1908 Wilkes-Barre Record Almanac, Record of Events For 1907 Principal Happenings in Luzerne County for the Year Beginning December 1, 1906, and Ending November 30, 1907. December, 1906 1. Civic Association prepares to take a vigorous hand in the prosecution of election criminals. 2. Annual memorial exercises of the Elks. 3. Fourth annual exhibition of the Wilkes-Barre Poultry and Pet Stock Association, Fair and Fairyland in Concordia hall under the auspices of the Jr. O. U. A. M. regiment. 4. Prison Commissioners decide to enlarge the jail. Death of Alfred Barnes, for many years court crier. Mortgage burning at the Nanticoke Prebyterian church. Hanover township auditors surcharge former school directors and treasurer with $14,568.45, $10,083.91 being debt contracted without filing the proper papers and because it exceeded the legal limit, and the remainder because of attorney fees, stenographic service, balance between market value of four lots and the price at which they were sold. Alleged excessive salary paid the secretary, and money paid on contracts in which a member of the board was interested, these being the allegations of the auditors. D. & H. continues purchasing land in the Firwood section, where large yards are to be established. 5. Committee that went to New York to see railroad officials sends assurance that three fo the Wilkes-Barre grade crossings will be eliminated. Objections to sale of $30,000 worth of bonds of Hanover township on the part of taxpayers when the sale was about to begin results in no bids being offered. Suit by Wilkes-Barre centennial committee to compel Controller Goeringer to sign the warrant for $5,000 appropriated by councils. Traction company employees having made a request for an advance in wages of four cents an hour, the officials offer an advance of one cent an hour; action by employees postponed. 6. Judge Lynch in charging a jury states that motormen on street cars must exercise great care when cars are passing children—a parent cannot be held responsible for allowing the children to be on the street. Black Diamond kills Bertels’ team, demolishes wagon and kills driver at Fort Blanchard crossing—the second accident of the kind at the crossing in a comparatively short time. Five men killed and eleven injured by explosions of gas at the Buttonwood and Woodward mines. 7. Dr Lawrence Flick lectures in Wilkes-Barre on the economic value to a community in battling tuberculosis. E.B. Wilson of Scranton lectures to minding men at the Historical Society rooms. 8. Court appoints Edwin Shorts to audit Dr. Cobleigh’s expense account for the congressional nomination campaign. Wilkes-Barr Park Commission organizes by the election of Major Irving A. Stearns as president. Annual conference of the Y. M. C. A. of the Fifth district at Avoca. Mercury eight degrees above zero in Wilkes-Barre. Henry A. Fuller and John McGahren selected by the Civic Association as the principal attorneys for the prosecution of the election frauds. Writ of distringas, the first ever asked for in Luzerne county, to compel Sheriff Davis to sell personal property upon which he had levied. Close of the retreat for women at St. Mary’s church. 9. Tablet in memory of Mrs. Priscilla Bennett placed in the First M. E. church. 10. First concert by the Musical Art Society of Wilkes-Barr. Eighteen-year-old boy of Pittston commits suicide. 11. Resolution introduced in Wilkes-Barre councils for the sale of the river common coal. Considerable objection on the part of the coal companies and individual property owners because of the action of the Wilkes-Barre assessors in raising the valuations. Sanford L. Apt of Pittston either falls or throws himself down No. 14 mine shaft. 13. Fair of the Italian congregation building a new church held in Germania hall. Annual banquet of the Wilkes-Barre Eagles. Fire destroys the picnic pavilion at Harvey’s Lake. 14. Court fixes bonds in election contests at $10,000 in each case. Four men injured by second gas explosion in ten days at the Buttonwood mine. Pg 104 Former Sheriff William Walter dies at his home at Conyngham. 15. Wilkes-Barre school teachers endorse the teachers’ pension bill. Wilkes-Barre officials return from an inspection of the North Mountain watershed controlled by Col. Ricketts. 16. Body of a woman partly burned, found in a barrel which had been set on fire, on the mountain near Hazelton. 17. Board of Trade’s Greater Wilkes-Barre committee enlarged. 19. Coroner’s jury decides that John Droas, who died in Wilkes-Barre, died from pneumonia and not from injuries inflicted by a policeman while placing him under arrest. First notable event of the social season—the Benedicts’ ball at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. 20. Annual session of the school directors of the county in Wilkes-Barre. State College students of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity hold a banquet. 21. New England Society dinner at Scranton. City Clerk appointed registrar of vital statistics. 24. Death of S. L. Brown, for many years a well known business man of Wilkes-Barr. 25. Cold Christmas weather. United Charities and Salvation Army send many dinners to poor people. 26. Applications made for auditors to audit the election expenses of a number of the candidates and campaign managers. Death of Gustav Hahn, for many years a member of the Luzerne county bar. 27. St. John’s day Masonic banquets. George Heller city ticket agent of the Lehigh Valley, appointed to the district passenger agent for part of the northeastern Pennsylvania Commissioners’ sale of land for taxes. 28. Death of J. T. L. Sahm, for 32 years deputy prothonotary. 31. Annual Assembly ball at the armory. January, 1907. 1. Joint reception by the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. Annual inspection of the Wilkes-Barre fire department results in the making of some recommendations for the improvement of the service. 2. Death of County Surveyor N. B. Rutter. Ice goes out of the river at Wilkes-Barre. 3. Announcement of the appointment of H. A. Fuller and John McGahren of ??????? ???????? James Scarlet of Danville as special attorneys to prosecute the election fraud cases. Three assistant district attorneys give a testimonial dinner to District Attorney Salsburg at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. Wilkes-Barre sanitary committee issues a statement with reference to the Scranton typhoid epidemic and the possibility of local infection and advises all residents to boil the water. 4. Formal opening of St. Mary’s new parochial school building. 5. County Commissioner George Smith advocates doing away with the present plan of assessment and appointing or electing district boards to do the work, concentrating the responsibility and insuring more uniformity. 6. Death of Capt. James Bowman, prison warden. Fire destroys Slovak Catholic church of Edwardsville, supposed to have been of incendiary origin. 7. Old officers retire and new one take their places in the court house. Judge Lynch delivers a stirring charge to the grand jury on the assessment question, charging the jury to make a thorough investigation and indict delinquent assessors. Col. McKee resigns from the command of the Ninth Regiment. Bar Association takes action upon the death of Gustav Hahn and J. T. L. Sahm. 8. Mayor Kinkendall submits his annual message to councils. Wilkes-Barre Eagles have installation and banquet Shekinah Chapter and Woodmen of Wilkes-Barre have banquets. 9. Women’s Auxiliary of the Scranton Archdeaconry in session in Wilkes-Barre. Labor party in Wilkes-Barre makes endorsement of some of the councilmanic candidates. Ten miners burned in the Wanamie colliery of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre by an explosion of a can of powder in the bottom of a car in which the men were riding. First series of six university extension lectures Annual Luzerne County Medical Society banquet. Seamus McManus, Irish lecturer and writer, lectures in Wilkes-Barre on folk lore and fairy tales. 10. Stamp revenues in the Wilkes-Barre post office for 1906 nearly $17,000 larger then the previous year. First mid-day lunch and business meeting of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade well attended. 