Luzerne County PA News Articles From the Past

The Centinel, Gettysburg, PA
August 16, 1809

Death of Mr. Follet

Instances are constantly occurring which prove to us that our actions are the effect of the operations of our minds, and that it is necessary to keep the mind free from confusion and disorder, or the most dangerous consequences may result.  We have a melancholy instance of this, in the death of Mr. Robert Follet, of Hartford township, in this county.  Mr. Follet was naturally a reflecting man, and had for some time been more than usually serious and deliberative, upon a late revival of religion in that part of the county.  From his conversation, it appeared that he found great difficulty in reconciling, Predestination and Moral Agency, and thought it necessary to believe in both, or he should be damned.  He appeared very absent-minded, and was unable to attend to any business of his farm.  Some of his family discovered a rope in an unusual place, and upon enquiry, he said that he had prepared it to hand himself, but since had concluded not to do it.  His family were afterwards watchful of him, lest he should lay violent hand upon himself.

His mind afterwards appeared deranged, and he had often expressed a fear that some person would murder him.  In the afternoon of Monday, he said that some time that night, “they would come and bury him alive,” and when he retired to bed, he could not be persuaded to undress.  A person passed through Mr. Follet’s field that night, on his way to a Physician to attend a sick neighbor.  In letting down a pair of bars in the fence, he disturbed Mr. Follet, who sprang from his bed, saying that “they were come to bury him alive,” and ran into another room.  His brother immediately followed him, but found him with his throat cut from ear to ear.  Surgical aid was immediately sent for; - in the mean time the attendants partly succeeded in stopping the blood.  He recovered a little and was able to walk across the room.  When the Surgeon arrived, they attempted to sew up the wound, but he fainted and recovered nor more.  He was an industrious man, and a valuable neighbor, and has left a wife and several children to lament his loss. - Luzern Fed.
Contributed by Nancy Piper


The Centinel, Gettysburg PA
August 28, 1811

Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 19

Murder Will Out

About 12 years ago when the United States were raising troops, a company was enlisted at Wyoming, under Capt. Samuel Bowman.  Among the soldiers who entered the service was one whose name was ___ Parker, a young, good looking man, who had removed to this place from New Jersey.  After the army was disbanded, he returned to this county and married a young woman of Hanover.  They lived together some time but not on the most agreeable terms.  Some reports say that her father advised her to poison her and that she either stewed a toad in his soup or put one into his milk for the purpose but it had not the desired effect. The family quarrel continued to rage and Parker became an object of the most inveterate hatred with the wife and all her connections.

In the southern line of the town of Hanover in a lone and sequestered spot, there is a pond, frequented by deer, where hunters are much in the habit of going in pursuit of game.  To this place, he with his father-in-law and another person, it is thought his wife’s brother went hunting. Two of the party only returned and they reported that Parker had run away taking his course through the woods and they suspected had gone to his mother in New Jersey.  Some pains were taken at the time to ascertain if he had been with his friends there but nothing more was ever heard of him from that time to this!  The family of the lost man and his wife’s connections soon after removed 3 or 400 miles to the westward.

Not long ago, two young men were out on the lake hunting, when they discovered in the midst of a deep thicket, a pile of stones heaped by the side of a rock.  Curiosity led them to open it, when behold, beneath the pile was a human skeleton!  It appeared to have been thrown in hastily, partly on its face.  The skull which was fully preserved; had marks of a glancing stroke from a hatchet.  The teeth are so entire that it is evident it was the skeleton of a young man and the neighborhood are strongly impressed with the opinion that it is the remains of poor Parker and that some persons at the westward know more about it than their own security would permit them to disclose. – The Cleaner.
Contributed by Nancy Piper


Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 3, 1822 Page 3

Sometime since, during a thunder shower, the Printing Office of the Wyoming Herald was struck by Lightening. It passed down the chimney and along a stove pipe, which it melted in several places, until it reached the bottom of the stove, when it spread in various directions, shattering part of a partition and throwing the types into confusion, again coming together, and passing out of the door. A young man named Elijah Worthington was struck down, but we are happy to state that he was not seriously injured. - Sus. Dem.

Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 17 1822 Page 4

Wilkesbarre, June 28

On Monday evening last a colored man in this town, discharged a gun loaded with two balls, at a dog; but unfortunately one of the balls struck the wrist, the other the hand of Mr. Richard Covert, who happened to be in the direction in which the gun was fired. One of the balls has been extracted, and the other yet remains in the hand near the thumb joint.

We also learn that Mrs. M'Carty of Nescopeck, was lately shot in the arm by the carelessness of some persons who were shooting at a mark. We understand the wound is not dangerous.

When will proper care be taken by those who are in the habit of using fire arms. - Democrat.


Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)

March 10, 1824

Wilkesbarre, Feb. 13

Violent Storm and Loss of the Wilkesbarre Bridge

On Wednesday evening last, a little before 9 o'clock, our village was visited by one of the most violent gales, ever experienced in this county. The wind had been unusually high for an hour or two previous, but at the period about mentioned it continued a violent hurricane for the space of about five minutes, shaking our frame buildings to their centre; and filling the inhabitants with terror. But very soon after its commencement, the whole of our bridge over the Susquehannah was swept from its foundation and prostrated on the ice below, and immense wreck - the greater part of the timbers being shivered and broken - most of the irons may be saved, and the piers and abutments sustained very little injury.

The barn of Mr. Wm. L. Bowman, was removed from its foundation, - but we rejoice to learn, that his stock though in imminent danger, were all saved without injury. The new Episcopal Church received injury from some of the windows being forced in, and the loss of about fifty lights of glass, and some window sashes broken. Many small out buildings were overturned or removed from their foundations, and otherwise damaged, and a good deal of fences torn down in and near the town.

The Carpenter shop of Mr. Wm. Pratt has sustained so much injury as to render it untenantable. Yet, setting aside the loss of the bridge, the damage sustained in the Borough, is not much.

But the loss of our Bridge, which we are informed cost $56,000, is a serious one indeed; and one which cannot be easily repaired, in the exhausted state of our country, and whether any immediate exertions to rebuild it will be made, is as yet uncertain. The Company have, from its commencement, had a continued series of bad luck to contend against. Stock to the amount of $13,000 is held by the Commonwealth, and we trust she will lend her aid to rebuild it, by making a liberal appropriation. - Herald.


Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 21, 1825

Wikesbarre, Penn., Sept 2

One day last week, a Black Snake was discovered in the store of G. M. Hollenback and Co. in this town, stretched out on the highest shelf. When first seen, his head was erected about four inches, apparently surveying with much composure the operations going on below. He however, soon paid for his temerity; a pair of tongs was applied to his head, which brought him to the floor, where he was soon dispatched; he measured about five feet in length, how he came there, or what the object of so strange a visitor, is left to conjecture.

The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 23, 1833

An Eel Story

The Wikesbarre Herald of Wednesday says: "Twenty-five hundred Eel were caught in the Wintermoot wear, on Sunday night last, and secured by Capt. Jeremiah Blanchard, and his sons, Jeremiah and John, whose shares amounted to one thousand of the number. This is said to be the greatest haul caught, since the march of Gen. Sullivan's army through this valley, near the close of the Revolutionary war, more than half a century ago; at which time the weary soldiers had fine feasting on this delicious "genus of creeping fish."

The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
January 1, 1844

Destructive Fire - The town of Wilkesbarre, Pa., was visited with a destructive fire on the afternoon of the 23d ult. From a letter in the U. S. Gazette, we learn that it commenced at the shoemaker shop of Mr. Russell, which, together with its contents, was entirely destroyed; also the office of L. D. Shoemaker, under the same roof, library saved; also Mrs. Long's fancy dry good store, under the same roof, with most of the contents; loss of said buildings and contents perhaps $2,000. The building was owned by Isaac Wood. The fire was communicated to the house owned by Mrs. Drake, on Maine street, and occupied by Mr. Legget, formerly of West Chester, which, with most of the contents, was destroyed; loss about $2,000. It was there arrested from going any further down Main street, but burned with great rapidity along the public square, taking in its course the law office of James A. Gordon, and the tin shop of Samuel How, under one roof, both of which, with the contents, were destroyed: loss $1000. The Hard Times store of Johnson and Lathrop was consumed and part of the goods, loss perhaps $2,000 to 4,000, insured $1,000. The dwelling house of Caleb Atherton, late Sheriff, was, with most of the furniture, destroyed; loss from $1,000 to $2,000. The othe of Martin Long, with part of the contents and dwelling, with all his furniture and clothing, were destroyed; loss from $3,000 to $5,000. The law office of John J. Slocum was consumed, but the books and papers were saves; loss from $500 to $1000. The fire was then arrested by Mr. Joseph Slocum's brick house. Mr. Slocum lost his corn house, and an office back of Jonathan's which was occupied by himself, in all perhaps the amount of $500.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
July 31, 1848

Wikesbarre, Pa. - Fire, Incendiarism and Excitement. The Wilkesbarre Farmer gives an alarming account of the operations of incendiaries in that town. On two successive nights, the 15th and 16th inst., fires broke-out in out-houses in different parts of town, and the destruction of the 15th was very considerable - the loss in buildings and their contents being estimated at more than $5,000. The principal sufferers were S. H. Petterbaugh, E. I. Boyd, Mrs. Overton, Mrs. Scott, Judge Cideer, Jno. Frederick, Samuel Speece, James C. Helme, Jno. G. Gell, and a stranger with goods and horses stopping at Peterbaugh's. The county jail was slightly injured. The buildings destroyed were principally barns and stables and the large frame tavern house occupied by Mr. Bacon.

