1899 Wilkes-Barre Record Almanac
LOCAL NEWS SUMMARY OF 1898

      JANUARY (Some days out of order)
1. The thermometer near zero, good sleighing. At the Y. M. C. A. open house, 3376 in attendance. 
Evangelist Yatman after an absence from Wilkes-Barre of ten years, begins series of services in the 
First M. E. Church. Over twelve hundred decided to lead a Christian life at his former Wilkes-Barre 
campaign. Successful Moriah Church eisteddfod in Nanticoke. Death at Bound Brook, N. J., of Robert L. Ayres. 
3. District Attorney Fell, Prothonotary Llewellyn and Clerk of the Courts Wagner  
      retire from the court house and Messrs. Martin, Dasch and Koons take their places. 
      Brakeman Thomas Gallagher, formerly of Wilkes-Barre., killed at Binghamton. 
      Large new addition to Vulcan Iron Works completed. 
      4. Elaborate New Year ball of Y. M. C. A. Many sleighing parties.
      5. Three men killed in Avondale mine of D. L. & W. Dr. Austin O’Malley, formally  
      of Wyoming Valley, lectures in Scranton on Dante’s Paradise.”
      6. Banquet of Yale Alumni Association. Thomas F. Penman appointed collector of              
      internal revenue.
      7. Dr. Walter Lathrop of Miner’s Mills appointed chief surgeon at Hazleton State     
      Hospital. Charles L. Peck resigns as captain of Co. A. Ninth Regiment.
      8. Grand Jury again recommends that court house be remodeled and enlarged.
      9. Six meetings by Evangelist Yatman, all well attended—150 converts during the    
      day.
      10. Board of Trade takes up cause of starving Cuba and $170 subscribed first day.       
      Mrs. Royal Kishbaugh, Eatonville, Wyoming Co., burned to death. Body of John 
      Judge of Parsons, who disappeared two months ago, found at bottom of
      an air shaft. Banquet of Good Fellows. 
      11. City Democratic convention nominates J. S. Sanders for Mayor. Yatman   
      evangelistic meetings continue to increase in interest. City Council decides not to pay 
      increased water rates demanded by Spring Brook Water Supply Co. Ice goes out of
      river, after being closed since December 28.
      15. Republican primaries. River nineteen feet above water mark.
      16. Evangelist Yatman holds six meetings during day. Hundreds turned away. 
      Dedication of East End Primitive Methodist Church. Father McNally takes charge of
      new parish in Georgetown.
      17. District conventions for elections of delegates to State convention. Captain Jack 
      Crawford at Y. M. C. A. W. W. Wellsworth, New York City, lectures at the Nesbitt,
      “From Lexington to Yorktown.”
      12. Death of Rev. F. A. Dony of Scranton, general secretary of the N. E. Pa. Sabbath
      Observance Union. Medical Society Banquet. 
      13. Death of James D. Laird. 80 years, oldest native resident of Wilkes-Barre, Lewis     
      LeGrand celebrates 80th birthday. Referee Frank Wheaton hands down decision in 
      favor of Warden Boland in prison contract case between latter and Controller Lloyd.
      14. David Craft of Lawrenceville, Pa., read paper before Historical Society relative to
      colonize Upper Susquehanna Valley.
      18. Superior Court affirms verdict of conviction in lower court against Spencer and 
      Aubrey of Scranton, charged with conducting swindling operations under the name of
      Phoenix Contract Co. George W. Hill withdraws as candidate for Mayor in favor of
      Oscar Smith.
      19. Press Club ball. F. M. Nichols nominated for Mayor as candidate for Third Class 
      City Party.  Agitation to bridge the flats pond holes again started by Kingston and 
      councils.
      20. First meeting of new Commercial Club. Project on foot for new boulevard from 
      Wilkes-Barre to Harvey’s Lake.
      21. J. C. Atkin buys a lace mill in Texas for removal to Wilkes-Barre. Last of the 
      Yatman evangelistic meetings—largest crowd than ever assembled in First M. E. 
      Church.
      22. Prudential Insurance Co. banquets its agents.
      23. Wind storm disables 150 telephones and cripples light service. As a result of 
      Yatman meetings nearly 300 taken on probation into First M. E. Church. Martin 
      Carey, one of the first D. L. & W engineers, dies in Scranton.
      24. Fire at Alden, loss $40,000. Jolly Ten ball. City asks for injunction to prevent
      water company from turning off water for non-payment of alleged exorbitant rates.
      25. Burns anniversary celebrated in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston and Kingston. Cady block    
      on South Main Street sold to Robert Pettebone for $65,000. First arrest of a parent 
      under the compulsory education law. 
      26.  Byron W. King lectures in  high school auditorium. Explosion in Alden mine
      burns six men and sets mine on fire. Combination mail and express car burned at
      Lehigh Valley station.
      28. Another explosion in the Alden mine. Inside foreman Thomas E. Griffith 
      killed and general superintendent K. M. Smith and fire boss Turner slightly 
      injured. Franklin Palmer of New York City gives a recital on St. Stephen’s new
      organ.
30.  Death of John V. Brownell in California. Knights of Columbus instituted in Wilkes-Barre. 
Twenty sixth anniversary of Y. M. C. A. in St. Stephen’s Church. Quarterly C. T. A. U. convention 
in Kingston. Underground trolley system completed in the Woodward mine on the west side, the
 first in the anthracite region.  
31. Two of Wyoming County’s best known residents pass away—Paul Billings and James M. 
Kelley. Elk’s annual banquet and reception for ladies. Total subscriptions of Wilkes-Barre for
 the Cuban fund $381.67. Corporation formed for new cemetery in Hanover Township. Romain
 Vanloven convicted of breaking into Jonas Long’s Sons” store and Arthur Ferris acquitted. 
FEBRUARY
1. Trial of Sheriff Martin and his Lattimer deputies begun. Heavy explosion at Schooley shaft in
 Exeter Borough.
2. Judge of Pittston and Ryan of Philadelphia fight twenty round draw in Scranton. Cold weather
 continues—six above zero at 8 a.m.
3. Incendiaries set fire to two school buildings at Miner’s Mills. Wyoming County commissioners
 surcharged by auditors with $3896.
4. Maltby miners of Lehigh Valley Coal Co. go out on strike, alleging excessive topping. Christian
 Endeavorers of  Wilkes-Barre and vicinity in Dana street Evangelical Church.
5. Two boards of Ancient Order of Hiberians united in Hazleton. First old charter mass meeting in
 court house. Excitement in court—Attorney John T. Lenahan and Attorney John M. German have 
an unprecendented tilt during the Lattimer trial.
6. Fourth anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church. First service held in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
 at Georgetown by Father Mcnally. 
