USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > The Wyoming Valley, upper waters of the Susquehanna, and the Lackawanna coal-region : including views of the natural scenery of northern Pennsylvania : from the Indian occupancy to the year 1875 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Susquehanna > The Wyoming Valley, upper waters of the Susquehanna, and the Lackawanna coal-region : including views of the natural scenery of northern Pennsylvania : from the Indian occupancy to the year 1875 > Part 36
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Their Rushdale Mills are situated near Jer- myn, twelve miles above Scranton, the neatly whitewashed walls and iron roofs of which are plainly visible from the car windows of the Del- aware and Hudson trains. Both the mills, above and below, are connected with the central office at Scranton by a private telegraph wire, and all the appurtenances of the company are well adapted to an economical manufacture and prompt delivery of their product to all the scat- tered mines in the valley. Between ninety and one hundred men are employed, for whom, in many cases, neat and comfortable houses at a moderate rental are furnished. Mr. W. E. Oats, the gentlemanly Superintendent of the lower or Moosic works, has had a long and successful ex- perience in the business, and Mr. W. S. Hutch- ings, who now has charge of the Rushdale works, has been with the company from boyhood, work- ing his way through all the grades up to his present responsible position. The general office in Scranton, ever since the reorganization, has been under the supervision of their efficient Sec- retary, Mr. J. D. Sherrer
The Wapwallopen Powder Mills of the Messrs. Du Pont, the competitors of the Moosic Com- pany for this trade, were originally built or begun by Mr. G. P. Parrish, of Wilkes Barre, who sold to the Du Ponts in 1857. They are located near the mouth of the Little Wapwal- lopen Creek, about a mile from the Susquehanna River, at Hick's Ferry, and have been enlarged and improved by this company (who have been
engaged in the manufacture of powder on the Brandywine, in Delaware, since 1802), until now they have a productive capacity nearly equal to that of the Moosic Company. Their product is shipped into the valley by the L. & B. Railroad, and in the summer by canal. The mills are under the general superintendence of Mr. C. A. Belin, who has been with the company for many years, and is related to the Du Font family. Mr. Henry Belin, Jr., of Scranton, is the Gen- eral Agent for the Wyoming Coal Fields, and has charge of the supply of their powder for all mines in this section. Into the hands of these two large companies the bulk of the powder trade has fallen, giving another illustration of the old adage that the "big fish eat up all the little ones," or of that tendency to consolidation and aggregation of capital in these days, exhib- ited in every branch of business by which large enterprises become possible.
The name of Wapwallopen is of Indian origin, and means the stream of Roaring Waters, and is a corruption of Wa-wa-lepin. The head waters of this stream interlock with those of the Le- high, about ten miles southeast of Wilkes-Barre. In the last two miles of its course it falls 300 fect, which makes its value as a water-power. The Messrs. Du Ponts have a narrow gauge rail- road connecting with the L. & B. Road. One of the three rolling mills is the largest of the kind ever built. The wheels alone weigh 51,000 pounds each, or total weight on the platform 106,000 pounds. Such is the enormous crush- ing effect, that in passing over a ten-penny nail it will roll it out as thin as a sheet of letter paper. This mill makes 12,500 pounds of pow- der each day. There are also two hydraulic presses of a capacity of 800 kegs per day. The total running capacity of the works is 1,000 kegs or 25,000 pounds per day.
A century ago, when powder was made in a smaller way by a larger number of minnfac- turers, it was sold for one dollar per pound ; now it is produced with the improved machinery, and in large quantities, used and sold at a profit of about twelve cents per pound.
Besides these mills there has been built a smaller institution, brought into existence re.
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cently by the Laflin Powder Manufacturing Company, below Pittston, at Laflin Station, ou the L. & S. Railroad, capable of making about two hundred kegs a day. There is also a Patent Non-explosive Powder Factory in operation at Solomon's Gap, called Oliver's Mills, in which we believe swamp muck or peat is mixed with the other ingredients, in order to make the pow- der less liable to explode, but as the sales are not large we presume the consumers prefer a non- explosive kind of material.
The leading newspaper of the entire north- ern coal region is published in its chief city- Scranton. An elaborate article on the editor's pathway is not our mission, but rather a faithful history of The Scranton Republican newspaper and its premises.