11. Former District Attorney Benjamin R. Jones and Thomas H. Atherton Pg 105 form a law partnership. Increase in the city revenues by reason of the increase of over $6,000,000 in the assessments, less reduced revenues in some other quarters amount to about $14,000 fo the coming year. More than the usual number of typhoid fever cases in Berwick, presumably due to use of river water infected from Scranton. 12. Yale Alumni Association banquet at the Westmoreland Club. District Attorney Salburg asks that grand jury be continued for another week in order to probe into the assessment question. Conference by committee appointed by Mayor Price to look into the removal of the Nanticoke dam; the Luzerne legislative delegation asked to interest itself in the matter. Frank Keenan, formerly of Parsons, asphyxiated by gas in New York City boarding house. Harry F. Ackley formerly of Pittston killed in a wreck in Texas. 14. Resignation of Miss Celia A. Wood, secretary of the Y. W. C. A. and appointment of Miss Reed, associate secretary t fill out the term. Death of John R. Snyder of Scranton for forty years chief mining engineer of the D. L. & W. 15. Tenth annual dinner of the Luzerne and Lackawana Dental Society at the Wyoming Valley Hotel. A couple of cases of Typhoid fever found along the Naticoke watershed. 16. The new president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, James McCreas, makes his first official visit to Wilkes-Barre. In the case of the election contests against District Attorney Salsburg and Senator James, the court refuses to quash the petitions and in the case of the Prothonotary Walser the court asks for additional information with reference t the objection that a sufficient number of the signers of the petition did not make affidavit before a justice of the peace. Hearing before a commissioner in the contempt proceedings in the case of Contractor E. T. Long against Charles H. Ruth, organizer for the Bricklayers’ Union . Old ice house near the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern station burned. Formal opening of the new No. 7 engine house on Barney Street. 17. District Attorney Salsburg files his answer in the election contest petitions. About five inches of snow in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity. Charles F. Sutherland elected warden of the Luzerne county jail to succeed the late Capt James Bowman. Gwent Glee Society banqueted by citizens of Edwardsville in honor of the society’s New Year victory at Utica N. Y. 18. Burglars try to gain entrance to Luzerne Borough post office but are frightened away. Annual debate between the Independent and Amphictyon societies of Wyoming Seminary on annexation of Cuba won by the Amphictyons, who were against annexation. Fire in the borough of Conyngham does damage to the extent of about $40,000, several business places and other buildings being destroyed. 19. Grand jury makes its first report in the assessment investigation, finding that there have been gross valuations in Duryea, Nanticoke and Hanover township, especially with reference to coal property, recommending that valuations be increased in these places about $15,000,000 and also recommending the indictment of one assessor in Duryea, one in Hanover and a D. L. & W. land agent because of alleged fraud. John F. Maguire, superintendent of the Lehigh Valley’s Wyoming division, appointed to the assistant superintendent of transportation. First statement of work on new court house made by architects McCormack & French, successors to architect Osterling. 20. Third district C. T. A. U. quarterly convention at White Haven. 22. Midwinter session of the Archdeaconry of Scranton, Episcopal Church, held in West Pittston. Thomas Whitney Surette, musical critic and writer, lectures in University Extension course. Township supervisors of the county organize mainly for the purpose of promoting the good roads movement. West Pittston Cemetery Association given permission by the decree of the courts to sell the coal under the cemetery. 23. More objections filed to Mulhall contest petition. Meeting of leading members of the bar held to boom the candidacy of H. A. Fuller for the vacant judgeship. Burglars who tried to blow open safe in Luzerne Borough captured—several young men of about 20 years living in the vicinity. Two degrees above zero in Wilkes-Barre Page 106 and 20 degrees below reported from Pike’s Creek. 24. Wilkes-Barre officials return from inspection of the private crematory system in Elmira. Extensive alterations completed in the Welsh Presbyterian church of the Heights, Rev. R. T. Roberts, pastor. 25. Ice companies begin cutting ice from ten to twelve inches thick. Robert Curtis of Pittston Township, convicted on the charge of forgery in connection with Marcy Township judgments, sentenced to five years and six months. Robert Burns anniversary celebrated with a banquet by the Caledonian Society. 26. B. G. Carpenter & Co. store in Wilkes-Barre gutted by fire. First experience with the uniform primary law in Luzerne county. Grand jury completes its investigation of assessments and makes an extended report, recommending an additional increase of about $25,000,000 in the valuations and the indictment of three more assessors, together with making other recommendations, among them that the commissioners levy taxes upon a full instead of upon a divided valuation and that the Luzerne legislators work for a change in the law. Good sleighing; mercury three degrees below zero in Wilkes-Barre. 29. D. & H. purchases land on the West side for its route around Wilkes-Barre, running from Buttonwood to connect with the main line north of the city. Schubert Club concert in Central M. E. church. 30. In the murder case of John Williams, charged with killing Robert C. Roan during a quarrel in a livery stable, the jury returns a verdict of voluntary manslaughter; sentenced to five years. Ninth annual banquet of the Wilkes-Barre Knights of Columbus. Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade adopts resolutions protesting against the new county movement and invites citizens to go to Harrisburg to appear before committee of the legislature. 31. Anniversary banquet of the Wilkes-Barre Lodge of Elks with Judge Ferris as the principal speaker Annual reunion and campfire of the Ex-prisoners of War Association held in Scranton. February, 1907 1. Official count of the first uniform primaries completed. Judge Lynch refuses motions made by attorneys for Senator James in contested election case, one for re-argument and the other on exceptions to the ruling when the first motions were denied. Sunday schools of the diocese of Central Pennsylvania hold an institute in Calvary church. Second annual debate of the Wyoming League of Boys Clubs held at Duryea won by the Wilkes-Barre B. I. A. 2. 1452 applications for retail licenses, 137 for wholesale, 50 for bottlers and 11 for brewers filed for 1907. Court reappoints Alexander Mitchell and Joseph Langford prison commissioners and Maurice Gaertner as poor board director; approves the appointment of Charles E. Sutherland as jail warden, and appoints John Sturdevant of Wilkes-Barre as county surveyor to succeed the late N. B. Rutter. 4. Death of William O’Reilly, for many years prominent as Wilkes-Barre’s high constable. 5. Delegation leaves Wilkes-Barre for Harrisburg to oppose the new county bill. Blizzardy weathe r—about seven inches of snow in Wilkes-Barre; trolley and train traffic somewhat interfered with. C. O. Dershimer, one of the prominent members of the Wyoming county bar, drops dead at Montrose. 6. Luzerne county W. C. T. U. in convention in Kingston. Banquet of Broderick Conclave of Heptasophs at Becker’s. Card tournament at the Sterling by the Young Ladies City Hospital Aid Society. Second annual banquet of the Merchants’ Protective Association of Pittston. Luzerne County Medical Society goes on record as opposing the anti-vaccination bill in the legislature. 7. Dedication of Pittston’s armory, with a parade and speeches by Governor Stuart, Lieutenant Governor Murphy, General Gobin, Adjutant General Stewart, Gen. Dougherty, Col. Watres, C. C. Bowman, Father O’Malley, Peter A. O’Boyle; followed by a ball in the evening. Mayor Kirkendall dismisses three of the members of the Wilkes-Barre police force for violation of the discipline. Midwinter chamber concert of the Concordia. 8. Mayor Kirkendall issues order that policemen caught intoxicated will be dismissed. Record publishes increase in valuations in each locality as a result of the assessment agitation. 