History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 52

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 52

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of the people. It is now thoroughly established and firmly founded. The owners of the paper, Messrs. Morris and Sweeney, organized a stock company August 31, 1891, with James L. Morris as president, Dominic F. Sweeney secretary and treas- urer, and M. W. Morris, J. W. Morris, Susan Brislin and Ella M. Sweeney as direct- ors and sole owners of the stock.

The history of The Plain Speaker would be very imperfect indeed with no men- tion of the Hon. James A. Sweeney in connection therewith. The only thing in the world to parallel Col. Jim's dry wit is his modesty. He is the present all-around editor-the general shake hands-know-everybody factotum of the paper. A man that never made a real enemy in his life, yet a positive one in his opinions, and at times has raised "the dander " of the Republicans till the very air was murky, but while they might gather in the alley to mob the colonel, they would end in going up shaking his hand and " set 'em up on the other alley" in fine style. He was the mainspring, the foster-father of the idea that gave us The Plain Speaker. He argued and wrestled with the first proprietors until he induced them to embrace the opportunity of their lives. It has had many editors and staff correspondents in its time, but Sweeney from first to last has been its standby. The genial "Jim " of the facile pen-esto perpetua !

The Hazleton Journal (German) was established as a weekly, eight-column folio, in 1875, independent in its politics, by Rudolph Stutzbach, and has pursued the even tenor of its successful way without change or variation to the present. Mr. Stutzbach knows all the secrets of success in a country newspaper office and has always commanded a full share of public patronage.

The Hazleton Volksblatt (German) was first issued April 16, 1872, by Moore & Sanders, who continued its publication till October 29, 1872, when Mr. Moore retired from the firm. Mr. Sanders continued its publication till April 1, 1873, when P. Dershuck and R. F. Stutzbach became publishers and editors. In 1874 Mr. Stutzbach retired from the firm, when Mr. Dershuck enlarged the paper to eight columns. In 1875 R. F. Stutzbach became publisher and editor, and April 1, 1876, was succeeded by P. Dershuck. October 1, 1878, it was again changed to a weekly, and July 1, 1879, again enlarged to an eight-column paper. In 1882 Anton Schneider purchased the Volksblatt; this separated it from the Independent Democrat, that finally was discontinued and became the office of the present Plain Speaker. In July, 1891, Anton Schneider sold the Volksblatt to the present pro- prietor, Peter Schneider. It is one of the prominent and successful German papers in the county, and is Democratic.

The Daily Bulletin was first issued December 10, 1878, under the title of the Evening Bulletin, and February 25, 1879, the name was changed to Daily Bulletin. S. B. Macquade, editor; G. Maue, business manager; W. Sebretch, foreman. It has ceased publication.

Onallas (Hazleton) is Hungarian, which translated is "Independence." Is a weekly paper in the Hungarian language, started in October, 1891, by Arcade Mog- yorosi. It has just shed its " independence" and is an out-and-outer Republican. Its office is in Diamond addition on Laurel street.

Jednota (Hazleton) is a Schwabish weekly newspaper, by Frank Pucher. The office was removed from Cleveland, Ohio, to this place in the fall of 1891.

Langcliff Monthly is a three-column folio church paper, published every month at Avoca, by Rev. G. N. Makely. It is devoted wholly to church or congregational matters and is much prized by the members. The December number, 1891, was Vol. I, No. 9, indicating its publication was commenced that year.

The Wyoming Magazine, Samuel R. Smith, artist painter and literary man, in 1880, proposed issuing in Wilkes-Barre a monthly literary magazine, confined to home talent. The advisory board selected being B. H. Pratt, C. Ben Johnson, E. A. Niven, D. M. Jones, Will S. Monroe, W. George Powell, James W. Coughlin, John S. Mc-

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Groaty, F. C. Johnson, J. Ellsworth Kern, E. M. Marshall, Prof. W. H. Putnam, Andrew Boyd, T. G. Osborn and J. C. Colborn.

