1917 WB Record Almanac, Record of Local Events for 1916 RECORD OF LOCAL EVENTS. Principal Happenings in Luzerne County, Unless Noted Under Special Headings Elsewhere, for the Year Beginning December 1, 1915, and Ending November 30, 1916. 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 It is not to be published to any other web site, mailing list, group, etc.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, 1915. 1. Opening of Redington Annex, formerly Hotel Terminal, by John Redington, Jr. 2. Eighteen nurses graduate from Mercy Hospital training school. J. Clarendon McClure, organist at the First Presbyterian Church, resigns to retire from professional music, after a service of eleven years in Wilkes- Barre churches. 3. A number of Ashley secret orders pass resolutions condemning the liquor business and admonish the members to abstain from the use of liquor. 5. Rev. Dr. A. E. Piper returns as pastor of the First M. E. Church, to take the place of Rev. C. E. Guthrie, resigned. About twenty policemen brought to Wilkes-Barre from Philadelphia help to patrol the central streets and no Sunday disorder appears. 6. Borough of Larksville, having as cosmopolitan a population as any municipality in the State, succeeds in organizing a successful commfunity orchestra from the pupils of the grammar school and high school, made up of about seventy players so far. Death of the daughter of Mrs. Carrie Belles of Dorranceton, 7 years, while funeral services were being conducted over the remains of the mother. Formal beginning of the Wyoming and "West Wyoming Board of Trade. About sixty thousand men of military age in Luzerne County. Wilkes-Barre Institute Dramatic Club gives a successful production of "Trelawney at the Wells" in the Grand Opera House. 9. International President Mahon of the street car men's union conies to Wilkes-Barre to render assistance looking to the settlement of the strike. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Evans of Laurel Run celebrate their golden wedding- anniversary. In dissenting opinions Judges Fuller and Strauss vigorously attack a Pennsylvania law which makes the granting of divorce so easy. 10. A $140,000 bond issue of the city of Wilkes-Barre, 4% per cent., sold at a premium of $10,290, the highest premiumi ever received by the city. Graduate nurses of the City Hospital raise their rates to $25 a week for ordinary cases and $30 tor obstetrical and contagious disease cases. Fifteen automobilists fined $12.50 each for speeding on Carey avenue, citizens having complained. 11. Death of Edward VanHorn, Sr., for many years a green truck farmer and fruit grower on the West Side flats. 12. First -Presbyterian Church of West Pittston dedicates a large addition to the edifice. Death of Charles Lavin of Wilkes-Barre, who for many years was prominent in Socialist politics. 13. Federation of Churches at a session in Wilkes-Barre inaugurates a movement against Sunday funerals. Ashley hunters kill three bears near Bear Creek. Five inches of snow in the Wyoming Valley. 14. Conferences between Mr. Mahon, international president of the street car men's union, and traction officials end in failure, though various offers on a compromise basis were made. 15. S. D. Dimmick of Scranton appointed chief engineer of the D., L. & W. Coal Co. INearly 200 candidates initiated into Irem Temple Shrine. Thomas A. Wright of Wilkes-Barre elected president of the Pennsylvania Street Car Men's Association. Railroad companies petitioned to provide extra service to accommodate holiday shoppers because of the street car strike. 16. A hundred Wilkes-Barre merchants meet to talk over the strike situation and appoint a committee to endeavor to bring the two sides together general complaint that merchants are suffering severely. Death of W. H. Shepherd of Wilkes-Barre, a prominent contractor and builder. 18. First street cars run at night since the beginning of the strike, they being placed on the West Side line as tar as Forty Fort, with the route well policed. Paving and repaying to the value of $243,000 done in Wllkes- Barre in 1915, the city now having over forty-five miles of street paving. Lehigh Valley Coal Co. announces that with the beginning of the new year the company will inaugurate a welfare service for employees, including free medical attendance and nursing in cases of sickness and injury, and other help; Dr. S. P. Mengel engaged as superintendent, he to have a staff of physicians and nurses; the project to cost the company about $50,000 a year; the company has about 20,000 employees. 19. Buttonwood Congregational Church rededicated. 20. John R. Halsey appointed counsel tor the Lehigh Valley R. R. Co. in this section, the youngest attorney ever so honored toy the company. 21. International Fabrication Co. of New York purchases the Matheson plant at Forty Fort and prepares to start an industry for brass and steel fabricating. Three girls while on their way to work struck by a D., L. & W. train at Forty Fort and seriously injured. 22. Record force presents a thirty-five pound candy cane to the Home for Friendless Children. 23. A! cave-in 550 feet long, 150 wide and 70 deep appears in Hollenback Park and permits the water from Mill Creek to flow into the Prospect workings, one of the largest caves known locally, men engaged in changing the course of the creek. About 1,500 meal tickets issued, dinner baskets sent to 240 families and gifts and clothing prepared for about 500 children by the Wllkes-Barre Salvation Army. Notwithstanding the street car strike, merchants say that the holiday business has been very good. Bachelors' ball at the Sterling, the first big social event of the holiday season. About 700 children made happy at the Mae Turner Conyngham memorial Christmas treet at the United Charities. 24. Estimated that $638,658 will be required for city of Wllkes-Barre government during the next year. Traction company applies to the court for an injunction against the striking street car men and union officials to restrain them from interfering with the business of the company, from picketing, froia intimidating or threatening new employees and from threat- ening passengers who ride on the cars; the company also asks for $200,000 for damages inflicted upon the company by breach of the contract upon which the award of the arbitrators was made. 25. Gloomy Christmas weather, warm and cloudy all day and a driving rain in the evening.. .Shoes, clothing and Christmas things distributed to 900 children by the Wilkes-Barre Lodge of Elks. Five thousand boys and g-iris in the Hazleton region given clothing, toys and candy through the, generosity of Mrs. Sophia Coxe, widow of Eckley B. Coxe, coal operator in that section, it being the forty-fourth annual distribution. 27. A force of nearly 500 men engaged night and day in an attempt to prevent the flooding of the Hillman vein of the Midvale mine of the Lehigh Valley from Mill Creek, caused by the largest cave-in on local record. Leo Moore of Plymouth named mercantile appraiser for the year. 28. Death of Patrick Gallagher of Plains, at the age of 101 years. Wilkes-Barre Council fixes the salary of the city treasurer at $2,500 a year, which with reduction in commission will mean a considerable decrease of the emoluments of the . office. Hillard block on North Main street, Wilkes-Barre, passes into the possession of Schooley & Co., to be transformed into modern apartment houses. 29. Storm of sleet, rain and snow, with four inches of snow at night. 30. Extended argument before Judge Woodward for and against granting the inlunction prayed for by the traction company. Appeal made to local people to contribute for the relief of the starving and homeless millions in Poland by reason of the war. Report of the triennial assessment shows taxable property valuation in Wilkes- Barre of $72,459,673, an increase of $440,699 over the previous year. 31. Judge Charles E. Rice of Wilkes-Barre, president judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, retires from that tribunal by the expiration of his term, after a .service of twenty and one-half years, having previously served fifteen and one-half years on the bench of Luzerne County. Announcement made that during the year 1915 the Truesdale Colliery of the D. L. & W. at Nanticoke produced 1,168,910 tons of coal, a .constant average of 542 tons an hour; the Truesdale holds the recordfor the anthracite region. Business of a holiday nature at the Wilkes-Barre postoffice 30 per cent greater than for the Christmas season of 1914.. Number of school children enrolled in Wilkes-Barre 12,697, about 1,000 more than for the preceding year. 1,803 cases of contagious diseases and 63 deaths therefrom in Wilkes-Barre in 1915. Wilkes-Barre clearing house shows $87,017,610 for 1915, about $3,000,000 more than for 1914. Twenty-four people killed by automobiles in Luzerne County in 1915. 3,423 marriage licenses issued in iLuzerne County in 1915 and 106 divorce decrees handed down. January, 1916. 1. Gloomy and slushy New Year, with rain in the evening. Nanticoke Choral Union wins chief competition at Moriah eisteddfod. 2. New parochial school of St. Nicholas German Catholic parish dedicated. Dr. James W. Geist of Wilkes-Barre appointed chief surgeon for the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co to direct the medical and surgical requirements under the workmen's compensation act. 3. Changes among officials in the court house and in the cities. James F. Mundy elected city treasurer of Wilkes-Barre in place of Daniel L. Hart; E. S. Zoeller chosen chief of police. Evan Williams, noted tenor, in Irem Temple. Attorneys tor striking car men file a brief, in which they hold that the company has an adequate remedy in criminal law for the acts complained of in the petition for an injunction and that equity is without jurisdiction. New Ewen breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Port Blanchard, on the site of the breaker burned down a year ago, started in operation. 