1914 WB Record Almanac, Record of Local Events for 1913 Happenings in Luzerne County for the Twelve Months from December 1, 1912 to December 1, 1913, Other Than Those Noted in Special Articles Elsewhere The following information is posted for the sole purpose of family research within the Yahoo Group, The Court House Gang. It is not to be published to any other web site, mailing list, group, etc. without prior written permission and guidelines from the group owner, to ensure that proper credit is given to the group and all of our volunteers that helped with this project. December 1912 Dec. 1st-- Father Coronor, the new pastor of St. John’s Catholic Church at Pittston, officiates for the first time. Dec. 2nd-- County and city officials hold a further conference on the river dyke proposition, the engineer presenting a supplementary report, in which he gives the opinion that flooding on the Wilkes-Barre side is caused primarily by conditions in the river at and near Fish Island, which would not be effected by the erection of the dyke; he also advocates the removal of the Nanticoke dam. New Slavonic bank on East Market street begins business with deposits of $328,000. Dec 3rd-- Calico ball given in the armory for the benefit of the Heights Settlement. Arrests to the number of 2,772 made in Wilkes-Barre during the twelve months ending with November. Wilkes-Barre Automobile Dealers’ Association holds its first annual banquet. Dec 4th -- Court grants a change of venue to Lackawanna County in the case of architect Osterling against the county of Luzerne for commissions and interest from the time he was discharged from the new court house work. Dec 6th-- Club rally and dinner at the Y. W. C. A. by about 150 girls. State Game Commissioner Kalbus speaks in Wilkes-Barre and advocates organized effort for the enforcement of the game laws. Dec. 8th -- Twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of St. Leo’s Catholic Church at Ashley observed with elaborate exercises. New organ in the First Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre heard for the first time. Rev. Dr. Madison G. Peters of new York City lectures on “The Truth About the Jews.” Dec. 9th -- Young Women’s Christian Association begins a booster campaign to raise $60,000 in eight days to wipe out the indebtedness. Death of John Gaynor, who had served for almost twenty-three years continuously as a Wilkes-Barre policeman. Dec 10th -- Case instituted by the county commissioners to have the court again decide the value of coal in the ground for the purposes of taxation begun. Rector of St. Clement’s Church offers the Civic Club the use of the parish for young people. Dec. 11th -- Attempt to wreck a Pennsylvania passenger train at Rock Glen and two suspects caught. Junior Guild gives a Christmas soiree in Concordia Hall. Dec.12th -- Suggested that the proposed West Side community, to be made up of Kingston, Dorranceton and Forty Fort, be named Westmoreland Borough. The House of Representatives, by a vote of 153 to 118, unseats C.C. Bowman, congressman from Luzerne County as the termination of the long drawn out contest, but by a vote of 181 to 88 refuses to sea George McLean, the contestant. Dec. 15th -- Burning of the mortgage on the First German-English Lutheran Church, Ross street. Dec. 16th -- Young Women’s Christian Association campaign to raise $60,000 in eight days to wipe out the indebtedness results in pledges to the amount of $63,495 in six days. Starting of the new breaker erected near the site of the East Boston, at Luzerne Borough, which was destroyed by fire. Opening of the new home of the Elks on North River street. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise lectures in the First Presbyterian Church of “Civic Religion,” under the auspices of the Men’s Club. First Pittston poultry show opens in the armory at that place. Dec 17th -- “The Messiah” repeated in the armory by a chorus of about 400, under the direction of Dr. J.J. Mason. Dec. 18th -- Mr. & Mrs. John R. Samuel of Wilkes-Barre celebrates their golden wedding anniversary. Farewell reception for Rev. David Evans, pastor of the Parrish Street M. E. Church. Y.W.C.A. fund increased to $64,016. Dec. 19th -- Plant of the Pocono Distilling Co. at West Nanticoke destroyed by fire. Dec. 20th -- Court denies the petition of the coal companies’ representative to work the roads of Hanover Township, but stipulates what the township commissioners must do; court states that the coal companies have done the work properly during the past year and are not deserving of criticism. Dec 21st -- William C. Shepherd appointed temporary receiver for the Matheson Automobile Co. Rev. Dr. W. R. Pierce takes up the pastorate of the Parrish Street M. E. Church. Dec. 23rd -- United Charities has a Christmas celebration for 600 poor children, giving them games, candy, playthings and articles of clothing. Dec. 24th -- Arrival at Kingston of the remains of Charles Balanis, who was killed by being thrown from his horse while on duty at Fort Meade, South Dakota. Three inches of snow, followed by warmer weather. Compilation published in the Record showing that $1,806,847 worth of corporation property in Wilkes-Barre is exempt from taxation. Dec. 25th -- Bright Christmas weather, with moderate temperature. Mayor’s clerk James McGinty hands in his resignation after thirty-seven years of service, because of ill health. About 2,000 children and adults given food, toys, and clothing by the United Charities, the Salvation Army, the Elks and other organizations. Dec. 27th -- A.P. Conniff files his answer to the legislative election contest instituted by P.H. Wynne. Mr. & Mrs. N.J. Peterson of Wilkes-Barre celebrate golden wedding anniversary. Dec. 28th -- Session of the First Presbyterian Church appeals to the married women of the congregation to use their influence to discourage the new fangled dances. More than 300 boys partake of the New Year dinner at the Y.M.C.A. given by a well known Wilkes-Barre resident. Dec. 30th -- Rev. Dr. R.T. Roberts resigns as pastor of the First Welsh Presbyterian Church in Wilkes-Barre, after a pastorate of eleven years. Death in Prussia of Rev. Father Sargalski, pastor of the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Wilkes-Barre. Dec. 31st-- Value of building operations in Wilkes-Barre during 1912 the largest on record, with only one exception; bank clearings in excess of those