9. Georgetown and Laurel Run residents again complain that they are with water owing to the wells running dry because of a settling of the surface. Banquet of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Lehigh Club at the Westmoreland. 11. Historical Society annual meeting. Hazel township contested school election, out of the vote in the spring of 1906, decided by the master in favor of the respondents, although fraud on both sides was shown. Local Emmett minstrels give a performance at the Nesbitt. 12. Committee of Wilkes-Barr councils appointed to investigate available sources of supply for municipal water plant makes report. Health officers of the communities supplied by the Spring Brook Water Supply Company meet at Pittston to discuss precautions to guard against possible contamination. Continued spell of cold weather, with temperature below zero for several mornings. Record published paper read by Rev. Horace E. Hayden on “Where is the grate on which Jesse Fell made his successful experiment of burning anthracite coal?” 13. Commissioner appointed to marshal the indebtedness of Duryea finds that the legitment debt is $27, 693.17; claims to the amount of $20, 237.41 being disallowed and $29, 905.05 withdrawn. Mrs. William Protheroe, formally of East End, burned to death in New Mexico. 14. City Clerk Fred Gates appointed registrar of vital statistics for the Wilkes-Barre district by the State Health department. M. L. Moon of Carbondale appointed superintendent of the Wyoming division of the Lehigh Valley railroad. Ushers’ Association reception in Grant Street Presbyterian church. 15. Cantata “Ancient of Days” rendered by Central M. E. church choir. Eighteen of the twenty-five alleged members of the Pittston region Black Hand held under bail of court. 16. Court directs sheriff to gather in all the ballot boxes used at the November election so that the evidence may be used in the election contests, the boxes used at the January primaries to be used for the February elections. 19. Bad election weather; light vote after a listless campaign. The 175th session of the Wyoming District Ministerial Association being held in Wilkes-Barr. Inquest in Wanamie mine disaster exonerates the company, and blames the death of the men on the men themselves in not making more haste to escape from the mine. 21. County commissioners hearing petitions from a correction of the assessment. Princeton banquet at the Westmoreland Club. United Charities annual donation day. Edwin Shortz, Sr., reads a paper before the Daughters of the Revolution on “American vs. European Historical Characters.” Annual contest for the Nesbitt prizes in oratory at Wyoming Seminary. 23. Thirteen members of the alleged Black Hand arrested in the Pittston region held for court after a habeas corpus hearing. Seven reserve policemen and patrol driver appointed by Mayor Kirkendall. Field, line and staff officers of the Ninth Regiment banqueted at the Westmoreland Club by the new colonel, Asher Miner. 24. About four inches of snow. Retreat opens at Holy Savior church. 25. County commissioners employ County Surveyor Sturdevant to take charge of securing information with reference to coal properties for assessment purposes, he to employ the assistants required. Efforts of the judges to hear all of the liquor license remonstrances in one day results in an unprecedented jam. Superior Court decision in the case of the Hanover Township school officers and tax collector is to the effect that eight of the defendants must serve their sentence of three months in jail, the two others being relieved from the sentence. 26. One man killed and seven injured by an explosion of gas at the Auchincloss mine, Nanticoke. Confession secured involving four boys and young men in the Luzerne Borough post office robbery. Senator Catlin introduces a bill providing for a change in the assessment system of Luzerne county-- -abolishing the ward and district assessors and providing for appointment by the county commissioners of three general assessors for each legislative district, the salary to be not more than $1,500. 27. Twenty-fifth anniversary of Co. E. Ninth Regiment. 28. Local men organize a company to operate a silk mill at the Empire, known as the Laurel Silk Manufacturing Co. General manager Warriner of the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. explains bid for river common coal. Page 108 March 1907 1. Lafayette alumni hold annual banquet at Scranton. Second annual banquet of the Brotherhood of the First M. E. Church. 2. Two men killed and several severely injured by a gas explosion in the Woodward mine of the D. L. & W. near Edwardsville, and six killed and a number injured in the Holden mine of the same company at Taylor near the Luzerne county line. Shooting affray on Northampton street, Wilkes-Barre, in which an Italian fires at another and seriously wounds him and also two Americans who were in the vicinity. Dr. William J. Butler fatally injured by his carriage being struck at the Georgetown Central Railroad crossing. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. and Lehigh Valley Coal Co. appeal to the court from the valuation of $100 a foot placed upon coal by the Wilkes-Barre assessors. 3. Court hand down liquor license decisions. There were 1650 applications, 100 more than in 1906. The court granted 1197, refused 434, held over 9 and ten were withdrawn. Dr. Fullerton delivered a lecture on Robert Louis Stevenson. 5. Bill introduced into the legislature to increase the salaries of Luzerne county officers. Rev. A. H. Snyder elected field secretary for the Luzerne County Sunday School Association. 6. Arrests made in the Edwardsville church dynamiting case of several years ago. 7. 472,784 barrels of beer brewed by the breweries of Luzerne county during the year. 8. Y. M. C. A. “booster” campaign to bring the membership up to 1,000 closes with a membership of 1,200. 9. Miss Elizabeth Cullen of Plymouth burned to death by tripping with a lamp while going down the stairs, three homes also being destroyed. 11. Wilkes-Barre police headquarters equipped with the Bertillion system of measuring arrested suspects. Special session of Lackawanna Presbytery in Memorial church. Twenty-fifth anniversary of Co. E. Ninth Regiment, celebrated, the anniversary occurring in February. 12. One man killed and one injured by their wagon being struck by a Nanticoke traction car. “Cranford” given by local amateurs in the auditorium of St. Mary’s parochial school for the benefit of the Heights Settlement. Thaw for several days takes about all the ice out of the river. 13. Court makes permanent the injunction restraining the city from interfering with the crossing of the streets in the Firwood section by the D. & H. extension. 14. County commissioners consider preliminary plans for macadamizing the east side of road between Wilkes-Barre and Pittson. Firwood residents hold a meeting to petition the school board for the erection of a school building in that section. 15. Coal companies protest against the collection of cash road taxes from them in Hanover township. 16. Murder at Brookside, noted elsewhere in this issue. 17. Numerous entertainments and celebrations in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Ten memorial windows in Kripplein Christi Lutheran church dedicated. 18. Fifteenth annual eisteddfod of the Cynonfardd Literary Society of Edwardsville. Priest stops cooking main in the Pittston region. 19. Taxpayers of Sugar Notch protest against an increase in property assessments in that borough. 20. Members of the bar appeal to Governor Stuart in behalf of H. A. Fuller’s candidacy for the judgeship. Admiral Schley attends Irem Temple ceremonial. 21. Annual play by the Cliosophic society of the Wilkes-Barre High School. 22. Rev. J. M. L. Eckard installed as pastor of the Plains Presbyterian church and Rev. Leo Reed Burrows as pastor of the Nanicoke Presbyterian church. Concert of the Shuberts and Miss Peppercorn, pianist, in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium. 23. Store of Charles Finberg in Wilkes-Barre closes after a number of years in business. Lightning strikes Fort Bowkley school during the first thunder storm of the season, setting fire to the building with slight damage. 25. Solomon Freeland of Philadelphia dies just after boarding a Lehigh Valley train to return home after visiting his daughter in Wilkes-Barre. Annual banquet of the Amphictyon Society of Wyoming Seminary at Redington’s. Page 109 26. Final decisions handed down in liquor license court. Fell boomers for the judgeship go to Harrisburg to see the governor. 