7. Opening of Mercy Hospital fair at the armory. Miners Mills much excited over continuance of 
incendiary fires. 
8. Life of Judge Woodward threatened by anonymous writers dissatisfied with his course in the
 Lattimer trial. Cave at Pittston over Ravine mine does considerable damage.
9. Thirteen men seriously burned by explosion of gas in Dodson mine at Plymouth. Spring Brook
 Water Supply Co. answers bills of complaint filed by the city relative to increase in water rates.
 Many remonstrances filed against granting of license to liquor dealers.
10. The new bishop of the Episcopal Church, Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, in Wilkes-Barre the first time. 
11. Historical Society Annual meeting.
12. Thomas Cosgrove shot by Charles Engle at Duryea.
14. Concordia annual ball. Most interesting municipal campaign Wilkes-Barre has ever closed with 
several meetings for and against the old charter.
15. Heaviest municipal vote polled in years—majority of council elected for third class city. Nichols
 goes into office by almost four thousand plurality. Fifth anniversary of Y. M. C. A.
16. Fatal explosion of mine gas in a cellar at Mill Creek seriously injures three. Milk war in Hanover.
17. Centennial Club annual banquet. George A. St. John appointed chief of Wilkes-Barre fire department.
18. Wounded witnesses continue to testify in Lattimer trial, some having five and six bullets in their
 bodies. First production of opera “Priscilla” by local people for the benefit of B. I. A. Francis A. 
Beamish of Pittston, son of ex Mayor Beamish of Scranton found asphyxiated at Pittston.
19. Prosecution in the Lattimer trial closes case. Fire in Dallas $8,000.
20. Rev. Dr. W. F. Craft, of the Civics Bureau of Washington, speaks in four places in Wilkes-Barre
 in interest of reform, Cartoonist J. Stuart Blackton in Y. M. H. A. course.
21. Lehigh alumni banquet at Scranton and Princeton and Lafayette in Wilkes-Barre. Attorney George
 S. Ferris opens for defense in the Lattimer trial. 
22. Royal and Select Masters (Masonic) meet in Wilkes-Barre. Sons of Liberty Lodge instituted into 
Odd Fellowship—largest number ever taken into the order at one time in the State—over two hundred.
 J.W.Mehargue out of Lohmann restaurant.
23. Liquor License remonstrances against prominent heard in court. Conyngham Post, Union Veteran 
Legion and Jr. O. U. A. M. pass resolutions tendering services to government in case of trouble with Spain. 
John B. Reynolds resigns as president of the Wilkes-Barre & Northern R. R. Co. and John 
Graham succeeds him. 
24. Galland Brothers decide to enlarge and double the capacity of their underwear factory. Sixteen wild 
cats killed in one month in Exeter and Plymouth townships. A number of organizations pass resolutions
 offering services to government in case of trouble with Spain.
25. Alexander Guilmant organ recital in the First M. E. Church.
26. Louis Wallace of Wyoming shot by burglar—bullet near the heart.
27. J. A. Cauldwell of Kingston drops dead at Philadelphia. Mercy Hospital staff announced.
28. Close of Mercy Hospital fair. $20,000 cleared. Referee Frank W. Wheaton in the case between 
Controller Lloyd and Prison Warden Boland decides in favor of the latter, sustaining the rate of thirty 
cents a day for feeding prisoners.
MARCH
1. Caroline M. Pettebone gymnasium at Wyoming Seminary dedicated. St. David’s day celebrated 
by Ivorites in Wilkes-Barre and Cambro-Americans in Plymouth. County Y. M. C. A. organized. 
Sheriff Martin testifies in the Lattimer trial. Architect Peter Rudrauff dies suddenly in his office. 
4. Robert Emmett anniversary celebrated by Irish-American societies in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston,
 Kingston and Plymouth. Evidence in Lattimer trial all in and argument begun.
5. Coal companies adopting policy of shutting down collieries most expensive to work and mining
 quota from the others. 
6. Mercy Hospital fair mass meeting in Grand Opera House—presentation of chalice to Father 
Gorman of Ashley and of banner to the Fourteenth Ward for turning in largest amount of money. 
7. Bourke Cochran of New York City sends $100 to the Lattimer prosecuting committee. Board 
of School Government decides not to accept the act of 1874 in case the city does. 
8. Fire at Dushore destroys two of its principal industries; damage $10,000.
9. Jury in Lattimer case returns verdict of not guilty against Sheriff Martin and the deputies. Record 
publishes interviews with attorneys and others.
10. Central M. E. congregation decides to build a new church—having purchased a lot at corner of
 Franklin and Academy streets.
11. John Riker of Pittston, one of two survivors of Twin shaft disaster, by which 58 men were killed, 
killed in another mine. Sugar Notch people hold mass meeting to protest against shutting down 
No. 9 colliery. (See Mar. 17.)
12. West Pittston’s new school building dedicated. D. & H. discovers new coal measures on mountain 
back of Larksville, heretofore supposed to be outside of coal field. 
13. Mission begun by Paulist fathers at Holy Savior Church.
14. Banquet at Westmoreland Club in honor of Dr. G. W. Guthrie and Dr. O. F. Harvey, who have 
been practicing for 25 years. Death of Charles O. Skeer at Mauch Chunk (born in Kingston), a 
prominent coal operator and director of L. V. R. R. 
15. Coal trade again very dull, collieries working a day or two each week.
16. Play “Robert Emmett” produced under auspices of St. Aloysius. Gang of burglars rounded up 
at Fullers Patch, Wyoming.
17. Fine St. Patrick’s day—parades in East End, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston. A. O. H. banquet at 
Bristol House. In answer to appeal of Sugar Notch people President Maxwell of Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre
 Coal Co. decides to keep No. 9 colliery going whenever the coal trade warrants. Commercial Club 
petitions Congress to use anthracite coal on war vessels. Cynonfardd Literary Society eisteddfod 
at Edwardsville.
18. Cambro-American Society installation banquet. Burglars again about in a series of raids. Spring-like 
weather for two weeks. “The Mouse Trap” by Sorosis Society of high school. 
19. Central Poor District directors decide to build insane asylum for Luzerne County at a cost not to 
exceed $100,000. More burglars captured at Fuller’s Patch, near Wyoming, and a houseful of plunder found.
21. Judge Lynch in the suit between county and jail warden decides in favor of the latter, sanctioning the 
contract of 30 cents a day for feeding each prisoner in jail. 
22. Prof. Josiah H. Penniman, of the University of Pennsylvania, lectures in St. Stephen’s parish house
 on “Charles Dickens.” Over 70 liquor licenses revoked for the reason that applicants did not take them out.
23. Glen Summit cottagers meet and appoint a committee to consider possible closing of hotel by the 
Lehigh Valley R. R. Co.