In August, 1856, when the Know-Nothing party was in its glory, and the whole country was in a heated Presidential contest, the first number of The Scranton Republican was issued by Theodore Smith, of Montrose, a sheet 22x32 inches. The Lackawanna Herald, a Know- Nothing organ, published by Charles E Lathrop, was its only opponent in the (then) Borough of Scranton. The campaign in this section was a bitter one, and by its opposition to the Know- Nothing ticket The Republican gained somewhat in public favor, but progressed indifferently until the spring of 1858, when it was purchased of Mr. Smith by Mr. F. A. Macartney, who enlarged its surface and made material changes and im- provements. It was ably conducted by Mr. Macartney from 1858 to 1863, though not a successful financial enterprise, and in the summer of 1863 Thos. J. Alleger purchased the concern, and published a very inferior paper until 1866.
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In March of that year Mr. F. A. Crandall came from Utica, N. Y., and purchased a half interest with Mr. Alleger, and shortly afterwards became sole proprietor. During that same year Mr. Crandall disposed of a half interest to Mr. R. N. Eddy, of Cazenovia, N. Y., and in Sep- tember, 1867, Mr. J. A. Scranton, the present proprietor, purchased Mr. Eddy's interest, and on the first of November of the same year, THE MORNING REPUBLICAN was launched upon the journalistic sea.
We shall not attempt to detail the struggles of the daily during the first two years of its ex- istence, for popular favor and a firm foothold ; nor the amount of money sunk before the eon- cern became a paying institution. Suffice it to say that many cloudy days were experienced, and many thousands of dollars were sunk in educating the people to a proper and wholesome support of a good daily paper. and after that point was finally reached the establishment con- tinued to prosper, until to-day it is second to few in the State outside of the city of Phila- delphia.
In March, 1869, Mr. Scranton purchased the interest of Mr. Crandall (who went to St Louis to embark in a commercial newspaper enterprise), since which time he has remained the sole pro- prietor.
On the fifth day of February, 1868, a disas- trous fire broke out on Lackawanna Avenue, two doors from the Republican office, and it, with three other brick buildings, were, with nearly all their contents, consumed by the fire fiend. Not- withstanding this catastrophe. however, though a heavy blow to a new paper making desperate struggles for popular favor and patronage, Phwe- nix-like it rose from its ashes in the space of fifteen days, and since then has not missed a single issue from any cause whatsoever.
When the daily was first started Mr. H. W. Chase, of Utica, (since deceased), became its city editor, and conducted that department of the paper in a creditable manner, and won for himself and the Republican many warm friends and admirers. Always courteous and affable, he was received into the very first circles of Seran- ton society ; nor did he think it beneath his dignity to delve in the lowest places, if by so doing he could bring forth an item worthy of perusal, and suitable for the columns of the paper, which at no time admitted anything of an improper character.
The general business of the Republican had so steadily increased, that in 1871 the necessity for more room and better facilities was seen and felt. Hence, Mr. Seranton purchased a lot on the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Centre Street, and commenced the crection of an edifice
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Entrance to Yard.
Ning. me No. 1.
Glazing Whil No. 2.
Moosic Powder Company's Works, at Moosic, Pa
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CITIES AND TOWNS.
on that site, which stands as a monument to his perseverance, tact, ability and enterprise.
The structure is 26 by SS feet, five stories high, including a Mansard roof and basement, the floor of which is only three feet below the sidewalk, with a sub-cellar underneath the whole. It is built of cream-colored brick from Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, and richly trimmed with grey limestone from Syracuse. N. Y, the basement and first story front being entirely of stone. The window openings and pilasters are richly trimmed with stone, and the main entrance stoop and steps are of the same material. The interior of the building is admirably arranged for the business, well furnished with all modern conve- nienees, and heated throughout with steam. On the side view from Lackawanna Avenue, in raised letters upon stone, are the words : " DAILY AND WEEKLY REPUBLICAN," "BOOK BINDING," " PRINTING," and upon the Wyoming Avenue front, cut in the same manner, are the words : "SCRANTON REPUBLICAN OFFICE."
The Mansard roof is slated very handsomely, and on the front is a dome or tower, twenty feet high, also roofed with slate, which greatly en- hances the beauty of the structure. A decora- tive cresting surmounts the whole, making it one "of the finest appearing buildings in Northeast- . ern Pennsylvania.
The basement is occupied in front as a press room, and contains six fast power presses. In the rear is located the job room, which is airy, light and comfortable. The boiler (fifty horse- power) is located under the sidewalk, and is designed not only to furnish motive power, but to heat the whole building by steam. The en- gine, a beautiful and substantial piece of mech- anism, twenty-five horse-power, built by the Dickson Manufacturing Company, is placed in the basement near the Wyoming Avenue sidewalk.