of any previous year. First report of the county sealers of weights and measures shows that two- thirds of the weights, scales and measures inspected were either condemned or adjusted. John Turnbach appointed superintendent of the West Pittston plant of the Vulcan Iron Works. Touching scenes as mayor’s clerk James McGinty leaves City Hall after thirty-seven years of service. January 1913 Jan. 1st-- Mild, pleasant New Year weather. Chief Schuler of the Wilkes-Barre fire department recommends that motor vehicles be substituted for horse drawn vehicles in every instance. Nanticoke and Parsons choirs divide the chief prize at the annual Moriah Church eisteddfod at Nanticoke. About twenty parcels received in the Wilkes-Barre post office for transmission under the new parcel post system inaugurated this day. Jan. 2nd -- In the suit of the Spring Brook Water Supply Co. against the Pennsylvania Coal Co. Judge Fuller decides that the coal company is not liable for damages to water pipes due to cave-in. Jan. 3rd -- Unusually heavy wind storm all over the county, with thunder and lightning, rain, sleet and snow; considerable damage in the Hazleton region. Resolutions to the number of 609 and ordinances to the number of 32 passed by Wilkes-Barre councils in 1912. Jan. 4th -- Auditors appointed to examine the affairs of the Wilkes-Barre school district make public their first report, in which they criticize some of the methods. Jan. 5th -- Dr. James Walsh begins a series of six lectures on the women of Shakespeare, under the auspices of St. Mary’s Alumni. Tabernacle Baptist Church of Lee Park merges with the First Baptist Church of Wilkes-Barre. Jan. 7th -- Mrs. Mary C. Bradford, president of the Federation of Women’s Clubs in Colorado, starts a woman suffrage campaign in Wilkes-Barre. Jan. 8th -- Miss Esther Tinsley made superintendent of the West Side Hospital. Jan. 10th -- Grand jury hands down a surprising report, ignoring the alleged fraud cases against the Fifth Ward of Pittston and other districts growing out of the November election. Jan. 11th -- Exhibition of paintings owned by Wilkes-Barre people, under the auspices of the Gargoyle Club. Mrs. Mary Flannery, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed by a fall in New Jersey. Jan. 12th -- Rev. W.G. Williams installed as pastor of the Second Welsh Congregational Church of Wilkes-Barre. Jan 13th -- Half a dozen fireman injured in the collapse of a roof while fighting a fire in a livery stable on Butler avenue. One thousand, eight hundred and seventy-six liquor license applications filed, about 175 less than the previous year. Jan. 14th -- First report of the city inspection of weights and measures shows that about one-fourth of the apparatus inspected was of short weight and measure. First of a series of University Extension lectures by C. Delisle Burns. Jan. 15th -- Commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of Alexander’s Band, the members, ex-members and friends have a banquet and present a loving cup to the organizer and first leader, J.I. Alexander. Rev. R.T. Roberts of Wilkes-Barre accepts a call to the Welsh Presbyterian Church at Rome, N.Y. First camp fire and banquet of Sterling R. Catlin Camp, Sons of Veterans. Formal inspection and opening of the handsome and commodious rest and lunch rooms in connection with the Prospect colliery, and innovation for the anthracite region. Jan. 17th -- North Street School Parent-Teacher Association has an innovation in the form of an entertainment to raise money for the purchase of shoes and clothing for poor children in the school. Tertius Noble of York Minister, England, gives an organ recital in St. Stephen’s Church. Old Kittle planing mill and other buildings on South Main and Hazle streets being torn down to make way for a market house. Reports show that 656,674 barrels of beer were brewed in Luzerne County in 1912. Jan. 20th -- Street car bound for Ashley and a coal train come in collision on the Hazle street crossing and the car is demolished; about all of the forty passengers more or less seriously injured, though none fatally. Judges approve the report of the grand jury for the erection of the river bridge at Water street, Pittston. Charles Dorrance appointed chief engineer for the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. Petition filed at Harrisburg by attorney Thomas D. Shea for the impeachment of Judge Fuller. Jan. 21st -- Clergymen don overalls and help to erect the Billy Sunday tabernacle in Wilkes-Barre. Jan. 22nd -- Number of houses in North Wilkes-Barre damaged by mine cave of Lehigh Valley workings. Forty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Conyngham Post, G.A.R., observed with a banquet. Report of controller shows that Luzerne County expended $1,499,562 in 1912, that the receipts were $1,605,391, and that the resources of the county were $4,090,501. Jan. 23rd -- Seven men injured and others narrowly escape by a trip of runaway cars in No. 4 slope of the Susquehanna Coal Co. at Nanticoke. A number of women assist in the erection of the Billy Sunday tabernacle. Jan. 24th -- Miners submit their draft of the mine code to the commission. Miss Lucine Finch gives readings under the auspices of the City Hospital Auxiliary. Jan 25th -- Court hears argument whether a resident has the right to run electric wires under the street from one property to another to enable him to secure light. Jan. 26th -- Father griffin of St. Aloysius Church observes the twentieth anniversary of his ordination. Jan 27th -- Jacob Riis lectures in the First Presbyterian Church under the auspices of the Men’s Club. Pittston school board votes to take the schools out of the jurisdiction of the county superintendent and place them under the authority of a city superintendent. Jan. 28th -- Mayor signs resolution prohibit the use of quarter gas meters in Wilkes-Barre. Jan. 29th -- Camp 287, P.O.S. of A., celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary with a banquet. First formal recital on the First Baptist Church organ by R. Huntington Woodman. Jan. 31st -- Death of Alfred H. Coon of Kingston, who helped to build the first railroad entering the Wyoming Valley, was also the builder and first owner of the Wilkes-Barre & Kingston street railway line and the owner of the first steamboat plying between Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke. County controller estimates the county