USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > Wilkes-Barre (the "Diamond city") Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; its history, its natural resources, its industries, 1769-1906 > Part 9
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The Miners' Savings Bank was established in 1868 and A. C. Laning was its first President. It occupies the same site on South Franklin Street as when organized. It is one of the city's prosperous institutions and owns the large block on the east corner of South Franklin and West Market
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Streets where it will shortly erect handsome and more commodious quarters. On 3rd January, 1906, its showing was: Capital $ 150,000.00 Surplus and undivided profits. 829,809.22 2,717,835.95
Deposits
The Milkrs-Barre Deposit and Savings Bank.
The Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Savings Bank, now occupying the hand- some structure on the south side of the Public Square, was chartered in 1871, Joseph Lippincott being its first President. It began business in a modest way in the basement of the First National Bank building and on the 3rd January, 1906, had the following showing:
Capital $ 150,000.00
Surplus and undivided profits. 334,599.56
Deposits 2,391,979.37
WiKIS-B
54
FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING.
2
W-B. DEPOSIT & SAVINGS BANK.
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3
The People's Bank.
The People's Bank, occupying the ground floor of its own building, seven storie's high, on the west side of the Public Square, was established in 1872.
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THE PEOPLE'S BANK BUILDING.
The first President was Reuben J. Fliek. It began business in a portion of the old Music Hall building, where the Sterling now stands; afterwards it was lo- cated in the Troxell building, now a part of the Weitzenkorn property, finally .
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moving to its own valuable property. Its standing on 3rd January, 1906, showed :
Capital $ 250,000.00 Surplus and undivided profits 475,000.00
Deposits
2,023,903.23
Anthracite Savings Bank.
In was in 1876 when the Anthracite Savings Bank began business on the premises now occupied by the Press Club on South Franklin Street. Andrew HIunlock was the first President. It is now finely housed in its own building across the street from its first business location. On Brd January, 1906, its financial exhibit was:
Capital
$ 200,000.00
Surplus and undivided profits '448,000.00
Deposits 1,928,416.92
Wyoming Halley Trust Company.
It was seventeen years later, in 1893, before the next bank was chartered, The Wyoming Valley Trust Company. It commenced business on the north side of the Public Square, Fred. Theis being its first and only President. It is a growing and prosperous institution and has bought a valuable site on the north-west corner of the Public Square, on which it proposes erecting commodi- ous banking quarters and offices.' Its report on January 3, 1906, showed :
Capital $ 243,000.00
Surplus and undivided profits 318,848.76
Deposits 1,659,412.05
Luzerne County Trust Company.
The tenth of Wilkes-Barre's splendid group of banks to be opened for busi- ness was the Luzerne County Trust Company, on August 4, 1902-right in the middle of the great coal strike --- and is located on 27 Public Square. George K. Powell has been its only President. Its financial standing on January 3, 1906, was :
Capital $ 150,000.00
Deposits
Surplus and undivide l profits 182,088.83 613,127.63
It will thus be seen that these banking institutions sprang into existence just as the needs of the city required. Another bank has just been incorporated. named the South Side Bank, and will be located on Hazle Street near foot of Washington Street. That these banks are carefully and conservatively man- aged is amply demonstrated by their surplus, their real estate holdings, the dividends they are paying and the value of their stocks. The banks unques- tionably form the capstone of the magnificent position which Industrial Wilkes-Barré has attained.
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THE WEATHER
WILKES-BARRE TIMES
EARTHQUAKE WRECKS SAN FRANCISCO Shocks and Fire May Wipe Out MINERS' DEMANDS FLATLY REFUSED
the City
HUURFE CHAFLAT'S
FALTKIS STRONS.