Mountain Echo, Shickshinny, commenced its life in 1873 by M. E. Walker, a seven-column folio, independent on political questions. In the course of a few months he associated with himself as proprietor, C. A. Boone, and thus it continued two years, having the usual youthful periods of all country papers; experiences paralleling that of the boy with croup, measles, whooping cough and stone bruises on his heels, but coming out of it all to smoke cigarettes, be a dude and finally get married and make a prominent citizen of himself. In 1875 Walker & Boone sold to R. M. Tubbs and H. H. Rutter and after one year Mr. Tubbs purchased Mr. Rutter's interests and became and has continued sole proprietor and editor, made it a Republican paper and enlarged it to an eight-column quarto. He has constantly met the public demands in enlarging and adding facilities to the office and now has steam power and presses, with every modern newspaper convenience. It is one of the most complete offices in the county and the Echo reverberates along the hills.

The Shickshinny Democrat is ably edited and outspoken in its views, as its name indicates-thoroughly Democratic. It is a six-column quarto, by Deemer Beidle- man. The first number was issued April 7, 1892, in its present form and size, and was started with a purpose-to be democratic. It is meeting a well-merited suc- cess, well printed and ably and fearlessly edited.

Nanticoke Newspapers-The Nanticoke Daily Evening News (also weekly), J. C. Coon, publisher and proprietor; J. J. Burke, city editor. The initial number was a weekly, dated August 8, 1890, as a six-column folio, and now is a six-column quarto. October 31, 1890, the daily was first issued, a six-column folio and now eight col- umns, the increase of size came June 1, 1892. The paper is independent in politics, brilliant in editorials, and in all things possesses the courage of its convictions. "Senator" Burke, of its staff, is regarded as a feature, and he has most successfully advertised the many advantages of the place and is responsible, at least so all say, for much of the boom-the notable prosperity of Nanticoke. The office and fixtures are all new and of the best improved kind. A six-horse water motor furnishes the driving power for its three presses.

Nanticoke Sun, a weekly democratic paper; L. D. Ferrell, manager and editor, by the Nanticoke Sun Publishing company. The paper was established in 1879 by Michael Sanders and was called the Nanticoke Chronicle, a republican organ. In 1884 it passed under the control of N. M. Hartman, who conducted it until 1888; then G. W. Lacock took control, and in a few months he associated with himself Horatio Moore, firm name Lacock & Moore. It went to the wall at this time and was sold at sheriff's sale and purchased by the present company, composed of John Smoulter, S. W. Search, Thomas McGroarty and John S. McGroarty, the latter being in charge of the general business affairs of the office. Under the company the first editor was John M. Carr; then Edward Fowler, and then Charles Fowler. Then the present office manager and editor, L. D. Ferrell. It commenced life and buffeted the uncertain sea of journalism until it went under a high wave of finan- cial distress as a republican paper, but the present firm when they purchased the office their first move was to make the paper democratic, and so it has continued and votes straight from the shoulder every time.

Plymouth. - The first attempt at a home newspaper was a daring venture by James Murrill Denn in 1856-the Plymouth Register; he got out twenty-one issues. The marked thing about it was that it was printed on basswood paper, that was made by W. L. Lance, one of the foremost of coal operators of Plymouth. His paper mill was at Rupert's station, Columbia county.

Barthe's Weekly Star .- The Plymouth Star was launched upon the sea of jour- nalism (so often a treacherous sea), in December, 1869, by F. M. Wagner, a seven- column folio, republican in its political bearings. For six weeks it had a meteoric

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and brilliant life and then experienced a prolonged attack of " innocuous desuetude." The boys would occasionly open it, (but no well-bred tramp printer ever swept an office except under compulsion), and they would take in a passing spring job and get perhaps ready money enough to " go to the show." Thus it fitfully slumbered until 1870, when E. D. Barthe resurrected it, retaining the old name, size and style of paper when it was started. From the hour Mr. Barthe took hold its future was assured. It in fact flourished. In 1861, in obedience to the demand upon its col- umns, he enlarged and greatly improved it, making it a handsome six-column quarto. He guided its life successfully and proved to be an able newspaper publisher. He made it independent in politics in 1876. In June, 1891, the name was changed to Barthe's Weekly Star and continued independent on all political subjects, and improved its literary merits, rendering it in all ways a valuable home and fireside companion.