budget for the coming year at $2,000,000. February Feb. _--Mr. & Mrs. William Patterson of Ashley celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Wallace E. Higgins of Scranton elected vice president, secretary and general manager of the Laurel Line, to succeed Charles F. Conn. Pupils of the Wilkes- Barre Institute give musical and dramatic impersonations of mythological stories in the Y.M.C.A. Feb. 3rd -- Medical inspectors of the Wilkes-Barre school children claims that many parents do not attend to the defects dis- covered in their children. Five inches of snow. Annual minstrel entertainment of the Concordia Society. Feb. 4th -- Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Lutheran Pastoral Association adopts a resolution condemning the proposed Billy Sunday revival campaign. Jail warden’s report shows that it cost an average of 14 cents a day to feed each prisoner at the jail during the year. Dinner given in honor of Mrs. Henry W. Palmer to commemorate the fact that for fifty consecutive years she has been a Sunday school teacher,--medal from the State association bestowed upon her. Feb. 5th -- One child burned to death and another child and the mother seriously burned by a fire in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stylpokowski at Shickshinny. Ice harvesting begins. Wilkes-Barre policeman realize $2,500 from their annual ball. Feb. 6th -- Rabbi J. Leonard Levy of Pittsburg lectures in Wilkes-Barre on “Marching On.” Feb. 7th -- Analysis of the liquor license applications for 1913 shows that there are 1,316 foreign born applicants and 519 American, and nearly 30% of the applicants classed as American are of foreign born parents. River frozen over solidly. Feb. 9th -- Dedication of the new Lutheran church at St. John’s. Feb. 10th -- Lehigh Valley R.R. car inspectors and repairers at Wilkes-Barre, Coxton and Pittston go on strike in sympathy with the men at Packerton. Week’s art exhibit opens in the Union street school. Feb. 11th -- Columbia Council 43, Jr. O.U.A.M., of Wilkes-Barre, celebrates its thirtieth anniversary with a banquet. Wilkes- Barre councils finally pass the Board of Health ordinance, substituting that department for the jurisdiction of the sanitary committee. Announcement made of a merger between the C.F. Murray Furniture Co., one of the oldest in the city, and S.H. Smith & Co., decorators. Feb. 12th -- Wilkes-Barre Y.M.C.A. celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Feb. 13th -- Mrs. Mary C. Hoover, who was the mother of sixteen children, fourteen of them living, dies at Harvey’s Lake. Feb. 15th -- County commissioners reduce the tax levy in the assessment; also decide to issue bonds to the value of $710,000 for road and bridge work and the Boys’ School. Death of Hon. Henry W. Palmer of Wilkes-Barre, one time attorney general of Pennsylvania, member of the State constitutional convention, and four terms a congressman. Feb. 17th -- President White of the Mine Workers appeals to the men to refrain from going out on strike and to abide by the agreement with the operators. Chamber of Commerce guaranty fund campaign started. Feb. 18th -- Experiment in social centre work made by the organization of sewing, embroidery and crocheting classes under the auspices of the Parent-Teacher Association of the North street school, seventy-five girls being in attendance on the first evening. Luzerne County Bar Association pays tribute to the memory of Hon. H.W. Palmer. Feb. 19th -- Death of A.J. Roat of Kingston, one of the oldest and best known residents of the Wyoming Valley. Feb. 20th -- Dedication of the Billy Sunday tabernacle attracts 8,000 people. County assessors employ four engineers-- Charles S. Miles of Wilkes-Barre, John D. Jones of Wilkes-Barre, H.S. Smith of Dorranceton and A. Brooks Celiax of Hazleton--to go over the coal deposits of the county and secure information on which the assessment may be based. Feb. 21st-- Miss Nary K, Trescott named as executrix in the estate if Judge Handley of Scranton, to succeed H. W. Palmer. Feb. 22nd -- Mayor Kosek signs the ordinance giving Wilkes-Barre a Board of Health. Feb. 23rd -- Billy Sunday begins his seven weeks’ campaign in Wilkes-Barre--30,000 people hear him in three services during the day in the tabernacle. Feb. 25th -- Mr. & Mrs. William Schultz of West Nanticoke observe their sixty-third wedding anniversary. Feb. 28th -- Fifteen thousand people clamor for admission to the Billy Sunday tabernacle and about 5,000 are turned away. Congressman-elect Casey appoints Anthony F. Lynch as his private secretary. Miss S.M.R. O’Hara of Wilkes-Barre admitted to practice law in the local courts. March Mar. 1st -- Mine Cave Commission makes a preliminary report to the governor. Mar. 2nd -- Fire destroys the Second Primitive Methodist Church in Plymouth. Mar. 5th -- Death of Dr. F.C. Johnson, president of the Wilkes-Barre Record Co. Chamber of Commerce and council manic committee discuss the report of Mine Cave Commission, but come to no definite conclusion. Mar. 6th -- Collieries go on short time for the first time in nearly two years. Mar. 7th -- Manager of Luzerne County School for Boys place 300 as the limit in the number of boys that will probably be maintained at one time. Mar. 9th -- Ten thousand men attend the first men’s meeting of the Billy Sunday campaign and about 7,000 are turned away. Rev. L.E. Catlin takes up his duties as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pittston. Mar. 10th -- Naturalization court resumed in Luzerne County, after a lapse of a number of years. City engineer Finch finishes remeasuring the boundaries of the city of Wilkes-Barre and finds that the old maps were substantially correct, the area being four and eighty-one hundredths square miles. Ministrel performance by the High School Athletic Association attracts the largest audience yet held in the high school auditorium. Mar. 13th -- Rabbi D. Abram Simons of Washington lectures in the South Washington Street Synagog on self culture. Mar. 14th -- William Drury, former State senator, one of Pittston’s foremost business men, drops dead in Scranton. Mrs. H.B. Hillman, 101 years old, attends the Billy Sunday meeting for mothers in the tabernacle and is given a Chautauqua salute by the great audience. Mar. 15th -- Governor Tener attends the banquet of the Friendly sons of St. Patrick. Mar. 16th -- William D. McCracken of New York lectures