water Mains Burst -- Fires Break Out Every where, Paralyzing Fire Department- Ferrible Holacaus !. Costry City Hall In Kulns Property Destruction Valued at $70.000 000
BY THE ANTHRACITE OPERATORS; OFFER A MODIFIED ARBITRATION
3000 PEOPLE REPORTED KILLED
The Smartness of
.Our Flens
"Ready-to- Put-On"
SUITS
Has Attracted all Good Ereach
Their .it ginality ond
.leser brev place
iber elars Such
h au iluta ti pefect *** = >Jis vere er befure on sale
. .:
IMP SANS a SCHLOSSER DIED AS
RESULT OF CRASH .-
GLAS oFacates COURT HOUSE DEAL
GORGAS PAYS RESPECTS 10 BIGELOW'S ARTICLE
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SNOWFALL HEAVY HERE
GREAT DEPTH REACHED AT HARVEY'S LAKE REGION
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OPERATORS AND MINERS REED
THA PRESIDENT'S ADVANCES
Atuatots Asporters Was à
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The Armspapers.
No better evidence of a city's prosperity and up-to-dateness can be given than the make-up and character of its daily newspapers. Wilkes-Barre pos- sesses four daily papers that will compare favorably with those of any city in the Commonwealth. They are virile, progressive journals, carefully edited, well patronized and all bear evidence of prosperity.
The Milkrs-Barrr Rrrord.
The oldest newspaper of the eminently substantial city of Wilkes-Barre is the Wilkes-Barre Record. The journal, together with its ancestry, has had a career of three-quarters of a century. It is a lineal descendent of the Anti-
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OR THE SITUATION
Milkce-Barre Record
18 PAGES
WILKES-BARRE LEADER
CITY EDITION
ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE REPORTED KILLED IN CYCLONE WHICH WRECKED MISSISSIPPI TOWN EARLY LAST EVENING
THE WEATHER
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THE WILKES-BARRE NEWS.
COOD-EA YELLOW' PERIL.
SOFT COAL STARS -I-F. CALSES CONCER) NHƠNCAN YM
Death Folkwed al Hospital. Drove nc the Track
num Pennsylvania Flyer Strack Porse zam at a ramen: Attorneys Lesahan and Strauss . un.
Near Crossing -. Skul Broken and
MADE LAST NIGHT
Drew Dp Papers Which Placed Le Wart With the Carlacci Stone Co.
E> ORDERS FOR FERNO JOB MINE THE REGULAR ARMY CLOSED BY STRIPE
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NES THEATRE WAR . AREZOLD BONERS SOLDIER . 45 SET TO COME NORDAT OVER EVROPS YET, LPOR BY THUGS
Firat Jotrt Conference Will Be Beid Today
....
FULL FELE
- THE
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Masonic Advocate, begun in 1832 by Elijah Worthington, and purchased in 1838 by Amos Cisty, who changed the name to The Wilkes-Barre Advocate. In 1843 Sharpe D. Lewis took charge of the Advocate and in 1853 it was sold to William P. Miner, who changed the name to The Record of the Times, which name the semi-weekly edition still bears.
Mr. Miner in 1873 began the experiment of publishing a daily edition, first in the morning and later in the evening. Mr. Miner was one of the most promi- nent journalists of the State and the Record wielded considerable influence. In 1877 the plant was sold to the Record of the Times Publishing Co., with Dr. William H. Bradley in charge, the time of publication being changed back to the morning.
In 1883 the newspaper was purchased by Charles B. Snyder, Dr. F. C. Johnson and Joseph C. Powell. They immediately began making improvements and devoted their energy to building up the paper. A few years later Mr. Snyder sold his interest to the other partners. The circulation rapidly increased and the Record steadily advanced in influence and prestige. When the present management assumed control the paper was fed into the press by hand, but now a modern machine, costing $30,000, is necessary, capable of printing 25,000 papers an hour, pasted and folded.
Up to 1900 the paper was published by Johnson & Powell as partners, but . in that year a charter was issued to the Wilkes-Barre Record Co., with J. C. Powell as President and F. C. Johnson as Secretary-treasurer. The present officers of the company are: F. C. Johnson, President; J. A. Boyd, Vice President ; Guy W. Moore, Secretary-treasurer. The editor is Eugene T. Giering; City Editor, P. P. Mangan ; News Editor, W. L. MeColhnn.