The Third National Bank is located on the first floor, in the front part of the building, while directly in the rear are the counting-room and private office of Mr. Scranton. The third story contains the bindery, a stock room, and a spacious department for mailing clerks and car- riers. The upper story front room is very high, airy and admirably lighted, and is usel as a
newspaper composing room. In its rear are the editorial rooms. The total value of the estab- lishment, including the building, amounts to $100,000.
The editorial and reportorial staffs have always been chosen from competent grades, and have dove much to mould opinion in the two coal val- leys. Upon the editorial staff, Colonel J. D. Laciar has been engaged for the past six years, discharging his duties in a commendable and meritorious manner, wielding a peu of liberal and broad views, in keeping with the advance of the age In the local department as city editor, this journal has at present Mr. John Erigena Barrett, whose writings have been referred to often in this work, and who promises to the world of belles lettres a brilliant future. Mr. Edw. M. Clarke manages the Bindery to the satisfaction of both proprietor and public. Mr. Robert Holmes, superintendent of the office, has been in the employ of the Republican for eight years. devoting his time and energies to the up-build- ing of the mechanical part of the institution, of which he may justly feel an honest pride.
On the whole, for a place so young, and inhab- itants so mixed, the Republican is a grand suc- cess in journalism.
Next in age is the Scranton City Journal, a weekly publication, devoted to literary and mis- eellaneous reading. It was founded by Messrs. George and Eugene Benedict, about nine years ago, and has kept its record as spotless as any paper in this region, for honest and manly senti- ments. It avoids the common rut of provincial journals of the present day, in dealing with eaustic and immoral weapons, serving the public with a frankness and candor which entitles it to the liberal support of the community.
The Daily Times was founded in 1870 by the author of this work, assisted by a few persons who subscribed one hundred dollars apiece as stock. The second editor was IIon Wm. II. Stanton, now State Senator. A. A. Chase, esq., is the present editor and proprietor, and if the masses of the Democratic party were addicted to reading, their organ would exhibit that fact quite plainly by force of the increased patronage it would command.
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THE LACKAWANNA VALLEY.
The Sunday Free Press was founded in 1871, and is a fearless sheet, claiming absolute inde- pendence upon any subjeet.
The Germans have two newspapers published in the city, the Wochenblatt and Herald.
The Welsh inhabitants sustain the Baner America, published by Mr. Thomas Phillips in Hyde Park.
The different enterprises in journalism, which have been attempted in this city, would, if de- tailed, make a respectable volume. The ephem- eral existence which they enjoyed, would add little weight or interest to the history of to-day.
The manufacturing industries are yet in their infancy. By judicious management this city can be made the centre of meehanieal industry of the middle States, if the opinions of far-see- ing men who predict as much are to be respected. The Dickson Manufacturing Company is an in- stitution of magnitude, turning out the finest locomotives in this section of country.
A Silk Factory, now in full progress, is gain- ing in importance, and ranks the fifth of its class. Other foundries, machine shops, and minor industries, are assuming importanee, but the production of small wares needs the atten- tion of capitalists. Banks are numerous, and fully engaged in an extensive business. A cor- poration for the manufacture of Frear Stone is in existence here, which promises much for the beauty of the future architecture of the city. It is in charge of Mr. R. E. Hurley, a young man of energy and taste, who leaves the imprint of his genius upon the work which is turned out.
The social elements which enter into the com- munity, do not differ materially from the coal towns in general. What may be said of one would be considered as history for all. The im- pression which obtains abroad, that disorder and violence reign throughout these mining valleys, is largely exaggerated. In point of population, the record of crime is not larger than in locali-
ties of the same dense masses in any other part of the Union. Struggles between capital and labor, it is true, are frequent and to be deplored, but an observing mind, ruled by eandor, must admit that blame attaches to both wings in the disputes, and in the run of years the result will exhibit an equal amount of obstinaey and stub- bornness on the part of each.
Educational advantages are fast engaging the attention of the two valleys, but outside of the lower grade of sehools no depositories of learning have yet sprung.into existence. The ruling trait of eoal operators inelines to money-making as a general rule. It becomes a habit in their older years, and having been deprived themselves of educational advantages in youth, they heed little of the demands of the age in their declining days. Literature is sadly at a discount in this region, where money alone is the kingly power. The Catholic portion of the cities and towns is taking the initiation. Their academies are loom- ing up in every quarter, and on a sound financial and theoretical basis. St. Cecelia's, of Scranton, when completed will offer inducements that will not be surpassed in the state. It is now in charge of Mother M. Joseph, Superior, a highly accom- plished and educated lady, who, for a long term of years, has proved herself worthy of the high and responsible position which attaches to her eall -. ing. Protestant families are beginning to appreci- ate the advantages offered here, and numbers send their children there to be trained and educated.