in Irem Temple on Christian Science. Mar. 17th -- Gwent Glee Society wins the chief prize at the annual Cynonfardd eisteddfod at Edwardsville. Mar. 18th -- Old Charter House in Wilkes-Barre purchased by the Salvation Army, to be used as an industrial branch and as cheap lodging quarters. Mar. 21st -- State Department of Health refuses Hanover Township permission to build a sewer system unless a sanitary sewer is included. Mar. 23rd -- Pleasant Easter weather part of the day and cloudy the rest of the day. Mar. 24th -- Cost of ice goes up 40% owing to the short crop harvested, it is stated. Practically all of the new liquor license applications refused by the court. Mar. 26th -- Thomas Kilcoyne of Wilkes-Barre killed on a railroad at Phillipsburg. Testimonial dinner given to H. H. Ashley by employees on his retirement from the coal interests with which he has been identified for many years. Mar. 27th -- River at flood tide and all of the lowlands inundated, the water reaching a height of 27.9 at midnight; river free of ice; all street car and other traffic stopped. Mar. 28th -- Flood reaches its maximum height at 5 a.m., 28.52 feet; no lives lost, but much discomfort and damage to property. Mar. 29th -- Street car traffic between the east and west sides resumed much damage in the flooded district Market street road badly torn up. Mar. 30th -- Seven hundred and eighty-six people “hit the trail” at the Sunday meetings for the one day. Mar. 31st -- Chamber of Commerce refuses to indorse the report of the Mine Cave Commission, but urges the adoption of the bill before the legislature to give the various municipalities the right to regulate mining. Carpenters of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity suspend work pending demands for an increase of wages. April Apr. 1st -- Death of former Judge George S. Ferris of West Pittston. Billy Sunday revival results in the canceling of a number of dates for dances. Apr. 3rd -- Large delegations come from other places to hear Billy Sunday. Coal companies making tests of storage battery lamp, with the view of substituting it for the naked lamp used by miners. Death of Mrs. Anna Baldes of Wilkes-Barre at the age of 93. Apr. 4th -- John Cowper Powys lectures in Wilkes-Barre on “American vs. European ideals,” under the auspices of the Central Council of the Parent-Teacher Association. Death of Benjamin Reynolds, president of the Miners’ Bank, a member of one of the oldest families in the Wyoming Valley. Apr. 5th -- About 15,000 Sunday school scholars and teachers from Wilkes-Barre and vicinity march the streets of the city, headed by Billy Sunday, making a great and novel demonstration; the tabernacle, the Majestic Theatre and Central Church crowded and thousands turned away; 1,079 sign cards professing Christianity at the afternoon meeting. Apr. 8th -- Many bible classes being organized as the result of the evangelistic campaign. Apr. 10th -- Thousands turned away from Billy Sunday tabernacle every day. Apr. 12th -- Four men killed by an explosion of gas in the Woodward colliery at Edwardsville. Apr. 13th -- Unparalleled religious enthusiasm on the last day of the seven weeks of the Billy Sunday campaign; thousands of people turned away from the tabernacle and many overflow meetings held; total number of persons who professed Christianity during the campaign, 16,584; contributions to Mr. Sunday on the last day--the only day on which they were received for him personally--$23,188.90; total collections for campaign expenses amounted to $16,459.48, and total for charities, $2,252.73; total attendance in the seven weeks, 668,300. Camp of Spanish-American War Veterans organized in Pittston. Apr. 14th -- Billy Sunday leaves the city, with the cheers and good will of many hundreds of people gathered at the station; crowds turn out along the line until the train passes Nanticoke. Apr. 15th -- No bids received for Wilkes-Barre municipal bonds, $200,00 issue, at 4 ½%. Fife brothers, evangelists, open a campaign in a specially constructed tabernacle at Firwood holding 2,000 people. Apr. 16th -- Tabulated statement shows that that largest number of pledges of church preference received by any one churches a result of the Sunday evangelist campaign was 760; second, 562, third, 511. Sixty-second Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Church opens in the First M. E/ Church of Wilkes-Barre. On receipt of news of the enactment of a law taking from them the appointment of collectors of county taxes in the cities of the county and transferring the authority to the assessors, the county commissioners proceed to reappoint the old collectors named by them, with the purpose of testing the law. Apr. 17th -- Plans begun to raise a $200,000 endowment fund for Wyoming Seminary. Apr. 19th -- Following the Sunday campaign, residents of the Sixth Ward of Wilkes-Barre demand that the constable see to it that all business places are closed on Sunday. Apr. 20th -- Great day for the churches in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity as a result of the Billy Sunday campaign--nearly 2,000 people being added to the membership of Wilkes-Barre churches alone; Central M.E. breaking the record for any single Methodist church in the country by taking in 533 members in one day. Apr. 22nd -- Twelve hundred girls organize a business girls’ bible class in the First M.E. Church. Apr. 23rd -- Andrew F. Derr elected president of the Miners’ Bank, to succeed the late Benjamin Reynolds. Charity ball for the benefit of Mercy Hospital a big success. Apr. 27th -- Unusually heavy rain floods the streets of Wilkes-Barre. Three inches of rain. Apr. 29th -- Barnum circus. Episcopal mass meeting in Irem Temple addressed by bishops Talbot and Woodcock. Apr. 30th -- Chamber of Commerce banquet attended by upwards of 600 men. May May 1st -- Dr. A.G. Fell drops dead with heart disease. Wagner centenary festival in the armory by the combined Concordia and Musical Art societies and the Boston Festival Orchestra. Dr. Trapold of Wilkes-Barre becomes superintendent of the new State Hospital at Nanticoke. May 4th -- Nearly 300 children receive first communion at St. Mary’s Church. May 5th -- Register’s office grants a marriage license to a girl 13 years, with her father’s consent. May 6th -- Rev. Thomas McK. Polk installed as pastor of the Ashley Presbyterian Church. May 7th -- Annual banquet of the Wilkes-Barre District Mining Institute attended by upwards of 1,000 men. A chunk of coal weighing over four tons, taken from the Woodward Colliery, being installed in the Wilkes-Barre Industrial Exposition for the Howell Mine Drill Co. of Plymouth. Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. secures control of the Harwood Electric Co., whose plant is in the Hazleton region. May 8th -- Pick-Away breaker of the McCauly Coal Co., near Yatesville, destroyed by fire, at a loss of $15,000. May 10th -- Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Exposition formally opened in the new building of the Penn Tobacco Co. Big fair of St. Nicholas German Catholic church for the benefit of the parochial school find opened in the armory. May 11th -- Congregation of the First Baptist Church of Wilkes-Barre declares in favor of free pews. May 12th -- Supreme Court decides that the Plymouth bridge may be constructed at grade, according to the original plans. May 13th -- Ordinance introduced in Wilkes-Barre councils for a franchise for the Wyoming electric Co. to establish a plant in the city. Industrial Exposition attracting large crowds. May 14th -- County assessors announce that they have fixed the assessment value of coal land on the basis of $9,000 for an acre of virgin coal sixty feet in depth, a rate of $150 a foot; also that they have found scores of acres that had not previously been assessed. May 15th -- Fourteen nurses graduate from Mercy Hospital training school. May 16th -- Mrs. Philip Snowden lectures on women suffrage in Irem Temple. May 17th -- Plans for a financial reorganization of the Laurel Line announced. Junior American Mechanics of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity observe the sixtieth anniversary of the order with a parade. St. Nicholas parochial school fair closes with net receipts of over $14,000. Veterans Association of Pennsylvania R.R. Employees celebrate sixteenth anniversary with an outing in Wilkes- Barre and at Harvey’s Lake. Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Exposition closes--a great success. May 19th -- Death of Father John J. Griffin, rector of St. Aluysius Church in Wilkes-Barre. May 20th -- Eleven nurses graduate from the City Hospital. Court appoints three women as members of the Board of Visitation Mrs. H.H. Annabelle Wallace. Fiftieth annual convention of the Susquehanna Dental Association meets in Wilkes-Barre. May 21st -- Diocesan convention of the C.T.A.U. meets in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Madison C. Peters lectures in Wilkes-Barre on “The Part of the Jew in the Making of America.” Death of Mrs. Mary Conway of Nanticoke, aged 102 years. May 23rd -- Declamation and essay contest won by the Sorosis Society of the Wilkes-Barre high school/ May 24th -- Christopher Gething, formerly of Nanticoke, killed at Stroudsburg by falling from a pole. Synod of Calvinistice Methodist Presbyterian churches held in Plymouth. May 26th -- Unusual proceeding in a petition to the Supreme Court for an order to compel the Luzerne County Court to make the appointment of a poor director for the borough of Nanticoke. H.W. Saums elected a member of the Wilkes-Barre Board of School Government to succeed the late Dr. Fell. Girls of the sewing, embroidery and crocheting classes of the Parent-Teacher Association of the North street school awarded prizes for the most proficiency; close of the classes for the season after a most profitable experience, the first to be inaugurated in the city. Equity suit begun by the Pennsylvania R.R. Co. on the ground that the proposed river bridge at Nanticoke would trespass on the company’s right of way. Death of Woodward Leavenworth, president of the Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Savings Bank and of the Red Ash Coal Co. May 27th -- The mayor names the fifth and last member of the first Board of Health--the full membership being Dr. L.A. Sheridan, Edward Lewith, Felix Wenger, Dr. Charles H. Miner and W. J. Goeckel. May 30th -- Many school children take part in memorial Day parade. May 31st--New Miners’ Bank building, the tallest in northeastern Pennsylvania, opened for public inspection. J. Robbin Bennett the first colored attorney to be admitted to practice at the Luzerne County bar. June June 1st -- Congregation of the First M.E. Church votes in favor of free pews. Fortieth anniversary of Rev. R.B. Webster’s pastorate at Westminster Presbyterian Church. June 2nd -- Ten thousand men parade the streets of Wilkes-Barre to show their interest in the enforcement of law and order; seven mass meetings held in the court house, and steps taken to form a strong law and order league. June 3rd -- The Wilkes-Barre Co, announces that hereafter steam heat will by charged for at meter rates. Prison commissioners make up a new slate of prison officials and employees for the judges, after a deadlock on the previous slate for upwards of a year. Sheriff Kniffen charges that some person or persons in the court house gained access in the court house gained access to his private office and drank up part of his speakeasy evidence. June 4th -- West Side Country Club, the site of the J. Ford Dorrance mansion, holds an opening reception. Dr. C.D. Wilkins resigns as superintendent of the City Hospital. June 5th -- Pennsylvania Poster Advertising Association meets in convention in Wilkes-Barre. Court confirms the appointment of Daniel T. McKelvey as an additional county detective, Judge Garman dissenting on the ground that another detective is not necessary. June 6th -- Five girls graduate from the Wilkes-Barre Institute. Strike at the Henry colliery at Plains because the members of the United Mine Workers refuse to work with the Industrial Workers of the World, which organization is seeking to obtain a foothold in the anthracite region. June 7th -- Court hands down new license rules, compelling applicants for transfers to show that they have complied with the act of 1905 relating to sales in bulk and provision for the payment of debts, and also refusing to grant a transfer twice in the same year except for death. Strikers at the Henry colliery at Plains, who refuse to work with Industrial Workers of the Word who would not join the United Mine Workers return pending a settlement of the affair. June 9th -- Pennsylvania Postmasters’ Association meets in convention in Wilkes-Barre. Suggestion made at the annual dinner of Luzerne County