24. A. C. Church, Luzerne Borough, files petition offering to take jail wardenship for the mere salary, 
charging only actual cost for feeding prisoners.
25. Gymnasium exhibition in Nesbitt Theatre by Y. M. C. A. classes. Formal opening of Commercial 
Club rooms.
27. Rabbi C. Chapman of Scranton in Y. M. H. A. lecture course “Fountain of Youth.” After years of 
struggle Zion A. M. E Church is free from debt, through the efforts of Rev. G. C. Carter, and holds 
jubilee services. Death of Father Burbas of Plymouth.
28. Semi-centennial of Zion A. M. E. Church.
29. Another of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre collieries to shut down indefinitely—Hollenback in 
Wilkes-Barre. Zion A. M. E. Church holds emancipation meeting.
30. Mr. and Mrs. B. Burgunder celebrate 50th wedding anniversary.

APRIL
1. Egbert-Kaiser-Independent Glee Club concert in the armory attended by 2,500 people. 
Controller notifies prison commissioners that he will approve no more contracts for feeding prisoners.
3. Rev. Dr. Mogg of Central M. E. Church holds overflowing services in the armory with special
 music. Bishop Talbot makes first official visit to Episcopal churches in this vicinity. Rev. Dr. Mills 
of Memorial Presbyterian Church in his pulpit for the first time since operation for appendicitis.
4. New council organizes, composed of a majority of third-class city advocates. Injunction served
 by sheriff upon each member restraining council from changing the city charter until an effort is 
made to remedy the defects of the third-class city law. Court declares unconstitutional Act of 1897
 for appointment of extra prison commissioners from the two principal political parties. An inch of 
snow, blizzardy, and thermometer 28.
5. Secretary Fleming of the Individual Coal Operators’ Association tells Commercial Club of efforts
 for the introduction of anthracite into the navy. Reception in the first M. E. Church to observe 30th
 anniversary of George S. Bennett’s superintendency of Sunday School. Miss Ida Benfey in readings
 from “Mill on the Floss” in Y. M. C. A.
6. Mrs. E. M. Whittemore, founder of Door of Hope in New York City, speaks in Wilkes-Barre. Sol.
 Bacharach appointed deputy U. S. marshal. Anti-Saloon League still prosecuting liquor dealers for 
alleged violations. 
8. First meeting of Epworth League City Union in First M. E. Church.
9. Wilkes-Barre public school scholars decide to assist in raising a fund to build a battleship to replace
 the Maine. Grand jury recommends that a new court house be built upon present site.
10. Beautiful Easter day. Derr Memorial M. E. Church cleared of debt and mortgage burned.
11. Foreigners make an attempt to blow up house at Exeter Borough because of disappointment in 
not securing the place as a saloon—family has narrow escape.
12. Country Club theatricals in Germania hall.
13. Yale glee and banjo clubs give concert. Reception in Calvary Church for S. L. Brown, for 26 years 
connection with the Sunday School. Opening of Wyoming conference of M. E. Church at Norwich, N. Y.
14. Excursion to Harvey’s Lake new hotel.
16. Considerable excitement over the war news, crowds constantly in front of the Record bulletins.
17. Rev. W. L Hunton of Buffalo begins pastorate in St. John’s Lutheran Church. Several hundred
 children confirmed in St. Leo’s Catholic Church at Ashley.
18. Presidential candidate William J. Bryan delivers speech at armory. Wilkes-Barre Lodge of Elks
 visits Scranton.
19. Concordia Society spring concert with Max Heinreich as soloist. Lexington anniversary observed
by Daughters of the Revolution. Alden mine which was flooded, found to be still on fire.
20. Irem Temple’s new quarters in Memorial Hall opened with a banquet. Col. Dougherty, of Ninth 
Regiment, N. G. P. calls for volunteers to fill out companies and take places of those who may be 
discharged on account of physical disability. Convention of Wilkes-Barre Union of Christian 
Endeavor at Ashley.
21. Ninth Regiment prepared to move and cars ready for transportation. Crowds day and night in
 front of Record war bulletins. Presbytery of Lackawanna adopts patriotic resolutions.
22. Organization of a branch of Civil Service Reform League. Ninth Regiment receives orders to
 be ready to move at short notice. Death at Plymouth of Miss Ella Demerritt, a noted evangelist,
 first in the Salvation Army and then in the Primitive Methodist Church.
24. Farewell sermon of Rev. Carl Zinssmeister as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church.
25 Banquet of Ladies’ Auxiliary No. 3 A. O. H. Prohibition  county convention, Judge Woodward 
dissolves injunction restraining city council from surrendering old charter and adopting third-class
 laws. Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade refuses to endorse plan for organizing insurance companies 
under the auspices of the State Boards of Trade.
26. John Yankowski pleads guilty to murder in the second degree, having fatally shot Joseph 
Moskwa at Ashley Dec. 2, 1897.
27. Great crowds witness departure of Ninth Regiment for Mt. Gretna in response to call for troops. 
Joseph Hudak convicted of manslaughter for murder of Martin Lazaar at Beaver Brook Oct. 16, 1897.
28. Hon. Theo. Hart appointed postmaster at Pittston. Ninth Regiment arrives at Mt. Gretna at 6 a.m. 
in snow and hail storm. First annual charity ball of colored people. 
29. About fifty acres of land affected by cave-in at the Hallstead mine of the D. L. & W. at Duryea—
many houses damaged—fire boss David Emanuel and laborer Thomas Williams entombed. David 
Davies representing Welsh newspapers, visiting the United States and Canada, banqueted by 
Cambro-Americans. Public installation and banquet of  Dieu Le Veut Commandery, Knights Templar.
30. Judge Woodward appoints Col. R. B. Ricketts tax receiver of Wilkes-Barre. Revolt in some of
 the companies of the Ninth Regiment over short rations. 
MAY
1. Great crowds in front of the Record bulletin over news of destruction of Spanish fleet at Manila.
2. Close of Y. M. C. A. winter gymnasium classes.
3. Death of Waverly, Lackawanna County, of Rev. S. S. Kennedy for many years agent for Luzerne
 County Bible Society. Recruiting for the regiment closed at the armory, about three hundred enrolled. 
4. Mustering of Ninth Regiment into the volunteer army of the United States at Mt. Gretna; only 53 
out of the entire regiment refuse to enlist; every member of Co. F of Wilkes-Barre (McCleery, captain)
 and Co. H of Pittston (Flannery, captain,) volunteers and only one declination in Co. I of Plymouth. 
Cliosophic and Sorosis societies of high school have banquet. New hotel at corner of River and 
Market streets leased to Sylvanus Stokes of Baltimore.
5. Enlisted men at Mt. Gretna make it uncomfortable for those who refused to enlist. Stephen Jenkins, 
James Monahan and John Titus killed by falling down shaft of Hallstead mine at Duryea while timbering.
