and reduces its fare between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to compete with the Laurel Line. C.M.B.A. anniversary banquet in Columbus Hall. Linoria boys of Hillman Academy give their annual entertainment in the form of a minstrel show. Much fraud discovered in the Lexowing of Duryea Boroughs affairs. Grawal, the alleged promoter whose case has attracted much attention, convicted in the Luzerne County court of larceny; sentenced to five years and six months. Free ferry sustained in Columbia County court – great celebrations in Nescopeck, Luzerne County and Berwick, Columbia County. Albert G. Shepherd, brother of William H. Shepherd of Wilkes-Barre dies on board ship while on the way home from Florida. Knights Templar installation and banquet. Ice handlers go on strike on account of refusal to raise wages. Banquet by employees of the L.V. freight house in honor of R.G. MacDowell, the retiring freight agent, who becomes division agent. May, 1904 Rev. Thomas B. Roberts preaches his first sermon as assistant pastor at Central M.E. Church. Many children receive first communion at St. Nicholas and St. Boniface German Catholic churches. McKinley Memorial Chapel sixth anniversary. National convention of lace workers in Wilkes-Barre. Luzerne County Bible society annual meeting. Supreme Court decides against ex-County Treasurer Kirkendall in fee case. Duryea fraud investigation results in the arrest of Michael Moleski, ex-street commissioner. “Persian Garden” and “Daisy Chain” given in the First Presbyterian Church for the free kindergarten movement. Polish societies of Nanticoke and vicinity hold a mass meeting and adopt resolutions in sympathy with Japan. Another arrest in Duryea investigation, a councilman. First annual reception and donation day at the B.I.A. Reception to Rev. J.E. Bone, new pastor of Bennett chapel. Explosion of dynamite in the Lance mine of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre at Plymouth kills five men and injures several others. Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus in town. Genuine summer weather. Jesse Resseguir, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed by electric shock at Schenectady, N.Y. 8. Rite of confirmation administered to a large class at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Plymouth. remains of Mathew Hellauer, drowned in Wilkes-Barre, April 7, found at Creasy. Third arrest in Duryea investigation-an ex-president of council, placed under $1,000 bail. Northeastern Central Luther League in session at Hazleton. Exeter Machine Works strike ended by agreeing to refer apprentice question to national body. Propietors of houses of ill fame arrested charged with selling liquor without a license Governor Pennypacker delivers an address before the Historical Society on “Early Bibliography of Pennsylvania.” Epileptic hospital commission goes to Farview and Towanda to inspect site. Wilkes-Barre high school wins debate from Scranton high school at the latter place; Scranton win the declamation. Miners’ examining boards meet and decide to issue new certificates to miners, certificates to be taken from books having stubs, so that a record may be kept of them Charles Webber, elevator boy at Hotel Sterling, killed by his head being caught between elevator and floor. J.M. Murdick of New York city becomes landlord of Glen Summit Hotel. Hazlebrook breaker, near Freeland, abandoned, destroyed by fire. Abednego Reese, superintendent of the Maltby mine of the Lehigh Valley Coal Col., resigns. Man having a card bearing the name of John Ecke of Kentucky throws himself in front of a moving train at West Nanticoke. One brakeman laid off from each Central Railroad train. Blue Label League convention of the State opens in Wilkes-Barre. Convention of Wyoming League of Boys’ Clubs in B.I.A. Hall., Wilkes-Barre. Architect Osterling cuts down court house bill of contractor Smith $12,000 for extra work on foundation and revised plans but the controller claims that the bill is still $8,000 too high. Rev. Dr. Fullerton formally installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Gesang Verein Harmonie spring concert. Grand lodge, American Ladies’ protestant Association, in session at Plymouth. Archdeaconry of Scranton in session at Green Ridge. Bdanch 688. I.C.B.U. celebrates its first anniversary.. Argument in court on the constitutionality of the act empowering county commissioners to appoint a tax receiver for State and county taxes. Body of unknown man found in the river at Nanticoke. Annual strawberry festival at the Old Ladies Home . C.T.A.U. diocesan convention in St. Aloysius Hall. Banquet of the Sorosis and Cliosophic societies of the Wilkes-Barre high school. Graduation exercises of the Plymouth township schools. William R. Martin appointed sexton at the City Cemetery. Body of Patrick Ruane of Pittston found in the river at Port Blanchard; had been missing for several days. Connor O’Kelly, a member of parliament from Ireland, speaks in Wilkes-Barre. West Side boards of health meet to consider a uniform ordinance with reference to the sale of milk, etc. Body of a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Ulewicz of Plymouth found floating in the river at West Nanticoke. Luzerne Borough school commencement. Court declares constitutional the act authorizing the court to appoint a receiver for county and State taxes. Reception at the Westmoreland Club for Rev. Dr. Fullerton by alumni of Yale, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania. Many cottages at Wyoming campground entered by thieves