Federation of Churches that a movement be set on foot to have the number of liquor license in the county reduced to one for every 1,000 of population. June 10th -- Five hundred and fifteen pupils promoted from the Wilkes-Barre grammar school into high school, the largest class in the history of the city. Sixty-fourth annual convention of the Red Men of Pennsylvania convenes in Wilkes-Barre. Mr. & Mrs. David Moses of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Fred Roll appointed sealer of weights and measures for Wilkes-Barre. June 11th -- Verna A. Custer and Adlai Man win the gold medals for original production and declamation respectively in the high school contests. June 12th -- Judge Jones says in an address that 90% of crime in Luzerne County is due to the liquor traffic, and estimate made up from his experience as district attorney and judge. June 13th -- Students graduating from the Wilkes-Barre high school number 215. June 14th -- Farmers in session at Kunkle oppose the proposed $50,000,000 bond issue for road improvement in the State. June 16th -- State convention of the United Spanish War Veterans in Wilkes-Barre. June 17th -- Class of fifty-seven graduated from St. Mary’s parochial school. Lyman H. Howe, chairman, and members of the Wilkes-Barre Industrial Exposition committees tendered a dinner by the Chamber of Commerce, in appreciation of their services. Mass meeting held in Y.M.C.A. under the auspices of the Men’s Club of Kripplein Christi Church to commemorate the twenty- fifth anniversary of the accession of Kaiser Wilhelm II. June 18th -- Large class graduated from Wyoming Seminary. Twenty-one young women graduate from Mallinckrodt Convent Academy. June 19th -- Five generations of Mrs. Lavina Griter Derr of Hudson, aged 99 years, guests at a session of the Ladies of the G.A.R. F.M. Kirby elected a director of the Lehigh Valley R.R. June 20th -- Remodeled Wyoming Presbyterian Church opened, with new pipe organ. June 21st -- New South Side Bank opened for business. June 22nd -- Seven hundred and fifty children and adults confirmed at St. Mary’s Church. Annual convention of the Pennsylvania Branch of the United National Association of Postal Clerks begins in Wilkes-Barre. June 25th -- Many aliens refused naturalization papers in local court because of failure to answer questions properly. June 26th -- First Chautauqua ever held in Wilkes-Barre opens in two tents erected on the Billy Sunday tabernacle grounds. June 27th -- Governor Tener signs the bill providing for commission government in the third class cities of the State, also the bill placing a tax of 2 ½% ad valorem on anthracite coal, one-half of the amount to be returned to the country in which it originated, to be distributed among the municipalities. July July 1st-- Fiercest electrical storm in years passes over Wilkes-Barre, at least a dozen places struck by lightening and seven fires caused; terrific downpour of rain and hail; mercury soars up to 98 degrees. July 2nd -- Contract for the Lehigh Valley Coal Co’s new building let to the George A. Fuller Construction Co. of new York. Landis T. Travis of Westmoor dies at Gettysburg while attending the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. July 3rd-- Rev. Anson Titus of West Somerville, Mass., the orator at the commemorative exercises at Wyoming monument. July 4th -- Pageant held at Riverside Park representing historical scenes in Wyoming Valley history. Hot weather for Independence Day. Prohibition of the sale and use of the more dangerous kind of fireworks result in fewer accidents in Wilkes- Barre. July 5th -- Case of smallpox breaks out at Lee Park. July 6th -- Tenth U.S. Cavalry Troop camps at the old Driving Park on its way from Vermont t Virginia. July 7th -- President Bridgman of the Chamber of Commerce appoints A.L. Williams, Francis A. Douglass, Col. Asher Miner and guy W. Boore, representing the banks; John C. Bridgman as president of the Chamber of Commerce, Samuel McCracken and F.M. Kirby to manage the guaranty fund. Susquehanna Coal Co. files the first appeal from the increase made on coal by the new board of assessors. July 8th -- C.S. Shindle of Tamaqua and Baird Snyder, Jr., of Pottsville fatally injured by automobile going over an embankment near Wapwallopen. July 10th -- Final figures show that the county’s valuation of taxable property has been increased from $161,615,762 in 1912 to $312,637,525 in 1913, this being the first work of the new board of county assessors under the new act, the greater increase being on coal. July 14th -- Judge Garman hands down a scathing opinion dissenting from the reappointment of members of the poor board, in which he refers to corrupt Democratic politics in the county campaign of 1911. July 16th -- John W. Crandell of West Chester named as head of the business and higher English courses in the Wilkes-Barre high school. Court hands down a decision that the selling of beer to a speakeasy by a brewery is aiding and abetting unlawfulness and will be ground for the revocation of a license. July 18th -- Bradley W. Palmer of Boston, son of the founder of the B.I.A., donates $15,000 for scholarships for worthy members of the B.I. A. July 19th -- Much interest caused by Judge Garman’s opinion denouncing certain political deals and transactions of the campaign of 1911. July 20th -- New parochial school of St. Boniface German Catholic Church dedicated. July 21st -- United Mine Workers of District No. ! in session in Wilkes-Barre. Governor Tener signs the new judges bill for Luzerne County and appoints Benjamin R. Jones as the fifth judge. July 22nd-- Mrs. William Pryor, formerly of Plymouth, perishes in the Binghamton factory fire. July 24th -- In view of the greatly increased assessment the county commissioners decide on a tax levy of 2.4 mills for county purposes. Rainfall of 2.4 inches in Wilkes-Barre in less than a day, mostly due to one particularly heavy shower. July 28th -- City in almost total darkness during the night owing to electrical interference with lightning plant. Executive committee and officers of the Law and Order League decide upon the appointment of a committee of two lawyers and one layman to recommend what can be done with reference to Judge Garman’s charges of political corruption. July 29th -- Mercury in Wilkes-Barre registers 96 degrees on the street level. July 31st -- Former Judge Benjamin R. Jones declines the