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
March 28, 1853

CONVENTION CLOSES.

Sunbury, Pa., June 11 - Conneaut Lake was selected as the place of holding next year's convention by the State Funeral Directors' Association at the closing of its thirty-fourth annual convention here. These officers were elected:

A. S. Keim, Downington, president; Henry Ley, Pittsburgh, first vice president; Harry McCunney, Philadelphia, second vice president; M. W. Coulter, Homestead, third vice president; W. S. Newcomer, Pittsburgh, secretary; Frank E. Naginey, Bellefonte, treasurer. And W. E. Byham, Meadville; Ramsey Burion, Erie and George W. Bound, Adamsville, executive committee.


The Bucks County Gazette (Bristol, Pennsylvania) September 9, 1875 - Page 1
Heroic Act of a Clergyman
North Mountain is a quiet hillside resort on a branch road from Wilkesbarre, Pa. Adjacent to the hotel are mines and shafts.  In a new one of the latter which was being sunk the flow of water at eighty feet was so plentiful as to compel its temporary abandonment.  A few days ago the “boss” descended the shaft to examine the condition.  He was lowered fifty feet when the sudden slacking of the rope showed that the captain must have fallen from the basket.  It was clear that he had been overcome by the gas, and, if he had not been already killed by the fall, that, he would soon die from drowning or suffocation.  The group of guests were of course horror stricken, and urged the unfortunate boss’s gang – numbering many men – to go to his rescue, but they peremptorily refused to take the risk.  Their cowardice so disgusted the Rev. Walter Q. Scott, late professor at Lafayette College, Easton, and present pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Tenth and Arch streets, Philadelphia, that, accoutered as he was, he plunged into the bucket and insisted upon being quickly lowered to the scene of peril.  He was reluctantly let down, and in a very short time signaled to the alert and anxious hears at the windless to “hoist away.” This was done with a hearty will, and the added weight told them that the impulsive and dangerous exploit had not been futile. On reaching the surface Mr. Scott fainted from the great stress that he had undergone, and his rescued burden was a wet, limp, senseless mass.  Mr. Scott was soon restored, and the captain also yielded to treatment, and called for a glass of whiskey and his pipe for a little solace.   Mr. Scott reported that the gas was overpowering, and that he was cautious in inhale as little as possible. He found the victim under water, and as he was a man weighing about 200 pounds, it taxed his strength to lug him into the bucket, and when he had himself climbed in and had given the signal to hoist, he was in a stupor, and recollected no more until he revived among his friends.  He was entirely recovered, and not being of a nervous temperament, he experienced no unpleasant effect.” – Philadelphia Times.
Contributed by Nancy Piper


The Wilkes-Barre Record, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
August 25, 1905, Page 7


HYPHEN AND CAPITAL B.

PRESIDENT ORDERS NAME OF CITY SPELLED AS IT SHOULD BE

     Vindication has at last arrived for those who have fought long and hard that the name of the city might be spelled with a capital B and a hyphen instead of as one word with a small b.
     This vindication came about in a rather unusual way. During President Roosevelt's visit to this city two weeks ago the subject was brought up by Mayor Kirkendall and Bishop Hoban as they were driving up Wyoming avenue. The President evinced a great deal of interest in the subject and promised to look into the matter when he got home. That he did so is shown in the following communication received by Mayor Kirkendall:
     Oyster Bay, N.Y., Aug. 18, 1905.
My Dear Mayor:
     The President requests me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th inst., and to say that he has directed the Postoffice Department to restore the name of your city to "Wilkes-Barre."
     With kind regards, believe, me,
          Very sincerely yours,
               B. F. Barnes
               Acting secretary to the President.
Hon. Fred C. Kirkendall, Mayor, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
     All of the local papers have consistently and rightly held out for the former method and have so spelled the word. It was pointed out that as the name of the city is made up of two proper names, they could not properly be made into one word as the significance of the name would be in this manner be lost.
     Some of the metropolitan papers, however, notably the New York Sun, have given a great deal of space to a discussion of the subject and finally ended by making one word out of the two proper names and spelling it Wilkesbarre.
     The Postoffice Department, following it usual custom of making the names of all towns as short as possible, followed the fashion set by the metropolitan papers and in its official correspondence called the city Wilkesbarre. This has been changed by the President's order and the name will be hereafter be spelled by the Postoffice Deparment as it should be.
Contributed by Claire Moran


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