27. No. 2 school at Ashley badly damaged by fire. Wilkes-Barre’s population 60,121 in 1906, according to a census bureau estimate. 31. Cool Easter after the warm weather of a few days previous. April, 1907 1. Damrosch orchestra at the Nesbitt. Warrants sworn out for a large number of alleged speakeasy proprietors at the instance of District Attorney Salsburg. Ten candidates take the final vows at St. Mary’s convent and six the first vows. Reorganization of councils. 2. Warrants sworn out at the instance of District Attorney Salsburg for the arrest of about fifty alleged proprietors of speakeasies; those who were given hearings bound over for court. President Thomas of the Lehigh Valley railroad makes a visit to town. 3. The Record publishes a comparison between the tax burdens in Dorranceton and Wilkes-Barre, in line with the Greater Wilkes-Barre movement. First annual banquet of the Mallinckrodt Academy alumni association. Concert by the Concordia assisted by the Boston Festival Orchestra at the Nesbitt. Opening of Wyoming Conference at Lestershire, New York. Subject of Board of Health brought before the Medical Society in a paper read by Dr. J. B. Tobias. 4. Death of S. Y. Kittle, 91 years of age, who lived in Wilkes-Barre for nearly 80 years. 6. Lace weavers get an advance of five percent. Labor party places a full county ticket in the field. 8. Annual ball of the Eagles at the Armory. Two boys charged with stealing from Lehigh Valley freight cars break out of the Wilkes-Barre lockup at night. 9. Special tax levy of ten mills ordered for Plains township to pay off debt and expense of marshalling the indebtedness. 10. Board of Trade banquet at the Sterling. Banquet of John Knox Commandery, Knight of Malta, at Concordia hall. Concert in aid of the MacDowell fund in Y. M. C. A. auditorium. 11. In relation to the injunction to restrain the Kingston Coal Co., from robbing pillars under St. Vincent’s cemetery in Plymouth, the court holds that the company shall not be permitted to do so under part of the cemetery which was formerly the Dooley plot. 12. Mrs. William Cockburn of Scranton found unconscious on the streets of Parsons and dies in the lockup. 13. Rev. Dr. L. L. Sprague for twenty-six years president of Wyoming Seminary. A 14-year old boy of Nanticoke commits suicide by hanging himself in a breaker where he was at work. Grand jury recommends the construction of a county road between Hazelton and West Hazelton, one between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston—although according to a route different then that stated in the petition—and the freeing of toll bridges and toll roads. 15. Peter Volla of Luzerne Borough dies from injuries sustained March 19 by being assaulted with a beer glass. Spring session of the Lackawanna Presbyterian at Dunmore. Meeting in Wilkes-Barre in the interest of the bill to investigate flood conditions in the State. 16. Constables meet to discuss means of protecting themselves from the non-elected constables who are employed by the magistrates. 17. Dr. Joseph Roby of Rochester N.Y. , speaks before the Medical Society on the Rochester plan of safeguarding the milk supply during the summer months. Hazelton new county scheme knocked out on the third reading in the House of Representatives. 18. Parocial residence of St. John’s Catholic church at Hazelton partially wrecked by dynamiters at night, presumably by members of a faction opposing the priest. Tenth anniversary of the East End St. Aloysius Society commemorated with a banquet. 19. Rev. Dr. Fullerton delivers Lexington day address before the Daughters of the Revolution. 20. E. Foster Heller Esq., appointed referee in bankruptcy to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Henry A. Fuller, appointed judge. 21. Mortgage burning at St. Clement’s Episcopal church, Wilkes-Barre. Page 110 L. C. B. A. Senate meets in Wilkes-Barre. Forest fires cover many parts of the mountains. 22. Daniel A. Fell drops out of the contest for the judgeship nomination. Miner-Hillard Milling Co. gives its men a nine-hour day. 23. Banquet given at Hotel Redington in honor of George A. Edwards, editor of the Wilkes-Barre Times, in honor of his tenth anniversary in the editorial chair. Annual Y. W. C. A. gymnasium exhibition. Two light companies make application to city councils franchises. 24. Big charity ball for the benefit of Mercy hospital at the Ninth Regiment armory a great success, the net proceeds being over 8,000. W. H. Reichard, chairman of the Select council, announces that he will not be a candidate for mayor. Baptist church at Parsons destroyed by fire. 25. Board of Trade adopts resolutions for the repeal of the mercantile tax. Black Hand trials in court cause general interest throughout the State. 26. First convictions in the speakeasy cases begun by District Attorney Salsburg. A number of Democrats formally launch the candidacy of Frank McGuigan for judge. 29. Thomas Coolbaugh, a Kingston young man, dies from bullet wound. Ministers and laymen from various denominations in the county meet in Wilkes-Barre to organize for pushing Sabbath observance efforts. Reunion and smoker on the ninth anniversary of the departure of the local troops for the South in preparation for the Spanish-American war. George S. Bennett announces the first donation of land for a playground or park purposes in Wilkes-Barre—the plot at the corner of Scott street and North Pennsylvania avenue, valued at about $15,000 almost the identical spot where Mr. Bennett’s grand-aunt, Frances Slocum, was stolen by the Indians. 30. County commissioners fix the valuation upon coal at $67 a foot. Second recital by the Musical Art Society. First Irish feis in the Wyoming valley held at the armory, under the auspices of the Swoyerville Catholic church choir. May, 1907 2. Italian priests hold a conference with Bishop Hoban in Scranton with reference to the stamping out of lawlessness among the Italian element. Joseph Charnowsky convicted and Peter Savage pleads guilty to the charge of dynamiting the Edwardsville Congregational church two years ago; given three years each. 3. Wilkes-Barre High school students win in the annual literacy contests with the Scranton students. 5. Annual memorial exercises of the Eagles. 6. Eleven of the thirteen Black Hand men convicted on the charge of conspiracy. 7. Coal companies send communication to the county commissioners protesting against the valuation of $67 a foot on coal on the ground that it is above market value and that it is higher than the average valuation placed upon surface property. Lecture in the Nesbitt theatre on unionism by Rev. Charles Stelzle. 8. Annual exhibition by Wyoming Valley Camera club. Fred E. Zerbey, connected with the Lehigh Valley Coal Co., takes the position of general manager for the Kingston Coal Co., made vacant by the death of Robert S. Mercur. 9. Rutter’s grove donated to the Wilkes-Barre Park Commission by President Underwood of the Erie Railroad and Abram Nesbitt of Kingston. Ashley bank open for business. 10. Report of Mercy Hospital Charity ball committee shows that $3,539.89 was realized above expenses. 11. Death of Frederick G. Smith, who for forty-two years was employed at the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre. Fire at Georgetown makes eleven families homeless. 12. New Italian Catholic church on Park avenue dedicated. Mercury 31 degrees, ice formed in Wyoming valley and flurry of snow. 13. Tenth semi-annual convention of the Wyoming League of Boys Clubs in B. I. A. A. hall. Rev. Joseph Madison for fifty years a member of Wyoming conference of the Methodist church, dies in Scranton. 14. Body of David R. Richards, of Plymouth, who disappeared March 3 after shooting his wife, found in a cave hole, having evidently committed suicide. 15. Examinations for mine foreman’s certificates closes. Oldest drug store in Wilkes-Barre passes from the control of Dr. C. W. Spayd to Barber Page 111 & Frank. Silver jubilee convention of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Scranton diocese opens in Nanticoke. Twelfth annual banquet and dance of the Cliosophic and Sorosis societies of Wilkes-Barre High school. 17. Amateur minstrel performance for the benefit of the anti-tuberculosis society. Remodeled Methodist church at Carverton rededicated. 