Mr. Barthe died June 4, 1892, and the plant passed into the hands of his widow, Mrs. E. D. Barthe, and daughter, Miss Katie Barthe, both of whom, especially the daughter, had been his ablest assistants in printing and publishing the paper. The young lady had long been the master in the composition room and is now, not only the one female job printer in the county, but is one of the best. The mechanical work and the literary merits of the paper distinctly mark it as one of the promi- nent county publications; its circulation is large and eminently respectable.

The Plymouth Tribune is Republican from the shoulder, and its proprietor and editor, William H. Capwell, has no hesitation in proclaiming his political faith on all proper occasions, but never offensively. He is something like the boy when his daddy would seriously propose to thrash him, he would suggest to the old man "lets argy the case " --- business first. This is not a bad rule for a rural paper- business first and then politics, but when jumped on, then "argy" with a plump from long taw." The Tribune first peeped out at daylight from an old hand press at Luzerne borough, by M. C. Andreas, in 1884. After sizing up that place it was taken to Nanticoke and became the Nanticoke Tribune. While there in 1885, the present proprietor purchased the office and continued its publication in that place until July 1891, when he brought it to its present home in Plymouth. When it was removed it was changed from a seven-column folio to an eight-page, six- column paper-neat in workmanship and sprightly in editorials; it is proper to say that previous to coming to Plymouth it had been neutral in politics. As an item in its history it may be stated that it was started with "Brick " Pomeroy's old hand-press, which is still in the office. It now has steam power, a Cottrell cylinder press and two jobbers, and is every way a well-equipped printing office, and, as it deserves, is flourishing.

The Plymouth " Vienybe Lietuvniku" by Joseph Pauksztis, "The only Lithuan- ian newspaper in Plymouth, represents the interest of more than 200,000 Lithuan- ians in the United States;" is a sixteen page weekly, independent politically; was first issued February 10, 1886; has an extensive plant and is a flourishing institu- tion. Its editor kindly gave us a late copy to read at our leisure, no particular trouble was found in reading the letters, but the words required frequent reference to the dictionary. If you attempt to pronounce the nationality of these people you will find they understand you better if you try about the following, "Litawanians." The writer got all his knowledge of the language in a few minutes interview with the clever editor, Joseph Pauksztis, which you cau pronounce at your leisure.

Ashley Bulletin was first issued by J. A. Wood & Co., (H. W. Oberrender), September 25, 1891; a seven-column folio,' and called the Business Record; independent and devoted to business generally and public improvements especially. In November, 1891, the publishers assumed the firm name of Oberrender & Wood, and the name was changed to its present-Ashley Bulletin-in July, 1892. It continues independent politically, but gives much attention to news and the general

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prosperity of the community. It is more than keeping pace with the rapid growth of the borough of Ashley.

Ashley Observer, by J. A. Schwab and D. H. Cruser, commenced publication March 15, 1888; a seven-column folio, independent politically, and therefore breezy and full of interesting news. When it was started some of its best friends feared for its future as there was little in outside appearances about Ashley to warrant the venture. But the borough has sprung up like a mushroom, and the most flat- tering prosperity has come to the Observer.

The Evolutionist .- Such a name for a little obscure village, patent inside and out paper was, to say the least, novel, and some of the good pious dames of the household, if they understood the common current import of the word must have shuddered when they looked at the headline.

