USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 58
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Hancock Circle, No. 9, of Wilkes-Barre .- Instituted March 30, 1887. Oficers: Mrs. J. D. Kline, Pres. ; Mrs. N. Vosburg, Sr. V .- Pres. ; Miss Estella Freeman, Jr. V .- Pres. ; Mrs. J. Ney, Chap .; Mrs. E. Groff, Treas .; Mrs. C. S. Gabel, Sec. ; Mrs. Steidinger, Asst. Sec.
Daughters of American Revolution .-- Wyoming Valley Chapter, D. A. R., of Wilkes-Barre. Instituted April 29, 1891. Officers: Mrs. Katherine Searle McCart- ney, regent; Mrs. Sarah Richards Butler Woodward, V .- R .; Miss Ella Munroe Bowman, Sec. ; Miss Mary A. Sharp, registrar; Miss Sallie Sharpe, Treas .; local board of managers, Mrs. Elizabeth Reynolds Ricketts, Mrs. Annie Buckingham Dorrance Reynolds, Mrs. Grace Goodrich Fuller Reynolds, Miss Emily Cist Butler; advisory board: Hon. Stanley Woodward, Hon. Charles E. Rice, Col. R. Bruce Ricketts, Gen. W. H. McCartney, Alexander Farnham and Sheldon Reynolds.
Oratorio Society .-- Wilkes-Barre Oratorio Society. Instituted 1886. Officers: Capt. C. Straw, Pres. ; George P. Loomis, V .- Pres. ; George A. Edwards, Sec .; Alfred Hand, Fin. Sec. ; Dr. R. Davis, Treas .; board of trustees: John Welles Hol- lenback, Calvin Parsons, J. Ridgeway Wright, L. D. Shoemaker, Charles A. Miner, Joe C. Powell, Capt. C. Straw, D. J. J. Mason.
Grand Army of the Republic. - There are in Luzerne county seventeen organ- ized posts, all of which are in a flourishing condition, and are enumerated as follows: No 20, Robinson, Hazleton, George T. Carpenter, Com .; No. 97, Conyngham, Wilkes-Barre, D. S. Clark, Kingston, Com .; No. 109. Capt. Asher Gaylord, Plym- outh, David A. Kline, Com. ; No. 113, Capt. D. J. Taylor, White Haven, William Buckalew, Com .; No. 147, Maj. C. B. Coxe, Freeland, Sandy Allen, Drifton, Com .; No. 161, Lape, Nanticoke, Eugene N. Alexander, Com .; No. 186, Wilcox, Plains, William S. Stark, Com .; No. 213, J. Stewart Robinson, Huntington Mills, W. D. Fritz, Com. ; No. 245, W. G. Nugent, Pittston, Enos Williams, Com .; No. 257, Lieut. C. B. Post, Shickshinny, Joseph H. Gross, Com .; No. 283, N. T. Pennington, Fairmount Springs, Edward Ramaly, Com .; No. 339, Capt. John J. Whitney, Dal- las, O. L. Roushey, Com. ; No. 444, Keith, Wilkes-Barre, S. J. Patterson, Com. ; No. 499, George F. Moore, Sweet Valley, Miles Ross, Com .; No. 563, Lieut. Solomon Stair, Conyngham, John Cunions, Drums, Com. ; No. 567, Lieut. Charles H. Riley, Wyoming, J. L. Shoemaker, Com. ; No. 593, E. L. Dana, West Nanticoke, William Winders, Com.
Historical Society .- February 11, 1853, Dr. C. F. Ingham, Dr. W. F. Dennis, E. L. Dana, J. P. Dennis, G. P. Parish, William P. Miner, S. Woodward, H. M. Hoyt, G. B. Nicholson, C. E. Wright, W. H. Beaumont, S. Bowman, S. S. Win- chester, J. B. Conyngham, and others, met at the old Fell tavern, in Wilkes-Barre to celebrate, Stewart Pearce says, the fiftieth anniversary of the successful experiment of burning anthracite coal in a grate. The old grate, with which Judge Fell experi- mented, was procured and set up in the fire-place, and a bright coal fire was soon glowing, and warming the assembled company. At this meeting it was proposed to establish a historical society, and the proposition meeting general approval, a com-
3
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
mittee was appointed to draft a constitution, to be presented at the next meeting, to be held at Templar hall. [This appears to be nearly an official recognition of the claim of Judge Fell to the discovery claimed. But on the other hand, it is said that even the "old grate " was apochryphal. - ED.]