18. Last of the city teachers’ institutes for the school year. John Markie offers to donate a library building to the city of Hazelton as a memorial to George B. Markie. Veteran Employees’ Association of the Pennsylvania railroad meets in Wilkes-Barre. 19. Train containing bodies of seventeen Reading Shriners killed in California wreck passes through Wilkes-Barre. Body of Martin Schratter of Tunkhannock, who disappeared from Exeter two weeks ago, found in the river near Nanticoke. 22. No. 2 breaker of the Jermyn Coal Co. at Old Forge destroyed by fire, together with several new dwellings houses, entailing a loss of about $125,000: fire due to a overheated sheave wheel. County Commissioners having a strenuous time hearing the appeals of coal companies from the assessment valuations. Meeting held in Wilkes-Barre by a number of clergymen and laymen in the interest of Sabbath observance. 23. Judge Lynch appoints auditors to probe the expense accounts of candidates and others for the November election—Dr. B. J. Cobleigh, Abram and Louis Salsburg, Jonathan R. Davis, Fred C. Kirkendall; objections to the account of John T. Lenahan dismissed on the ground that no bond was filed. Announcement of result of examinations for mine foremen. 24. Patrick Kinsley, who was injured by falling from a porch at Lopez, Sullican County, dies at Mercy hospital. Synod of the Calvinistic Pennsylvania Methodist Presbyterian churches open at Plymouth. 26. Rev. Dr. Piper preaches to the G. A. R. and kindred organizations. A couple of Italians badly slashed during a fight at Sturmerville. Murder at Brookside, an aged man pushed off a porch during a fight. 27. Business and professional men crowd the Board of Trade rooms at the quarterly meeting— an indication of the new era of progress. Board of Conciliation meets in Wilkes-Barre. 28. County Commissioners decide upon the full instead of a quarter valuation as heretofore, for the purposes of taxation. 29. First cars of the Wilkes-Barre & Hazelton Railroad to enter the city go as far as Welles street. Supreme Court decides in Luzerne case that a boy working under the legal age cannot be charged with contributory negligence. Paine’s fireworks exhibit at West Side Park. Continued cool weather, with mercury getting as low as 38 degrees. 30. Second hill-climbing contests under the auspices of the Wilkes-Barre Automobile Club a big success. Pleasant Memorial day weather after a continued period of cold. Cornerstone laying at St. Mary’s Greek Catholic church in Wilkes-Barre; temporary floor collapses during the ceremony and priests and congregation precipitated to the cellar, some priests badly bruised and some of the members of the congregation are seriously hurt; about twenty-five injured altogether. Forepaugh & Solls Bros. circus at West Side Park. St. Aloysius Society and the B. I. A. have memorial exercises. (Dr. Mason Glee Society eisteddfod at the armory, the chief choral prize being won by Scranton. Third annual banquet at the Wyoming Valley Hotel of the Wilkes-Barre post office employees, with those of the three sub-stations. June, 1907 1. First experience throughout the county with the new uniform primaries system; rain all day and light vote polled. 2. Continued cold weather—thermometer 42 degrees. 4. Park Commission secures the use of the Brush lot on the Heights as a playground. 5. Fifth annual banquet of the alumni of Dorranceton High school. Family of eight people poisoned at chase, Luzerne county, by arsenic having been placed in some apple dumplings in mistake for baking powder: one death, that of Joseph Brown. Reception at the Grant Street Presbyterian church for the pastor, Rev. J. B. Craven, and his wife. Auditors appointed by the court probing into the election accounts of campaign managers and candidates of the 1905 county campaign. Body of Mrs. Bessie Wasco found in Page 312 the woods near Lake Nuangola, she having been missing for several days; heart disease believed to have been the cause of death. Record publishes historical sketch of West Pittston, in anticipation of the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the borough. 6. Boys of the primary department of Hillman Academy give an operetta. Remains of an unidentified man found at Breslau burned on a pile of rubbish. Closing exercises of the primary department of the Wilkes-Barre Institute. 8. Rev. Isaac Thomas of New York , dies while on a visit in Wilkes-Barre. Annual convention of the Pennsylvania branch of the German-American Alliance in Wilkes-Barre; the city illuminated and decorated in honor of the visitors of the Alliance and of the Pennsylvania Saengerbund. County Commissioners make a temporary loan of $75,000 to meet the expenses of the next few months. Grand jury recommends that the county commissioners take immediate steps to abolish the toll bridges and toll roads in the county. 9. Rev. William J. Flynn of Wilkes-Barre celebrates his first mass in St. Leo’s church at Ashley. Singing fest in the armory under the auspices of the visiting German singing societies. 10. For the first time in years the Conciliation Board is without a grievance before it. Parade of local German Societies with visiting societies together with a fantastic division, in the evening; central streets crowded, resembling the centennial night scenes; prize singing by German societies in the afternoon. P. F. Mitchell of Pittston killed at Scranton by a light pole falling on him. 11. Mercy Hospital Nurses’ commencement—twelve graduates. German picnic at Sans Souci Park and awarding of prizes won at the saengerfest the day previous. Exhibit under auspices of the Wyoming Valley Camera Club of noted pictures from prominent collections. Grand jury recommends the construction of the proposed county road between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston but according to different plans than those hitherto presented. 12. Beginning of two days’ celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of West Pittson borough. Park Commission decides to name old Rutter’s Grove Riverside Park. County commissioners order that about fifteen ballot boxes containing the vote of the uniform primaries be brought in to be opened by reason of complaints filed by Messrs. Goeringer and Rodda, candidates for sheriff. 13. Death in Reading of Father Nicholas Forve, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Forve of Wilkes-Barre. 14. City Hospital Nurses’ commencement—twelve graduates. Annual prize speaking contest at Wyoming Seminary. Mandamus granted by the court compelling the controller to advertise for bids for interior for new court house. Levy of a special tax of sixty-one mills ordered for Duryea to pay off indebtedness. 15. Appropriations for local hospitals cut considerably by the governor on account of insufficient revenue. 16. First real warm weather. 17. Opening of certain ballot boxes from the primaries shows no change in the vote for sheriff candidates as between Goeringer and Rodda. Anniversary concert at Wyoming Seminary. Death by mine accident of Thomas Davis formerly of Nanticoke, at Minersville. 18. Clarence M. Fearnside of Andover, Mass., appointed organist at the First M. E. church, Wilkes-Barre, to take the place of J. Clarendon McClure, who goes to the First Presbyterian Annual declamation contest at Hillman Academy. 19. Wyoming Seminary commencement exercises—largest class in the history of the institution –fifty-four. Priests in annual retreat at Glen Summit. Hillman Academy commencement exercises—fourteen graduates. 20. High school commencement. Spring Brook Water Supply Co. inspection trip to Spring Brook, at which plans for future work were announced. Mallinckrodt convent academy commencement. Annual banquet of Linonia Society of Hillman Academy. 22. Wallace-Hagenbeck circus at West Side Park. Group Three of the Bankers’ Association in session at Harvey’s Lake. 24. Class day exercises at St. Mary’s school. Death of Col. Jacob D. Laciar, postmaster of Wilkes-Barre and for a number of years editor of the Record. Edward J. Harrison, formerly of Wilkes-Barr, killed on a railroad in Montana. Patrick Lloyd, formerly of Lowerton, killed accidently near Newcastle, Pa. Page 113 25. Efforts being made by the Wilkes-Barre Automobile Club to secure the Bear Creek boulevard from Albert Lewis. Sixteenth annual convention of the Loyal Temperance Legion of Pennsylvania in Wilkes- Barre. Serious cave-in in Pittston township does considerable damage to property. Party of retail coal dealers from New York City inspect the mines in and about Wilkes-Barre. Annual commencement of St. Mary’s High school. 