4. Judge Woodward grants a temporary injunction against the Street Railway Employees' Union and other defendants restraining them from unlawful picketing and from interfering with the company, its employees and patrons. Report of the Central Poor District shows that for 1915 there was an average of 392 persons in the a lmshouse and an average of 630 patients in the asylum for the insane; total tax collected amounted to $225,862; about $100,000 spent for outdoor relief in addition to the cost at the almshouse. County Controller Hendershot objects to appointments bv the county conrmissioners, on the ground that the places were not 'filled and the salaries fixed at a meeting of the salary board, of which he is a member. 5. An appeal made to the women of Wilkes-Barre by the National Maternity Relief Association to help the mothers of war babies in Europe by contributing money and clothing. Estimated that in two years over $3,000,000 have been spent in Wilkes-Barre for new and permanent improvements, including those under private and municipal auspices. Bible school under the auspices of the Moody Bible Institute opened in Wilkes-Barre. 6. Pennsylvania Association of Dyers and Cleaners meets in Wilkes-Barre. Pire losses in Wilkes-Barre in 1915 amounted to $74,614, compared with $62,181 in 1914. 7. Charles Enzian of Wilkes-Barre, in charge of federal mine rescue work for this district, promoted to be chief engineer of the federal department. Interest stirred up by the announcement that President Wilson has appointed Dr. D. C. Mebane as postmaster in Wilkes-Barre against the wish of the congressman for the district, Mr. Casey. 8. Big fight started to have the President withdraw the name of Dr. Mebane for the Wilkes-Barre postmastership; a Wilkes-Barre merchant sends a statement to the effect that the doctor made an unpatriotic reference to the flag in his hearing. 10. Opening in Wilkes-Barre of continuation schools tor children between the ages of 14 and 16 years who are employed, the children to attend school for at least eight hours each week during the daytime. 1,626 applications for liquor licenses filed in court, compared with 1,564 for the previous year. 11. A decrease In 1915 of 38,796 barrels of beer brewed in Luzerne County compared with the previous year, the total for the year being 620,140 barrels. 12. A Rotary Club formed in Wilkes-Barre, made up of business and professional men, to meet for an interchange of views. 15. Cold spell, thermometer 4 degrees above zero in Wilkes-Barre. Elm Congregational Church at Plymouth destroyed by fire. 16. Serious riot at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Dupont, when the faction opposed to the priest whom Bishop Hoban appointed gathered to prevent the priest from holding services ; mob attacks Sheriff Buss and deputies and also members of the State Constabulary; one of the rioters killed and a number of Members of the constabulary seriously injured ; about eighty of the mob arrested and sent to jail; many people suffer more or less serious Injuries, Opening of a week of services to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Ashley Presbyterian Church. 17. 'Seventy-two of the men arrested in connection with the Dupont church riot bound over for court, bail being fixed at $2,000 in each case. Judge Fuller sitting as a committing- magistrate. Cold spell continues, river frozen over solid. 18. Two thousand applicants apply to the United Charities of Wilkes-Barre during the year 1915 and fifty-one refused; one-fourth of the applications came about as the result of accident or prolonged sickness, one-eighth from death of wage-earner, one-eighth from lack of steady employment, one-seventh from delinquent or Juvenile cases and one-twentieth from habitual drunkenness, although drunkenness was a contributing- factor under some of the other headings. Wilkes-Barre has under its control 199 acres of parks, assessed at $3.686,280. 21. Westminster church workers start a campaign to rais.e $50,000 tor a new edifice. 22. Col. John A. Biddle of the federal engineering- department comes to Wilkes-Barre and vicinity to look over the river flood elimination problem and asserts that the building- of a proposed bridge at Market street will not interfere with the ultimate plans. Death of Agib Ricketts, aged 81 years, one of the oldest and most prominent attorneys. 23. Warm weather breaks up the ice in the river. 24. Kreissler, violinist, plays before the largest audience ever assembled in the auditorium of Irem Temple. 25. Concordia Society gives another minstrel performance in the Grand Opera House. 26. Spell of .unsually warm weather for this time of year, thermometer in Wilkes-Barre registering 60 degrees. 27. William S. Goff of Wilkes-Barre elected president of the Pennsylvania Lumbermen's Association. Jewish relief day appeal, for suffering Jews in the war regions, results in the donation of over $6,000 In Wilkes- Barre. 29. Press Club gives a "stunt" in honor of George A. Edwards, veteran newspaper man. 30. Dedication services begin at the East End Primitive Methodist Church. 31. Investigation shows that about one-fourth of the pupils in the Wilkes-Barre high school have some employment at which they earn wages. County Controller Hendershot's report shows that the county expenses in 1915 were $2,214,355. Warm spell continues, thermometer 65 in Wilkes-Barre. February, 1916 1. National conference of Hungarian ministers and delegates opens in the Kingston Presbyterian Church. Annual report of jail warden Whalen shows that 2,238 prisoners were committed during- 1915, that during- the year 135 males and four females were sentenced to jail terms by the court, and that it cost a fraction less than 14 cents a day per capita to feed the prisoners. Owing- to the county controller holding back the pay of employees in the commissioners' ofHce until the salary board meets, a meeting- is held; Controller Hendershot and minority Commissioner Beisel object to the necessity of certain employees, but the other two commissioners refuse to vote, contending that it is not necessary for the salary board to pass again upon the places, that having been done when the jobs were created; meeting- adjourned with both sides threatening court action. 2. Cloudy weather and the groundhog fails to see his shadow. Six inches of snow. 3. Anthracite operators issue a statement, in which they say that to grant the demands of the men would mean an increase of 60 cents a ton in the cost of the domestic sizes, and they deny that the cost of living has increased as much as the men claim. 4. County Commissioner Beisel appeals to the court to decide whether the salary board must pass upon the number and pay of employees in the commissioners' office. 5. Wilkes-Barre Typographical Union celebrates its thirty-second anniversary with a banquet. 6. Fire in the Mebane and Rickert apartment building on .South Main street does damage to the extent of about $7,500. Temperance forces decide to -petition the court to grant liquor licenses only on condition that the bars be closed between midnight and 8 a. m. 7. Celebration of the ninetieth birthday anniversary of Rev. S. C. Meckel, chaplain of Conyngham Post, G.A.R. 8. Seven men killed and two injured bv an explosion of gas in the Lance colliery of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. at Plymouth. Ordinance introduced in council to begin condemnation proceedings for ninety-five acres of land on the west side of the river, beginning at the West Market street bridge and running west and south, ti be used for a community athletic field. 9. Women's Auxiliary of the Episcopal Archdeaconry of Scranton Meets in Calvary Church. Wilkes-Barre. One hundred and nineteen special remonstrances to liquor licenses, filed. 10. Estimated that under the new workmen's compensation law the accident at the Lance colliery, in which seven men were killed and two were injured, will cost the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. about $30,000. Skeletons of two miners who were killed by a cave-in at Harleigh in 1876 found by some workmen. 11. Wyoming Valley Cutlery Co. stockholders vote to sell the plant. Death of Bryce R. Blair of Wilkes-Barre, noted engineer, aged 84 years. 12. Edgar A. Newberry and Thomas A. Foster form a partnership as architects and open offices in Wilkes-Barre. 13. Rev. A. M. Brown resigns as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, to go to Baltimore. Rev. Edward C. Kunkle resigns as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre, to go to Chester, Pa. Three inches of sleet and snow on top of a coating of hard Ice make weather conditions disagreeable; rapid fall intemperature. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Shamis of Bdwardsvllle celebrate their flfteith wedding anniversary. 14. Cold snap—mercury 1 degre below zero in Wilkes-Barre. Jupiter and Venus shine brilliantly close together in. the western sky. John H. Shepherd takes a position as organist at the First Presbyterian Church. 15. Mercury 2 degrees below zero in Wilkes-Barre. River frozen over for the second time. County commissioners increase the county tax millage from two and seven-tenths to tour and six-tenths, almost double the levy of the previous year. C. L. Baldwin of Norwalk, Ohio, writes that he has been a subscriber to the Record for sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Steidinger of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. W. W. Inglis becomes general manager of the Lackawanna Coal Co. F. M. Baker appointed superintendent of the Wyoming Division, Lehigh Valley R, R., to succeed C. J. Shea, who will be assigned to other duties after his recovery from a long illness. 