and considerable booty carried off. Body of Michael Corcoran of Lackawanna County found floating in the river at Wilkes-Barre. Skeleton of a man found in the woods at Mountain Top. Investigation into Duryea financial affairs resumed. Supreme Court affirms the decision of the lower court to the effect that ex-Sheriff James Martin may hold office of mine inspector. Mrs. Irving A. Stearns leaves $5,000 each to the City Hospital, Home for Friendless Children and the Y.W.C.A. Reception for Rev. Mr. Brenner at the Sherman street M.E. Ordinance to borrow $408,000 introduced into Wilkes-Barre councils, for repaving, sewering, building bridges, etc. Banquet of the F.L.C. Society of the high school. Prohibition county convention. City Hospital nurses commencement-class of thirteen graduates. Hottest of the season – 92 degrees. Eight graduates from the Forty Fort public schools, Christopher Wren of Plymouth publishes a pamphlet on “Remains of the Stone Age in Wyoming Valley and Along the Susquehanna River.” Mrs. Torillo of Pittston, shot by her stepson, dies in the Pittston Hospital. Ellen Flynn and Joseph Resqua, the former of Wilkes-Barre and the latter of Parsons, found dead in a hotel on Baltimore street, having been asphyxiated with gas. Wyoming and Ashley high school commencements. Burglars blow open Miner-Hillard Milling Co. safe at Plymouth, but secure nothing. Louis Rothaas of Wilkes-Barre suicides by hanging. Opening of the new Sherman street Primitive Methodist church Unpleasant Memorial Day-rain during afternoon and evening. Dr. Mason eisteddfod in the armory a big success—Plymouth wins the chief choral competition of $400., the Gwents the male chorus and Scranton the female chorus. Mission for non-Catholics begun in St. Leo Catholic church at Ashley. Court causes somewhat of a sensation by refusing to transfer a large number of liquor licenses. New officers of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade take their seats. W. L. Raeder president and Maj. William Sharpe secretary. Reception at Mallinckrodt Convent. June, 1904 Plymouth and Parsons schools have commencement exercises. Employers’ Association of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley meets and outlines its plans. William J. Goeckel reappointed tax collector for State and county taxes. Two arrests of mine examiners on the charge of issuing fraudulent certificates. A delegation of the Clover Club comes from Philadelphia to be guests of W.L. Raeder for a few days. Death of Wilkes-Barre’s oldest physician-Dr. Edward Gumpert. Strike of molders at the Exeter Machine Works at West Pittston, relative to apprentices, settled after a conference. Court ousts Pittston Township school board on account of neglect, etc., and appoints new members in their places. After three years arrest was made in the train wrecking on the Lehigh Valley cutoff, a number of cattle cars being smashed and cattle killed- young man states that he placed dynamite on the track on account of some grievance. Children’s Day at memorial Presbyterian. Contractor Wilson J. Smith submits to the county commissioners a plan along the line of arbitration to determine the cost of making the alterations according to the revised plans, so that work which has been interrupted for some months on account of trouble over the plans, may be resumed. Wilkes-Barre Board of School Government reorganizes— Messrs. Houser and Anderson retiring and Drs. Long and Dodson taking their places. Exercises held at the grave of James Search at Shickshinny, a soldier of the war of the Revolution, having been wounded in that war. Commercial class day at the high school. Long spell of wet weather. A tax collector of Duryea arrested upon forty-four warrants charging illegality in collection of taxes. Annual banquet of Linonia Society of Hillman Academy. Smallpox in the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre-young man named Klinger, recently arrived from Williamstown. Fourteenth annual high school commencement. Hillman Academy commencement. Prize speaking contest at Wyoming Seminary. Reception at the Wilkes-Barre Press Club by newspaper men in honor of John S. McGroarty. Children’s Day in a number of the Sunday schools. Baccalaureate sermon in the Kingston M.E. Church to Wyoming Seminary graduates by Rev. James M. Taber, Jr. of Binghamton, N.Y. Wilkes-Barre Institute commencement-six graduates. Conciliation Board meets in Wilkes-Barre but comes to no agreement in Panther Creek trouble. Republican county convention. Mayor Price issues order that toy pistols or blank cartridges must not be used in celebrating the Fourth of July. Primitive Methodist Sunday school convention in Wilkes-Barre. Wyoming Seminary commencement. Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Ziegenfuss of White Haven celebrate their golden anniversary. Kappa Alpha Sigma Fraternity banquet at Harvey’s Lake. Hanover Township schools commencement. Harry Orzkmine of Glen Lyon, 75 years dies at the City Hospital of stab and other wounds inflicted while he was on his way home. Martin Razmus being charged with the crime. Michael Haffey resigns as Humane Society agent. Father John Bratton of Wilkes-Barre celebrates his first mass in St. Mary’s Church. Body of Mrs. Frank Morgan found in her home at West Pitttston horribly burned. Warm spell for several days-thermometer between 85 and 90. Susquehanna Coal Co. experimenting with steel cars for the mines. Attractive folder concerning the city of Wilkes-Barre issued under the auspices of the Board of Trade. Commencement of St. Ann’s Academy at