26. County commissioners announce that the valuation of $67 a foot for coal land shall stand. City treasurers of Wilkes-Barre, Pittston and Hazelton named by the county commissioners as collectors of county and State taxes in their respective cities. 29. Reports of auditors in the campaign accounts of the chairmen of the Republican and Democratic committees of the fall of 1906 filed. July, 1907 1. Society Circus and Bazaar of Nations opens on the West side, near Wilkes-Barre & Eastern station. Teachers appointed by the Wilkes-Barre School Board. 2. Anthony Gramatsky and Mary Polanski of Plains township, the former giving his age as 37 and the latter as 14, secured a marriage license. Maxwell colliery at Ashley shut down indefinitely on account of extensive repairs. 3. Address at Wyoming monument exercises prepared by Simeon E. Baldwin, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut, on “Connecticut in Pennsylvania,” the address being read by Judge Fuller on account of Mr. Baldwin’s indisposition and inability to be present. Figures in the commissioner’s office show that Hanover township has a valuation of $18,000,000 an increase of fifty percent. 4. Pleasant Independence day weather—highest temperature in Wilkes-Barre—76 degrees. About twenty accidents in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity from fireworks, none of them fatal; two alarms of fire with about $50 in damage. 5. First of the Wilkes-Barre playgrounds opened. James Waddell, a former Wilkes-Barrean, dies in Missouri. Ninth Regiment leaves for the annual encampment at Mt. Gretna. 6. Thomas F. Heffernan appointed postmaster of Wilkes-Barre to succeed the late Col. J. D. Laciar. 7. Series of the severest thunder storms in point of rainfall that have visited Wilkes-Barre and vicinity in years; rainfall during the afternoon and evening 3.36 inches. 8. Residents of North Pennsylvania avenue demand that something be done to relieve flood conditions on that street. George R. Jones, formerly of Plymouth, killed on a railroad in Connecticut. 9. Pardon recommended for William P. Bowman of Wilkes-Barre, in the penitentiary serving a sentence for murder in the first degree. Four boys from 8 to 14 years old, implicated in a number of store robberies in Wilkes-Barre, sent to a reformatory. Mercy hospital directors decide to build an addition. F. M. Kirby & Co. buy the properties occupied by Tuck’s drug store and Raeder’s saloon on South Main street for $4.500 a foot front, record price for real estate on that street. 11. Nine Italians suffocated by white damp in No. 1 slope of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. at Audenried, the having gone in to examine the mine as to the condition of the water which was being pumped out and as rescuers. Twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association held at Glen Summit. 13. Ninth Regiment arrived from camp. 14. Rev. A. H. Snyder preaches to the P. O. S. of A. at Central M. E. church. 15. Property purchased by the Wilkes-Barre School Board as a site for a new high school. Bids for the interior work at the new court house opened; expert opinion secured by County Controller Norris with reference to the alleged vagueness of the plans and excessive cost made public. Annual convention of the Mine Workers of District No. 1 openes its sessions in Wilkes-Barre. 17. Schuetzen Verein outing and prize shooting, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization; Daniel Schaetzel crowned king and he selects his sister as queen for the year. Father Steinkirchner, for a number of years rector of the German Catholic church at Luzerne Borough, transferred to Williamsport, he being succeeded by Father Van Welden. Two murders in Pittston in less than a week. 18. Bids for the heating and ventilating of the new court house opened. Page 114 741 mortgages lifted in Luzerne county during the first six months of the year as against 634 during the same time the previous year. Death of William Stroh, formerly of Pittston, by accident in Brooklyn, N.Y. 19. J. W. Hollenback gives the tract of land known as Suburban Park to the city of Wilkes-Barre for park purposes, containing about seventy-five acres. 20. Hot and wet weather continues. 21. Letter read to Calvary congregation from the pastor, Rev. Mr. Flinchbaugh, stating that he will in all likelihood not resign to accept a call to another church. 23. First exhibition on a Wilkes-Barre playground, on the one on the South Main street. 24. District Attorney Salsburg and assistants make a raid on four Wilkes-Barre grambling places and confiscate the appliances, arresting the players. Pennsylvania Lumbermen’s Association in convention in Wilkes-Barre. 25. Receptions for Father Freeley of Inkerman and Father Colligan of Plains after their return from an extended European tour. 26. County commissioners accept bid of Graham & Co., of Philadelphia for the $150,000 bond issue for the new court house, at $400 premium. 27. County P. O. S. of A. convention at Hazelton. 30. Midsummer court day—large number of decisions handed down. County commissioners award the contract for the interior work for the new court t the Carlucci Co. of Scranton and for the heating and ventilating to Jones & Weiss of Wilkes-Barre. 31. Reception at Mallinckrodt convent, eighteen young ladies take the white veil and twenty the final vows. August, 1907 1. Explosion of a ton of powder at the new powder mill at Avoca, Superintendent Hague and a workman badly burned. Wilkes-Barre Light Company promises a reduction of $5,000 in the bills which have been held up by councils for over a year if councils will enter into an agreement on that basis. Auditor Coughlin files his report with reference to the election account of Dr. Cobleigh, candidate for Congress, and his campaign managers, finding some illegal payments and irregularities. 2. C. T. A. U. regiment leaves for its annual encampment at Harvey’s Lake. 3. Exciting experience of ten men at one of the shafts of the Susquehanna Coal Co. at Nanticoke, the cage on which they were being hoisted to the sheave wheel breaking, the catching of the “dogs” preventing it from falling down the shaft; one man falls off and is killed. Annual Caledonian games and picnic at Sans Souci Park. 4. Jr. O. U. A. M. regiment leaves for camp at Lake Lodore. 5. Contract wit the Carlucci Co. for the new court house interior work entered into, the sum being $379,146.85. 6. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company appeals frm assessment of $67 an acre fixed by the county commissioners on the ground that it is more than the market value of the property and is more then the average assessed upon real estate and improvements. Mayor Kirkendall completes investigation of police department and finds nothing wrong. 7. Traction Company gets a franchise from Wilkes-Barr Township to extend its lines to Laurel Run. 8. County Solicitor points out what action must be taken in order to free the bridges and toll roads. 9. Remains of an infant found in the woods near Wanamie. Men at the Gaylord mine at Plymouth, who struck because of discharge of a few of their number, return to work after one day’s idleness on the promise of the company to take the discharged men back as soon as places are found for them. 10. Anthony Heneghan, formerly of Pittston, killed by a train in New York. Door boys employed at the Parrish mine strike for an increase in wages of 13 cents a day; the strike not recognized by the union. 11. One of the hottest days of the year, thermometer 88 degrees. 12. Owing to a mad dog having bitten a number of other dogs in Plymouth township, the State Veterinarian orders a quarantine on dogs in that section, providing that they shall be muzzled or securely tied to the owners’ premises for one hundred days. Press operators in Wilkes-Barre join the general strike of the telegraphers. Julius Sutliff, formerly of Plymouth, killed by accident in New Jersey. Page 115 13. Wilkes-Barre telegraphers join in the strike. All of the Wilkes-Barre saloonkeepers sign the bartenders’ scale. Body of a baby found in the river at Wilkes-Barre. Seven fires in one day in Wilkes-Barre. 