LackawannaLackawanna County News

The Providence Register

The Providence Register, July 23, 1881

Dr. S.P. Reed, of Wyoming avenue, Scranton, was elected Health officer for the coming year, in place of Dr. J.E. O'Brien.

A benefit ball will be given at John Flynn's Hall, at the Notch, on Thursday, August 4th, for the benefit of Mrs. Patrick McAndrew.  This being a charitable purpose, should be well patronized.  Good music will be in attendance.  Tickets 50 cents.

James Fish, assistant paymaster for the Delaware and Hudson Company is seen elevated on his fine bicycle quite often these pleasant evenings, practicing up and down by the REGISTER office.

The Providence Liberty Cornet Band dispensed some fine music in front of Pa-noo-ka Hall, on Thursday evening, which brought a large crowd from all quarters.  We paid very close attention to the player of the baritone and found that it was used by Mr. John Kelly, who handles it with skill.



The Providence Register, March 10, 1882

St. Patrick's day was celebrated in this place by a large parade of Father Mathew Society, to the number of nearly three hundred.  The Society assembled in their Hall, President Joseph H. Duggan called the meeting to order.  High Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Moses Whitty, V.G.  Luke Kelly was Grand Marshal of the day.  John Neary as Aid.

Miss Ida Spoonenburg, of Berwick, is visiting her aunt, Mrs. John Silkman, on Market street.

Miss Franc C. Silkman, daughter of Mr. James H. Silkman, was given a birthday party on Tuesday evening, by her aunt, Mrs. John Silkman, to celebrate her fourteenth birthday.  She was the recipient of several handsome presents, and one especially from her grandmother, from Katonah, N.Y., who, it seems, always keeps in remembrance her grandchildren.

The members of Gen. Phinny Engine Company No. 4 of Green Ridge, gave their fifth annual grand ball at Pa-noo-ka Hall.  The various committees were as follows:  Committee of arrangements, Wm. Kennedy, Geo. Colvin, Ed. Brant.  Door Committee, W.F. Thompson, Nicholas George, S.S. Gritman, Eugene Long.  Reception Committee, W. A. Bunting, John H. Smith, H.A. Mace.  Floor Committee, Wm. Kennedy, Geo. Colven, Ed. George, J.R. Snyder, James Peacock, Ed. Brant, J. Schrader, Geo. Kennedy, W. S. Ward, Wm. Wint.  Master of Ceremonies, Miles Besecker.  Prompter, Frank Suydam.



The Providence Register, Saturday, June 24, 1882

At a regular meeting of Excelsior Hose company No. 8, held on Sunday last, the following persons were duly elected to serve for the coming year:  President--P. J. Ruane; Vice President--P. F. Campbell; Financial Secretary--Martin Burns; Recording Secretary--A. J. Peel; Treasurer--P. A. Roland; Foreman--John Mcguire; Assistant Foreman--Thos. Duggan; Second Asst. Foreman--Wm. Casey; Pipeman--Luke Kelly; 1st Assistant Pipeman--Michael Clark; 2nd Assistant Pipeman --John King; 3d Assistant Pipeman--John Culington; 4th Assistant Pipeman--Thos. Golden; 5th Assistant Pipeman--James Riley.

Trustees--J. J. Timlin, W. W. White, J. J. Carney, Patrick Golden, John Roland.

Arrangements have been made to hold a grand picnic on the Fourth of July, in Von Storch's grove, at the High Works, Providence, under the auspices of St. Mary's Church Convent School.  Jumping, running, glass ball and target shooting, throwing the sledge, etc., etc., will be one of the main features of the picnic.



The Providence Register, Saturday, March 22, 1884

On April 1, Dr. W. M. Heist will remove his dental office from over Rockwell and Hurlbutt's store and his household goods from 132 West Market street to the second floor of Griffin's new building on the corner of Main avenue and West Market street.