18. Frank Speaight lectures on Dickens and Impersonates Dickens characters in Irem Temple under the auspices of the Wilkes-Barre Institute, and a number of local people appear in the audience dressed in character costume. Wyoming National Bank's new building thrown open tor inspection. Court dismisses the appeal from the action of the salary board in refusing to fixe the number and compensation of employees in the commissioners' office, on the ground that since there was no action by the board on the questions submitted there could be no appeal. Judge Galman dissents. Controller Hendershot states that he will continue to withhold the pay of employees in the commissioners' office until a legal and regular meeting of the salary board is held. 19. Judge Freas hands down an opinion and audit in Orphans' Court in an estate that had been pending for twenty-five years. Another cold spell, thermometer near zero mark. 21. Pablo Casals, 'cello, and Ernest Schelling. piano, in Irem Temple. H. H. Zeiser, an instructor in the highschool of Wilkes-Barre, named as assistant to Superintendent Coughlin at a salary of $200 a month. Group 3, Pennsylvania Bankers' Association, banquets at Hotel Sterling. An employee of the county commissioners' office brings mandamus proceedings against the controller to compel him to pay his salary. 22. Knights of Columbus Council, 984, of Plymouth, holds its first annual banquet. Miss Margaret Eckman and Herman Berlew win the Nesbitt prizes in oratory at Wyoming Seminary. Kingston's Cuba street school building dedicated. Teen-Age Tour Party of the International Sunday School Asso- ciation visits Wilkes-Barre and holds a series of meetings that stir up much interest. 23. Young Women's Christian Association members banquet at the Sterling in observance of the flfteith anniversary of the national association and the twenty-third annual meeting of the local association. 25. On account of heavy automobile advertising the Record issue comprises forty pages. 26. Word comes from Indiana that the romance of Frances Slocum, the "Lost .Sister of Wyoming," who was stolen bv Indians from her home in Wilkes-Barre In 1778 and was found living in Indiana, is to be Made a feature of the centennial celebration of the 'State of Indiana in Peru and Miami County. Mr. and Mrs. William Shultzof West Nanticoke observe their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary. Judge Fuller hands down an order that commissioners' employees shall be given their pay for the month of January, leaving undecided the question whether the salary board must pass upon the number and salaries of employees. 28. Wilkes-Barre automobile show occupies two halls—the armory and Hampton. Majority Democratic commissioners finally decide to vote at a meeting of the salary board, but minority Commissioner Beisel and Controller Hendershot vote "no" on the question whether nine of the employees shall be retained, and the vote being two to two the persons lose their lobs; they are: Deputy chief clerk to the commissioners, messenger for the commissioners, two road and bridge inspectors, superintendent of building, gardener, twoassistant gardeners and an officer; majority commissioners prepare to take an appeal to the court on the ground that the positions March, 1916 1. Charity ball at the Pittston armory for the benefit of the Pittston Hospital a brilliant event. 2. Controller refuses to pay the salaries of the nine men in relation to whose positions the salary board was deadlocked. 3. In answer to the equity suit of the Wilkes-Barre Railway Co. the street car men's union denies responsibility for the disorders, and charges that the employees have suffered loss and damage to the extent of $95,000 and are continuing to suffer loss at the rate of $21,000 a month because the traction company violated the contract and agreement. 6. Death of Rev. S. C. Meckel, aged 90 years, for many years chaplain of Conyngham Post, G. A. R. Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, delivers an address in the Nesbitt Theatre in behalf of the striking street car men. Announcement made of the resignation of Dorrance Reynolds as colonel of the 9th Regt. 6. Six inches of snow. Mercy Hospital charity ball in the Elks' Horns one of the most successful affairs of the kind ever held. Executive committee of the Republican county committee makes radical changes in the rules of the party, by placing the .entire machinery into the hands of the party electors; it is provided that the county committee shall be made up of one representative from each of the election districts in the county, to be chosen by the voters at the primaries, that the chairman shall be elected at a convention of the committee and that he with the secretary and the district chairman—chosen by the eommitteemen of the various legislative districts — shall compose the executive committee. Judge Garman makes a sensational charge to the grand jury, in which he directs the body to investigate rumors of election corruption and irregularities in the election of 1915 and that of 1911, the statute of limitations not having barred prosecution on the ground of perjury; the judge mentions the names of a number of men prominent in political life who might be called as witnesses. 7. Schumann-Heink sings to one of the largest audiences ever gathered in Irem Temple, the people overflowing to seats upon the stage. Welcome home dinner given at the Sterling in honor of Judge Charles E. Rice, who has retired after twenty years of service as president judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania; the dinner attended by many members of the bar and by distinguished lawyers and jurists from elsewhere. 8. About 1,000 persons attend the funeral of Rev. S. C. Meckel, chaplain of the G, A. R. Many women enroll in the Wilkes-Barre Chapter of the Pennsylvania Women's Division for National Preparedness, after a meeting in the high school auditorium. 9. Two caretakers at F. M. Kirby's mountain home at Glen Summit, a man and his wife, found dead, evidently having committed suicide. Six men killed bv an explosion in the Hollenback colliery of the Lehig-h & Wilkes- Barre in Wilkes-Barre, rescue work made impossible o'wing to fire in the mine. 10. Long spell of cold weather. 11. County commissioners Walsh and McLaughlin appeal to the court for the reinstatement of the employees whom the salary board refused to confirm, by a tie vote; it is claimed that the salary board met without authorization from the majority commissioners and that the positions are necessary. Grand jury approves petition for the erection of a soldiers' and sailors' monument to cost not exceeding $150,000. Court rules that aliens applying for naturalization need not be represented by attorneys. 13. Touching banquet given at the Dresden by B. I. A. boys who have achieved success in life, in honor of Mrs. Henry W. Palmer, who founded the association twenty-five years ago and who is now, by reason of age, unable to take an active part in its affairs. Judge Garman refuses to honor an order from the United States District Court tor a change of venue in a Common Pleas slander case, on the ground that the United States has no Jurisdiction over a State court. Grand jury begins an investigation of charges and rumors of election fraud, following Judge Garman's charge, many witnesses having been summoned. 14. Col. Miner of the 9th Kegt. addresses a letter to employers asking whether they will favor enlistment by their employees, whether they would grant leave of absence and pay for nine or ten days, and whether men ordered into the field would be given their employment at the end of their service. In relation to numerous petitions that the court order that drinking places must be closed between midnight and 8 a. m., a statement is made that a majority of the judges question their power under the law to make such an order, but a minority hold that refusal to comply with such an order should be evidence of the applicant's unfitness to conduct a licensed place; also stated that the court is of the opinion that drinking places which "by early opening catch workmen on their way to the mines and shops impair the efficiency of labor,' invite accidents and should be in law, as they surely are in fact, public nuisances, to be abated without ceremony." Teachers and a number of pupils stunned by lightning during a thunder storm in Hazle Township. 15. Heaviest snow storm of the season, about eight inches, but not much interference with traffic. Ida M. Tarbell lectures in Wilkes-Barre. Coal companies stalled with orders for local delivery because of the fear of a strike or suspension. Rev. Ernest C. Tuthill, curate at St. Stephen's, accepts, a call to become rector of Grace Ep.iscopalChurch, Dorranceton. 16. Rev. Dr. E. E. Helms resigns as pastor of Central M. E. Church to accept a call to Calvary M. E. Church in Philadelphia. Judge Strauss . decided that an electric railroad cannot sell electricity for power or lighting. Railroads have a hard time getting the heavy snowfall from their tracks. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Williams of Kingston celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. 17. -Jr. Masor- Glee Society of Wilkes-Barre wins the $100 prize for the chief competition at the Cynonfardd Literary Society eisteddfod in Edwardsville. 18. Grand jury, which sat an extra week to take up Judge Garman's reference to election frauds in his charge, makes a lengthy report; the jury finds that there was strong suspicion of carelessness and criminal action in a few instances on the part of some persons, but was unable to find definitely who committed the acts and no person is presented for indictment; in commenting on the report Judge Garman says: "You might have inserted that a whole lot of liars outside of your investigation became perjurers at your Investigation. I might say that men appeared before me who told me one thing In my office and another thing before you, and they must settle with Almighty God. it he takes any cognizance of such persons whatever. Political clubs and associations that exact promises of jobs from candidates and political movements under the cloak of secret societies are severely scored by the jury. The jury further suggests that if gross irregularities in the registration of voters existed, it is incumbent upon those whose interests were affected or upon the good citizens to institute prosecutions. State Public Service Commission's ruling that jitneys are common carriers and operators must take out certificates of convenience and be subject to regulation creates consternation among the many local jitney owners, particularly because of the street car strike and the large patronage resulting therefrom; municipal officials make BO move to put the jitnevs out of business unless they hear something more definite about the ruling. 