Mallinckrodt Convent. Commencement of St. Mary’s Academy and parochial schools. Annual Schuetzen Verein king shooting at Hanover Park. Verdict of guilty having been rendered in court in pure food case, all other defendants settle by payment of fine and costs. New York and Pennsylvania Coal Dealers’ Association taken to Glen Summit and Harvey’s Lake. Toronto woman beheaded on Lehigh Valley Black Diamond by vestibule parking while she was standing in it. Mercy Hospital nurses’ graduation exercises. Contractor Wilson J. Smith and the county commissioners bring action against County Controller McLean to compel him to approve the contractor’s bill for extra work done on the new court house. Epileptic hospital commission chooses Spring City in Chester County as the site for the institution. Peter Gordon of Wilkes-Barre found unconscious in Rutter’s Grove, dies from hemorrhage at Mercy Hospital. Laurel Line trip of inspection of the new Dunmore branch. District Attorney Jones addresses a letter to all committing magistrates that they must be more careful in accepting bail. First toy pistol lockjaw victim in Luzerne County-Elbert Yeager, 12 years old, dies at the Hazleton Hospital. Lehigh Valley R.R. entertains a party of newspaper people at Glen Summit Hotel. Group Three of the Bankers’ Association has an outing on the Pocono. Knights of Malta attend services in Central M.E. Church “Fall of Pompell” under the auspices of the Wilkes-Barre Press Club. St. Mary’s Alumni Association banquet .Umpire Carroll D. Wright, in answer to a letter by district president Nicholls, states that where a majority of the miners make assignment of their proportionate share for the payment of a check weighman the company is justified in taking such share from all of the miners. John Edwin Hill ordained to the Episcopal ministry at Hazleton. County Controller McLean replies to the action brought by the county commissioners and contractor, Wilson J. Smith. Traction company leases the Plymouth & Larksville line and runs the cars to Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Lehigh Valley Medical Association meets in Wilkes-Barre. Fifteenth annual convention of the Epworth Leagues of Wyoming district in West Pittston. Congregational Sunday School Union convention in Scranton. Mrs. Margaret Snyder of Pittston dies on a street car of heart trouble. July, 1904 Traction company linemen given an increase of 20 cents a day and a reduction of forty minutes a day in working, a strike being thus averted. Court hands down an opinion to the effect that it is not necessary for the controller to countersign the warrant for the alterations to the new court house, thus deciding the proceedings by the contractor and commissioners against the controller and in favor of the former. Cornerstone of the Swedish Lutheran Church laid. Exercises at Wyoming monument attended by a thousand people-address by Maj. George G. Groff of Bucknell University on “A colony out of the northern wilderness. Seven fires, four of them from fireworks. Fifteen accidents in Wilkes-Barre from fireworks-no fatalities. Warm weather-mercury 85 degrees-thousands of people leave town for the various resorts. Big celebration at Nanticoke, unveiling cannon in the public park. Guy Lewis Morrill installed as pastor of the Moosic Presbyterian Church. Heaviest thunder storm of the season-Bennet Presbyterian and St. Mary’s churches, the former at Luzerne Borough and the latter at Nanticoke, struck by lightning. Father Murgas of Wilkes-Barre lets contract for the construction of his wireless telegraphy plant between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, the system to be extended if that works successfully. Company organized with a capital of $100,000 for the manufacture of lace and lace curtains of the finest quality in Wilkes-Barre. Clarence Coal Co. men at Yatesville return to work, difficulty having been amicably adjusted. Opening of the Union Soap Works in South Wilkes-Barre. Announcement that free mail delivery is to be established in Ashley, Kingston, Dorranceton and Westmoor, Edwardsville and Forty Fort being turned down on account of the distance of those places from the county seat and the fact that the citizens have not complied with the regulations. James Foster of Pittston ordained to the priesthood in the cathedral at Scranton. Announcement that after number of conference a settlement has been reached in the strike at the Galland underwear factory, which has been on since the middle of March. Scranton Coal Co. states that it will agree to Carroll D. Wright’s suggestion by taking proportionate share of check weighmen’s wages from all miners at mines where a majority of miners decided to make an assignment of their proportionate share; strike thus averted. Miners receive advance according to scale for the first time in several months, amounting to 1 per cent. Dedication of the chapel at Lake Uuangola. Confirmation at Holy Savior church. Annual convention District No. 1 of the United Mine Workers at Pittston. Strike at Nos. 1 and 8 shafts of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Pittston, on account of change in hoisting the men, claiming that they are compelled to walk too far; agreement reached later in the day. Anthony Frank found dead in his room, having been asphyxiated by gas. Jubilee services at Nebo Welsh Baptist Church at Nanticoke-mortgage burned. Mrs. Hannah Tripp of Forty Fort, a pioneer settler, passes away. Thirty-sixth annual convention of the State Dental Association in Wilkes-Barre. Conciliation Board meets in Wilkes-Barre. At