It was a venture at New Columbus, by I. J. Jamison in 1891. It lived about a year and joined the "silent multitude." In a note the ex-editor says: "As the name implies it was conceived in the hope of proving an auxilliary to moral and political evolution at a time in our history when we deemed the effort most worthy." Whether this venture and name was a century more or less in advance of the age or behind it, is left to each reader's own solution. It should have been mentioned that Mr. Jamison is postmaster at New Columbus.

Luzerne County Express (German) is published on the public square in Wilkes- Barre. It was started in September, 1882, by August Stutzbach, and success- fully run by him until his death in 1891; became well established and received a liberal patronage. After his death the work was taken up by his widow, Helena Stutzbach, and has continued to the present on its highway of prosperity. In October, 1892, Peter Ræder took charge of the Express. He is recognized as one of the able writers of Wilkes-Barre.

Avoca Argus was started December 12, 1890, by Harry W. Dony. It was the sudden filling of a long-felt want and bloomed into an immediate success. It is independent in politics and started with a well-equipped office. Mr. Dony soon found that the demands of the people must be met, and he therefore started The Plains Argus and The Dunmore Pioneer and the publishers of the three papers are Dony & Bailey.

Telephone (Wilkes-Barre), first number was printed October 23, 1880-a monthly seven-column folio, by Charles D. Linskill. It started with 4,000 subscribers and this soon rose to 6,000, printing however 10,000 and giving away the extras. In March, 1884, J. S. Sanders became a partner in the paper, and April 5, 1884, the first Weekly Telephone was printed-eight-column folio; the weekly taking the place of the monthly, retaining about half of its subscribers and to the present has grown and prospered remarkably well.

Charles D. Linskill was born in Lehman township, April 10, 1840; reared on the farm until aged sixteen, and then clerked in a store till 1873, when he began reporting for the Record where he remained until September, 1880.

Mr. Sanders was born near Danville, August 10, 1834; learned the printer's art in Danville and published the Danville Intelligencer. Before taking hold of the Telephone, he had published the Berwick Gazette, Houghton Sentinel and Plymouth Record.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XV.

MEDICAL.

SALIVATION ARMY-HOT WATER AND BLEEDING-A LEARNED PROFESSION-MEDICAL SOCI- ETIES-FIRST PHYSICIANS-LIST OF REGISTERED PHYSICIANS-COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES -ETC.

M EDICINE is considered one of the learned professions, in its purposes, cer- tainly, where broadly understood and pursued, it approaches something higher. Just now as it branches into specialties, as is everything in life, it is probably on the road to the accomplishment of the high purpose for which it came into existence. Surgery and medicine are rapidly becoming as distinct as if entirely different pro- fessions. Then here, as in religion, new " faiths " arise and doubters can now begin to gain a hearing. A dissenter may himself always be a bad man, but generally the results from the life of one that is strong and bold, are for the good of mankind. What do we care now whether, personally, Luther was a good or bad man, what we are chiefly concerned in are the results following his life and work. It is pitiful to hear of the brutalities, or at least mistaken cruelties, of the practice of medicine a short half century ago. There was one barbarism that was so definite in its wanton cruelty that it deserves a place in history. It was the physician's art of "salivat- ing " the patient. This torture was caused by broken doses of calomel and then giving acids. All "to see if the secretions were still going on." Sometimes a patient would have a great blister applied, if it acted, then that would indicate to the man of science that the patient was not "too dead to skin." These things would indicate that if the ancient men of pills knew little they had great curiosity as to how the patient was getting along. Another ancient diabolism was the thumb lancet that every doctor, among many others, had always on hand to bleed every patient; no matter what the symptoms-bleed. These little points in the history of medicine should be duly impressed upou professional fledgelings, who know so much at the start as they come fresh from the books. Precedent in medicine, as in all professions, should be cautiously received. In lawmaking it only hits the purse, or makes slaves of the people, but in medicine a mistake of that kind brings death. The highest type of good to one's fellow-man is one of the possibilities in the prac- tice of medicine. It may never go beyond its present stage of being largely experi- menting in each given case. It is possible it can not in the nature of things, become an exact science. But the day will come when the physician will surely be the man of all men, when his presence at the bedside will be like angels' visits in its good cheer and real help toward a cure. Nature must always be the real doctor, the physician the friend and helpful nurse. As it is, now the physician is looked to to cure; much of this is his own fault; then again, sometimes ignorance can only be doctored by a little sleight-of-hand or humbug. The one fact that confronts the man of medicine is that it is a law of nature that no two things can be exactly alike. We can simply take them as approaching a likeness and proceed accordingly.