19. Representative Polish citizens of the county meet and organize a committee to centralize the Polish war sufferers' relief work in Luzerne County. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Jenkins of Plymouth celebrate their golden wedilii.g anniversary. 20. Announcement of the resignation of Rev. W. W. Boaz as pastor ot the Elm Congregational Church in Plymouth, to go to West Chicago Wilkes-Barre school board plans for the erection of a twelve-room fire-proof and panic- proof building at Andover and New Grove streets. 21. The liquor licenses of our of the most prominent Wilkes-Barre hotels revoked for the remaining few days of the year and the new licenses suspended tor from one to three months on the testimony of two girls under age that they were served with drink. A new lodge of Odd Fellows, to be known as Prospect Lodge No. 292, organized in Wilkes-Barre. At a meeting of representatives of eighteen business men's associations from Pottsville to Carbondale held in Wilkes-Barre, it is decided to send a committee of 100 to New York City to present the case of the public to the miners and operators in conference on a new agreement, the public committee being particularly Interested in avoiding frequent periods of agitation. 22. The Wilkes-Barre Can Co., a new corporation, takes over the capital stock and plant of W. B. Bertels & Son's Co. in Wilkes-Barre. Another snowfall of four inches-—the large accumulation on the watershed of the Susquehanna, nearly three feet, causes anxiety. 23. About 900 men hold a meeting at Irem Temple to organize a Law and Order League; resolutions adopted demanding that the officials enforce-law and order, in view of "disturbances, rioting and other lawlessness in the city during the past five months." Republicans representing all sections ot the county meet at dinner at Hotel Redington and organize the Central Republican Club of Luzerne County. 25. Big mob collects on Public Square and stones street cars and assaults motormen and conductors; a couple of policemen Injured; firemen called out to disperse the crowd by turning streams upon them. 26. Rioting continues in Wilkes-Barre and a number of outside places; many street cars stoned and some of the members of the crews dragged from cars and injured; police unable to cope with the situation; some shots fired. Health exhibit under the auspices of various Wilkes-Barre associations opened in Hampton Hall. 27. Lutece Trio and May Petersen in Irem Temple. 28. Monster mass meeting in the armory under the auspices of the local branch of the National Security League in the interest c'; national preparedness. The play "Sherwood" given by members of the senior class of the Wilkes-Barre high school. Owing to the warm weather and light rain the river begins to rise rapidly, the current filled with ice from the north. 29. River reaches a height of 21.25 feet. Chairman of the State Public Service Commission states that all jitneys running over a certain fixed route on a fixed schedule must secure certificate of convenience from the commission and must apply individually. 30. River goes up to 23 feet; one boy drowned in swollen creek at Edwardsville. Riot and stoning of a street car near Ashley. 31. Mayor Kosek and Sheriff Buss issue proclamations that the people observe the law; the mayor swears in a number of additional policemen for Saturday and Sunday and Sheriff Buss asks for more members of the State Constabulary and about all the members in the State are sent to Wilkes-Barre and vicinity, about 200 altogether; mayor given the right to discharge policemen who do not do their duty. Much alarm over the state of the river, which continues rising, highest for the day 25.42 feet; traffic over the West Market street road cut off; thawing weather continues. April, 1916 1. License court ends with an increase of six retail places and the loss of two wholesale places. 2. River reaches a maximum height of 26.65 feet, running free of ice. Members of the flood prevention committee of Congress, together with government engineers, make a tour of the flood district. Rev. W. H. Lindemuth takes up his work as pastor of Central M. E. Church. 3. River recedes quite rapidly. 4. Death of Max Rosenbluth, prominent business m^n of Wilkes-Barre. 5. More than 100 employees of the B. G. Carpenter firm banquet at the Sterling in commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the organization of the firm by B. G. Carpenter. Several inches of snow and much colder. 9. Dedication of the handsome new St. John's Lutheran Church. 10. An audience filling the armory hears Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood of the United States Army talk on preparedness Wilkes-Barre Chapter of the Pennsylvania Women's Division for National Preparedness organized, to do service in .the event of national. State or local emergency, by supplying funds, houses tor hos.pitals, bandages, medical supplies, automobiles, messengers, etc. 11. Fire in the building occupied by the White Hardware Co. on East Market street causes about $50,000 damage. 12. Mob attacks street cars at. Miner's Mills and East End and considerable difficulty is experienced by local and State police in getting control of the situation. Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. announces that it will pay back the tonnage tax rebate to persons who bought directly from it. covering the period for which the tax law was declared unconstitutional. Dr. L. L. Rogers, Jr., of Kingston and Miss Elizabeth Seibel of Wilkes- Barre the first couple to be married in the new St. John's Lutheran Church. Lawrence Casey, brother of Congressman Cascy named as postmaster tor Wilkes-Barre. 13. Notices served upon fifty jitney operators that the traction company has complained that they are operating without certificates of convenience and the Public Service Commission notifies them to satisfy the complaint or file answer. Albert Lewis Co. saw mill at Alderson being dismantled owing to the lack of timber in that region, the mill having been operated by the company for about thirty years. 15. A number of Wilkes-Barre in-dustries increase wages, some voluntarily, owing to prosperous times. River reaches a height of 18.75 feet. 17. Eddy Brown, violinist, at Irern Temple. 18. About fifty recruits secured for the 9th Regt. in a month in response to the campaign inaugurated. Miners growing restless owing to the length of the negotiations tor a new agreement. Judge Witmer of the United States District Court denies the application of attorneys for evangelist Henry W. Stough for a change of venue for a trial of the slander suits against him. 19. News of President Wilson's ultimatum to Germany in relation to submarine warfare endangering and sacrificing the lives of American citizens causes intense interest in the Wyoming Valley. 21. Dedication of the First Welsh Congregational Church in Wilkes-Barre, the new structure taking the place of the one destroyed by a cyclone. Pittston high school to be closed because of an epidemic of measles. 22. Judge -Strauss in upholding the decision of a magistrate in imposing a fine on young men who were charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a street car strike riot, states, in effect, that anv person caught in a mob or watching a mob is encouraging it by his presence and is liable to arrest and fine. 23. Gloomy, rainy and cool Easter weather. 25. Public Service Commission of Pennsylvania sits in Wilkes-Barre to hear the applications of half a hundred jitney operators for permission to continue in business, also the application of the Wilkes-Barre Light Co. for approval of the franchise granted by the city council to establish a general plant. Death of Dr. J. W. Mulholland, a well known physician of Pittston. Civic Club of Wilkes-Barre has a special program in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. 26. Luzerne County councils of the Jr. 0. U. A. M. hold their first annual banquet. 27. "The Brixton Burglary" presented in the Grand Opera House by the Liinonia Society of Hillman Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Powell of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. 28. Miss Laura H. Young, secretary of the Wilkes-Barre Y. W. C. A., resigns and is succeeded by Miss Lucy P. Carner. 29. Wyoming Valley Chapter ol the Daughters of the American Revolution observes its twenty-fifth anniversary with a reception at the Sterling. 30. More than a thousand Members of five railroad brotherhoods hold a meeting in Wilkes-Barre. Announcement made that the representatives of the miners and the operators, in session in New York, reached an agreement, on the basis of a 7 per cent. increase tor contract men, for all company men working an eight-hour day prior to April 1, for hoisting engineers whose work requires them to continue on duty nine hours a day, and for all company men who work more than nine hours a day; a 3 per cent. increase for all company men who have been working nine hours a day and whose work has been reduced to eight hours; a reduction from nine hours to eight hours; recognition of the uion without the closed shop and the check-off; and the adjustment of other grievances. Death of Ira G, Marvin, for many years Wilkes-Barre's leading florist. May, 1916 1. Americanization campaign opens in Wilkes-Barre under the auspices of the United States Bureau of Education, the National Chamber of Commerce and local organizations, the purpose being to help and protect the alien. 