Milkrs-Marrr Arms.
The Wilkes-Barre News passed its quarter century mark over a year ago, having issued the first number Tuesday, November 18, 1884. It is a morning journal and is the only one-cent daily paper issued in the city. Its party policy is Independent Democratic and it has an excellent circulation. It is a newspaper that has had a varying fortune but is now a prosperous enterprise. A little over twelve months ago it was incorporated as the Wilkes-Barre News Company, having well-known citizens at the head. The following are its officers: Presi- dent, Hon. G. J. Stegmaier; Secretary, Ambrose West; Treasurer, M. S. Shaffer; General Manager. A. W. Betterly; Editor, M. J. O'Toole.
Wilkes-Barre Cimrs.
The Wilkes-Barre Times was sixteen years old on March 21, 1906. It was established in Kingston by A. A. Holbrook as a morning daily, but in Septem . ber, 1891, it came into the control of C. B. Suyder and was removed to this city and made an afternoon paper. In May, 1894, Mr. Snyder transferred his interest to the Wilkes-Barre Times, an incorporated company with Liddon Flick as President and Editor. Subsequently, R. Jay Flick joined the staff and be-
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came Treasurer and General Manager, and under the joint control of the Messrs. Flick the daily rapidly forged into the front rank as an influential and enterprising journal. In 1895 the Times removed into its present commodious quarters at 35 West Market Street, devoting the whole of the four floors to the work of the paper. In 1903 a three-story addition was made to the building and a new three-deck Goss perfecting press, capable of turning out. 25,000 papers an hour, was installed. The composing room contains five Mergenthaler linotype machines, and they are in continuous use. The job room has just been equipped with new machines and, altogether, the Times plant is modern and up-to-date, while its offices are the handsomest in the city.
Mr. Liddon Flick died July 2. 1905, and was succeeded in the direction of the paper by his brother, R. Jay Flick. The present officers of the company are : President and Editor, R. Jay Flick : Associate Editor. G. A. Edwards; Man- ager, J. Barton Cheyney : City Editor, P. J. Ramsey.
Thr Milkrs-Barrr Frader.
The history of the newspaper enterprise which is to-day represented in the Wilkes-Barre Leader had its beginning in 1810, when the Susquehanna Demo- crat was established, and of this and other publications since established the present Daily Evening Leader is the final result, or culmination. The Wyoming Herald was established in 1818. the Republican Farmer in. 1828 and the Wyoming Republican (at Kingston) in 1832. The latter absorbed the Herald in 1835 and in 1839 the Farmer and Re- publican were consolidated. the name Farmer being retained. In the mean- time the Democrat had suspended publication and its material passed to its successors. The Luzerne Democrat was founded in 1845 and seven years later was consolidated with the Farmer under the name of the Luzerne Union. In 1876 the Luzerne Leader was established in Pittston by C. H. Chamberlin and E. Niven, and in the following February was purchased and removed to Wilkes-Barre. In 1879 it was united with the old Luzerne Union plant and on January 17 of that year the first issue of the Union-Leader was put out. On October 1, 1879, it issned its first number as an afternoon daily. In 1903 a change of personnel took place and the Leader is now issued by the Leader Pub- lishing Company at 7 North Main Street.
The Leader is a progressive newspaper possessing an excellent plant, con- sisting of a battery of five linotype machines and a Hoe press of large capacity. Its officers are : President, Fred. C. Kirkendall ; Secretary, HI. H. Miller; Edi- tor and Manager, E. G. Smith : City Editor, Chauncey H. Derby.
Besides the foregoing the following weekly papers are published in the city : The Bratstro ( Slav. ), Courier-Herald ( Labor). Demokratischer Waechter (Ger- man), The Gornik (Polish), Luzerne County Express (German), Saturday Reporter, Luzerne Legal Register ( Legal), The Industrial Gazette.
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THIE BENNETT BUILDING.
Merrantile Jutrrests.