James B. Casterline, formerly Superintendent of the Union Photograph Co., of Rochester, N. Y., who has been visiting his parents and friends, goes to Hazleton this week to take charge of a tea store.  We wish him success in his new enterprise.

Mr. E. A. White, of Wysox, Pa., and Miss Mollie Myers, of Myersville, Pa., were married at the home of the bride on Thursday of last week.  The newly married couple visited their relatives, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Eshleman, at this place this week.  They are now in Philadephia.

Death of Mrs. S. B. Coston--Mrs. S. B. Coston, well known to all our people and for a great number of years a resident of Providence, died, after a lingering illness, at her home in Scranton, on Sunday evening last, aged fifty-five years.  Some months ago the family removed to Philadelphia and remained some time, when they returned to Scranton, since which time deceased has been sick, her disease being attributed to the impurities of the water in that city.  She was a daughter of Mr. Wm. Hull of Providence.  She was an affectionate wife, a kind and loving mother, and her death will be mourned by a large circle of friends.  Her remains were taken to Honesdale on Wednesday morning for interment.

Fireman's Convention--The firemen's convention was held on last Tuesday evening.  J. H. Foy, of Excelsior Hose Company, was elected one of the Secretary's.  Liberty Hose Company No. 2, was represented by Messrs. O. P. Miller and W. H. McDonnell; Niagara No. 7, by E. Roberts and F. W. Davis; Excelsior No. 8, by James Grady and J. H. Foy; Gen'l Phinney No. 4, by M. Farnham and Wm. Bunting.

J. J. Newman and H. F. Ferber were nominated for Chief Engineer and the latter was chosen by a vote of 17, to 8 for the former.

For First District Engineer P. F. Campbell and E. Corwin were nominated and the former was successful by a vote of 6, to 2 for the latter.



The Providence Register, Saturday, June 7, 1884

Mr. Norman White, who had a paralytic stroke some weeks ago, is slowly improving.  We hope soon to see him around.

Mr. Fred Slocum has rented the pleasant rooms in the Griffin building and will enjoy the pleasures of house-keeping in fine style.

Mr. W.B. Christmas, Common Councilman of the First ward, was elected a member of the Board of Revision and Appeal, on Tuesday evening.

The roller skating rink will be open as usual next Tuesday evening.  If you wish to spend a pleasant evening go to the skating rink.  It will soon close for the season.

John Davis, of Hyde Park, while boating on Lily Lake on Monday morning, lost his balance and fell into the water and was drowned.

Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, of Oak street, has purchased a lot on Judge Lewis' property, on School Street, and will build a house thereon.  Excavations are now being made for the same.

A little child of Thomas J. James, who resides on West Market Street, fell into a wash tub, that was left standing in the middle of the floor, on last Friday evening and was drowned.

Irish National League--At the permanent organization of the Providence branch of the Irish National League, on Sunday, May 25, the following officers were elected:  President, John Comerford; First Vice President, H. W. Loftus; Recording Secretary, Thomas H. Franey; Corresponding Secretary, Patrick Boland; Treasurer, Enos Flynn.  The branch will be known as the Robert Emmet. The following were appointed a committee on by-laws:  Jos. H. Duggan, A. F. O'Boyle, M.D. Roche, J. F. Judge, J. F. Gibbons.  The branch will meet in Father Mathew Hall, Providence, the fourth Sunday of each month.

P. J. Loftus Dead--On last Sunday evening at about nine o'clock, Mr. P. J. Loftus, School Controller of the Third ward, died suddenly.  He had been sick for a number of weeks, although his condition was not regarded as dangerous. Mr. Loftus was about 45 years of age and has been a member of the Board of Control ever since the consolidation of the Districts.  He was a man honored and respected by all and his presence will be missed by a large circle of friends.  His remains were gently laid to rest on Monday afternoon.