2. Pennsylvania railroad employees form an athletic association and secure possession of a twelve acre tract of land on the west side flats adjoining th Wilkes-Barre Connecting Railway. Brilliant ball in the armory, for the benefit of the City Hospital's new building fund. American Gas & Electric Co. purchases the Citizens' Illuminating Electric Co. of Pittston for $875,000. 3. Tag Day in W^ilkes-Barre and vicinity for raising money for the relief of the war sufferers in Poland. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gilligan of Wilkes-Barre observe their golden wedding anniversary. The opera "Pinafore" performed by Wilkes-Barre high school students, assisted by the high school orchestra. Judge O'Boyle announces that he will not grant citizenship papers to members of the labor organization Industrial Workersof the World, on the ground that they would be undesirable citizens. 4. Slovak Educational Society of Luzerne County holds its first annual banquet at the Bedlngton and pledges fealty to the United States. Kingston St. Aloysius Society of Kingston has thirtieth anniversary banquet. New agreement ratified by the miners' representatives in convention in Pottsville—581 to 206. 5. Lafayette Club of Wilkes-Barre organized. 6. Grand Jury refuses petition of the County Commissioners to permit the county to abandon care of the Wilkes- Barre - Pittston highway on the East. side. 8. Judge Freas of Orphans' Court refuses to consent to the granting of a marriage license for a man of 29 and a girl of 12 years, although the girl and her parents consented. Concordia Society gives its first concert in the high school auditorium. 10. Campaign launched to raise $300,000 for the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital for new building and equipment. Numerous strikes at collieries because of dissatisfaction in the arrangement of hours of work after the eight hour a day concession, some of the companies being in favor of a later start than formerly. County salary board creates the position of mining engineer for the county assessors at $3,000 a year. 11. Five hundred students of the Larksville school go on strike because of the demotion of their principal. Forest fires between Glen Summit and Bear Creek destroy one house and outbuildings, threaten many cottages and kill much timber. 14. St. Paul's Lutheran congregation in Wilkes-Barre celebrates the seventieth anniversary of the organization of the congregation and the fiftieth anniversary of the purchase of the present church building. 15. Fund collected in Luzerne County for the relief of Polish war sufferers amounts to $20,000 to date. Revival campaign begun under the auspices of the Protestant churches of the Heights. 16. Former Senator Burton of Ohio and John Barrett, director-general of the Pan-American Union, the principal speakers at the Chamber of Commerce dinner. Light primairy vote polled. 18. Henry German of Wilkes-Barre wins the open trophy event at the annual State Sportsmen's Association shoot. Attorney General Brown and James A. Steese of the State Department of Labor come to Wilkes-Barre to see whether something can be done to settle the street car strike. Smith & Clark Company begin operations at their large new ice cream factory on Water street, Wilkes-Barre. Death of J. J. Mangan, a prominent business man of Pittston. 19. Cold spell, overcoats generally worn. Only one vote for the Keystone party cast in the county at the recent primaries. 20. County assessors announce a boost of $25,101,259 in the value of taxable property in the county, the increase being mostly on coal; the total valuation now $330,751,000. Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Searfoss of White Haven celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. 22. Lehigh Valley Coal Company announces the appointment of a forester to have charge of the planting of about 50,000 trees to supply mine timber for the years to come. Luzerne County National Bank purchases site occupied by Geddes & Bennett on West Market street and twenty-five feet of site occupied by Jonas Long's Sons adjoining, upon which to erect a bank building. 23. Traction Company claims that all of the strike breakers have left and that all of the lines are being operated by permanent employees. Harry W. Montz appointed a member of the Wilkes-Barre City Planning Commission in place of H. S. Smith. 24. A majority of the court decides that the action at. the meeting of the Salary Board which failed to approve the appointment of nine county employees was illegal, the minority Commissioner having had no right to call the meeting, the court holding that the initiative must come from a mamrity of the County Commissioners, who are vested with responsibility for county government; Judge Garman flies a dissenting opinion. County Commissioners fix the county tax levy at three and nine-tenths mills. 25. A number of Luzerne County men turn out as volunteers to work on the roads, In response to the Governor's appeal for Good Roads Day. 26. Distinguished party arrives to attend the first private exhibition of Clydesdale horses owned by John N. and William H. Conyngham. Sixteen nurses graduate from the City Hospital training school. Pennsylvania Historical Commission makes a tour of the sites of the old torts and other historical spots in the Wyoming Valley. About three thousand people see the pageant "Pan's Anniversary, or the Shepherd's Holiday" by six hundred girls of the gymnasium classes of the Wilkes-Barre high school at Diamond Park. 27. Convention of Division four, Anthracite Arts Association, in Wilkes- Barre high school. First meeting of Republican county committee chosen under the new rules, which provide for the election of a comrnitteeman from each election district; Clarence Coughlin chosen county chairman. 28. First severe electrical storm of the season, lightning strikes a Laurel Line car. Pioneer Memorial Service held in South Washington street synagog in honor of the founders of the synagog and of the order B'nai B'rith. 29. Judge Strauss filed the majority opinion of the court in the Salary Board dispute, and Judge Fuller makes a statement in which he dissents from the majority, and Commissioner Beisel and Controller Hendershot file an answer to the mandamus proceedings brought by the superintendent of building and grounds to compel the Controller to pay his salary. Wilkes-Barre fire losses in 1915 amounted to $74,615, about 97 cents per capita. 30. Polish Day at Valley View Park attracts about twelve thousand people. An automobile truck containing a picnic party of twenty-six people over- turns at Bear Creek, the driver killed and several badly injured. June, 1916 2. Wilkes-Barre business men become Interested in a reorganization of the company operating the ostrich farm at Espy, Columbia County. 3. Death of Isaac E. Long, one of the oldest of Wilkes-Barre newspapermen, connected with the daily Record since its beginning. 5. Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce launches another annexation campaign. 6. Exeter Machine Works at West Pittston closed, and the affairs of the company in the hands of receivers. Ten young men graduated from Hillman Academy. 7. Wilkes-Barre Extension, Wharton School of Accounts and Finance, University of Pennsylvania, graduates its first class of fifty-nine, including several younpr women, they having completed the three-year/ evening course. 8. Opening 'in Wilkes-Barre of an experimental conference and exhibit under the auspices of the general council of the United Church Boards of Education, embracing eighteen denominations, in behalf of Christian education in schools and colleges. Churchmen's Conference of the Wyoming Valley organized by Episcopal laymen. 9. Eight "raduate from the mining school conducted by the Wilkes-Barre Y. M. C. A. Seven graduate from the Wilkes-Barre Institute; lecture by John Kendrick Bangs. 10. Death of Joseph Hurwitz, a well known Wilkes-Barre business man. 11. Bishop Thomas Nicholson of Chicago delivers the baccalaureate sermon to the graduating class of Wyoming Seminary. 12. Cornerstone of the new Masonic Temple on North Franklin street laid in the presence of a large assemblage by the right worshipful grand master, Louis A. Watres of Scranton, assisted by district deputy grand master Harold N. Rust of Wilkes-Barre and various past miasters; the principal address delivered by Rev. Selden L. Haynes of the Kingston Presbyterian Church. 13. Troopers break up an Industrial Workers of the World meeting at Miner's Mills,—the rabid organization that is endeavoring to gain a foothold in the anthracite region. Members of the Pennsylvania Public Service Commission in Wilkes-Barre to hear a couple of hundred jitney operators upon their right to do business. 14. Class of 104 graduated from Wyoming Seminary, including all departments. Last of the big individual holdings of coal land in the Wyoming Valley, that of the Pettebone estate in Wyoming and West Wyoming, leased to the Lehigh Valley Coal Co., about614 acres, at a minimum royalty of $12,000 for the first year, $24,000 for the second year and $36,000 for the third and each succeeding year. Nochem Winitsky and Lena Cantor win the gold medal contests for oratory and declamation in the Wilkes-Barre high school. 15. Five nurses graduate from West Side Nesbitt Hospital. First business meeting held by the new Wilkes-Barre Recreation Commission, made up of the property committee of the school board, Richard A. Ward, Percy A. Brown and Dr. Boyd Dodson, three men appointed by council, Isidor Coons, Ernest G. Smith and Andrew J. Rubiscsak, and one member, Charles N. Loveland, appointed by the six. Visiting Nurse Association of Wilkes-Barre opens two additional baby welfare stations, making four in the city. 16. Largest class ever graduated from the Wilkes-Barre high school—nearly 300. Lawrence Casey, brother of Congressman Casey, succeeds Thomas Heffernan as postmaster of Wilkes-Barre. 17. City Hospital campaign augmented by an additional gift of $40,000 from J. W. Hollenback, which was offered on condition that the total amount be increased to $185,000 In ten days. Death of Mrs. Mercy Behee of Wilkes- Barre, 93 years, lived for sixty-nine years at 158 North Main street. 