This sketch of the mercantile interests of Wilkes-Barre-wholesale and retail-must of necessity be brief. Too innch can scarcely be said in praise of the character, diversity and extent of the mercantile establishments doing busi- ness in this city. By the wise administration observed by each one of his individual affairs, they have, as a collective and harmonious whole, made this thriving city the natural and general source of supply for a vast surrounding territory. Many of the wholesale houses carry stocks and occupy buildings that are not surpassed in character and size by any similar establishments in Penn- sylvania outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Not one individual line of en- terprise is allowed to retrograde in any particular, and Wilkes-Barre is already regarded as one of the really prosperous and safe centers in which to market any line of goods. The city of Wilkes-Barre also possesses some of the largest and finest retail establishments to be found in this State, occupying magnificent and commodious premises. Some of them were estab- lished as far back as the fifties, many of them in the sixties, while quite a
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number of them are over a quarter of a century old. The history of many of them, in which the sons take up successfully the work of their fathers, makes the mercantile history of Wilkes-Barre exceptionally interesting.
SIMON LONG'S SONS' CLOTHING STORE.
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Ant Moral City.
In summing up the advantages of Wilkes-Barre as an attractive city for manufacturing, mercantile and residential purposes, it may be fairly claimed that it is an ideal city in every respect. Coal is plentiful and the future supply abundant. To quote from one of the United States Mine Reports: "The Wyo- ming Valley mines more coal than any similar area in the world. There are unlimited quantities unmined, and there is more cuhn available to be cleaned and put upon the market." Hard coal is the cheapest fuel, all things considered, for steam or furnace purposes. Manufactories flourish here and there is no better testimony to the favorable conditions that exist in Wilkes- Barré.
The location of Wilkes-Barre is excellent for growth and expansion, while its shipping facilities, by eight trunk and connecting lines, are unexcelled. The character of labor available is of the best quality and the continued attraction of the mine regions for the best class of immigrants makes the supply plentiful. There is also continually growing up a class of boys and girls, all American trained and educated, that are especially available for service in industrial establishments.
The advantages of residence in Wilkes-Barre include many things which attract the attention and compel the admiration of every visitor, and which serve as a magnet to hold the loyalty of all who reside here. The drainage is of the best, and this, with the fine sanitary system in operation, the well paved streets, many of them beautifully shaded by neatly trimmed trees, contributes to a low death rate. The police and fire departments are of unusual efficiency and the tax rate is the lowest of any city in the State.
With a plentiful supply of mountain water, superior educational advantages. strong fraternal, religious and social organizations, public libraries, good the- aters, enterprising daily newspapers-morning and evening-rapid transit to the center of business and the railway depots, with high-class stores conducted by inen of enterprise, with financial institutions of recognized stability, with a sober, industrious and peaceful population, Wilkes-Barre is all that has been claimed for it as an Ideal City.
.
GEO: A. Edwards.
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Conducted by the Central Poor District of 1,uzerne County, at Retreat, a few miles below Wilkes-Barre. ALMSHOUSE AND HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
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The Centennial Jubilee of 1906.
CENTENNIAL JUBILEE MEDAL .*
Since Wilkes-Barre has been a city its people have enjoyed several "great days"-one of them (to wit, July 4, 1872) being the occasion of a belated centennial celebration, when the one hundredth anniversary of the founding and naming of Wilkes-Barre was marked by an elaborate parade of fire- and militia-companies and various other organizations.
The centennial anniversary of the battle and massacre of Wyoming was duly observed at the Wyoming Monument July 3, 1878, several thousand persons being present-among whom were the President of the United States, two mem- bers of his Cabinet, the Governor of Pennsylvania, and other distinguished visitors. On the following day, at Wilkes-Barre, an extensive "Independence Day Celebration" took place, the town being elaborately decorated, and being crowded with those who participated in the picturesque procession which marched through the streets, and with those who came to look on. The President. his wife and sons, Attorney General Devens and Secretary of the Treasury Sher- man were here, as well as many other persons of note and prominence.
The Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America held its annual convention in Wilkes-Barre during three days in August, 1905, and on one of the days (the 10th) the President of the United States and Cardinal Gibbons of the
* This medal, which is of bronze, is about one and three-fourths of an inch in diameter. Through the middle portion of its obverse the outlines of the State of Pennsylvania are shown (with the Susquehanna River and the location of Wilkes-Barre indicated), bearing the words: " Wilkes-Barre Centennial Jubilee". Above this inscription is a keystone, containing a repre- sentation of the " Old Ship Zion " which stood on Public Square many years ago. On one side of the keystone an open fire- place, with a grate for burning coal, is shown. commemorative of .Jesse Felt's successful experiment with coat, referred to on page 64, ante. On the other side of the keystone a wooden fort, surrounded by a stockade. is represented. At the bottom of the design a coal-breaker, a train of cars, and a factory-building appear. The medal is suspended by a ribbon of green and white (the official colors of the Centennial Jubilee) from a bronze bar bearing the inscription: " Diamond City. 1806 -May to. 11, 12-1906."
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Roman Catholic Church were present as guests of the Union. On that day Wilkes-Barre contained the greatest number of people that had ever assembled within its borders.
The following extracts from the records of the Councils of Wilkes-Barre relate to the "Centennial Celebration of the Erection of Wilkes-Barre into a Borough."
"SELECT COUNCIL.
"File No. 1253. Concurrent Resolution. Introduced by R. Nelson Bennett.
October 10, 1905.
"Resolved (the Common Council concurring), That a committee of six, three from Se- lect and three from Common Council. be appointed by the President of each branch (said Presidents to be on said committee) to devise ways and means for the proper cel- ebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Wilkes-Barre, which will occur on March 17. 1906. Said committee to confer with the Mayor and report to Coun- cils at the next stated meeting of Councils.
"Passed by Select Council October 10, 1905.
WM. H. REICHARD, President.
Concurred in by Common Council Octo- ber 10, 1905. ASTON H. MORGAN, President. Attest : HARVEY WEISS, Clerk.
Attest : FRED. H. GATES, Clerk. "Approved 12 October, 1905. FRED. C. KIRKENDALL, Mayor."
"To the Members of Select and Common Councils of the City of Wilkes-Barre.
.
"GENTLEMEN : The committee of six appointed to confer with the Mayor and devise ways and means for the proper celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Wilkes-Barre, which will occur on March 17, 1906, respectfully report :
"I. That after a conference with the Mayor they enthusiastically report and recommend that the City celebrate the anniversary on two days, March 16th and 17th; that one day be Civic Day, with a parade representing the industries of the City. and another be Military Day, with a parade.
"2. That this committee be continued as an advisory committee to confer with The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, the Board of Trade and citizens generally, and arrange for the proper celebrations.
"FRED. C. KIRKENDALL, Mayor, Chairman.
Common Council-
Select Council- WM. H. REICHARD, ASTON H. MORGAN, R. H. RICHARDS, J. ROBERTS, JR., Treasurer,
R. NELSON BENNETT, Secretary, J. A. HANLON.
"Presented in Select Council October 24, 1905, and received and filed.
"Adopted by Common Council October 24, 1905. Harvey Weiss, Clerk."
"A meeting of the three committees from the City Councils, the Board of Trade, and The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society was held after the Board of Trade meet- ing in the Common Council Chambers on November 27, 1905.
"Fred. C. Kirkendall. Mayor, was elected General Chairman, and R. Nelson Bennett was elected General Secretary.
"The following sub-committee of seven was appointed to prepare plans for the celebra- tion and report to the General Committee. Fred. C. Kirkendall, General Chairman: C. Bow Dougherty, Asher Miner. William H. Reichard, Aston H. Morgan, Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, R. Nelson Bennett, General Secretary.
"Because of the likelihood of unfavorable weather in March, it was decided that the Centennial Jubilee and Old Home Week be held on May 10, 11, and 12, 1906."
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"PROCLAMATION.
"Executive Department, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., January 8, 1906.