 Rain and cool weather for about two weeks.
6. Annual Schumann concert. Prof. Winchester gives Shakespearen lecture.
7. Anthony Bendrift. Plymouth ex-banker, acquitted on charge of embezzlement on the ground that he
 did not know he was insolvent when complainant’s deposit was made.
8. Rev. W. L. Hunton installed pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Three hundred to fill out the Ninth’s
 companies to their required strength and to take the places of those who refused to volunteer and those
 who failed to pass the examination.
9. Supreme Court decides in favor of Warden Boland in his suit with the county for feeding prisoners at 
rate of 30 cents a day and he will receive $13,447.05. Judge Rhone speaks in Y. M. C. A. on “Birds.”
10. Council passes third-class city ordinance first reading. Eighteen young ladies take first vows and 
twelve final ones at Mallinckrodt Convent. James McAndrews elected warden of the Luzerne County jail
 and cost of feeding reduced from 30 cents to 23 cents a day each. Later reduced to 18 cents. United 
States army recruiting office opened in Wilkes-Barre, expecting to get at least 700 recruits.
12. Henry Whitmiller kills his wife and then himself at Athens.
13. Rev. Dr. W. A. Spencer lectures on “Great Battles of the World,” New organ of Kingston M. E. 
Church opened.
14. Annual convention of the Welsh Baptists of N. E. Pennsylvania opens at Plymouth. Rain nearly
 every day for over a month.
16. State convention of Odd Fellows in Wilkes-Barre. County Controller Lloyd, after much litigation,
 finally signs all of Warden Boland’s bills for furnishing food to jail prisoners at the rate of 30 cents 
a day each.
17. Several thousand Odd Fellows in parade. Ninth Regiment leaves Mt. Gretna for Chickamauga.
 Car of the train containing baggage and papers of the Ninth destroyed by fire. First recruits of regular 
army recruited in Wilkes-Barre leave for the South.
18. Annual diocesan convention of Catholic Total Abstinence Union at Kingston.
19. First heavy thunderstorm of the season.
20. A number of ladies of town organize a Door of Hope, intending to establish a home for fallen girls 
and women. Severe hail storm at Glen Summit does damage. Col. Dougherty of Ninth Regiment, made
 acting brigadier general of the Third Brigade. 
22. Pawnee Bill’s Wild West show. Burglars rob residence of O. M. Brandow. Announcement of death 
of Mrs. Strain of Philadelphia, who conducted a Bible class in Wilkes-Barre.
23. S. J. Strauss speaks to Y. M. C. A. members on “An Education for an American Young Man
.” American Ladies’ Protestant Association convenes at Pittston.
25. First meeting at the armory for organizing new body of volunteers called for by President.
26. Annual convention of Epworth Leagues of Wyoming district in First M. E. Church. First annual 
donation day at City Hospital a big success.
28. Enthusiastic flag raising at Ashley participated in by five thousand people. Plymouth Junction
 hotel destroyed by fire and inmates have narrow escape. 
29. One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Lutheran ministerium of Pennsylvania observed by 
Lutheran churches of Wilkes-Barre. Railroaders of Eastern Pennsylvania and New York meet in 
Pittston convention.
30. Beautiful Memorial day. Main’s circus draws large crowds. Engineer August Voste of Mauch 
Chunk, formerly of Ashley, killed on Central.
31. Scranton Elks come to Wilkes-Barre as guests of local lodge. Wife and two children of Patrick
 Kielty of Kingston Township die in two days.
JUNE
1. Objection of James McAndrews as prison warden, claiming that he still owes Plains Township 
school district several thousand dollars in taxes, which he failed to turn over several years ago when
 he was tax collector.
2, New hotel at the corner of North River and West Market streets named The Algonquin. Name 
subsequently changed to Sterling. First real touch of warm summer weather.
3. Annual festival at Old Ladies’ Home. One hundred and fifty-two recruits sent from Wilkes-Barre 
to Georgia for regular army.
4. County commissioners give coal men a hearing and decide to assess all coal property at $50
 a foot. Another grand jury recommends that new court house be built on Public Square. 
5. Rev. Father Miles M. Sweeney of Plymouth parish celebrates his first mass in St. Vincent’s
 Church at that place.
6. Several thousand people attend opening of Riverside Park and witness balloon ascension 
and parachute jump. 
8. A. S. VanWickle killed at Hazleton while shooting clay pigeons. 
9. Commencement exercises begun in public and private schools. Ninth Pennsylvania Veteran 
Volunteer Cavalry Association in re-union at Lake Carey. Edward S. Williams of Warrior Run 
wins first prize, William H. Davis of Plymouth second and Paul Jones of Wilkes-Barre third of the
 C. A. Miner prizes for declamation at Harry Hillman Academy. 
10. Commencement exercises of Wilkes-Barre high school, Harry Hillman Academy, Wilkes-Barre 
Female Institute and Mrs. Hanson’s school.  
11. Eleven men burned by explosion in No. 5 mine of Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. in South 
Wilkes-Barre, fire in mine igniting blowers. Annual Y. M. C. A.       athletic contests.
12. Children’s day exercises in churches. Feast of Roses in St. Dominic’s Church at Parsons.
13. Judge Lynch decides in favor of the saloon keepers in case brought by the Anti-Saloon League 
of Luzerne County by alleged violation of the liquor laws. 
14. Annual dance of Academy graduates. Sheriff levies on the News-Dealer. Rev. Dr. Charles Wood 
of Philadelphia speaks in interest of   McAll Mission.
15. Seven nurses graduate from the Wilkes-Barre Hospital training school. Commencement day at
 Wyoming Seminary. Gilmore’s band at Hanover Park.
16. Another extensive cave at the Stetler mine, Duryea, affecting the surface.
18. Y. M. C. A. athletes win prizes in Scranton.
19. Patriotic Children’s Day exercises at the First M. E. Sunday School, decorations of flowers and 
many flags. Central passenger train wrecked between Penn Haven Junction and Glen Onoko—engineer
 McHale and news agent Ebner killed outright and a number of others badly hurt. Victor H. Lukens
 preaches first sermon as an assistant pastor at First Presbyterian Church.
20. Sixty recruits for Ninth Regiment leave for Chicamauga, second call of the President for volunteers.
 Body of John Houston of Avoca found shot dead near Dupont. 
21. Palmer Moyer of West Pittston suicides with laudanum. Epidemic of serious fires at Duryea continues,
 three more business places destroyed.  Girls’ outing club formed at the Y. W. C. A.
22. Manning R. Sutton of Springville Township, Wyoming County, gored to death by a bull.   
23. A Pittston foreigner wrecks a house in which a family was sleeping, out of revenge for non-payment 
of a debt.