Mine Workers’ convention in Pittston announcement is made that the Pennsylvania and Erie coal companies have decided to comply with umpire Wright’s decision with reference to payment of check weighmen. Mrs. Charles Frear of Lake Winola, 90 years, dies from injuries sustained by falling down stairs. State Dental Association entertained at the Country Club. Meat prices go up 2 cents a pound on account of the strike at the packing houses. Insurance feature adopted by District No. 1 of Mine Workers-$500. Insurance for 50 cents a month and $250 for 25 cents a month, to be paid in case of death. Wa6ter almost pumped out of the Hallstead mine at Duryea which was flooded by the strike of 1902. Robert W. Baxter of Nebraska appointed superintendent of the P. & N.Y. division of the L.V.R.R. to succeed J.A. Droege, resigned. State dentists adjourn. Contractor Wilson J. Smith notified that he must begin work on the new court house within two days or the contract will be taken from him and completed by the county commissioners, in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Meat famine threatened on account of the strike of the packing house employees. Scranton Oratorio Society, re-enforced by a number of Wilkes-Barre singers, wins first prize at the world’s fair musical festival at St. Louis. Wilkes-Barre Press club entertains members of the International League of Press Clubs on their way to the national convention at Toledo, Ohio. Wilkes-Barre policemen win from Scranton in tug of war. Third district C.T.A.U. convention at Parsons. A night of storms-four pass over Wyoming Valley from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., accompanied by heavy rain and fierce e lectrical display. Central Labor Union convention at Scranton decides, after a stormy session, to again send the committee to see the President at Oyster Bay, with reference to the Colorado miners’ petition. Death at Atlantic City of Joseph C. Powell, president of the Wilkes-Barre Record Company. Letter received from Rev. Dr. J.H. Bickford, pastor of the First M.E. Church, tendering his resignation, to take effect at the close of the conference year. Death of Hon. John B. Smith of Forty Fort, a pioneer coal operator of the Wyoming Valley. Operators present grievance to the Conciliation Board, to the effect that check weighman question was not decided by Mr. Wright in his capacity as umpire but in a private letter to Mr. Nicholls-operators want Conciliation Board to consider the question. Hillman Vein mine of the Scranton Coal & Iron Co. in Wilkes-Barre in operation. State Dental Examining Board announces the result of the examination. Architect Osterling sends his version of the new court house muddle to the commissioners. Retreat hospital training school commencement exercises. Six new mail carriers added to the force. James Haworth, formerly of Wilkes-Barre drowned in New Jersey. Ninth Regiment leaves for the annual encampment at Gettysburg. Ninth Regiment’s anniversary celebrated at the camp at Gettysburg. Pickpockets relieve several Wilkes-Barreans of sums of money at the Lehigh Valley station. Cornerstone of Masonic hall at Shickshinny laid. A number of milk dealers arrested on the charge of preserving the milk with formaldehyde and boric acid; bound over to court. Conciliation Board meets in Wilkes-Barre and comes to a disagreement on the check weighman question, miners’ representatives refusing to vote on the proposition to reconsider it. Annual report of county superintendent of schools Hopper. General disappointment over the split in the Conciliation Board. Maj. Harry W. Pierce, the market gardener of the Market street flats, elevates his green houses upon supports set upon a concrete base, at a cost of almost $10,000 to avoid further damage by floods. Superior Court affirms the local court in the decision against ex-County Treasurer Kirkendall in the fee case. Operators issue a statement with reference to the Conciliation Board trouble. Ninth Regiment arrives home from camp. Considerable anxiety over the Conciliation Board difficulty. Another hot spell-thermometer 91 degrees. August, 1904 Contractor Wilson J. Smith has session with the commissioners to give his figures for extra work on the new court house, amounting to $72,394.63. Edward F. Ritter of Allentown shoots and wounds his wife and kills himself on a Lehigh Valley passenger train near Mauch Chunk. Death of E.C. Starbird, Kingston’s burgess. Ten new attorneys admitted to the Luzerne County Court. District board of United mine Workers adjourns by reaffirming the decision of the district convention, to the effect that the district offers may declare a strike at collieries where the companies do not agree to take check weighmen’s wages from the pay of all of the miners. Edward Boyle of Wilkes-Barre, employed at Williamsport, chokes to death while eating supper. President Nicholls gives out statement in answer to the one issued by Mr. Warriner on behalf of the operators. Nitro glycerin department of the dynamite mill at Laurel Run blows up and one man blown to atoms, besides two girls being injured. First open session of the Conciliation Board; Coxe Bros. & Co. grievance disposed of; operators propose to submit check weighman dispute to Judge Gray, president of the Strike Commission, and the miners ask for postponement for a week to consider the question. C.T.A.U. regiment off for encampment at Harvey’s Lake. Death of Rev. C. Kuehn, for many years a Lutheran pastor in Wilkes-Barre. T.L. Newell entertains a large number of men friends at his cottage at Harvey’s