"It is to be regretted that a historical and geological society was not formed in this county many years ago, while a number of the early settlers were yet living, and at a period when many curious relics of former ages, now beyond our reach, might have been procured and preserved among us. The writer collected, in Wyoming valley many years ago, a large number of Indian curiosities, which are now deposited in the British museum. There are numerous articles of interest in the Philadelphia, New York and New England cabinets, which were procured in Luzerne county."
On May 10, 1858, the Wyoming Historical and Geological society received cor- porate privileges, and soon after rented a cabinet-room on Franklin street, Capt. E. L. Dana having been elected the first president. This room, it was supposed, would be sufficiently large for the wants of the society for many years to come. But, owing to the praiseworthy exertions of the cabinet committee, and to the liberal donations of many gentlemen and ladies in and out of the county, it is now full and overflowing with a great variety of rare and valuable specimens of minerals, shells, coin, Indian relics, etc. The society is in possession of the valuable collection of H. A. Chambers, of Carbondale, who spent twenty years in gathering valuable curiosities of ancient and modern times, especially coins and medals, of which he had upward of 3,000 pieces. The society is indebted to Gen. William S. Ross for his cabinet of rare curiosities, he having purchased the entire collection of Mr. Chambers for the sum of $2,000 and presented it to the society. The purposes of this society and the men into whose hands have rested its work have been an assurance that in time this will be one of the most valuable voluntary associations in this part of the state, as already it is one of the most prosperous and highly valued.
Harvey's Lake Association. - About the beginning of the century an association giving itself the above name was formed of the young men of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity, the object being to meet at this beautiful lake every 4th of July and fit- tingly celebrate Independence day. This was royally kept up many years and on each recurring day a feast was prepared from the delicious fish in the lake and the game of the surrounding mountain forests.
The Wilkes-Barre Debating Society was organized March 8, 1804, and was the first in the county of which we have any record. The proceedings, when deemed expedient by the society, were to be kept secret, and any member violating this provision of the constitution was severely dealt with. Absentees were fined 50 cents, and any member refusing to take part in the debate paid 25 cents into the treasury. This association was organized by Thomas Dyer, Charles Miner, John Evans, Arnold Colt, Nathan Palmer, Josiah Wright, Ezekiel Hyde, Thomas Graham, Thomas Wells and Roswell Wells. The first question for debate was as follows: "Is celibacy justifiable by the laws of God, or consistent with moral principles ?" The discussion was animated and long drawn, but finally, of course, decided in the negative. In 1809 the name was changed and became the Wilkes-Barre Beneficial society-a secret organization.
The Quincy Society or Tribe started in Wilkes-Barre in 1806, a debating society, and was kept up under various names until 1839, when the Wyoming Literary society was established. Many men, who afterward became eminent, participated in the establishment and proceedings of these associations. There were Denison, Griffin, Cist, Mallery, Scott, Bowman, Wright, Beaumont, Bidlaok, Woodward, Butler, Conyngham, Lane, Burnside, Hoyt, Nicholson, Lee, Ross, Smith and many others who trained their faculties for debate in these societies. The Hon. Charles Miner and Thomas Dyer, Esq., two of the original members of the first debating society survived the other first members.
In 1806 the Wilkes-Barre or Wyoming Library company was formed. Its object
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
was to procure a collection of valuable books, to be placed within the reach of all who desired knowledge. As is generally the case with libraries in country towns, the books became scattered, and many were lost. In 1826 a search committee was appointed, to restore the collection as far as practicable. The remaining books were brought together, and were divided among the members of the company by lot.