"There is rapidly approaching an epoch in the history of our city, greater by far than any that has yet occurred, or that may occur again in another hundred years -- its Century Birthday.
"The celebration of a birthday of this nature can be participated in but once by the pres- ent generation, and it is eminently proper that we should observe it with ceremonies befit- ting the occasion.
"On the seventeenth day of March, eighteen hundred and six, the Borough was incorpor- ated; on the tenth day of May, eighteen hundred and six, the first Borough Council was organized, and on the twelfth day of May, eighteen hundred and six, the first Burgess took the oath of office.
"Arrangements for the observance of these historic events are under the direction of a committee composed of members of our City Councils. the Board of Trade, Historical So- ciety, and citizens. The program will include military, civic, industrial, and fantastic pa- rades, receptions, music of every description, a river carnival, athletic sports, and many in- teresting ceremonies-in fact it will include everything which goes to make up a good and profitable time.
"During the hundred years now almost past, there have gone away from the hearthstones of the city many sons and daughters to cast their lots. achieve success, and gain renown -- away from the mothers who bore them and the city that nurtured them-until probably every State in our Union is represented by some who first saw the beginning of life in the city of our pride. We want them all back again for a season of reunion, and our 'Old Home' feature will be made one of the best and most enjoyable.
"Therefore, I, Fred. C. Kirkendall, Mayor of the City of Wilkes-Barré, Pennsylvania, do proclaim the tenth, eleventh and twelfth days of May, one thousand nine hundred and six, as the days set apart for our Centennial Jubilee ; and in behalf of our citizens I do most cordially invite all friends of Wilkes-Barre, near and far, to visit us, and join with us in making this celebration one long to be remembered, and in every way worthy of the greatness of the 'Diamond City'; and further, in behalf of the committee, I most earnestly request the hearty and active support of every citizen of Wilkes-Barre and vicinity. 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot?'
FRED. C. KIRKENDALL, Mayor."
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WILKES -
BARRÉ.PA.
1806-1906
HAY 10-11-12
PHOTO-REPRODUCTION OF CENTENNIAL BUTTON.
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RIVER STREET-WILKES-BARRE'S BEAUTIFUL SPEEDWAY.
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FROW OS FROM OSCAP J. HARVEY'S FORTHCOMING "" HISTORY OF WILKES . SAPRE .** COPYR SMTED.
OLD BALTIMORE MINE OPENING. One of the earliest Coal Mines opened in Wilkes-Barre.
PHOTO-REPRODUCTION OF CENTENNIAL FLAG. On a white field a green diamond, bearing, in gold, a bee hive and this legend: "1806 -Wilkes-Barre-1906."
Wilkes-Barré Centennial Jubilee.
program of Events
Thursday, May 10, 1906.
9:00 A. M. Automobile Hill Climbing Contest, Wilkes-Barre Mountain.
10:00 A. M. Opening Ceremonies-Historical Address, Hon. Henry W. Pal- mer; Choral Singing, School Children-River Common.
2:00 P. M. Military and Firemen's Parade.
4:00 P. M. Base Ball-Utica vs. Wilkes-Barre-Wilkes-Barre Driving Park. Admission, 25c.
8:00 P. M. Jubilee Concert - Choral Singing - Ninth Regiment Armory. Admission 50c.
Friday, May 11, 1906.
2:00 P. M. Civic and Industrial Parade.
4:00 P. M. Base Ball-Utica vs. Wilkes-Barre. Admission, 25c.
7:30 P. M. Band Concert-Children's Chorus-River Common.
8:00 P. M. Japanese Water Carnival.
9:00 P. M. Crowning of Jubilee Queen and Costume Ball, Ninth Regiment Armory. Admission, 50c.
Saturday, May 12, 1906.
9:00 A. M. Jubilee Shooting Tournament-River Common.
2:00 P. M. Amateur Athletic Meet, Y. M. C. A. Park. Admission 25c
4:00 P. M. Base Ball-Utica vs. Wilkes-Barre. Admission 25c.
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