Lake. Two more boys drowned in the river, making the twenty-sixth body found in the river between Pittston and Bloomsburg since spring. D.L. & W. statement that it will pay the increase upon the gross instead of the net earnings removes a condition that promised to cause serious trouble. L. & W. B. Coal Co. to construct large breaker at Audenreid. Fete of the ninth Regiment Band on the Ross lawn. Proceedings in court to oust Freeland school directors because they cannot agree in the election of teachers. Strike at the Old Forge mine for the same reason as the strike at the Barnum, in the Pittston region-miners claim that the scales do not weigh correctly. Eight people hurt in trolley car accident at Harvey’s Lake-car could not be stopped at terminal and a number of the passengers jumped. Seven county Veteran reunion at Factoryville. Death of Charles m. Bowman, for many years a tipstaff in the court house. Edward Karnoski of Glen Lyon suicides by cutting his throat with a razor. The eight men suspended at the Coxe Drifton mine return to work, their case having been disposed of by the Conciliation Board. Reception on the Ross lawn in honor of Daniel Davis of Wales, an eminent choir leader. “Sam” Miller stabs to death Charles Bates on the Ross lawn during a quarrel.. Annual regatta of the Shawanese Boat Club at Harvey’s Lake. Vice president Lewis of the united Mine Workers makes a visit to this section. Wyoming camp ground debt wiped out. Mercy Hospital picnic at Valley View Park a big success. C.T.A.U. regiment returns from camp at Harvey’s Lake. Pickpockets continue their business at the Lehigh Valley station in spite of the vigilance of the officers. Fiftieth anniversary of Hazleton Concordia Society celebrated. Vulcan Iron Works completes contract for furnishing asphalt machinery for a Western firm. 19. Conciliation Board at its meeting in New York City decides to refer the check weighman dispute to Judge Gray for a decision. Schooley Battery reunion at Nay Aug Park, Scranton. Annual Caledonian games at Hazle Park 22. Letter carrier O.S. White of Wilkes-Barre invents a new mail box. Democratic county convention. Men at the Barnum colliery resume work pending an adjustment of their grievances. Conciliation Board meets in New York City and refers several grievances to the umpire. Mr. and Mrs. John Schappert celebrate their golden anniversary. Meeting of citizens in the mayor’s court room to take action with reference to the court house muddle. Huntington Valley and Patterson Grove camp meetings open. Rev. George Hill, formerly pastor of a church in Nanticoke dies in Ohio. About fifty guests near Shickshinny wedding made seriously ill by eating chicken salad, which had been contaminated. Citizens’ meeting organizes permanently to take up new court house and other questions in the interest of the taxpayers; strong resolutions adopted condemnatory of the county commissioners and the architect. Contractor Wilson J. Smith refuses to begin work on the court house in the time specified by the county commissioners and makes a reply to their note. 28. Cornerstone of St. Vincent’s convent at Plymouth laid. Reopening of Centenary M.E. Church at Ashley. 29. Close of the lawn fete of Alexander’s band. Death of Capt. Sylvester Rhodes of Parsons, who participated in over a score of engagements of the Civil War. Vein of coal discovered in Slocum Township 30. Representatives of municipalities that suffer from floods meet and again start a movement for the purchase of the Nanticoke dam. County commissioners decided not to take court house contract from Wilson J. Smith until the Supreme Court decides whether or not the county controller can refuse to countersign warrants for extra work on the new court house. September, 1904 Twenty-eighth annual reunion of the Wyoming County Veteran Association at Tunkhannock. Marshal E. Johns of Wilkes-Barre, trainmaster for the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern Railroad, appointed superintendent of the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern and New York Susquehanna & Western, with headquarters at Jersey City. Department of fisheries to take up the question of culm and other mine refuse being dumped into the rivers. Red Ash miners complain that allowance for removal of rock and bony coal in one of the veins has been taken off, reducing the earning. Blessing of new convent and parochial school of St. Cecilia’s Parish at Wyoming. Judge Otto, assistant Secretary of the Interior during Lincoln’s administration, a guest at Glen Summit Hotel. Labor Day parade not so large as in former years on account of the absence of the miners who reserve their strength until Mitchell Day. B.L.A. eisteddfod at the armory a big affair. Polish singers have a convention at Nanticoke. Races at West Pittston fair grounds. Convention of Third class cities in Wilkes-Barre. Local camp of the Spanish-American War Veterans organized. Courts begin after the summer vacation. Dr. J.H. Heller, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, takes charge of the sanatorium at White Haven. Third class city delegates have a banquet at Harvey’s Lake. Judge Gray, president of the Strike Commission, hears argument in Philadelphia concerning the check weighman dispute. Services in the Catholic churches commemorating the establishment of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Two miners indicted by the grand jury on the charge of issuing fraudulent certificates of competency to miners. Jewish New Year 5655 observed with services in the synagogues. Plasterers make a demand