In 1839 the Wyoming Atheneum was established; has a collection of books, numbering about 1,500 volumes.
Ninth Regiment Infantry .- Third Brigade, N. G. P. Field and staff, Col. Morris J. Keck; Lt. - Col., B. F. Stark; Maj., William C. Price; Adjt., John S. Harding; Q. M., E. G. Mercur; Surg., William R. Longshore, M. D .; assistant surgeons, W. Stewart, M. D., W. G. Weaver, M. D .; Chap., Rev. William J. Day; inspector of riffe practice, Lieut. C. Bow Dougherty; volunteer aid, Capt. George W. Zeigler.
Non-Commissioned Staff. Sergt .- Maj., S. L. Barnes; Q. M. S., A. E. Collamer; C. S., W. E. Renshaw; hospital steward, H. C. Tuck; principal musician, Jacob Batz. Wilkes-Barre City Battalion. - Company A., Wilkes-Barre. Capt., W. H. Brodhead; 1st Lieut., Charles L. Peck; 2d Lieut., Harry R. Williams.
Company B, Wilkes-Barre. Capt., W. S. Marshall; Ist Lieut., Thomas Ohlman; 2d Lieut., E. G. Lorah.
Company C, Pittston. Capt., J. W. Burns; Ist Lieut., J. F. J. Callahan; 2d Lieut., E. G. Gage.
Company D, Wilkes-Barre. Capt., Charles R. Connor; 1st Lieut., O. Hillard Bell; 2d Lieut., F. F. Turner.
Company E, Parsons. Capt. George Wallace, Jr .; 1st Lieut., O. F. Sword; 2d Lieut, Robert Wallace. Company F, Wilkes-Barre. Capt., Nelson Stranberg; 1st Lieut., D. Myers; 2d Lieut., E. W. Newton.
Company I, Plymouth. Capt., S. L. French; 1st Lieut., S. W. Davenport; 2d Lieut., F. L. McKee.
Wilkes-Barre Armory Association .- Col. M. J. Keck, Pres .; Lt. - Col. B. F. Stark, V .- Pres. ; Maj. W. C. Price, Sec. ; Maj. J. Ridgway Wright, Treas .; board of control: Hon. C. A. Miner, chairman; Col. G. M. Reynolds, Maj. Irving A. Stearns, Lt .- Col. B. F. Stark, Col. Morris J. Keck, Maj. William C. Price, Capt. Nelson Stranberg, Capt. W. H. Broadhead; Supt. of armory, Capt. G. W. Zeigler; armorer, Lieut. E. W. Newton.
Ninth Regiment Band, incorporated as Wilkes-Barre Musical association. Bandmaster, J. I. Alexander.
Central Poor District .- Pres., Owen B. McKnight, Plains; Sec. and Treas., Abram Nesbitt, Kingston; Supt., Moses Eichelberger; medical attendant, Charles Long, M. D .; directors: Marx Long and William Dickover, Wilkes-Barre; Stephen B. Vaughn, Kingston; Owen B. McKnight, Plains; Ira Davenport, Plymouth; E. N. Alexander, Nanticoke; Andrew J. Bellas, Newport; average number of inmates, 100; average number of inmates in insane asylum, 170.
Young Men's Christian Association. - Pres., R. L. Ayres; V. Pres., Dr. F. C. Johnson; Treas., W. E. Preston; Rec. Sec., J. W. Raeder; librarian, A. L. Williams; Gen. Sec., S. M. Bard; Asst. Sec., E. B. Buckalew; Phys, Dir., Walter R. Brown; managers: Christian Walter, J. W. Hollenback, Dr. H. N. Young, Dr. L. H. Taylor, L. E. Sterns, I. M. Thomas, J. T. Morgan, Dr. J. I. Roe, H. W. Dunning, H. A. Fuller; trustees: J. Vaughan Darling, Dr. G. W. Guthrie, D. P. Ayars, A. F. Derr, Col. C. M. Conyngham, R.L. Ayers; medical examiners: Drs. J. I. Roe, A. G. Fell. Their elegant building on North Main street was erected in 1891-2.