18. James Lee Harley, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Harley of Wilkes-Barre, ordained to the priesthood. Much Interest caused in Wilkes-Barre at news from Washington that President Wilson had called out the major part of the iNatlonaI Guard in the several States owing to the increasing itensity of affairs between the United States and Mexico. 19. Col. Asher Miner asks the authorities at Harrisburg that the 9lh Regt. be included in the mobilization orders to make up the Pennsylvania contingent. Ringling Bros', circus on the site of old West Sid; Park. 20. Sixteen girls graduate from St. Ann's Academy at Mallinckrodt Convent. Miss Selma March of Philadelphia the first woman to be given police powers by the city of Wilkes-Barre, she to work in the interest of the Travelers' Aid Society to watch for unescorted girls and young women at the stations. First Boy Scout rally staged in Wilkes-Barre attended by about 2,000 people at the Y. M. C. A. Report shows that about $442,000 in life insurance was paid in Wilkes-Barre in 1915 Insurance Men's Society of Luzerne County organized for mutual protection. 21. Members of St. Nicholas Society of St. Nicholas German Catholic Church celebrate the society's fiftieth anniversary. Directors of St. Stanislaus Orphanage Society of the Scranton diocese purchase a site in Newport Township. Electrical Contractors' Association of Pennsylvania meets in Wilkes-Barre. 23. Kingston Coal Co. announces that members of the National Guard in its employ who have enlisted in the National Guard will be granted full pay during absence, their positions when they come back, and if any are injured or killed in the service they or their dependents will be paid the benefits of the workmen's compensation law. 25. Rev. James Harley, son of Mr. and Mrs. James . Harley of Wilkes-Barre, celebrates his first mass in St. Mary's Church. Sixty-five students, the largest class in the history of St. John's high school of Pittston, graduate. 26. First free summer school opened for Wilkes-Barre high school students to work off conditions. 27. Cloudburst on the mountain in the vicinity of Fairview causes Solomon's Creek to suddenly rise to an almost unprecedented height, flooding a large section of South Wilkes-Barre, streets a torrent, many cellars flooded, houses surrounded by water and many people terror-stricken In the night; policemen and firemen secure boats and assist in rescue work. July, 1916 1. Mr. and Mrs. Gwilym M. Evans of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. 3. Hon. John E. Potter of Pittsburg, treasurer of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, makes the address at the Wyoming Monument on "The Connecticut Grants and the Virginia Boundary Controversy." Judge Woodward imposes a fine of $200 on each of two former street car employees accused of throwing stones at a car in violation of a court injunction. Supreme Court hands down a decision in the coal assessment case appealed by the Lehigh Valley Coal Company; the court sustains the decision of the majority of the Judges in upholding the valuation of $1,317 per acre for the coal alone and $1,332 for the coal and surface; the court states that each tract of coal should be valued according to its fair market value judged from. all the evidence obtainable. 4. Pleasant Fourth of July, with moderate temperature; only one or two slight fires In 'Wilkes-Barre and vicinity and about twenty fireworks accidents requiring the attention of physicians, none fatal. Nanticoke's new high school building dedicated and old high school building rededicated. Convention of Pennsylvania Rural Letter Carriers' Association in Wilkes-Barre. 5. Death of John B. Howell, a well known business man. Mr. and Mrs. N M. Fenstermacher of Nescopeck celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Judge Strauss hands down an opinion which decides that the county must maintain bridges which it builds in boroughs or townships. 7. Police duty for the strike has cost Wilkes-Barre $50,000 up to date. 8. Five hundred men of the NinthRegiment take a practice hike to Trucksville, pitch tents and prepare to spend part of Sunday. 9. Kripplein Christi Lutheran church of Wilkes-Barre begins a celebration of its twenty-fifth anniversary. Wilkes-Barre chapter of the Pennsylvania Division of Women have prepared plans for work all summer for the Ninth Regiment, or for emergencies in case the regiment does not need the supplies. 10. National convention of the Knights of Lithuania in session in Wilkes-Barre. Judge Charles E. Rice and Simon F. Paukztis of Luzerne County chosen as presidential electors on the Republican ticket. Tranters granted in a little over three months for one-tenth of the total number of liquor licenses in Luzerne County. 11. Local health authorities on theirguard against the appearance of infantile paralysis, which is epidemic in New York City and has appeared in other places. 12. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Ross, Sr., of Plains, celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Thermometer in Wilkes-Barre 92 degrees, very hotwave. 13. Death of Frederick J. Kropp, prominent in Wilkes-Barre banking circles. City Solicitor Charles McHugh decides that the playing of baseball on Sunday in Wilkes-Barre parks would be illegal. Court decides the long standing dispute as to the act of the County Controller in withholding the salaries of nine county employees on the ground that their positions were not passed upon by the salary board. The majority of the Judges hold that the action of a former salary board is sufficient and holds good until another legal meeting of the board, and he also holds that the meeting held at the call of minority Commissioner Beisel was not legal because the initiative must come from a majority of the members of the board of County Commissioners. Judge Garman files a dissenting opinion in which he holds that the minority Commissioner is a county official in the meaning of the law and has a right to call a meeting of the salary board, and if a meeting is held the board must act. Judge Garman employs vigorous language. Deputy Attorney General Hargest hears the quo warranto case in which William Leslie attempts to prove that Mayor Kosek has no right to serve a second term under the law. 14. Representatives of the Rotary Club and the Wilkes-Barre Automobile Club appear before council and severely arraign the police force for alleged incompetency and negligence. Judge Strauss surcharges Hanover township school directors to the extent of $12,837 for certain expenditures, including excessive cost of a school library, and mentions incompetency, imbecility, and supine indifference as possible explanations of such conduct. 17. Formal opening of Bergan Hall in connection with St. Ignatlus parish in. Kingston. 19. Members of the Alumni Association of Insbruck, Tyrol, Austria hold a banquet in Wilkes-Barre. 20. Hot spell—thermometer 93 in Wilkes-Barre. City detective Charles F. McLaughlin drowns in Crystal Lake while fishing. West Pittston car dynamited and badly damaged near the stone bridge in Wyoming and traction company offers $1,000 reward; motorman badly injured by flying glass. Hughes Alliance of Luzerne County, a branch of a national organization, formed to interest Progressives, Democrats and other citizens in election of Mr. Hughes without other party affiliations. 21. Wilkes-Barre council offers a reward of $500 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who placed dynamite on Ithe street car tracks on South Washington street. Ninth Regiment leaves for annual encampment at Mt. Gretna. 23. Continued hot spell, thermometer 93 in Wilkes-Barre. 24. Luzerne Co'unty Commissioners offer to appropriate $60,000 if plans are carried into effect tor transforming the Ninth Regiment into a regiment of artillery, which would necessitate the purchase of land and a new armory. 25. New light company submits a bid for lighting the streets much lower than the bid of the old company, but complications arise because of the fact that the Public Service Commission has not yet approved the franchise of the new company; vigorous communications addressed to council and much confusion prevails. 28. Old light company offers to light the streets on a five year contract on the same terms as for a seven year contract and three of the councilmen favor the proposition but two of them would have the city wait until the status of the new company is determined by the Public Service Commission. Notification sent to Mt. Gretna, where the Ninth regiment is encamping, that the regiment will be transformed into a field artillery, the work of recruiting to the full strength of 190 men for each battery, or 400 men additional, to be begun immediately after the return of the regiment; the plans include an enlargement of the armory or the building of a new armory and the stationing in Wilkes-Barre of guns and horses for the service. Court decides that City Treasurer Mundy shall have the collection of the school taxes in Wilkes-Barre in place of Daniel L. Hart, whom the school board appointed and to whom the duplicate was given, the court deciding that the third class city law, which makes the city treasurer an appointive officer, does not nullify the previous act, which provided tor the election of a city treasurer, the appointment being construed the same as an election. Long period of excessive humidity makes weather more uncomfortable than the thermometer would Indicate. Ninth case of infantile paralysis in upper Luzerne causes some uneasiness. Sale of the property of the Wilkes-Barre base ball club held up pending proceedings in bankruptcy in United States court. 29. Shickshinny has a big athletic meet. D., L. & W. Coal Company awards prizes for the best kept flower gardens and lawns at Concrete City on property tenanted by its employees. John Bachinger named postmaster at Plymouth to succeed A. E. Williams. 30. Severe heat wave continues, mercury not so high but humidity great. 