The Providence Register, July 19, 1884

Mrs. William Kelley, fromerly of Providence, now living in Scranton, died on Wednesday night of membraneous croup. [paper published each Saturday]

The delegates elected in the First ward last Saturday were Charles Henwood and John D. Evans.  Those in the Second Ward were Meredith Morgan and Wm. S. Ward.

Mr. Job Constantine, father of Mr. Geo. Constantine, died at his home in Providence on Thursday night.  Funeral services be he held to-morrow. Interment at Forest Hill.

A young man named John Kearney, of Green Ridge, was arrested Thursday for brutally assaulting a disabled boy named Thomas Connor without the slightest provocation.

Mr. Enos Flynn has commenced operations for the building of a new store on West Market street.  It will be 26x28 and placed in front of the dwelling now used as the Presbyterian parsonage.

Al Cobb had the blues on Wednesday.  His chum, Frank Graham, was sick.

It is said that Mrs. Von Storch has the handsomest set of young men boarders in the city.



The Providence Register, Saturday, November 29, 1884

The wages of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western track men were cut down on last Saturday from $1.10 to $1 a day.

Married, in Dunmore, November 26, 1884, by Rev. A. J. VanCleft, Albert Mowery to Miss Rachel Butler, both of Dunmore.

A ball for the benefit of the Widow Bridget Horan will be held in Kearney's Hall, at the High Works, on next Friday night.

Sheriff Crippen's new building adjoining Henwood's drug store is rapidly approaching completion.  When done it will be a beauty.

A ball and raffle for a cow will be held on next Friday evening in Mrs. Wells hall for the benefit of Patrick Hagerty.  Tickets, fifty cents.

Mr. M. D. Roche will be a candidate for the office of City Solicitor at the election to be held in February by the Select and Common Councils.

There will be a raffle for a clock for the benefit of Kate McKay, held at McNamara's hall, on next Wednesday evening. Tickets, twenty-five cents.

The Dickson Manufacturing Company has informed its workmen that a reduction of about 10 percent will be made in their pay after December 1.

On next Friday evening, December 5, there will be a benefit ball held in Regan's hall for the benefit of John Henaghan. Tickets, fifty cents.

Married, in Scranton, November 26, 1884, by Rev. J. J. Van Cleft, Mr. William S. Cowles, of Providence, to Miss Geneva L. Maynard, of Park Place.

Dr. Pennepacker and Dr. Dean performed a very critical operation on the eyelid of Mr. George Gisner, of Providence, on Monday.



The Providence Register, Saturday, March 21, 1885

Mrs. H. C. Putney, of Main avenue, has been dangerously ill this week and is now in a little more favorable condition.

Mrs. Thomas Simms, of Oak street, was awarded a prize of five dollars for a recitation delivered at the Eisteddfod, at Hyde Park, on Tuesday last.

Married, March 14, at the house of Mr. F. S. Thompson, by Rev. A. J. Van Cleft, Mr. Theron S. Hufling, of Capouse, to Miss Carrie Krafts, of Dunmore.

The Providence Division, No. 143, Sons of Temperance meets every Monday night in the Christian church.  The officers are George Cooper, W. P., D. G. Jones, Sec.

J. K. Smith was opposed to having the Excelsior Hose company admitted to the Department on account of the nationality of most of its members and yet he thinks they will vote for him for District Engineer.  Bah!

Passed Away--the many friends of John Morgan, son of Evan J. Morgan, will be pained to learn of his death, which occurred on last Tuesday morning.  He had been sick for a short time and on Sunday felt very good; but he grew worse on Monday and continued to fail until death relieved him.  He had attained his twenty-first birthday on the day of his death....The funeral services were held in the Welsh Congregational Church on Tuesday afternoon.  Interment was at Washburn street, Hyde Park.



The Providence Register, Saturday, October 10, 1885

Mr. James Flynn has been awarded the contract for furnishing the schools of this district with coal during the coming term.