Wyoming Historical and Geological Society was incorporated May 10, 1858. Corporators: Henry Martyn Hoyt, Stanley Woodward, L. D. Shoemaker, Andrew
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
T. Mcclintock, George Butler. Welding F. Dennis; attorney for the society, E. S. Dana. Officers: Pres., A. T. Mcclintock, LL. D. ; vice-presidents, Rev. H. L. Jones, Hon. E. B. Coxe, Capt. Calvin Parsons, Hon. L. D. Shoemaker; trustees: Hon. C. A. Miner, Edward Welles, S. L. Brown, Dr. L. H. Taylor, H. H. Harvey; Treas., A. H. McClintock; Rec. Sec., Joseph D. Coons; Cor. Sec., Sheldon Reynolds; librarian, Hon. J. R. Wright; Asst. librarian, F. C. Johnson; curators: Mineralogy and conchology, I. A. Stearns; paleontology, R. D. Lacoe; archaeology, Sheldon Reynolds; numismatics, Rev. H. E. Hayden; historiographer, George B. Kulp; meteorologist, Rev. F. B. Hodge, D. D.
Osterhout Free Library .- Directors: Hon. H. B. Payne, Pres, ; Sheldon Rey- nolds, Sec. ; Andrew H. Mcclintock, Treas .; trustees: Rev. F. B. Hodge, D. D., Rev. H. L. Jones, A. F. Derr, Maj. C. M. Conyngham, Dr. L. H. Taylor, H. A. Fuller; librarian, Miss H. P. James; assistants, Misses Myra Poland, Ruth A. Nicholson, Lucy S. Faser, Rose Palmer, Margaret S. Camp. Circulation, 50,000; volumes, 14,440.
Susquehanna Dental Association .- Dr. H. N. Young, Pres .; Dr. F. L. Hollister, V .- Pres .; Dr. H. Gearheart, Lewisburg, Treas. ; Dr. V. S. Jones, Bethlehem; Dr. J. C. Hertz, Easton, and Dr. T. W. Thomas, Wilkes-Barre, secretaries; Dr. C. S. Beck, Dr. G. W. Klump, Williamsport, and Dr. W. H. Hertz, Hazleton, executive committee.
Conyngham Post G. A. R .- Com., D. S. Clark; S. V. Com., I. P. Long; J. V. Com., P. F. Welteroth; Q. M., H. Cohen; Chap., Rev. George Frear, D. D .; Surg., Edward Conners; O. of G., J. H. Bates; delegates to department encampment: C. N. Metzger, Alfred Darte, Giles Ross, Z. T. Moyer, B. W. Marcy, George Engle, C. H. Gresh, O. A. Parsons; alternates, J. E. Dickson, G. R. Lennard, H. Cohen, I. P. Long, George Deitrick, T. R. Conner, W. E. Doron, I. H. Steidinger.
Young Men's Hebrew Association .- Pres., Charles J. Long; V .- Pres., Lewis Cas- per, Fin. Sec., Felix Levy; Cor. Sec., Morris Levy; Treas., Alex Schwarz; libra- rian, Cosmer P. Long; trustees, Louis Schloss, A. B. Constine, A. Kline.
St. Aloysius Society .- Membership, 600; Pres., Thomas Mack; V .- Pres., Den- nis Mackin; Fin. Sec., J. J. Dougher; Rec. and Cor. Sec., Andrew Feldman; Treas., Charles J. Kelly; marshal, Edward McLoughlin; S. at A., Arthur Wilson; S. at L .. Anthony Toole; first district, Cornelius Corbin; second district, Thomas Ken- nedy; third district, Thomas Lally; delegates to diocesan convention, M. J. Keat- ing and J. F. McGinty.
St. Mary's F. M. Society .- Pres., M. J. Walsh; V .- Pres., John Fox; Rec. Sec., Charles Lavin; Fin. Sec., T. F. Fitzimmons; Treas., John Masterson; marshal, Lawrence McCarthy. The president, vice-president and the two secretaries consti- tute the board of trustees.