for an increase in wages of from $3 to $3.20 a day for journeymen and for foremen an increase of from $3.50 to $3.75 a day and for nailing lath an increase of from 221/2 to 25 cents a bundle. Reunion of the 53rd Regt. At Fernbrook Park. Calvary Church’s tenth anniversary. Harvest Home in Lutheran and Reformed churches. Central M.E. Church rally day. Death of Andreas Mutter, for many years a tipstaff in the court house. Public schools open. Plasterers of the Wyoming Valley, with the exception of those employed by five contractors, go on strike. Convention of the Polish Union of America in Wilkes-Barre. Council passes the loan ordinance. Master Builders’ Exchange sends out an order suspending operations one week and declaring that at the end of that period all shops shall be “open.” Martin Razmus, charged with the murder of Henry Ortwine of Glen Lyon, convicted of murder in the first degree. Lawn fete of the nurses at the City hospital. Central Railroad coal chutes at Ashley destroyed by fire. Carpenters and plasterers and their employers preparing for a long contest. Michael Milewski convicted of conspiracy in connection with the Duryea frauds. President John Mitchell confers with district presidents and attorneys in Wilkes-Barre with reference to the Wales suit in Binghamton. Bishop Hodur of the Independent Polish National Catholic Church makes his first visit to Wilkes-Barre since his elevation. Umpire Carroll D. Wright decides two grievances sent to him by the Conciliation Board, that of the Lehigh Valley miners with reference to the manner of computing the increase and that of miners of Nos. 1 and 2 mines of the Pennsylvania Coal Co., with reference to changing system of roads. Master Builders resume on the open shop basis, claiming that with old men and new ones hired they have thirty-four per cent of their usual force at work, the carpenters claiming that there have been only two desertions from their ranks. Fall session of the Presbytery of Lackawanna in Memorial Church. Application to court by certain firms of the Master Builders to have the injunction granted by the court against declaration of a boycott enforced. Fire in the Avondale mine out after burning for several weeks. Ashley made a full sub-station by the Postoffice Department. John Scanlon shot through the heart by John Coleman, both of Hudson, after a quarrel about some drinks. Heavy frost and mercury down to freezing in the mountain districts. Wilkes-Barre electric light and gas companies and the Ashley Electric Light Company, recently chartered consolidated under the name of the Keystone Light Co. “Poodle” Murphy, convicted pickpocket, sentenced to six years in the penitentiary. Rally day in a number of churches and Sunday schools. Judge Gray hands down decision in check weighman miners’ case. Farewell reception for Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Dreisbach in Memorial Presbyterian Church. Opening of Dallas fair. Sunday school convention of Wilkes-Barre Lutheran Conference. New working rules posted by Master Builders’ Exchange, providing among other things that no one shall be allowed to visit shops or jobs without permission. A Wyoming officer shoots and fatally injuries John Banks of that place while attempting to arrest him. Casper Lukawik of Plains Township shoots and seriously injures Anthony J. O’Malley, a foreman at the Henry Colliery at Port Bowkley; crowd chases Lukawik to his home; he barricades himself in his house; Bryan Cafferty shot in the breast while attempting to arrest him; Lukawik finally surrenders to chief of police Jones; crowd becomes demonstrative and threatens to lynch him on the way to a car. Father Colligan of Plains and others quiet the crowd. Banquet for Business girls at the Y.W.C.A. Glen Lyon foreigner shoots through a window at a family party and seriously wounds a girl and young man-Martha Sherrik and Michael Tarkufski. Bids for addition to Retreat Insane Asylum rejected on account of being too high. John Clifford, superintendent of transportation for the traction company, retires after fourteen years of service. Luzerne County Sunday school convention in Puritan Congregational Church. October, 1904 A.O.H. convention at Plymouth. Spark’s circus in a wreck at Nanticoke-several cars smashed and several men hurt. Parsons school directors ousted by the court for failure to agree in the election of teachers and six new directors appointed. Dallas fair attendants vote by a majority of 330 to have intoxicants sold there in the future. Rally day at the First Presbyterian and Memorial Presbyterian. Bar Association meets and takes action with reference to the death of C.W. McAlarney, Esq. Plasterers issue a statement giving a history of their contest. Hon. Daniel Davenport lectures in the Nesbitt on “Americanism and Industrial Problems.” Wilkes-Barre district Epworth League convention at Ashley. Arlons of Rockaway Beach have an outing at Harvey’s Lake. Anthony Peszka of Edwardsville suicides by cutting his throat. Commissioners’ clerk William Devaney drops dead at his home. Committee for the purchase of the Nanticoke dam apportions the amount among the various municipalities affected by the floods. Rev. Dr. Griffis lectures in Central M.E. Church on Russia and Japan. Jubilee Services and forty hours devotion in St. Nicholas Church. Father Matthew Day at Scranton-biggest parade in the history of Scranton diocese. Controller McLean makes a sharp reply to the mandamus proceedings begun by contractor W. J. Smith. Luzerne County Anti-Saloon League convention opens. First banquet of Wilkes-Barre fire department in Concordia Hall. Knights of Columbus observe Discoverer’s Day with a banquet. Russell H. Conwell lectures on “Acres of Diamonds” in Old Fellows’ course. Report of Mercy Hospital picnic committee shows a profit of $8,730. Twentieth annual convention of the Luzerne County W.C.T.U. at Dorranceton. “The Mikado” given by local talent for the benefit of St. Aloysius Church. Cornerstone laying under Masonic auspices at St. James Episcopal Church, Pittston. Church of the Holy Name of Jesus at Forty Fort dedicated by Bishop Hoban. C.T.A.U. Third district convention at Ashley. Several hunting accidents on the second day of the season-one Freeland man killed and a Wilkes-Barrean loses a leg. Court decides that in boycott injunction proceedings labor unions must produce their books and papers in evidence. 