The Welsh population in the mining districts predominates. They are a hardy, self-reliant people, and excepting the lower class of the race, highly intellectual and educated. The opinion formed abroad that they are the cause of much of the trouble which exists between capital and labor, is without foundation. On the contrary, they are the most conservative element in the mines, their spare moments being devoted to lit- erature and science.
CHAPTER XXXX.
THE JUDICIARY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
HON. JACOB RUSH.
The first President Judge of Luzerne County was Hon. Jacob Rush, who held his first Court at Wilkes-Barre, December Term, 1791. He was succeeded in 1806 by Thomas Cooper.
HON. THOMAS COOPER, LL. D.,
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Was born in London, October 22, A. D., 1759. He had been a practicing Attorney in Luzerne prior to holding his first Court, which was in August Term, 1806. Being educated at Oxford in the classics, and afterwards a thorough student .in the Natural Sciences, he extended his re- searches into anatomy and medicine. He studied law, and after being admitted to the bar traveled with the circuits for a few years, after which he was sent to France by the Democratic Clubs of England, to the affiliated clubs of the former country, in which, while attending to his eom- missioned duties, he had learned the secret of making chlorine from common salt, and return- ing to England became a bleacher and calico printer in Manchester. Coming to America he beeame mixed in politics, and for a violent attack on the President, John Adams, was tried for libel under the Sedition Act of 1800, and · sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine of $400.00. After his term of service as Judge, he occupied the Chair of Chemistry in Dickinson College, in the University of Penn- sylvania, and in Columbia College, South Caro- lina, of which last institution he became Presi- dent in 1820. Upon his retirement in 1831,
the revision of the Statutes of the State was accorded to him, and he died in the performance of this duty, May 11th, 1840. He published in 1794, in London, a volume of " Information Concerning America;" in 1800, a collection of " Political Essays ;" in 1812, in Philadelphia, a translation of the " Institutes of Justinian ;" in 1819, a work on " Medical Jurisprudence ;" in 1812-14, two of the five volumes entitled the " Emporium of Arts and Sciences;" in 1826, at Charleston, S. C., his academic " Lectures on the Elements of Political Economy."
HON. SETH CHAPMAN
Succeeded Judge Cooper, holding his first Court August Term, 1811. Years after he had ceased to preside in Luzerne, he was impeached, and resigned his Judgeship.
HON. JOHN BANNISTER GIBSON
Followed Judge Chapman, and held his first Court July Term, 1813. This eminent Judge was a Pennsylvanian by birth, born November Sth, 1770. In 1816 he was elevated to the Su- preme Bench, where he maintained his position and high reputation until his death, which occurred May 3d, 1853.
HON. THOMAS BURNSIDE
Succeeded Judge Gibson at the August Term, 1816. He, too, was elevated to the Bench of the Supreme Court.
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THE LACKAWANNA VALLEY.
HON. DANIEL SCOTT
Held his first Court in Wilkes-Barre, Angust Term, 1818. He was a native of Connecticut, born in 1732, and came to the Wyoming Valley when a young man, and studied law there. He eventually became so deaf as to be unable to dis- charge the duties of his office. He died in 1839.
HON. WILLIAM JESSUP, LL. D.
William Jessup was born at Southampton, L. I, June 21st, 1797. He graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1815. Three years later he left his native place for Montrose, and entered the law ,office of A. H. Reed, esq. He was admitted to the bar February, 1820. He held the office of Register and Recorder for the county, by appoint- ment of Governors Shulze and Wolf, from Jan- uary, 1824, nine years, and declined a reappoint- ment in 1833. In 1838 he was appointed by Governor Ritner, President Judge of the Elev- enth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, which then comprised the counties of Luzerne, Pike and Monroe. Upon the accession of Hon. John N. Conyngham to the presidency of the adjoin- ing district, a transfer was made by the Legisla- ture of the counties of Luzerne and Susquehanna, that accommodated both Judges in respcet to residence.