Westmoreland Club .- Incorporated 1889. Resident membership, 150; non- resident, 40. Pres., A. H. Dickson; V .- Pres., Dr. O. F. Harvey; Sec .- Treas., J. R. Edgar; Govs. : A. F. Derr, W. C. Price, J. S. Harding, Shepherd Ayars; mem- bership committee: A. H. Mcclintock and W. A. Lathrop; steward, N. L. Banks.
Columbia Club .- Established 1890. Membership, 70. Pres., John T. Lena- han; vice-presidents, Hon. D. L. O'Neil and Hon. George J. Stegmaier; Sec. - Treas., A. C. Campbell; board of Govs., Joseph McGinty, Roger McGarry, Dr. Kirwan and John A. Schmidt.
W. C. T. U .- Pres., Mrs. H. W. Palmer; vice-presidents, Mrs. E. W. Sturde- vant, Mrs. Hull, Mrs. A. Ricketts, Mrs. Loop, Mrs. Frear, Miss Briggs, Mrs. Dr. Cressler; Rec. Sec., Mrs. A. L. James; Cor. Sec., Mrs. Lance; Treas., Mrs. W. N. Jennings.
Caledonian Society .- Nathan Kelly, C .; Peter McClosky, Ist C .; Gavin Burt, Treas. or 2d C .; Thomas M. Graham, Sec. or 3d C .; Thomas H. A. Ford, Cor. Sec. or 4th C .; Robert Aveny, librarian; James Blair, Chap.
German Societies. - Saengerbund. Membership, 150. Pres., H. German; V .- Pres., S. Kraus; Dir., Prof. Schmidt.
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
Concordia. Membership, 200. Pres., John Reinig; Sec., S. S. Chan; Fin. Sec., H. Bauman; Dir., Prof. A. Hansen.
Liedertafel. Membership, 125. Pres., Nicholas Hower; Sec., B. Frank; Dir., Prof. Drippe.
St. Conrad Verein. Pres., J. H. Schmidt; Sec., George Becker.
St. Francis Pioneer Corps. Pres., B. Walther; Sec., J. Ruhl.
St. Joseph Verein. Pres., Jacob Schappert; Sec., John Becker.
St. Nicholas Verein. Pres., Anton Endler; Sec., Thomas Keller.
St. Peter's. Pres., Jacob Schmidt; Sec., D. Lauser.
Young Men's Verein. Pres., Henry Rudenauer; Sec., Carl Glasser.
Hermann Verein. Pres., David Laufer; Sec., John Becker.
Wyoming Verein. Pres., Jacob Becker; Sec., Joseph Zimmerman: Treas., Ph. Blaum.
The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association. - The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library association was organized June 18, 1850, with Hendrick B. Wright as Pres. ; Andrew T. McClintock, Treas., and George Byron Nicholson, Sec. The original members were John N. Conyngham, Hendrick B. Wright, V. L. Maxwell, Harrison Wright, Andrew T. McClintock, Horatio W. Nicholson, George Byron Nicholson, Henry W. Fuller, Warren J. Woodward, Jonathan J. Slocum, Charles Denison, L. D. Shoemaker, Asher M. Stout, E. B. Harvey. The successive presi- dents have been Hendrick B. Wright, Edmund L. Dana and Andrew T. McClin- tock. Present officers: Alexander Farnham, Pres. ; Allan H. Dickson, Sec. and Treas.
West Side Park Association .- Pres., W. J. Harvey; V .- pres., George H. Parrish; Treas., John Laning; Sec., George P. Loomis.