14. County commissioners finally complete assessment adjustments, showing an increase of $28, 201.248 over the previous year. President Mitchell of the United Mine Workers arrives in Wilkes-Barre. Steps taken to supply the people of the Georgetown section with water. 17. Presbytery of the Calvinistic Methodist Presbyterian church of Northeastern Pennsylvania held at Plymouth. Stagmaier property on North Washington street purchased for the Y. M. C. A. 18. Laying of the cornerstone of St. Mary’s Slavonic Catholic church at Edwardsville. District Attorney Salsburg causes the arrest of more alleged speakeasy proprietors. 19. Long continued drought has a severe effect upon the crops. 20. A number of Reading Eagles with their wives entertained by members of the Wilkes-Barre lodge. Assessors’ returns show that there are $7,311 children of school age in Luzerne county. Cornerstone laying at Polish Catholic church in Luzerne Borough. 21. Dispute over the levy for road taxes in Hanover township between the coal companies and the township authorities settled by agreement. Convent at Ashley robbed of the gold alter vessels. Edward Hart, formerly of Pittston, killed in Montana. 22. Five men entombed in No. 14 mine of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Port Blanchard, thrilling attempts to rescue them; one taken out alive. Empire Silk Mill Co. begins work in its plant in South Wilkes-Barre. 23. Rescuers strenuously at work trying to reach the four men yet entombed in No. 14 mine. 24. Auditor investigating the election expense account of District Attorney Salburg finds that it is correct. Pine Ridge breaker of the D. & H. set on fire by incendiaries and the breaker saved by the energy of the watchman. Mayor’s order closing the tenderloin houses of ill fame goes into effect. 26. Opening of the second fair of the Luzerne County Fair Association at West Side Park with a great crowd in attendance. 29. Bodies of James O’Boyle and Peter Flynn, buried by cave in No. 14 tunnel at Port Blanchard for a week, recovered. September, 1907 1. Body of Joseph Koenig recovered in No. 14 mine. Arien Liedertafel singing society of New York at Harvey’s Lake for a few days. Murder in Pittston township, one foreigner kills another. 2. Opening of city school teachers’ institute. Fair on the lawn at the parochial residence, East End. Labor day celebration at Sans Souci Park. 3. W. A. Rogers of Reading takes up his duties as physical director of the Y. M. C. A. Light registration day. 4. Burlesque celebration at Glen Summit by hotel guests and cottagers in memory of the Indian Chief Ko-Ko. First fall registration day. Record prints a supplement of twenty-eight pages containing a verbatim copy of the city assessors’ books, showing the valuation placed upon all property and occupations. 5. German day celebration at Sans Souci Park. 6. Farewell banquet by the B. I. A. for Hugh Davis and Arthur David, who are to leave to attend college. Last of the bodies of the victims of the No. 14 mine cave-in recovered. 7. Andrew Andriezk, who shot his wife and child at Larksville while drunk, becomes insane because of remorse. Twentieth anniversary of the organization of Alexander’s band celebrated at Sans Souci Park, an incident being the presentation of a medal to Prof. Alexander. Judge Ferris holds over the grand jury to consider the election fraud cases of November, 1906, and delivers a vigorous charge to the jury relative to the crime. 8. Address by Rev. Mr. Flinchbaugh on the thirteenth anniversary of Calvary church. Beginning of the Jewish new year—5668. 10. Wesley League of Christian Endeaver societies meets in the First P. M. church of Wilkes- Barre. Adolph Hansen, director of the Concordia, refuses a flattering offer to go to Buffalo. Dominic Lopesi a trusted prisoner at the jail, who had served all but ten months of a three-year sentence on the charge of placing his young wife in a disreputable house, escapes while painting a roof. Reunion of Co. F., 53rd regiment, at Fernbrook. Page 116 11. Anthony Selani of Swoyerville makes a murderous attack upon his boarding mistress and when cornered by the officers of the law wades into a swamp and drowns himself. Paper on medical inspection in the public schools read before the local medical society by Dr. A. C. Brooks. 13. Prohibitionish candidate for State treasurer speaks at the court house. 14. Laying of cornerstone for the addition to the Parsons High School. Jury in the case of Anthony Saxon, charged with the murder of a foreigner named Geizup at Forty Fort, brings in a verdict of manslaughter after the attorneys for the defense had agreed to accept a verdict of murder in the second degree. Grand jury investigating charges against election officers charging with having committed fraud in November, 1906, finishes its work after returning a number of additional true bills. 15. Rally day and dedication of a piano at the First United Evangelical church of Wilkes-Barre. 16. Coroner’s jury investigating the death of four men by fall of coal in No. 14 mine of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. finds that the company was negligent in not properly supporting the upper vein with substantial pillars. Lackawanna Prebytery in session in West Pittston. Light committee of councils recommends settlement with Electric Light Company on the basis of $4,000 with interest, amounting altogether to about $5,800. 17. Twenty-third annual convention of the county W. C. T. U. at Luzerne Borough. Reports of a poor apple crop in the county, due to San Jose scale and other causes. 18. Work on the Wilkes-Barre parks and protecting river bank discontinued for the year because of lack of funds. Officers of the local regiment of the Jr. O. U. A. M. entertain the officers of the Philadephia regiment at the banquet incident to the State convention. One day strike of miners at the Columbia colliery at Duryea because of a grievance over topping. 21. Explosion in the South Wilkes-Barre mine results in the death of three and the serious injury of two others. Ground broken for the Shriners’ temple in Wilkes-Barre. 23. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre officials attribute South Wilkes-Barre mine explosion to carelessness in leaving a door open, allowing the accumulation of gas. 24. Twelve companies of the Ninth Regiment reviewed on the armory floor, the first time in five years. Wyoming Baptist Association in session in Nanticoke. Councils agree to proposition offered by Wilkes-Barre Electric Light Company in settlement of the long-standing dispute. 25. Reunion of the survivors of the 143rd Regiment in Wilkes-Barre. 27. Republican rally in the armory addressed by John O. Sheatz, candidate for State Treasurer, and Charles Emory Smith. Annual convention of the Luzerne County Sunday School Association in the First M. E. Church, silver jubilee session. W. M. Hippensteal of Hobbie drops dead while running to a fire. 28. New company organized to do street cleaning in Wilkes-Barre. 29. Reopening of the remodeled Presbyterian church at Ashley. October, 1907 1. Institute of a new Masonic lodge in Wilkes-Barre—Fidelity No. 655. Ninth Regiment leaves for a trip to the Jamestown Exposition and Washington, Col. Miner having raised most of the necessary funds. Formal opening of the B. I. A. for the season’s work under the superintendence of Rev. C. E. Sweet. David Williams, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed in a mine in Arizona. Dr. E. H. Coolbaugh of Kingston found dead in the woods at Harvey’s Lake, where he had gone to hunt, death having been caused probably by heart disease. Body of Henry Oaks of Hazelton, who had been missing for several months, found in the woods near St. Johns. 2. Railroad engineers submit comprehensive plans for the elimination of all of the grade crossings in Wilkes-Barre. Cleaning of the streets under municipal control being agitated. 5. Convention of the second district of the P. O. S. of A. at Shickshinny. Wyoming Valley Camera Club receives from the International Exposition of Artistic and Scientific Photography in Italy a diploma of merit. 7. President Rigg and stockholders of the Traction Company make an inspection of the lines. More mine cave troubles of Pittston township. 