Caleb Lowry, a Scott farmer, well known in this section, died of pneumonia last Saturday.  He was a son of the late John Lowry, the centenarian, and was about sixty years old.

The Select Council will elect a Mercantile Appraiser at its regular meeting next Thursday.  The candidates are A. F. O'Boyle, the present Appraiser; L. H. Wint, of Providence; John P. Mahon, of the Sixth ward, and A. Keifer, clerk of the Common Council.

Mrs. B. F. Killam is, we are happy to say, better, though she is by no means well yet; we trust it will not be long before she is restored to health.

Little Romayne Dickson is suffering from an attack of scarlet fever, but takes her isolation in a charming spirit of thoughtfulness of others, which is a very pleasant characteristic of the bright, eager little girl.



The Providence Register, Saturday, April 24, 1886

Mr. James Flynn has been awarded the contract for furnishing the school houses with coal.

Mr. H. R. Hurlbutt is superintending the construction of the reservoir for the Artesian Well at the Poor Farm.

Work on the new hose house for Excelsior Hose Company has been commenced. Walter T.O'Malley has the contract for building the same.

Mrs. S. Gardner spent a few days at Binghamton this week.

Captain Fish and family took a drive to Tunkhannock on Tuesday.

Miss Cora Rifenbary, of Pittston, called on Providence friends Tuesday afternoon.

Miss Lulu Corson is visiting her grandmother, Mrs. A. A. Cunningham, at Peckville.

Miss Carrie Atherton has been visiting Miss Francis Raynor, at Carbondale, during the past week.

Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Rockwell are in New York attending the wedding of a relative of Mrs. Rockwell's.

Mr. W. J. Lewis has been elected president of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian church, in place of J. B. Farries, deceased.

Major Reichardt, the jolly clerk of the coal department of the D. & H. C. Co., and his wife...have been on a visit to Colfax, Iowa...

Developments in Tin Mining--The stockholders of the Stevens Tin Milling, Mining and Manufacturing Company held their annual meeting on Monday last. The report of the Superintendent, Mr. J. G. Stevens, was read.  After listening to the same the following were chosen directors:  Charles McMullen, Waymart; Chas. Schlager; C. P. Mathews, Morris Levy, Jacob T. Nyhart, of Scranton; J. G. Stephens, Dakota; Rev. A. J. Van Cleft, of Norwich, N. Y. The directors elected the following officers:  President, Charles McMullen; vice president, C. P. Matthews; treasurer, R. B. Patterson, of Carbondale; secretary, G. F. Reynolds, of Scranton.

A ball will be held in Regan's Hall on next Monday evening by the Emmet Rifle Guards.  The proceeds will be used in the purchase of uniforms.

Died, in Providence, April 18, 1886, Mrs. Phoebe Jane Jones, aged 46 years. Funeral services were held in the Welsh Baptist church on Tuesday afternoon. Interment was at Forest Hill.

On Monday morning last, Judge Hand appointed the following named persons as Assessors for this section of the city:  First ward, G. W. Miller; Second ward, D. P. Thomas; Third ward, John Flynn; Thirteenth ward, Martin R. Kays.

Resolutions of Condolence--At a meeting of the Marvine Accidental Fund, the following resolutions of condolence was adopted:  Whereas--It has pleased Almighty God in his infinite wisdom to take from among us our well beloved brother, Anthony Berry, who died from sickness at his home in Providence on Wednesday night, April 14, 1886.... George Patterson, Recording Secretary.

Officers Elected--A regular meeting of Niagra Hose Company, No. 7, was held in their parlors on Thursday evening, April 15th, and the following officers were elected:  President, John Williams; Vice President, William Zimmerman; Secretary, George J. Wethers; Treasurer, Wm. A. Mulley; Foreman, James H. Leach; First assistant, Wm. J. Itterly; Second assistant, F. W. Allen; First pipeman, M. J. Walsh; Second pipeman, James Flynn; Third pipeman, Wm. Gearhart; Fourth pipeman, Wm. White; First axeman, Daniel Jermyn; Second axeman, Chas. Griffin.