Halls .- Grand Opera (built 1892), Music Hall (theater), Armory hall, Brod- hun's hall, Cady hall, Caledonian hall, Coal Exchange, River and Market, Con- cordia hall, Forester's hall, German Odd Fellows hall, Germania hall, Hirsh's hall, Jeremy's hall, Landmesser's hall, Lawall's hall, Livingston's hall, Loomis Hall, McGreevy's hall, Masonic hall, Memorial hall, Mystic Chain hall, Odd Fellows hall, Osterhout Building hall, Red Men's hall, Saengerbund hall, Sr. O. U. A. M. hall, St. Aloysius hall, St. Conrad's hall, Stump's hall, Y. M. C. A. hall, Y. M. H. A. hall.
CHAPTER XVIII.
AGRICULTURE.
IN THE VALLEY ORIGINALLY IT WAS ONLY FARMERS-TIME HAS BROUGHT THE CHANGE -- NOW IT IS ONLY COLLIERIES-FAIR GROUNDS AND ASSOCIATIONS-THE BEGINNING AND END OF THIE STORY-SOME OF THE EARLY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES-ETC.
H ISTORICALLY this is not to be classed any more as an agricultural county. Yet it was these rich valleys and many productive hills that originally were the sole incentives that brought that peculiarly hardy and brave race of men whom it would seem were the only men then on the earth capable of finding their way to this remote and generally rugged region, and fight out the battles that they crowned with such signal victories.
Forty years ago and now tell the story of agriculture in Luzerne county. The coal man and the manufacturer who naturally hunts for the cheapest fuel have nearly completed the change; but another century and then. The next fifty years will see one continuous city of the county with its heaviest artery along the valley
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
of the Susquehanna. In the famous long and wide Wyoming valley are the largest tracts of fruitful lands. Practically to-day all these are given over to the coal com- panies. And the urban population is growing at a tremendous pace, while the rural is disappearing at a nearly corresponding ratio. A vast city, made up possibly of many small towns, but that are linked so closely, in area as to occupy the available portion of the county. And wealth seeking out the lakes and the tallest mountains for " cottages." This is now almost as fixed as fate for Luzerne county.
We are told that another 100 years will exhaust these great and finest coal fields in the known world. What then ? It is hardly possible that then the people will or can go back to the occupation of their ancestors and peacefully till the soil. Is the world wearing out? Here and there, but in the end, surely everywhere the agriculturist is to be driven from the fields.
Forty-two years ago some of the leading men in the county met in Wilkes- Barre, realizing that agriculture was perceptibly declining, and proposed to make an effort to revive it. This meeting (1850) appointed delegates to the farmers' convention, to meet at Harrisburg; the meeting adjourned to meet again in January, 1851. At this last meeting it was resolved to act and the Luzerne County Agri- cultural society was formed. Able addresses were made by Judge Conyngham, George E. W. Sturdevant, S. F. Headley and others. April following officers were elected: Gen. W. S. Ross, president; S. D. Lewis, treasurer; George H. Butler, recording secretary, and Washington Lee, Jr., corresponding secretary; Charles Dorrance and William P. Miner, curators. Two hundred leading farmers became members. That was all there was of it. The chronicler of the day says the " coal speculation ended it."
In 1858 another brave attempt was made to put on its feet another agricultural society, at a meeting in Kingston. Charles Dorrance, president; Gen. E. W. Sturdevant, Samuel Wadhams, Benjamin Harvey and C. D. Shoemaker, vice-pres- idents. A constitution was adopted, and all was prepared to hold a county fair October 27 and 28, 1868, near the village of Wyoming. The fair was held and pronounced a success; owing to the exertion and influence of Col. Dorrance largely.
In January, 1810, the Luzerne County Agricultural society, was first organized, in the old courthouse at Wilkes-Barre. Jesse Fell was chosen chairman, and Dr. R H. Rose secretary of the meeting. A constitution was adopted, and the follow- ing officers were chosen for the year: Jesse Fell, president; Matthias Hollenback, vice-president; Thomas Dyer, treasurer; Peleg Tracy, recording secretary; and Dr. Rose and Jacob Cist, corresponding secretaries. The preamble to the con- stitution declared the object of the society to be for the improvement and advance- ment of agriculture, by introducing improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and the best grain, such as wheat, rye, corn, etc., and the improvement of the soil by lime and manure.