8. Councils sustains the veto by Mayor Kirkendall of the resolution Page 117 agreeing to a settlement with the Light Company for changing the style of lamps. Ninth Regiment returns from its trip to the Jamestown Exposition and Washington. Opening of the plant of the Dion Manufacturing Co. in Wilkes-Barre and announcement of the invention by Mr. Dion of a submarine light. D. & H. officials make an inspection of property in the Wyoming Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson of Hazle street celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. State Supreme officers of the Fraternity of Home Protectors meet in Wilkes-Barre. 9. Wilkes-Barre Merchants’ Association entertains the Pittston association at a banquet. Local companies of C. T. A. U. regiment leave to participate in Father Mathew parade at Hazleton. 10. Retail Coal Dealers’ Association of New England States makes a visit to Wilkes-Barre. 12. First aid to the injured contests at Valley View Park under the auspices of the Erie Coal Co. 15. Evangelistic services at Central M. E. church by the Northern Indiana Male Quartet of Ministers. MacMillen, violinist, appears in a concert at the Nesbitt. State constabulary arrest some wholesalers in the Hazleton region on the charge of selling liquor in less quantities than a quart. 19. Last registration day in Wilkes-Barre shows 1100 less citizens registered than the previous year. 20. Rev. John B. Davies, new pastor of the Hillside street Congregational church, preaches. Rev. M. Voelker, new pastor of the Kripplain Christi Lutheran church, appears in his new pulpit. Owen Thomas, of Plymouth, loses his life by drowning at Columbus, PA. C. T. Russel of Pittsburg lectures in the Nesbitt on the subject “To Hell and Back.” 21. Thomas Thorburn and Joseph G. Saricks connected with the work of the Anthracite Region Y. M. C. A., resign to engage in business. Epidemic of scarlet fever at Glen Lyon. Third district C. T. A. U. delegates resolve to assist in every way possible in the enforcement of the liquor laws. 22. Heights traction car overturned at the corner of South street and Park avenue, due to loss of control owing to wet leaves and slippery track, and a number of people cut and bruised. 23. Planning mill of the Susquehanna Lumber Co. at Nanticoke destroyed by fire. 25. City Tresurer Daniel L. Hart elected president of the International League of Press Clubs at the session at Birmingham, Ala. 26. William West of Plymouth seriously injured by being shot in the face by the accidental discharge of his gun while hunting. 27. Special services at Immanuel Baptist church, Edwardsville, celebrating the placing of a number of handsome windows. Dr. John G. Coyle of New York City lectures in St. Mary’s auditorium on “John Barry, founder of the American Navy.” 28. John S. Lapotto, believed to be the first lawyer of Lithuanian nationality in the State, admitted to the Luzerne county bar. Fortieth annual institute of Luzerne county school teachers convenes in Wilkes-Barre. Rhondda Valley Concert Co. at the Nesbitt. 29. Democratic candidate for State treasurer, Mr. Harman, together with the State Treasurer Berry and others address a Democratic mass meeting in the court house. Methodist ministers of the Wyoming district meet in their 107th session at Ashley. Mitchell day observed in some of the Wyoming valley communities by meetings; also with a banquet at Hotel Hart. 30. Banquet of Stroudsburg Normal school alumni at Hotel Sterling. 31. Halloween observed by many masqueraders on the streets. State Superintendent Schaeffer speaks before the teachers’ institute. Bloomsburg alumi have banquet at Hotel Sterling. November, 1907 1. Second child dies at Maltby from hydrophobia. 2. Grand jury makes a recommendation favoring free bridges. Dead body of Petro Cardinella found at Swoyerville, he having been murdered. John H. Williams, mine superintendent, electrocuted after the destruction of the Fernwood breaker by fire and an Italian laborer who went to rescue him also electrocuted. 3. Central Railroad flyer wrecked by a cave in Pittston Township and the engineer killed and two trainmen hurt. Page 118 5. Fine election weather. 6. Movement set on foot to build a Knights of Malta temple in Wilkes-Barre. Judge Fuller files his expense account the day after election. 8. Membership committee of the Board of Trade lays plans to increase the membership to 500, banquet held at the Terminal Hotel addressed by Joseph A. Griffin, a boomer from Syracuse. 9. State authorites order a quarantine of all dogs in Swoyerville for one hundred days on account of two deaths from hydrophobia, every dog running at large unmuzzled or untied to be shot and the owner prosecuted. Women’s auxiliaries of the Archdeasonry of Scranton meet in Calvary Episcopal church. Work on the extension of the Traction line to Georgetown and Laurel Run commenced. Six additional letter carriers secured for the Wilkes-Barre post office. 11. Attorney L. W. DeWitt found dead in his office. One of the buildings of the powder mill at Wapwallopen blown up. Gen. Z. T. Sweeney lectures in Y. M. C. A. course on “The Golden Age.” 12. Wilkes-Barre bakers begin a movement to raise he wholesale price of bread to four cents a loaf with an increase of a few ounces in size or the loaf. Resolution introduced in Wilkes-Barre councils looking to the freeing of the two river bridges in the city. 13. Wyoming Conference Women’s Horne Missionary Society in session in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. H. N. Young of Wilkes-Barre, one of the most prominent dentists in northeastern Pennsylvania, drops dead. 14. Mass meeting in North Wilkes-Barre to protest against the heavy increase in the cost of living. 15. National Guard Association of Pennsylvania meets in Wilkes-Barre Lodge, Knights of Pythias gives a banquet and reception to commemorate the thirty-second anniversary of the reorganization of the lodge. 16. No satisfactory bids received at the public sale of the large list of property of the Lawrence Myers estate and the sale postponed. 17. Four hundred and sixty boys and girls confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Wilkes-Barre. 18. Wilkes-Barre Schuetzen Verein purchases ten acres of land near Nuangola Lake to be used for society park purposes. Luzerne Borough’s new bank opens for business. Annual Needlework Guild exhibit in G. A. R. hall. 19. Dr. J. A. Bouse of the State Department of Health making a tour of Luzerne County to see that the laws with reference to contagious diseases are enforced. Wilkes-Barre Electric Light Co. enters suit against the city for the recovery of bills held back because of dispute. 20. Owing to the energetic work of the membership committee of the Wilkes-Barr Board of Trade, 165, new names have been added to the membership, making the total 562. 21. Verdict of not guilty in the case of George Zurick, charged with murder. Branch of the State Liquor Dealers’ Association organized in Wilkes-Barre. Annual concert of St. Conrad’s Glee Club. Record prints review of news in Wilkes-Barre newspaper of 1816 and 1817. 23. Burglars quite active in Wilkes-Barre. Gamblers caught in raid a few months ago plead guilty in court and sentence suspended on the payment of costs. 24. A class of 200 children confirmed at St. Aloysius Church. 25. Annual fall concert of the Concordia. 26. Seventeenth anniversary of St. Conrad’s Society celebrated with an entertainment lunch and smoker. County officials have a bonfire of $7,000 worth of gambling paraphernalia secured in a raid in Wilkes-Barre during the summer. Fall concert of the Schubert Society. 27. Great day in the history of the Irem Temple, Mystic Shrine—the laying of the cornerstone for the new temple in Wilkes-Barre at midnight, following a session and entertainment and a parade to the site, Bishop Talbot the orator prominent nobles from elsewhere participating in the exercises. Fiftieth anniversary of the Independent Society of Wyoming Seminary and twenty-fifth anniversary of the Independent Glee Club observed with a banquet, a concert and a reception. Quarantine of dogs ordered at Forty Fort after the discovery that a dog which bit two children and some dogs had hydrophobia. 28. Thanksgiving weather fair during part of the day. Death of Judge Daniel W. Searle of S usquehanna County, well known in Wilkes-Barre. 29. Matheson Motor Co. contract with selling agency cancelled, the company to establish its own agencies and sell it’s cars in the future. 30. Jonathan W. Davis of Plymouth retires as factory inspector for this district, succeeded by Rosser Mainwaring of Plains. Death of James A. Timpson, who many years ago was a prominent coal operator in and near Wilkes-Barre.