19 .No. 8 Hose Co. banquet. Luzerne County medical Society starts the agitation for municipal laboratory. Methodist ministerial Association of Wyoming district in session at Scranton. James Lally, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed on railroad at Pitttsburg. Movement to establish schools for the Polish people in the anthracite region. Patrick Granahan of Pittston Township found dead in his home with a bullet wound in his neck. Women’s Missionary Society of the Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church in Zion’s Reformed. Umpire Wright’s decision in the case of the Northern Coal Co. of the Bernice region to the effect that the company is not bound to pay the sliding scale increase for the reason that that part of the award was never accepted by the company. Carpenters issue a statement defining their case with reference to the trouble with employers. Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Education and Beneficia; Stationary Engineers’ Association decide to amalgamate. Rev. Dr. Raymond, president of Wesleyan University, preaches in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston. Announcement of the extension of free delivery to Edwardsville and Luzerne Borough. Concordia Herren Abend, the first of the season. Primitive Methodist Conference at Plymouth. Annual conference of Epworth League of Wyoming Conference in Kingston. M.E. Church Wilkes-Barre Conference of Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania in session at Scranton. Councils pass an ordinance to make expectorating in public places subject to fine. Home for Friendless Children donation day. Ladies Auxiliary to Y.M.C.A. volunteer movement holds a convention in Wilkes-Barre. Strike at the Fernwood colliery, near Pittston, the men claiming that they were asked to do some extra work in running cars on the slope. Miss Mary Fullerton, sister of Rev. Dr. Fullerton, speaks in the First Presbyterian Church on her mission work in India. Fourth annual banquet of the Palmer Debating Club. Rev. Mr. Kerr lectures on “Mormonism” in Memorial Church. Zeigler coal land case ended in court with instructions for a verdict for Hillside Coal & Iron Co. Bethal Church annual eiteddfod at Nanticoke. Large Mitchell Day parade in Wilkes-Barre. Farewell sermon by Rev. H. F. J. Seneker of Christ Lutheran Church. Reformation anniversary observed in the Lutheran churches. Autumn anniversary of the Sunday schools of St. Stephen’s parish. Dedication of the new M.E. Church at Pittston. Big reception in Scranton for Mabon, the Welsh labor leader, attended by president Mitchell and secretary-treasurer Wilson of the united Mine Workers. Judge Halsey in addressing the grand jury advises that prisoners be put to work breaking stone. Halloween fun and rowdyism take possession of the town. Opening of the big fair of Plymouth Hose Co. No. 2. Thirty-seventh annual institute of Luzerne County school teachers in the Nesbitt. November 1904 Banquet of the Mansfield Normal School Alumni Association. Convention of the Wyoming Association of Congregational Churches and Sunday Schools in Pittston. Ten men killed in the Auchincloss shaft at Nanticoke, the deepest in the anthracite region. They were being lowered on the cage when control of the engine was lost and the carriage dashed against the supports at the bottom landing, tearing the bottom from it and precipitating the ten men into 200 feet of water at the bottom of the shaft. Republican rally at the armory,-Congressman John Daizell of Pittsburg the principal speaker. Rev. Dr. Bristol of Washington, D.C. speaks in the teachers’ institute lecture course on “Brains.” Eleventh annual convention of the Eighth district, Women’s Relief Corps. In G.A.R. Hall. Strike of the miners at the Fernwood mine, near Pittston, ends by the company agreeing to do away with the trouble on the slope. Branch free library established in Calvary club house, North Wilkes-Barre. Bloomsburg alumni annual banquet at Hotel Sterling. Co. D. 9th Regt. Celebrates twenty-fifth anniversary with a banquet at Hotel Sterling. Strike of boys at Nos. 9 and 10 collieries of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Pittston on account of the discharge of two boys, ties up the mine for a day. Eight bodies of victims of the Auchincloss mine disaster side by side in the same church and taken in different hearses to the cemetery, where eight graves were ready. Mission begun in St. Aloysius Church under the auspices of Passionist priests. Mrs. Noble, missionary to Korea, speaks in First M.E. Church. Suit of Mrs. George P. Richards against, Abram Nesbitt to recover on an alleged note for $85,500, with interest amounting altogether to nearly $150,000, ended by counsel for complainant