31. Death of Peter. Conlan, for thirty-five years a teacher and principal in the Wilkes-Barre schools. Mercury 91 in Wilkes-Barre and great humidity causes much suffering. August, 1916 1. Wilkes-Barre has its first playground children's costume pageant, about 500 children participating. Military tent set up in the Public Square park for receiving recruits for the 9th Regt. to bring it up to the strength required tor an artillery branch; Col. Asher Miner issues an appeal for united interest in the movement; about forty recruits received during- the day. 2. Judge Woodward commits a Jitney driver to sixtv days in jail for failure to pay $85 in fines and costs for refusing: to stop when street cars had halted to take on or let off passengers. 3. Fred and Carl Stegmaier and minority stockholders buy in the Wilkes-Barre base ball club under forced sale. 4. Bis mass meeting held in the armory in the interest of,the recruiting campaign tor the new 'artillery regiment. 5. D'eath of Charles I. A. Chapman, 89 years, who was born in Port Bowkley in 1826, was graduated from Lafayette College in 1846 and was the oldest living alumnus, was noted as a civil engineer, journalist and author. Four cases of infantile paralysis reported in one day. 6. Hottest day of the season, 96 degrees in Wilkes-Barre. 7. State convention of the Grand Lodge of the Brotherhood of America meets in Wilkes-Barre. Vigorous recruiting tor the new artillery regiment continues. 8. .Six men killed by an explosion of gas in the Woodward No. 3 slope of the D. L. & W. at Westmoor. Thunderstorm brings a slight break in the long-continued heat wave. 9. Explosion of gas in No. 6 colliery of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Inkerman causes the death of two men and the serious injury of three others. After a day of suspense, due to Information that the 9th Regt. is not-to be sent to the border. Col, Miner sends word from Washington that the .Secretary of War has reversed the order and the original plans are to be carried out. 13. Six fatal accidents in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity in one day, by automobile mishap and drowning. By reason of having turned In the most money Miss Charlotte Ross is made queen of the carnival of the Luzerne Borough Old House Week. 14. Beginning of Luzerne Borough's Old Home Week to observe the twenty -fifth anniversary of the town's volunteer fire department; a program of daily events arranged; parade of many fire companies from surrounding towns the first evening. 15. Pennsylvania Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias convenes in Wilkes-Barre. 17. The old 9th Regt., now the 3d Field Artillery, given a hearty send-off as it marches over the Wilkes-Barre streets to embark for Mt, Gretna, where it is to be equipped and trained for service on the border; great crowds turn out. Death ot Col. Eugene B. Beaumont of Wilkeg-Barre, a distinguished veteran of the Civil War and other campaigns and one of the city's most prominent citizens. 18. Rev. Dr. A. J. Kerr announces his resignation, as pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church. Judge Garman decides that the Wilkes-Barre ordinance regulating the jitneys and demanding a bond is within the law, with the exception of the provision for the free carrying of policemen and firemen. 21. Another effort to settle the streetcar strike results in failure. County authorities adopt rules for travel and traffic on the county roads. First death in camp in the new 3d Field Artillery regiment from! Luzerne County—private James Meehan of Freeland. 22. Col. Miner of the local artillery regiment sends an appeal from Mt. Gretna for about 100 more recruits to take the places of men dismissed after physical examination. Attorney General Brown refuses 'the petition of William Leslie for the use of the name of the .State in a proceeding to oust Mayor Kosek on the ground that the mayor had no right to succeed himself, the attorney general holding that the proper procedure should have been an appeal from the decision of the Luzerne County court. 23. Another fierce-heat spell, official thermometer in Wilkes-Barre registers 102 degrees, the hottest since 1891. Heat spell broken by a storra, with a drop of 14 degrees in an hour, but afterwards the mercury again climbs to 90. Mr. and Mrs. David W. Evans Of Pittston observe their golden wedding anniversary. 24. Recruiting tent again placed on Public Square to secure the number of men needed for the local field artillery regiment. Street car mien postpone efforts to settlement by refusing to give in until all the men are reinstated, the company having offered to take back 124 and place forty-eight on the waiting list. 26. New municipal golf course in Hollenback Park opened. 27. Sunday schools closed and children kept out of the churches in obedience to the State Department of Health as a safeguard against the spread of infantile paralysis. 29. Pennsylvania State College decides to open an engineering extension school in Wilkes-Barre. 30. Laurel Line employees secure an increase in wages by mutual agreement. 31. Great anxiety as to whether there will be a strike on all of the railroads of the United States, as threatened. Notice sent from Mr. Gretna that there will be no more discharges of married men, college boys or others from the (National Guard. September, 1916 1. Sheriff Buss swears in a number of deputies in preparation tor the great railroad strike. Henry G. Davies of Kingston made assistant to general manager Inglis of the Lackawanna Coal Co. 3. Much interest taken in the announcement that Congress had "passed the eight-hour day tor the railroad brotherhoods and that a strike on all of the railroads of the country had been averted. 4. Ukrainians have a mass meeting in Wilkes-Barre, adopt resolutions protesting against conditions in their country and have a ta"- day for the collection of money for the relief of war sufferers. 5. Serious clashes between Industrial Workers of the World and the sheriff and his men in preventing the members from interfering with United Mine Workers from going to work at certain collieries in the upper end of the county. Wilkes-Barre school board decides to keep all schools closed until October 2, those tor children over 16 as well 'as under 16, because of the order of the State Department ot Health in relation to the spread of infantile paralysis. Local 3d Artillery regiment receives its new guns at Mt. Gretna. 7. Rev. G. Emryg Thomas of Wales installed as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Edwardsville. Judge Fuller imposes a penalty of three years in prison on a young man convicted of stealing an automobile. 8. Court en bane sustains the decision of Judge Garmian that the Wilkes-Barre jitney ordinance is according to law and is enforceable and Mayor Kosek issues a statement in which he says that it will be enforced, beginning Sept. 11. 9. Local Third Artillery Regiment mustered into the federal service at Mt. Gretna. 10. Mayor Kosek makes preparations to enforce the jitney regulation ordinance on the llth and orders all police to be on duty, for fear that the absence of the jitneys will provoke disorder against the street cars and their non-union crews; members of the Allied Trade Council issue a statement urging all union men to remain at home and refrain from lawlessness; labor leaders talk about inaugurating a strike of all industries in the Wyoming Valley as a protest against the enforcement of the jitney ordinance in Wilkes-Barre. 11. Strict enforcement of the jitney ordinance puts practically all of the jitneys out of business; some drivers arrested and locked up; many of them run to the city limits; disorderly demonstrations against the street cars in various sections, stoning cars and mobbing crews; a big crowd on Public Square dispersed by the State Constabulary. 12. Miss Ada E. Bergquist of Jamestown, N. Y., becomes the new physical director of the Wilkes-Barre Y.W.C.A. 13. Sheriff Buss issues a proclamation calling on all people to assist him in enforcing respect for law and order in the upper end of the county, due to the threatening I. W. W. agitation, arid warning the disturbers that the law must prevail even at the cost of human life; he requests that all gatherings in halls, hotels and on the public highways be discontinued. Thirteen "Wilkes-Barre jitneys comply with the new ordinance and are qualified to do business and others make application. "Wyoming Baking Co., located at Wy-oming, begins business. 16. Allied' Trades Council of the Wyoming Valley postpones action on declaring a general strike in sympathy with the traction company men. 17 Two more houses dynamited in the Pittston district, supposedly by I. W. W. men, in revenge against United Mine Workers who refused to stop work. Rev. John W. Mundy of Wilkes-Barre celebrates his first mass in St. Mary's Church. 18. Wilkes-Barre Council refuses to go into partnership with HanoverTownship in constructing a sewage disposal system, which would cover part of the city, and engages Alexander Potter of New York City to draw up plans for the city alone 19. Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce adopts strong resolutions commending Sheriff Buss 'and other officials for their courage in enforcing the law against disorder. 20. Governor Brumbaugh comes to Wilkes-Barre on a tour of farming districts and states that he is willing to do what he can in the wa.y of settling the street car strike if his services are requested by both sides; intimates that if voluntary action is not taken he may force a settlement by the use of the power of the State. 21. Permanent organization formed in Wilkes-Barre for the relief of dependents o't soldiers in the local regiment of artillery who are on duty away from ho.me; association makes an appeal for funds. 22. Through the influence of State mediators, traction men submit thefirst definite offer to the management, but it is rejected within an hour on the ground that the terms were impossible to the company. 26. Rev. W. W. Watrous becomes pastor of the Plains M E. Church. Death of William N. Jennings of Wilkes-Barre, a prominent lumberman years ago and a real estate dealer. 