The prominent and efficient actors in this movement were Dr. Rose and Jacob Cist, both enterprising men, laboring for the advancement of useful knowledge, and possessing perhaps a greater share of scientific agricultural information than any other two gentlemen in the county.
No proceedings of the society have been preserved other than a report made in 1811, on nineteen specimens of cloth, presented by Mr. Ingham, all of which were pronounced creditable. The pieces particularly noticed were those wrought by Miss Luckey, Raphael Stone, R. Ingham, A. Stevens, N. Stevens and Joseph Ingham.
There is preserved also a list of premiums proposed in 1824, as follows: For the best field of wheat, less than thirty acres, $5; for the best field of corn and rye, $5; for the best field of oats or buckwheat less than 30 acres, $3; for the best acre of potatoes, $3; for the best half acre of flax, $4, etc.
In this list of premiums there was not enough consideration given to the
Elliott Kiser
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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
women's department. All real life then was, as they supposed, in the tendency of the broad acres and the deft women who handled the spindle and the flax were considered hardly as secondary adjuncts to the men and their work.
Nearly all the first settlers in Luzerne county were farmers, who handled the axe and the plow, who sowed the grain and gathered the harvest. Their wives and daughters did not scorn the labor of the kitchen; they prepared the rich milk, the delicious butter and cheese, and, when occasion required, assisted their husbands and fathers in the field. Their hands were familiar with the wash-tub and the dough-tray, they spun flax, and wove cloth for the backs of the men, and carpets for the floors of their houses. Almost every house contained a loom, one or two spinning-wheels, and a dye pot. The men were agriculturists, and the women were manufacturers. The young ladies of one neighborhood or township frequently vied with those of another in spinning, weaving, and coloring cloth. It was not uncommon for young ladies to spin 100 knots in a day. Miss Mary Smith, of Pittston, frequently spun 120 knots in a day. In 1828 Miss Rachel Jenkins spun and reeled 135 knots in twelve hours, and Miss Selinda Jenkins spun 136 knots of filling in the same time. The farmers on the east side of the river contended with those on the west side, in raising wheat, rye, corn and vegetables, the most and best on a given lot of ground. It was the high ambition of the young men to become good farmers, and wed industrious and accomplished girls, such as Rachel and Selinda Jenkins.
In such communities never comes congested wealth, nor the dawdling butterflies of society, nor the commonwealth of poverty and crime-those sub-cellars of social life reeking with filth, abomination and despair-these districts of uninvited famine of food and morals where souls are polluted and bodies worse than damned.
In 1851 another Luzerne county agricultural society was organized, with Gen. William S. Ross president, Hon. John Coons and Hon. William Hancock vice- presidents; S. D. Dewis, treasurer; George H. Butler, recording secretary; Washing- ton Lee, Jr., corresponding secretary, and Charles Dorrance and William P. Miner curators. Although the society had 200 members and gave great promise of use- fulness, its existence was brief, by reason of the speculation in coal lands which at about that time overshadowed almost every other interest.
The third society was organized in 1858. From the records of this society the following facts concerning it are gleaned: On the 25th of September of that year a meeting of persons interested in farming and gardening was held in the "house of Mr. Wambold," at Kingston. Rev. Thomas P. Hunt presided, and William P. Miner acted as secretary. Col. Charles Dorrance reported a constitution and by- laws for the organization then and there to be formed, which were adopted. The constitution named the association the Luzerne County Agricultural society; declared the object to be " to foster and improve agriculture, horticulture, and the domestic and household arts;" fixed the fee for annual membership at $1, and for life membership at $5; provided for a meeting on the third Tuesday in February of each year, at which should be elected a president, nine vice-presidents (of whom "three- fourths " should be practical farmers or horticulturists) to look after the interests and report the condition of agriculture, recording and corresponding secretaries, a librarian and an agricultural chemist and geologist; also a general meeting in connection with the. fair, and special meetings as called by the executive committee, which was to consist of the officers and five other members.
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