withdrawing, the court pronouncing the note a forgery. Beautiful election weather and a heavy vote polled. Wilkes-Barre loan for $408,000 carried. B.I.A. oratorical contest. T.F. Tracy, a traveling man, takes his life in a Wilkes-Barre hotel by swallowing carbolic acid. Official count of the vote completed. Convention of the C.E. societies of the Calvinistic Methodist Presbyterian Church at Plymouth. Fiftieth anniversary of St. John’s Catholic Church at Pittston observed with special services. Cornerstone of the addition to the Grant Street Presbyterian Church laid. Thirtieth anniversary of Rev. Dr. Jones’s pastorate at St. Stephen’s Church observed. Special jubilee services begun at St. Mary’s Church. Widespread demoralization among telephone, telegraph, electric light and street car companies on account of storm. St. Conrad’s Glee Club fall concert. Creatore and his band at the armory for three days. Thirtieth anniversary reception for Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Jones at St. Stephen’s parish house. County Christian Endeavor convention at Hazleton. Strike of breaker boys at No. 2 colliery of Pennsylvania Coal Co. settled by boys returning to work. Trouble at Coxe mines averted by the reinstatement of two men who were suspended for refusing to work on Mitchell Day. Plumbers of two Wilkes-Barre firms strike for the reason that they were asked to work on jobs where non union men had been employed; evidence of a sympathetic movement on the part of all building trades with the carpenters. Court hands down an opinion to the effect that constables shall receive better pay for serving subpoenas. Church Club of the Episcopal Church of Central Pennsylvania has a banquet at Hotel Sterling. League of Boys’ Clubs in convention in Calvary House. Professor Welter lectures before the superintendents, foremen and bosses of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. at the Historical Society rooms on the earth’s formation and the formation of coal. Death of Ziba Gruver, who was born in Wilkes-Barre eighty-one years ago and farmed the land on which a portion of the Heights is now built. Four men injured by an explosion of gas in Avondale mine. All of the building trades employers post open shop notices. Bishop McCabe preaches in Central M. E. Church. Bishop Brewer of Montana preaches in St. Stephen’s Church. Close of jubilee week in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. preliminary meeting to arrange for the national C.T.A.U. convention in Wilkes-Barre in 1905. Creatore and his band give a Sunday concert in the armory to 1,500 people. Bishop C.C. McCabe lectures in Central M.E. Church on “The Bright Side of Life in Libby Prison,” lecture attended by the G.A.R. members of the 9th Regt. And Women’s Relief Corps. Open shop rules posted by employers of the building trades disregarded by the employees and all remain at work, claiming that the open shop policy has always been in force and that they will not strike unless there is a reduction in wages. Concordia fall concert. Chicago tunnel project, in which local men are interested to be taken up by a company composed mainly of the railroad interests,-the project originally financed by John B. Russell & Co. of Wilkes-Barre. Thanksgiving dinner of the commercial class at St. Mary’s Academy. Mercy Hospital Alumnae Association dance at the armory. William Watkins of Edwardsville presented with a medal by George T. Matthews of New York for heroism in rescuing three men from fire damp after an explosion in a Kingston Coal Co. mine, the rescue being accomplished when the roof threatened to fall at any moment. Union Thanksgiving services held in the First M.E. Rev. Dr. Fullerton delivering the sermon. Plymouth Choral Union wins the Chief Prize at the Scranton eisteddfod and the Gwents the male party prize. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Law of West Pittston celebrate golden wedding. Masked men enter the home of Mrs. Farley and granddaughter of Luzerne borough and after securing $25. Torture them by placing a burning lamp and hot coals at the soles of their feet, also threatening to kill them. In the hope that the women would reveal the hiding place of a supposed sum of money. Martin Rasmus sentenced to death for the murder of Henry Ortwine at Glen Lyon. Twenty-first anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. Theophilus Davies at the Miner congregational Church. Rev. Mr. Kerr of Memorial Presbyterian Church preaches to the Jr. O.U.A.M. Forty hours devotion at St. Mary’s Church. Rev. P.J. Walter Pestke preaches his first sermon as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church. Golden jubilees begun at Plymouth Catholic Church. Francis R. Cope of Philadelphia lectures before Board of Trade on Civil Service Reform. Reception for the pastor, Rev. Theophilus Davies, and mortgage burning at the Miner’s Mills Congregational Church. Second annual exhibition of the Wilkes-Barre Poultry and Pet Stock Association. Coroner’s jury in the case of the Auchincloss mine disaster, by which ten men were killed, renders a verdict of accidental death, but states that no engineer should be kept on duty for fourteen hours at a time, as was engineer Fine. Rev. Dr. Henry Van Dyke lectures in the Y.M.C.A. course on “Tennyson, Poet and Prophet.” Presentation by employees of the Wilkes-Barre Gas Co. to John Flanigan, the retiring general manager. D. & H. passenger train crashes into some standing passenger cars in a switch at Scott street; several of the crew slightly hurt. Transcribed by Donna Bogdon, 19 Jan 2009