29. State commission to investigate the cost of anthracite coal holds a session In Wilkes-Barre. 30. Local regiment of Third Artillery leaves encampment at Mt. Gretna for the border. Representatives of coal, railroad and water companies meet at Hazleton to discuss reforestation of waste land in the county. October, 1916 1. Beginning of dedicatory services at the East End Primitive Methodist Church. 2. Infantile paralysis quarantine In the State lifted and local schools open. Old Keystone mill in South Wilkes-Barre being torn down, was built in 1856 by Miller Horton and Elijah Richards, and it is said the first steam whistle in the valley was used in it. 3. Wilkes-Barre Council awards five-year contract tor street lighting to the old light company, against the petition of many merchants that the awarding of a contract be postponed until the Public Service Commission determines the status of the new company. 5. State convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union convenes in Wilkes-Barre. Third Artillery Regiment arrives at Camp Stewart, El Paso, Texas. 7. Record gets out a regular edition of forty-four pages. Gaint's Despair hill climb attracts many thousands of people; best time .made by Fred Junk in a 'Chalmers car in 1:41. Registration in the three cities of Luzerne County shows a falling off of about three thousand from the registration of 1915. Twenty-wo Wilkes- Barre policemen resign when ordered by Mayor Kosek to ride on the street cars as a protection to passengers and the public. 8 Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gallagher of Parsons observe their golden wedding anniversary. 10. Word received that the Supreme Court has granted a supersedeas in the Wilkes-Barre jitney case, meaning that the enforcement of the ordinance requiring bond and Imposing other restrictions shall be suspended until a decision is rendered by the higher court. 11. Wyoming Valley Division No. 109, auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. 12. Referendum, petition containing 4,200 names presented to Wilkes-Barre Council by the new light company protesting against the ordinance awarding a five-year contract to the old light company, and calling for a repeal of the ordinance or a vote of the people upon it. 13. Report of viewers in fixing the value of the land on the west side of the river, south of the Market street bridge, desired by the city for general recreation purposes, finds that a fair value for the plot of ninety-five acres is $96,194; land is held by a number of different owners, some of whom askedas much as $6,000 an acre; viewers report that they had great difficulty in arriving at an estimate owing to the periodical flood inundation and other factors. 14 Ex-President Roosevelt comes to Wilkes-Barre to make a campaign speech on the Adamson law passed by Congress on the recommendation of President Wilson to avert a country-wide railroad strike; the colonel characterizes it as a law passed under threat and duress and a menace to all interests; hearty reception tendered him and the armory crowded with people. Unlicensed jitneys take advantage of the Supreme Court supersedeas and resume business. A proposal submitted by mediators by which it was hoped to settle the street car strike is rejected by the men, the hitch being on provision for the men who could not be taken back immediately. Cost of milk goes up to 10 cents a quart, 5-1/2 cents a pint. 16. Wilkes-Barre school board decides to open a night school class for the teaching of a college preparatory course. 18. Grand Council of the Pennsylvania Jurisdiction of the Young Men's Institute meets in Pittston. 19. Heavy wind storm sweeps over the valley. Great Increase in the cost of living causes much anxiety among many people. 21. Ten nurses graduated from White Haven Sanitarium for Tuberculosis. Mrs. Anna Scott, cooking expert from Philadelphia, gives demonstrations in Wilkes-Barre. District Attorney Slattery receives word that the immigration laws will not permit the deportation of Industrial Workers of the World who are aliens, because of engaging in rioting. 24. Nineteen of the twenty-six policemen who resigned rather than obey the Mayor's orders to ride on the street cars apply for reinstatement. 26. Local 210, Machinists of Wilkes-Barre, celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. Dr. Dixon of the State Department of Health sends word that Norman, the man who has been under quarantine for many months at great expense to the city and poor board, still hag leprosy, but in so slight a form that the guards constantly on duty may be dispensed -with. Extension school of the Pennsylvania State College opens in Wilkes-Barre wi,th a first enrollment of 120 students, to be conducted evenings with engineering and allied courses. Supreme Court decides that City Treasurer Mundy is the proper person to collect school taxes in Wilkes-Barre, ousting Daniel L. Hart, who was appointed by the school board. 28 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bankus of Hanover Township celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. 29. Death of J. K. P. Fenner, burgess of Ashley and one of the best known citizens in the county. 30. Wilkes-B'arre restaurants raise their prices owing to increase in the cost of materials,—another incident in the high cost of living. Paine & Co., Ltd.. one of the oldest business houses in Wilkes-Barre, reorganized by passing into the hands of a new group of stockholders. Judge Strauss refers to the heavy county indebtedness and excessive taxation as a possible reason for scaling down the $150,000 recommended for a soldiers' and sailors' monument. 31 Fear of a coal famine; anthracite selling in New York City at $12 a ton and predictions that it will go much higher; scarcity of labor at the mines, together with an abnormal consumption, owing to the great industrial activity, given as the causes. November, 1916 1. Public inspection of the new private ward annex to the Wilkes-Barre City Hospital, one of the most modern in the country. 3. Court continues injunction until further order restraining the countycommissioners from registering voters without personal appearance. 4. One hundred and forty students enrolled for the opening of the State College extension engineering school in Wilkes-Barre. 7. Ideal election weather, warm and fair; large vote in Luzerne County; majority for Mr. Templeton, the Republican candidate for Congress, unexpectedly large; great crowd in front of the Record office greatly interested as late bulletins show that the presidential contest will be very close as between Wilso'n and Hughes. Plymouth Borough by a vote of 871 to 765 refuses to change from borough to third class city form of government. 8 Much excitement in Wilkes-Barre as the presidential contest remains undecided; big crowd in front of the Record office day and night eagerly scans the returns from Minnesota, California, New Hampshire, North Dakota and a few other States in which the vote is very close. 9. Interest maintained in the undecided presidential election, the Record continues its stereopticon bulletin service and a big battery of telephones constantly in operation; by midnight the certainty of a majority of several thousand for Wilson in California leads to the conclusion that the President will eventually win out. Death of Rev. Dr. John Bradshaw, pastor of the Luzerne Borough M. E. Church. Sudden death of Abner Smith, a well known attorney of Hazleton. Twenty-two graduate from the nurses' training school of Mercy Hospital. 10. Mr and Mrs. R. K. Bailey of Avoca celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Old Ice Cave Hotel at Hillside destroyed by fire. 11. Arthur Jones of Nanticoke, a soldier on duty in Mexico, accidentally shot and killed of Parsons was killed in battle in France. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Scheidel 15. Word received that Joseph Wills of Wilkes-Barre celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary. 17. First of a series of tree weekly organ recitals given in Irem Temple. 19 Rev. Albert K. Morris of Jersey City accepts a call to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church in Wilkes-Barre. Federation of Catholic Societies sets on foot a movement to finance the employment of a social worker in connection with Mercy Hospital. 20. Wilkes-Barre Elks have an automobile show in the armory. 21. Wilkes-Barre Needlework Guild has made and collected 2,700 garments to be distributed among hospitals, homes and charity associations. 23. Deposits in the Wilkes-Barre banks aggregate $31,215,887, the highest on record. 24. Not more than 323 of the members of the Third Artillery Regiment on the border voted in the presidential election, the official count having been made. Five children of the late Jacob Relay meet in reunion at Trucksville, all of them over 70 years old, the youngest 71 and the eldest 81. About 360 newsboys, messenger boys and bootblacks have a sumptuous dinner given by the Leavenworth family in memory of Woodward Leavenworth, who for a number of years gave annual dinners pf the kind. 27. Local court favorable to the movement to seperate voting places from buildings in which liquor is sold. West Market street bridge closed for traffic while the floor is replanked. 28. Woman's Civic Club of Wilkes-Barre indorses the boycott on eggs instituted in New York to bring down the price. Historical Society endowment reaches $80,000 by an additional gift of $12,000 from Abram Nesbitt. 29. Subscriptions taken up In the stores to defray the cost of Christmas packages to be sent to the members of the Third Artillery at the border. Fear expressed that the North street bridge will not stand the heavy traffic to which it is subjected by reason of the temporary closing ot the Market street structure. 30 Lincoln high school building at Warrior Run dedicated. Pleasant Thanksgiving weather, with moderate temperature. Submitted by Patty Matthews & Austin Neagle, April 2004