It is a remarkable story now to tell there was a physician who made a profes- sional visit here in 1755. In that year Christian Fredrick Post, the Indian mis- sionary while here had his leg so severely hurt by accident that an Indian runner was dispatched to Bethlehem and brought Dr. J. M. Otto. The medical man remained a week with his patient. There is probably little doubt but that this was the first medical visit ever paid in this part of the State.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Dr. William Hooker Smith, Dr. Joseph Sprague and Dr. Gustin were the earliest physicians in the valley. They were all in the battle of 1778, and the last-named gentleman received a bullet through his hat.

Dr. Nathaniel Giddings located in Pittston township in 1783, and pursued his profession for more than half a century. Dr. Matthew Covell, previous to the present century, located permanently in Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Samuel Baldwin resided part of the time in Wilkes-Barre, and afterward in Kingston. Dr. Oliver Bigelow was located at Forty Fort, and left Wyoming eighty years ago. Dr. Criesey, one of the early physicians, was located at Plymouth. Dr. Samuel Hayden lived in Huntington township, and afterward in Braintrim. He was a very successful practitioner, and a very eccentric man. Between 1800 and 1810 Drs. Covell and George W. Trott were practicing in Wilkes-Barre, Drs. Baldwin and Eleazar Parker in Kingston, and Drs. Gaylord and Crissey in Plymouth.

From 1810 to 1820 Drs. Covell, Baldwin, W. B. Giddings, Gaylord, Parker, Asa C. Whitney, and Dr. John Smith, were practicing in Wyoming valley.

Dr. Silas Robinson, who died in Providence, was the oldest physician in the Lackawanna valley. He commenced practice in 1811.

Dr. Crystell came to Huntington about 1800. He married Miss Stookey, of Salem. Dr. Griswold located near where is Town Hill and practiced twenty years. Dr. John Weston succeeded Dr. Gaylord, but eventually went to New York. The other early physicians in Huntington were Drs. Pickering, Jones, Davenport, Crawford and Hay- den. Dr. Sideney H. Warner located in Huntington in 1833, and for nearly fifty years was in the practice. One of his daughters became the wife of Dr. Clinton H. Bacon, of Huntington.

Dr. William Barrett practiced seven years at Cambra. He came from Gettys- burg and was one of the first to go there in 1863 after the battle to attend the wounded.

Dr. Mason Carey was one of the first physicians in Salem township.

In 1846 Dr. L. C. White located in Shickshinny. The next year he was joined by his brother-in law, Dr. Charles Parker. The latter practiced until his death-aged eighty. Dr. White removed to Mississippi. One of the old practitioners in Shick- shinny is Dr. William D. Hamilton. Later arrivals are Drs. Kammerly, Dodson, Chapin, Rogers, Harrison, Kingsbury, Betterly, Sutliff, Sautere, Harvey, Bonham, Bacon, Hice, Boston, Lockhart and Davidson.

Dr. Charles E. Gaylord, whose brother, Lieut. Asher Gaylord, fell in the Wyo- ming battle, settled in Huntington soon after the cessation of Indian hostilities. His only child and son, Henderson Gaylord, became one of the county's prominent and wealthy men.