24. LOCAL LODGES OF Knights of Malta celebrate 850th anniversary of order. Wilkes-Barre company 
of new State Guard mustered in at the armory by Major Simon B. Cameron. Commencement at St. 
Mary’s Convent Academy.
26. Rev. Will H. Hiller of Parrish Street M. E. Church preaches to over 300 Knights of Malta. Minor H.
 Gifford of Wilkes-Barre found dead in bed with suspicion of suicide.
27. Another large incendiary fire at Duryea—three double blocks, two single houses and a 
barn destroyed. 
Bloody fight at Fifth legislative district Democratic convention at Duryea.
28. Convention of business men from all over the anthracite coal field at Scranton to consider the 
continual decline of the coal trade. James R. Griner, convicted of killing his stepdaughter, sentenced
 to twelve years in penitentiary and $500 fine, extreme penalty of law. 
29. Summer festival at Home for Friendless Children. Gang of robbers, which has been robbing freight 
cars and small stores for two years in Hazleton region, rounded up.
JULY
1. Elmer H. Lawall resigns as general superintendent of Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Board of poor
 directors decide to build the new insane asylum at Retreat.
4. Thermometer 85 degrees and more comfortable after three days of weather ranging from 90 to 
100 degrees. Quite elaborate celebration of Independence Day under auspices of Commercial Club
—parade in the morning and fine display of fireworks in evening witnessed by 30,000 people: news 
of the destruction of Spanish fleet by American ships at Santiago. Wyoming monument address by 
Francis W. Halsey of New York City. Celebration at Glen Summit and address by Hon. St. Clair 
Mckelway of Brooklyn.
5. J.J. Poettiger of the Orphans Court sues for several thousand dollars back salary under recent 
salary act. Zachariah Hughes of Pittston burned in an old slope while going to work and crawls 
home at midnight and dies.
6. Burial of William Gilmartin of Pittston, first soldier boy at Chickmauga to die of typhoid. James 
M. Boland re-elected  warden of Luzerne County jail. Owing to resignation of James McAndrews 
of Plains, who was appointed but not confirmed, as a result of investigation instituted by Luzerne 
County Taxpayers’ Association.  
7. Opening of the new Oneonta Hotel at Harvey’s Lake. Reception for Rev. Mr. Burlingham, new 
assistant at St. Stephen’s Church.    
8. United States officers arrest certain Wilkes-Barre merchants on the charge of having conspired 
to defraud creditors and use malls for that purpose. Board of Trade takes up the work for relief of
 families of needy soldiers. Railway baggage agents meet at Glen Summit and consult with health 
officers with reference to transportation of dead bodies on railroad trains.
9. Judge Woodward elected president of State Bar Association in session at Delaware Water Gap.
10. Services in Churches in accordance with President Mckinley’s proclamation of thanksgiving
 for American victories on land and sea.
11. William T. Thomas of Larksville dies at Chickamauga of typhoid fever. George T. Raub of 
Washington D. C., born in Wilkes-Barre, visits the place after an absence of sixty or seventy years. 
12. Wilkes-Barre Council finally passes ordinance changing form of government to that of a city of the
 third-class. Bishop O’Hara celebrates 30th anniversary of elevation to bishopric.
13. Father Dudkiewicz of Nanticoke celebrates 25th anniversary of ordination.
14. E. D. Nichols appointed a committee to interview President Mckinley relative to abolition of army 
canteen. News of the fall of Santiago received with bell ringing and cannon firing.
15. County commissioners fix tax levy of the year at 7 1/2 mills on valuation of $30,000,000. Interlocking
 switch system introduced on Lehigh Valley at Sugar Notch.
16. Report from the Ninth Regiment that the many sick are suffering for necessaries and comforts, and
 ladies immediately start to work making clothing for hospital use and collecting for the purpose of
buying such things as are needed. Twelve cases of fever in the regiment and several cases of other 
disease. Amateur bicycle races at Y. M. C. A. Park.
19. Boxes sent by Wilkes-Barre ladies for the Ninth Regiment sick at Chickamauga, and one by 
Kingston ladies.    
20. Several more boxes sent by private parties to the soldiers at Chickamauga. Social by Young 
Ladies Sewing Society on lawn of Col. Dougherty’s residence for sick soldiers. Thomas F. 
Macfarlane appointed postmaster of Kingston.
21.St. Aloysius excursion to Farview takes 2,000 people.
22. National convention of Curlers at Pittston. Burial of John R. Thomas of Wilkes-Barre, who died 
at camp of typhoid fever, beside the remains of his wife, who passed away several months ago.
23. Death of Barney Cohen of Wilkes-Barre of typhoid fever at Chickamauga. Annual games of 
Pittston Caledonian Society. John McBride, a Wilkes-Barre boy, killed at battle of Santiago.
24. First sermon preached by Ralph Pearce, son of Rev. Dr. Pearce, in Bennett chapel.
25. Joseph Santor, a well-known and educated Italian, killed by an unknown man with a hatchet in 
Old Forge Township, Lackawanna County, near the Luzerne County line. Col. Pattie Watkins Lindsay 
and her husband of the Volunteers of America in Memorial church. Annual institute of Catholic sisters 
of Scranton diocese opens in Scranton.
27. Four burglars break into the store of Jenkins & Co. at West Pittston, bind and gag the two employees 
sleeping there, treat two passersby the same way, and blow open the safe, securing $200, several 
watches and other articles. J. Augustus Schmidt of Hazleton dies of typhoid fever in the camp of the 
Ninth Regiment at Chickamauga, the fifth death. Bicycle races under the auspices of Wilkes-Barre Wheelman.
28. Asa Shaver of Shavertown seriously injured by his wagon running over his neck. National organizer
 Evans of United Miner Workers of America organizing miners in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
29. After pooling their receipts for seventeen years the two Pittston bridge companies decide to separate.
30. First of a series of sail boat races at Harvey’s Lake for a cup won by the boat owned and sailed by 
Frank Paine. 
31. Patriotic services in First Baptist Church. Dedication of Tabernacle Baptist Church at Lee Park. 
Secretary Buckalew conducts his last service at Y. M. C. A. before becoming assistant State secretary.
AUGUST
1. Death of John J. Hosley of Company C., Pittston, of typhoid fever at Chickamauga, the sixth victim.
 Also of B. F. Savage of Company D, Reading, the seventh victim. 
2. William C. Pointen, Pittston, dies of typhoid fever at Chickamauga. One man killed and five injured 
by explosion of gas in Parrish mine, Plymouth. Only five days in July that mercury did not reach 80.
3. State grand lodge of German order Harugari meets in Wilkes-Barre. German citizens meet and take 
action with reference to death of Bismarck.