appointment to the bench made by the governor under the bill creating a new judicial position for Luzerne county. W.A. Rogers, physical director of the Y.M.C.A., becomes secretary of the boys’ department in addition to his duties as supervising physical director of both departments. August Aug. 1st-- C.T.A.U. Regiments leaves for encampment at Ocean City, N.J. Aug. 2nd -- Judge O’Boyle fines William Moyles, justice of the peace of Laurel Run, $100 and costs for conspiracy in an effort to secure the impounding of a ballot box by signing names to a petition without the knowledge of the persons. Court grants the request of Plymouth Borough to send engineers into the workings of the Plymouth Coal Co. to find out conditions, the result to be used as evidence in a suit to restrain the company from mining under certain streets of the borough owing to cave-in danger. Aug. 4th -- Citizens of South Wilkes-Barre in mass meeting demand that action be taken to relieve them of the flood nuisance in that section. Aug. 6th -- Crime in saloon side rooms in Wilkes-Barre results in a crusade against this annex. Aug. 9th -- George Major, Sr., & George Major, Jr., formerly of Lehman Centre, killed by a boiler explosion in Texas. Fred L. Newhart elected principal of the new high school I Hanover Township. Aug. 10th -- Extreme heat and humidity cause several prostrations in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity. Aug. 11th -- Prominent citizens of Wilkes-Barre form a committee of one hundred to exert independent influence I the campaign for the nomination and election of city commissioners. Aug. 13th -- Judge Fuller declares unconstitutional the act giving county assessors authority to appoint tax collectors for the county taxes in the cities of Luzerne County, on the ground that it is special legislation. Aug. 14th -- Court revokes five Wilkes-Barre saloon licenses for side room evils, as the result of a crusade. Aug. 17th -- One of the hottest days of the summer--thermometer 94 in Wilkes-Barre. Aug. 24th -- Silver jubilee commemorating the ordination of Rev. J.V. Hussie observed in St. Leo’s Church at Ashley. Aug. 25th -- Judge Strauss renders a decision declaring constitutional the section of the third class city act that commissioners be elected on a nonpartisan basis. Aug. 26th -- Fifty-three citizens file petitions as candidates for commissioner for the new form of city government, eighteen in Hazleton and twenty-three in Pittston. Attorney General’s office decides that owing to as technical error no primaries shall be held for the nomination of candidates an additional judge for Luzerne County. Aug. 28th -- Application made to the court for the revocation of twenty-four liquor licenses on the charge of violation of the law. First registration day in the cities of Luzerne County at which the voters were required to state their party affiliations. Aug. 29th -- Russian Cathedral Choir of New York gives a concert in Irem Temple. September Sept. 1st -- Labor Day quietly observed, a number of school buildings dedicated in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity. Sept. 5th -- Discovery made that hundreds of naturalization papers issued in previous years are fraudulent. Sept. 6th -- Young men who confessed to half a hundred burglaries in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton caught. Sept. 8th -- At a meeting of the Committee of One Hundred, attended by about forty members, the report of the committee indorsing fifteen candidates for city commissioner is adopted by a vote of 25 to 15. Judge Freas of Orphans’ Court decides that consuls may administer the estates of aliens. Sept. 9th -- Governor Tener appoints Daniel A. Fell as a judge of the courts of Luzerne County, in accordance with the act of the legislature creating the additional office. Sept. 10th -- Thomas R. McKenon of Shickshinny yet steadily employed as a miner at 84 years of age. Sugar Notch has epidemic of scarlet fever. Sept. 11th -- Granville J. Clark, candidate for judge, comes out on a strong antiliquor platform. Albert Lewis purchases the old Barney Searfoss hotel and land on the mountain near the boulevard road. Sept. 13th -- Welsh Day outing at Sans Souci Park attended by about 2,000 people. Total registration of votes in Wilkes-Barre the largest since the new law went into effect. Sept. 14th -- Dedication of the Wilkes-Barre Hebrew Institute on South Hancock street. Dedication of the Holy Family Church at Sugar Notch. Sept. 15th -- Wilkes-Barre school board decides to introduce instruction in domestic science, the domestic arts and manual training on a larger scale. Fall meeting of the Presbytery of Lackawanna held in Shickshinny. Sudden death of Dr. Alfred J. Wenner of Wilkes-Barre. Sept. 16th -- First primary election in the cities of Luzerne County under the change in the form of municipal Government; intense interest and a heavy vote polled; also the first experience with party enrollment at the time of registering. Priests’ Eucharistic League of the Scranton Diocese meets in Wilkes-Barre. Sept. 17th -- Daniel A. Fell takes his place on the bench of Luzerne County. B.I.A. Auxiliary formed. Sept.18th -- Pennsylvania Hardware and Supply Dealers’ Association meets in Wilkes-Barre. An old Wilkes-Barre landmark torn down, the office in which, in later years, alderman Donohue held court, adjoining the Central tracks on East Market street. Sept. 20th -- Whirlwind campaign by the Wilkes-Barre Y.M.C.A. for 1,000 new members results in securing 1,020 in one week. Fernwood team wins annual first aid contest between collieries of Pennsylvania Coal Co. and Hillside Coal & Iron Co. Sept. 21st -- Cornerstone of Christ Lutheran Church Sunday school building laid. Terrific rain storm lasts for several hours, a rainfall of over three inches; street cars stalled and considerable damage done. Sept. 23rd -- No. 3 shaft of the Woodward colliery at Westmoor set on fire by the careless dropping of a match. Sept. 24th -- Fire in Woodward shaft extinguished by the use of dynamite. Sept. 25th -- defeated candidates for city commissioner held a banquet at Hotel Redington. Twenty-five red squirrels placed in the Public Square park. Sept. 27th -- Salvation Army’s industrial building and memorial hotel for men, formerly the old Charter House, on Hazle street, dedicated. David P. Ayers resigns as cashier of the Miners’ Bank; his place taken by Charles