Dr. Anna Moore, formerly Mrs. Heath, was an early settler in Plymouth. Col. Wright in his history says he remembers her as a "fat, waddling old lady." She successfully practiced until 1814, when Dr. Moreland came and established himself, and then Dr. Ebenezer Chamberlain settled in Plymouth in 1816 and was in the practice until his death, 1866.

Luzerne County Medical Society .- On March 4, 1861, pursuant to call, a conven- tion of physicians was held at the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre for the purpose of forming a medical society. At this convention there were present Drs. P. C. H. Rooney, of Hazleton; N. P. Moody, Lehman; H. Ladd, C. Marr, William Green, B. H. Throop, Scranton; G. Urquhart, W. F. Dennis, E. R. Mayer, C. Wagner, E. B. Miner, Wilkes-Barre; R. H. Tubbs, Kingston; S. Lawton, Pittston; A. L. Cressler and J. R. Casselbery, Conyngham.

The following were chosen officers: B. H. Throop, president; E. R. Mayer and A. L. Cressler, vice-presidents; G. Urquhart, secretary, and R. H. Tubbs, treasurer.

The following gentlemen have served the society as president in the order named: Drs. N. F. Dennis, S. Lawton, Jr., R. H. Tubbs, John Smith, A. L. Cressler, J. B.

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Crawford, Horace Ladd, S. Lawton, Jr., Edward R. Mayer, James B. Lewis, Horace Ladd, E. Bulkely, C. Underwood, Charles Burr, E. R. Mayer, J. B. Crawford, J. E. Ross, J. A. Murphy, Frank Corss, A. D. Tewksbury, C. A. Spencer, J. B. Craw- ford, R. Davis, Lewis H. Taylor, S. W. Trimmer, W. G. Weaver, C. P. Knapp, J. L. Miner, G. W. Guthrie, W. H. Faulds.

Officers: President, J. T. Howell; vice-presidents, L. L. Rogers and Charles Long; secretary and treasurer, Maris Gibson; executive committee: Drs. A. G. Fell, T. A. James, L. I. Shoemaker, G. T. Matlack and J. S. Hileman; censors: G. W. Guthrie, H. Taylor and W. R. Longshore; has sixty-five members.

The Luzerne County Homoeopathic society was organized about 1866 and was in existence about two years. Dr. A. C. Stevens was president, Dr. William Brisbin secretary and treasurer.

The law requiring physicians and accoucheurs to register went into effect in 1881, and the records show the following:

Henry C. Ames, John Andrews, Franklin F. Arndt, Charles A. Ayers, George R. Andreas, Alfred Atkinson, Daniel Andrews, Rosanna Appleton William Allcut.

Jonathan E. Bulkley, A. A. Barton, Emanuel L. Betterly, John J. Breese, Oliver H. Brown, Elmer E. Barton, Frank M. Brundage, Henry C. Bacon, Robert B. Brown, Jeremiah K. Bowers, Boordman P. Backus, P. S. Brewster, William Brown, S. L. Brown, William Barton Brader, Walter A. Brooks, Charles Seidler Beck, Charles J. Barrett, Augustus A. Bancroft, Thomas G. Barrett, Thomas Brace, Lucinda Barnes, John W. Beck, Herman Bloch, Horace Edward Brayton, John H. Bowman. Julius A. Bullard, James Brooks, Jacob F. Briggs, Augustus P. Bissell, George W. Bennett, Charles W. Bawer, Emerson K. Brundage, Ephraim N. Bauks, Robert Blakeslee, Edgar F. Bonham, Jefferson Biehl, Joseph L. Bower, Clarence L. Boston, James F. Beckwith, William J. Butler, Frampton H. Brown, Dilbert Barney, Elliott T. Brady, George E. Bush, Peter M. Barber, Lemon P. Boston, Martin J. Backinstoe, Benjamin Beran, John Adams Burlington, George C. Brown, Ernest W. Buckman.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 52

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532