4. Julius B. Weil of Plymouth killed at Santiago, in the charge up San Juan hill. Miss Mary Reilly of Plymouth 
struck by lightning, passing down her back and leaving a black and blue mark.
5. Joseph Caputa shoots and kills Michael Sea at Hazle Brook.
6. Enthusiastic flag raisings at Waddell’s colliery, Luzerne Borough. And at Sugar Notch. Ray Wadham’s
 yacht wins second in series of races at Harvey’s Lake.
7. Rev. Dr. A. H. Tuttle of Newark, N. J. preaches at Glen Summit.
8. J. J. Becker purchases C. E. Butler’s building on Market street.
9. Democrats of sixth legislative district nominate J. P. McAndrew for the legislature. Edward Luce killed 
at Tunkhannock by a train.
10. Three more members of Ninth Regiment die of typhoid fever at Chickamauga—Leonard Deegan and 
Jonah Jenkins of Wilkes-Barre, and Joseph H. Detweiler of Reading. Midsummer meeting of Luzerne 
County Medical Society at Harvey’s Lake. Adolph Blau, Simon Blau and several other Wilkes-Barre
 merchants held under heavy bail for United States court on charge of using mails for obtaining goods
 under false pretenses. Chaplain W. Def. Johnson resigns from Ninth Regiment. William and Joseph 
Quick drowned near Wyalusing in the river.
11. Group 3 of the State Bankers’ Association meets at Glen Summit. Death of Rev. Dr. J. G. Eckman, 
presiding elder of Wyoming District, at Scranton. Dr. W. G. Weaver resigns as assistant surgeon of 
Ninth Regiment.
13. Ralph Vaughn of Kingston promoted to be division freight agent on D. L. & W.
14. Anthony Regalis murdered by Joseph Rascovsky at Mill Creek in a fight. Rev. Dr. T. C. Edwards 
returns from his duties as conductor of the Welsh national eisteddfod, accompanied by Dr. Joseph 
Parry, the renowned musician. Third of the series of yacht races at Harvey’s Lake won by Barber and
 Harding’s Ethelwyn. Death of Valentine J. Armbruster of the Ninth Regiment of typhoid fever, 
at Chickamauga.
15. Opening of new Hotel Sterling.
16. Four people in Mrs. Fuller’s boarding house poisoned by eating canned baked beans.
17. Fiercest electrical storm of the season—Y. M. C. A. cupola and several other places struck by 
lightning. Thirty-eight young ladies take religious vows at Malinckrodt convent. Frank Paine’s boat, 
Ethelwyn wins first two of series of races at Harvey’s Lake for Goff cup.
18. Michael Musch of Plymouth kills himself while in a frenzy of pain attempting to cut a cancer from
 his abdomen.
19. Harry R. Crowe, Nanticoke, killed by electric wire. Col. Asher Miner elected colonel of new 
Seventh Regiment.
20. Republican primaries. Runaway horse plunges into a crowd of returning Edwardsville 
excursionists.
21. Miles A. Burns killed and body mangled on Lehigh Valley, engine having struck his wagon.
22. Republican district legislative conventions. Thirty-eight convalescent soldiers return from 
Chickamauga in special cars on Pennsylvania railroad
23. Republican county convention.
24. Another severe electrical storm, half a dozen places in Wilkes-Barre struck by lightning and 
motors on many of the street cars burned out. Dunn’s hotel at Glen Lyon destroyed by fire. Death 
of Lieut. William H. Osborne, U. S. Calvary, at Montauk Point.
25. Arrival of hospital train from Chickamauga containing 35 sick members of Ninth Regiment; 
crowd of people at the station and many affecting scenes as the soldiers were carried to the 
ambulances on stretchers. Mrs. Bridget Doyle of Plymouth dies at wedding supper.
26. Opening of regular season at the Nesbitt theatre.
27. Another hospital train arrives from Chickamauga with 56 sick members of Ninth Regiment. 
Death of Capt. Darius L. Miers of “Wilkes-Barre, one of the men brought north on previous hospital
 train. Barber and Harding’s boat Ethelwyn wins series of yacht races at Harvey’s Lake for the 
Shawanese Boat Club’s cup.
29. One thousand miners of the Evans and Coleraine collieries of Van Wickle & Co. strike on 
account of discharge of a Hungarian. Democratic district conventions. English annual city 
teachers’ institute.
30. Democratic county convention at armory. Arrival of another hospital train from Chickamauga
 with 53 sick from Ninth Regiment. Annual temperance reunion at Mountain Park—address by 
Dr. S. C. Swallow, candidate for governor.
31. Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Rainow of Wilkes-Barre, who for 83 years lived in Wilkes-Barre and 
vicinity. Death of Elijah Castner of Plymouth Township who, although 92 years of age, tilled his 
own farm until within a few days of death. Thermometer 93.
SEPTEMBER (Some days out of order)
1. Death of George Rhodes of Parsons at City Hospital of typhoid fever contracted at Chickamauga.
 Miss Maggie McGroarty, a nurse from Wilkes-Barre, ill in the Government Hospital at Jacksonville
. Opening of Grand Opera House for season.
2. Four thousand people attend national circuit bicycle races in Wilkes-Barre. Death of Thomas P.
 Ryder (former war correspondent of Record) of typhoid fever at Lexington, Ky. Body of Walter Lynch
 found in river.
3. One of the hottest days of the year; thermometer 100  in shade. 
4. Another heavy electrical storm—several places struck by lightning.
5. Immense number of people at funeral of the late Thomas P. Ryder—not more than half being able
 to gain admittance to St. Mary’s Church. Creditable Labor Day demonstration—parade of five hundred
 workmen. Presentation of flag by sons of Veterans to new South Main street school building.
7. John H. Daudo nominated by Prohibitions for legislature.
6. Death of Capt. L Denison Stearns of typhoid fever contracted at Chickamauga. Recruiting station
 for the heavy artillery service of the regular army opened in Wilkes-Barre by Lieut. Siviter.
8. First Illinois Regiment, which was in the fight at Santiago, passes through Wilkes-Barre and the 
boys are enthusiastically received, although the train comes after midnight. City officers take steps
 to prevent a spread of typhoid fever in view of the many cases from the Ninth Regiment at home. 
Final orders issued for the mustering out of the Ninth Regiment, after much delay and uncertainty.
9. Death of Capt. O. H. Bell at Lexington, Ky., from typhoid. Annual parade of Wilkes-Barre Fire 
Department.
10. Arrival of another hospital train from Lexington, Ky., containing 33 sick and convalescent from 
Ninth Regiment. Grand jury again recommends construction of a new court house on the present site.  
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre policeman contest in a revolver shoot at Mountain Park and match won by former.
12. Formal petition to make the toll bridges of the county free presented to court, but project is 
abandoned later. Third lot of recruits off for Fortess Monroe for the heavy artillery.