W. Laycock. Sept. 29th -- Me. Cannett, chief engineer of the Water Supply Commission of the State, says in an address to the Chamber of Commerce that it is possible that flood conditions will be so severe at some time that a height of forty feet will be reached, about nine feet greater than the flood of 1902. Directors of the Osterhout library decide that the library shall be open on Sundays for adults from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept.30th -- Epidemic of typhoid fever in the Huntington Valley. October Oct. 2nd-- Opening of a branch of the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania in Wilkes- Barre, with upwards of 200 students. Opening of the new Nanticoke National Bank building. Oct. 3rd -- Architects McCormick & French present a bill for $16,650 for fees due on the new court house. Oct. 4th -- Supreme Court decides that Nanticoke is not entitled to separate poor director. Oct. 7th -- Deputy Controller Charles H. Barlow resigns to take a position as bank examiner. Oct. 8th -- Mr. & Mrs. John J. Davis of Kingston celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Oct. 12th -- Dr. Albert C. Hays, a Wilkes-Barre dentist, dies of heart disease while operating on a patient. I.A. Driggs of White Haven killed in and automobile accident in New Jersey. Oct. 15th -- Dedication of the William G. Weaver school building on Hancock street, silk flag presented by the children/ Oct. 17th -- Press club of Wilkes-Barre dedicates new Hoyt school, the principal address being made by Dean Journalism. Oct. 19th -- Clarence Darrow lectures in the Poli Theatre on Trades unionism. Dedication of Kingston M.E. Sunday school addition. Oct. 21st -- Case of smallpox appears in Wilkes-Barre. Men’s Club for Westminister Church formed. Oct. 22nd -- Testimonial dinner given for John C. Bridgman, retiring president of the Chamber of Commerce. Oct. 23rd -- County commissioners decide to make a $350,000 bond issue for roads, bridges and the Kis-Lyn School. A Hanover Township woman commits suicide immediately after finding her child burned to death. Oct. 24th -- Samuel McClure lectures in the First Presbyterian Church on commission government for cities. Oct. 25th -- Death of Cornelius Donnelly, a pioneer resident of Pittston. Oct. 26th -- Two thousand members of the Holy Name Society parade in Pittston. Oct. 27th -- Forty-sixth annual institute of the Luzerne County school teachers opens in Irem Temple. Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce has a meeting in honor of John. C. Bridgman, the retiring president. George M. Wall of Plains assumes his duties as general manager of the Sheldon Axle Co. Oct. 29th -- Machinists of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity begin a movement for an eight-hour day. Oct. 30th -- Plymouth Lodge of Eagles celebrates its tenth anniversary with a banquet. Oct. 31st -- County bonds to the value of $330,000 sold at a premium of $10,992. November Nov. 3rd -- Epidemic of scarlet fever at Sugar Notch. Rev. R.E. Williams, pastor of the First Baptist church at parsons, resigns to go to Pittsburg. Nov. 4th -- Good election weather and a very large vote; Wilkes-Barre elects its first city commissioners--Edwin B. Morgan, Nelson Bennett, Charles Loveland and Joseph G. Schuler. Plymouth votes against becoming a city of the third class. Mr. & Mrs. A.A. Harvey of Fairmount Springs celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Nov. 9th -- Father Joseph Murgas of Wilkes-Barre observes the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination. George R. Wendling begins a series of lectures in Central M.E. Church. Franklin street Primitive Methodist Church at Plymouth dedicated. Nov.10th -- Plans filed for improving the Exchange Hotel on Public Square at a cost of $100,000. Hillside Lodge of Odd Fellows at Edwardsville celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary with a banquet. In an opinion handed down Judge Fuller decides that the Wilkes-Barre Light Company hes not the right to lay wires under a street without the city’s consent. Severe blizzard, with fall of snow. Nov. 11th -- Bible class of the Ashley Presbyterian Sunday School celebrates with a banquet, its growth from 11 to 125 in a year. Lehigh Valley Coal Company offers to lease for park purposes, for an indefinite period, a strip of land known as the Stull plot on Rolling Mill Hill, and the offer is accepted. Nov. 12th -- Wilkes-Barre Board of Health prohibits the use of cigar cutters as a menace to health. Nov.13th -- Dr. Anna Shaw lectures in Wilkes-Barre on equal suffrage. Nov. 15th -- Grand jury suggests a constitutional amendment for the trial of petty cases with a jury before salaried magistrates, as a means of relieving the court of such business. Nov. 16th -- Members of the A.O.H. organizations in Wilkes-Barre form a general auxiliary to bring the various associations into closer relations. Nov.17th -- Plan proposed to sell Memorial Hall and devote the proceeds to the erection of a soldiers’ and sailors’ monument on Public Square. Nov. 18th -- Women’s Suffrage Club of Wilkes-Barre prepares to conduct a vigorous campaign. Rev. William Dunn, assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, resigns to accept a call extended by a Philadelphia church. Nov.19th -- Representative Victor Murdock lectures in the Wilkes-Barre Y.M.C.A. course on the new national conscience. Nov. 20th -- Contract for new bridge at Water street, Pittston, awarded to the Penn Bridge Co. for $98,737. Nov. 21st -- Helen Keller appears in Irem Temple. Samuel Ringsdorf of Wilkes-Barre receives an appointment to West Point military academy. Nov. 22nd -- New green house on the river common formerly opened. Monument on Public Square marking the site of Fort Wilkes-Barre completed, erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, assisted by the Sons of the Revolution. Nov. 24th -- Committee of the Chamber of Commerce begins investigation to find out discrimination in property valuations in Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 25th -- Last regular meeting of the old city councils in Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 27th -- Brisk Thanksgiving weather. Nov. 28th -- Unusually fatal form of diphteria in Wilkes-Barre--seven deaths in a month with only thirty cases. Another suit to test the increase in coal assessment begun in court. Typed by Pat Dundore, October 26, 2003