Upon the expiration, in 1848, of his first con- stitutional term uron the bench, Judge Jessup was reappointed by Governor Johnston to the district then composed of Luzerne, Susquehanna Wyoming. Here he continued to preside until the term again expired in 1851; prior to which he had been nominated by a State Convention of the Whig party. as one of the five Judges of the Supreme Court of this Commonwealth, but that party as usual was defeated at the following elec- tion. He then returned to the practice of his favorite profession. In this he was actively engaged until disabled by paralysis in 1863. In 1848 Hamilton College conferred upon him the . merited Degree of LL. D.
One of his most brilliant forensic triumphs
may be reckoned-his defense of the Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia, upon the charge of heresy, before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. He died Sept. 11, 1863.
HON. JOHN N. CONYNGHAM, LL D.
There is perhaps no name in Northern Penn- sylvania which commands as much reverence as that of the late lamented Judge John Nesbitt Conyngham. Were it in the power of the writer to do justice to the memory of such a man. no task would be so enthusiastically entertained. Feeling our own inability we choose to transcribe a few fitting remarks extracted from " A Me- morial Discourse," delivered in St. Stephen's Churh, Wilkes- Barre, on the 20th of April, IST1, by Wm. Bacon Stevens, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania :
"The facts which make up the personal history of John Conyngham are few and simple. His life. while not devoid of striking incidents, is not made up of incidents. It is rather the growth of great principles, and its beauty consists in the harmonious development of these principles, so as to form a noble and-symmetrical whole. Born in the city of Philadel- phia in 1798, he received his education there, and graduated with high honor at the University of Pennsylvania in 1616. Selecting the law for his profession. he was entered as a student in the office of the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, and was Mr. Ingersoll's second student, the late Judge Petit being the first. Having completed his preparatory studies in a manner which secured to him the life-long affection and respect of his hen- ored preceptor, he was admitted to the bar, and entered with high hopes upon his profession. Of an ardent and sanguine temperament, he was unwilling to wait the slow process of rising to eminence in his native city, at a time when the bar was lustrous with some of its brightest legal light. and so be resolved to establish himself in Wilkes-Barre, in the Wyo- ming Valley. At the time (:S20) when Judge Conyngham first came here, the inhabitants were only a few hundred, but still it was the centre of influence, social and civil, for all Northern Pennsylvania.
"When he left Philadelphia for Wilkes-Barre, there were among his fellow-passengers, in those long three days' ride in the stage, two persons with whom afterwards he became peculiarly associated. One was a young law student of about his own age, returning home full of life and spirit, who after- wards was admitted to the Luzerne Bar, then studied for the ministry, and rose steadily, until Samuel Bowman became the Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania. The other person was a young lady, the grand-daughter of the old Revolutionary hero, Colonel Butler, and who, a few years atter, became his wife ; with whom he lived in the happiest of domestic rela- tions for nearly half a century, and of whom it is enough to say in words of Scripture, ' Her children rise up and call her blessed.' Thus the young lawyer made for himself a home in this, then, almost a frontier town, and settled himself to solid study and hard work in his profession. At that time bis figure was tall but spare, his face ruddy and tinely chiseled, his manners easy and graceful, and his whole bearing full cl
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THE JUDICIARY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
that unselfish kindness which is so magnetic in drawing to Itself the love and confidence of all who come within the area of its attraction.
" As a citizen he performed with honesty every duty which was laid upon him. Taking with alacrity his part in every needed work or sacrifice, and doing all that he could to keep healthful and sound, that public opinion which is the breath of life to the nation. In all the questions which have agitated this Commonwealth, or this land, for the last nifty years, he has taken his decided stand, always on what he conscien- tiously believed to be the side of truth and right ; and never has there been knowu an instance when he compromised a single principle of truth and right iu the advocacy of his views or plans. Hence, though in early years interested in State and National politics, aud holding sharply and clearly his dis- tinctive opinious, he was respected by all parties, and secured the confidence even of his opponents. When for a year or two he was a member of the State Legislature, his course there was high-toned and incorruptible, and he stood promi- nently forth at a time of no little excitement, as a legislator, who could neither be bribed nor frightened, but who dared to do his duty, despite blandishment or threats. 'A friend who was in the Legislature with him years ago, spoke of his unde- viating courtesy and urbanity, and of his inflexible integrity as well as ability.' . This information,' says Judge Agnew, of the Supreme Bench, who relates the fact, 'coming from an opponent in polities to Judge Conyngham, made a most favor- able impression on my mind, which has never ceased to in- crease, as future opportunity furnished me better means of knowledge.'
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