13. Isaac Long, the well known merchant, found dead in bed. Andrew Candish, on trial charged 
with murder of Andrew Sabol, convicted of voluntary manslaughter. Farewell reception of Charles 
W. Smith of Bennett chapel, who intends completing theological course in Syracuse University. 
Enthusiastic meeting of Board of Trade Committee to make arrangements for a reception to
 Ninth Regiment. Two burglars bind and gag clerk in W. L. Raeder’s office at 8  a.m. and steal 
$476 in money and a gold watch.
14. Fourth squad of recruits off for Fortress Monroe. County convention of W. C. T. U. in First 
M. E. Church. Rockafellow released from penitentiary, after serving another sentence of one year.
15. Judges meet county commissioners and talk about new court house. Bevan’s liquor store
 burned in Pittston.
16. Misses Josephine Merrel, Daisy Bertels and Miss Park, nurses who went to Chickamauga,
 return home ill.
17. George Bartlett kills James Moffatt and seriously wounds Warren Richmond in saloon at 
Pittston. Jeremiah Brennan, the only Luzerne County man who was among the Rough Riders
 in Cuba, returns home. Death of private Carver W. Jackson at Harvey’s Lake from typhoid 
fever contracted at Chickamauga.
18. Rev Dr. Austin Griffin appointed presiding elder of Wyoming district of M. E. Church to fill
 unexpired term of Rev. Dr. J. G. Eckman, deceased. 
19. Return of Ninth Regiment from camp. (where it went April 28;) with great demonstration in 
Wilkes-Barre; concluding with a feast at the armory. Local ice companies complain of great 
scarcity of ice. Explosion of gas at Buttonwood injures three men.
20. Reception to Col. Thomas Phillips of Aberdare, Wales by Cambro-Americans. Kingston
 has big reception for its contingent of the Ninth Regiment, under auspices of Young Ladies’ 
Patriotic Society. Opening of West Pittston fair.
21. Reunion of Fifty-Second Regiment, Pa. Vols., in Wilkes-Barre. Paper before Medical 
Society on “Water Supply” by Prof. W. H. Dean.
22. Reception to members of Co. E. at Parsons.
23. Big reception at Nanticoke for members of Ninth Regiment. County commissioners 
decide to build new court house on Public Square. Three men caught in rush of rock in 
No. 1 shaft at Nanticoke and killed. Patrick Houston of Pittston Township acquitted of 
charge of having murdered his brother.
24. Third-class city law goes into effect.
25. Rallying day in Presbyterian Sunday Schools. Rev. WQ. DeF. Johnson in his pulpit at 
Calvary Church, after absence of five months as chaplain of Ninth Regiment. Death of Mrs. 
Bridget Reidy of Wyoming, age 107.
26 Jury in Miner’s Mills school board conspiracy case disagrees.
27. Pittston has banquet for the two companies of the Ninth Regiment from that place; 
reception by the Clerks’ Association for Capt. McCleery; receptions in Ashley and at St. 
Clement’s parish building for returned soldiers. Opening of Dallas fair.
28. Reception for soldiers at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Annual meeting of Women’s 
Foreign Missionary Society of Wyoming district in Kingston. Series of lectures by Rev. Dr. 
Koehns in Memorial Presbyterian Church.
29. Firemen’s day in Pittston. Plymouth gives rousing reception for its members of Ninth Regiment.
30. N. C. Teeter, who left with gold seekers for Alaska, returns home ill and much disappointed.
 Y. M. C. A. has reception for soldiers. Frank Ricketts retires from North Mountain Hotel.
OCTOBER
Five men suffocated in Midvale slope of Lehigh Valley Coal Co. E. T. Long awarded contract 
for erection of new insane asylum at Retreat at a cost of $159,071.
2. Death of Judge Lyman H. Bennett.
3. Opening of Father Bustin’s free evening school for young men.
4. Beginning of educational work at Y. M. C. A. for season. James Cooney, former Wilkes-Barre
 printer, dies at Santiago. Lieut. Siviter closes regular army recruiting station after taking 452 
recruits from Wilkes-Barre and vicinity.
5. Commercial Club takes stand against erection of new court house on Public Square. Warm
 October weather—thermometer at 80 for several days.
6. Farewell reception to David Cottle of Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. Conference of Free 
Methodist Church in Wilkes-Barre. William T. Smythe takes charge of Parrish mine as superintendent.
7. Presentation by P. O. S. of A. of thirteen flags to Wilkes-Barre public schools.
8. Columbia (Pa.) firemen visit Wilkes-Barre. Second annual race meet of Rambler Bicycle Club.
9. Patriotic service in Grace Lutheran Church.
10. Mr. and Mrs. P. A Reaves of Kingston celebrate golden wedding anniversary. Four thousand
 Father Mathew men parade in Wilkes-Barre. Bevan and Jenkins of Miner’s Mills win in a rock 
drilling contest at Scranton.
11. Four thousand people see Ninth Regiment exhibition drill at West Side Park. Beginning of 
season’s work in the Y. W. C. A.
12. Dedication near Bear Creek of tablet marking site of bridge erected by General Sullivan in
 his march—dedicated under auspices of Colonial Dames. William Flosser, a Wilkes-Barre
 soldier, dies at Manila.
13. Military wedding in St. Boniface Church—William Glasser of Wilkes-Barre, a member of the 
Ninth Regiment. And Miss Theresa Reilly of Pittston. Lehigh Valley freight wrecked on the Sibley
 branch near Duryea by crashing into a handcar on which was a gang believed to be moonshiners
 taking several kegs of unstamped whisky from the mountain; outlaws open fire on the brakeman,
 Richard Howell, from the wreck. News of the death of Frank Berry of Pittston at Manila. Serious 
squeeze follows fire in Ravine mine at Pittston.
14. Rev. Victor H. Lukens ordained to ministry in First Presbyterian Church, of which he is assistant
 pastor. W. P. Morgan and Frank Zimmerman start knitting mill at Lee Park. Ninth Regiment furlough
 extended ten days—to October 29.
15. News of the death of Mr. and Mrs. Loren M.  Luke of Kingston in the wreck of the steamer 
Mohegan, off the coast of England. David Zimmerman of Huntington Township seriously wounded
 by accidental discharge of another’s gun while hunting.
16. Mass meeting for women, under auspices of Y. W. C. A. in the First M. E. Church.
17. Smoker and banquet by St. Aloysius Society for its returned members of Ninth Regiment. Five
 men and one woman arrested in a shanty on city dump, having lived on refuse. Charles Hulber of 
Honey Brook division appointed general mining engineer of Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co. to 
take place of William J. Richards, promoted to be general superintendent.
18. Meeting of State Democratic societies in Wilkes-Barre; candidate for governor, Judge Jenks,
 and other State candidates and prominent Democrats present. Ladies Catholic Benevolent 
Association banquet at Bristol House. Stephen Woolsey killed in a pay day brawl at Smithville, 
near Pittston.
19. John Gorham of Ashey, who enlisted in the regular army the first of the month, killed near 
Newport News, Virginia. Young Men’s Hebrew Association gives novel military assembly hop.
20. Republican rally at armory. Installation of Rev. Walter Miller as pastor of Grace Luthern Church.
21. Gang of burglars operating in Wyoming Valley. Historical Society exhibits Santiago relics brought 
by Cadet Joseph Wright Graeme.
22. Luzerne County Bar Association takes action with reference to death of Loren M. Luke.
23. Corporal Dennis Guiney, who came to Wilkes-Barre to recover from a wound received at San
 Juan leaves to rejoin his regiment.
24. Reception in St. Stephen’s parish house for Mrs. Ella A. Boole, president of New York State 
W. C. T. U. Thirty-first annual institute of public school teachers of Luzerne County.
25. Seidl orchestra. Reception in Bennett chapel for new pastor, Rev. Curtis Tennant, and new S
unday School superintendent, Prof. Pringle. Matthew P. Anderson of Wyoming Seminary dies on 
the athletic field. Gaius L. Halsey appointed additional law judge of Luzerne County to succeed 
late Judge Lyman H. Bennett. 
26. Part of Ninth Regiment leaves for Philadelphia to take part in peace jubilee celebration. Rev.
 Almond Houtz, former Shickshinny pastor, dies in California.
27. School directors of Luzerne County hold annual session. Mine Superintendent Edwin T. Reese 
of Nanticoke drops dead.
28. Delaware & Hudson Co. decides to abandon its canal and gravity railroad.
29. Ninth Regiment paid off and mustered out. B. I. A. begins its work for the season. Soldiers 
assault and maltreat constable Benedict while he tries to arrest one of their number. 
31. Col. Stone and the other State candidates speak at the armory. George Pewover dies under
 peculiar circumstances, after a christening at Dupont. 
NOVEMBER (Two entries for 29th)
1. Wilczek concert at Y. M. C. A. Luzerne County Civil Service Reform Association addresses the
 president protesting against change in civil service laws.
2. Final Swallow rally in court house. Annual bazaar of Y. W. C. A. Matinee races at West Saide Park.
3. Judge Gaius L. Halsey takes seat upon bench. Rev. Horatio R. Clark, a Methodist minister at
 Kingston in 1850, dies at his home in Binghamton, N. Y.
4. Lt. Siviter returns to open a recruiting office for members of Ninth Regiment who wish to enlist
 in regular army. Semi-annual tea meeting of First Baptist Church. Death of Dr. Perry Benscoter 
of Warrior Run at Lexington, where he was a contract     surgeon in the army, formerly a member 
of the Ninth.
5. Eight men killed and two injured by loaded mine cars falling on descending cage at Exeter 
colliery of Lehigh Valley Coal Company, near West Pittston.
6. Interlocking system prevents wreck at Pittston Junction. Lehigh Valley passenger train derailed 
and prevented from crashing into a D. L. & W. train. Major Pond, well-known lyceum manager,
 lectures in the Y. M. H. A.
8. Fine election day weather. Ramon Gillot, a soldier in the Cuban army, who endured many 
hardships in Spanish prisons, visits his brother in Kingston. One man killed and five badly
 burned by explosion of gas in Schooley colliery of Pennsylvania Coal Company of Exeter. 
10. Opening of St. Joseph’s Church fair at Georgetown.
11. Two night express trains collide on Lehigh Valley railroad between Sugar Notch and
 Fairview; five employees killed and five injured, three engines and two express cars wrecked,
 no passengers hurt. High School alumni form an association. Attempt to blow up a house and
 the residence of Polish priest in Duryea as a means of revenge. 
12. Conyngham Post, G. A. R., entertains the State commander.
13. Zion Reformed Church celebrates 29th anniversary of organization as independent church, and 
25th anniversary as a Reformed church. Rev. Dr. Pearne, fifty years ago, pastor of First M. E. Church, 
preaches in his old pulpit at 80 years of age. John Hagerty of Plains killed on a railroad in one of the 
New England States.
14. Sixth victim of Lehigh Valley railroad wreck dies at City Hospital, engineer Price of Easton.
17. Janitor Henry Croop mysteriously assaulted in a Kingston school house and lay unconscious for 
over an hour. J. James Eagan on trial at Montrose on the charge of murdering farmer Pepper, makes
 a confession in which he implicates the other defendant, named Shew.
18. Lieut Siviter closes his recruiting station after sending away a couple hundred more recruits.
19. Death of William Flosser at Manila confirmed. In Salvation Army case Judge Woodward decides
 that the city ordinance prohibiting beating of drums, etc., on public streets without Mayor’s
 permission is legal. 
20. Israel Zangwill lectures in the Nesbitt on Ghetto life.
21. Bostonian Sextet appears in Y. M. C. A. auditorium. Lewis Anthony testimonial concert at 
Edwardsville. Record prints extended sketch of late Lieut William H. Osborne.
22. Concordia fall concert. Rev. Dr. T. F. Clark lectures in Y. M. C. A. auditorium on “The Phillipines.”
23. Second annual reception of Young Men’s Institute. Marcus Marr of Wilkes-Barre, 
in the  regular army, dies in a southern hospital after going through the campaign in Cuba.
24. Wintry Thanksgiving, the thermometer 30 and three inches of snow. Union services in First 
Presbyterian church, with sermon by Rev. Dr. Mogg. Volunteers of America feed over five hundred
 people. Eisteddfods at East End P. M. Church and Bethel Church of Nanticoke.
25. Martin F. Britt of Newark, N. J., traveling salesman, has an arm cut off by a trolley car. Colored 
citizens hold mass meeting to protest against brutal treatment of southern negroes.
26. Cornelius Shew, convicted in Montrose court of murder in first degree for murder of farmer 
Jackson Pepper. James J. Eagen having been previously been convicted. Bartel brewery at 
Edwardsville sold to a syndicate of New York capitalists.
29. Banquet at the Sterling in honor of Congressman-elect Davenport. Frank Webb of Avoca,
 soldier in the regular army dies at Porto Rico.
29. Third Class City Party adopts its platform of principles. Officers of National Guard—enlisted
 men given thirty days more to signify their intention of rejoining guard. Daniel Oplinger, farmer 
of Butler Valley, commits suicide. Unusual number of deer and bear on mountains in vicinity of Wikes-Barre.
30. Nearly two thousand people attend Rev. Dr. Mogg’s concert in the Armory,

Typed by: Sharon Tobin January 15, 2009