The Providence Register, Saturday, May 15, 1886

Mr. Owen Moran and Miss Mary Ann Hoban were married by Rev. Moses Whitty last week.

Miss Lulu Carson will recite and sing at a camp fire to be held at Peckville next Wednesday evening.

Mrs. Wm. H. Richmond and daughter, Miss Anna, visited friends at Carbondale during the past week.

Mrs. James Clark, Main avenue, has been very low for the past few weeks and at this writing is quite sick.

James Wilder paid a short visit to his aged mother and brother, on Weston Place, the first part of this week.

Rev. Father Whitty and others visited the Hillside Farm on Wednesday.  They found everything in elegant condition.

Mr. David Fuller, father of Mrs. F. B. Silkman, has been quite ill during the past week, but yesterday he was reported as somewhat better.

Mr. T. J. Detweiler's smiling face is once more seen in his harness shop, he having recovered from a spell of sickness of three weeks' duration.

Mrs. D. D. Jones, of Main avenue, who has been quite ill for the past two weeks, is convalescent at this writing.

The many friends of Miss Nellie O'Hara, who has been severely ill for a number of weeks, will be glad to learn that she is rapidly improving and hopes to be about in a short time.

E. M. Gilbert, who has for many years had charge of the D. & H. freight and accomodation train between Carbondale and Scranton, has resigned that position and retired to his farm in Scott.

Jerry Houlihan, who superintended the erection of Mrs. John Finnan's house, has completed the job and is now ready to commence the building of a double tenement house on the back road.

Mr. T. S. Morgan, of the D. & H. C. Co., was examined during the past week at Wilkes-Barre as an applicant for the office of Mine Inspector for the Scranton and Hazleton Districts.

Mr. and Mrs. Bently, of Montrose, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Townsend Poore, on Capouse avenue, this week.

Miss Jennie Brownscombe and mother, of New York, visited the Misses Stearns, East Market street and Dickson avenue, this week.

Mrs. Harriet E. Phillips, aged fifty-five years, died at her residence on Capouse avenue on Tuesday last.  She was buried yesterday.

The eleventh anniversary of the organization of the Green Ridge avenue Presbyterian church  will be suitably observed on the last Sabbath of June.

Mrs. Sarah Williams, aged 41 years, who lived on Deacon street, died after an illness of several weeks, on Tuesday last. Funeral services were held on Thursday and interment was at Forest Hill.

Miss Jessie Millroy, aged 19 years, who at one time lived on East Market street, died suddenly on Wednesday afternoon at her home in Peckville.



The Providence Register, Saturday, May 22, 1886

Mr. and Mrs. Peeler, of Renoya, Clinton county, Pa., visited their daughter, Mrs. A. P. Fowler, Main avenue, this week.

Mrs. Lyman Pallord, of Maine, N. Y., attended the funeral of Mrs. James Clark on Wednesday.  Mrs. Pallord is a sister of Mrs. Clark.

Mr. and Mrs. Warren, of New Hartford, Conn., and Mrs. Schremser, of Honesdale, are visiting their brother, Mr. G L. Biddleman, of 10 Dean street.

Mr. T. Cramer Von Storch was called home from Harvard College during the past week on account of the illness of his father, Mr. Theodore Von Storch.

Mrs. Jane Bell, aged 88 years, died at her home in Peckville on Sunday, May 16, 1886.  She was one of the oldest settlers of the Lackawanna valley.  Mrs. Bell was the mother of Mrs. S. M. Corson, of Providence.  Interment took place on Wednesday afternoon and was made in the Peckville cemetery.

Mrs. W. R. Stone, of Capouse avenue, left on Thursday for a short trip to Honesdale.

Wm. McDonnell has made great improvements in and about his front yard during the past month.

Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Wint will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage today at their home on East Market street.

Mrs. Joseph Robbins, of Deacon street, is still confined to her bed by sickness and is not recovering as rapidly as her many friends would wish.

Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Palmer are receiving the congratulations of friends over the arrival of a little daughter at their home on Wednesday last.

Mr. Peter P. Smith has purchased the Shirer property, corner of Monsey avenue and Green Ridge street, adjoining his own residence, and is engaged in making repairs upon it that were very much needed.

The Green Ridge Methodist sociable will be held next Wednesday evening, May 26, at the residence of Mr. A. B. Conger, 617  East Market street.

David Easterday, aged 24 years, car inspector of the P. & R. railroad, while attending to his duties near the crossing on East Market street on Thursday morning, was caught between the bumpers and so badly squeezed that he died from the effects at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of that day.  His home is in Ashley.  He leaves a wife and one child.



The Providence Register, Saturday, June 19, 1886

On Monday last an alderney cow about four years old strayed away from my premises.  I will pay a reasonable reward for her return.  Enos Flynn, 334 Market street.

A grand ball will be held in Fadden's hall, on next Monday evening, under the auspices of the Dickson City Drum Corps.  A good time is anticipated. Tickets 25 cents.

Died, in Scranton, Pa., June 14, 1886, Jennie M., daughter of Mrs. Eliza and the late Wm. J. Hanna, aged 45 years.  Interment took place on Wednesday and services were held in the Providence Baptist Chapel.

A complimentary concert to Miss Lulu Corson will be given under the auspices of the Providence United Choir, in St. Mary's Hall on next Friday evening....

McPherson-Wilson--The pleasantest event that has transpired in this vicinity for a long time occurred on last Wednesday at the Presbyterian church, when Miss Grace Wilson, of Capouse, and Mr. Donald McPherson, of Washington, were united in marriage by the Rev. Geo. E. Guild.  The church was beautifully trimmed and over the pulpit hung a horseshoe of daisies.

...two by two in each aisle came the ushers, Messrs. Joseph Gillespie, Will Stephens, John J. Van Nort, J. Arlington Spencer. Following them came the maids of honor, Miss Helen Ormsbee, of Chicago, in Nile green cashmere, carrying red roses; Miss Nellie Kennedy in cream colored cashmere, with white roses; Miss Carrie Atherton in ecru cashmere, with yellow roses, and Miss Nellie Wright in toilet green, with ping roses.

....As the party entered the church...Miss Nellie Griffin, the organist of St. Luke's church, played the wedding march.



The Providence Register, Saturday, June 26, 1886

Strawberries were sold as low as six cents per box in this vicinity on Tuesday.

Lackawanna Agricultural Society will hold Spring races at the Driving Park July 5 and 6.

According to the latest estimate, the city of Scranton has a population of over eighty thousand.

The Providence Silver Cornet Band have received their new uniforms.  They are nobby.

The old house used for storing tallow, etc., near the Von Storch shaft, was destroyed by fire on Thursday evening.  It was owned by Nath. Thompson.

St Mary's Academy Commencement--About fifteen hundred people were in attendance at the commencement exercises of St. Mary's Academy, held in St. Mary's Hall on Thursday afternoon.  A number of the clergymen of the diocese were present as well as a number of prominent citizens....After the first part of the programme had been given Bishop O'Hara and Fathers Whitty and Dernan took positions on the stage and distributed premiums to deserving pupils.  For good conduct as follows:

Misses Sarah Hogan, Libbie Neary, Rose Mulherian, Kate Maloney, Mary Burns, Hannah Cusick, Mary J. Campbell, Mary Gillespe, Nellie Jackson, Sarah Burns, Mary Devers, Mary Moran, Bridget Duggan and Maggie Kinnie.  For proficiency in instrumental music in the first class, prizes were awarded to the following:  Libbie Neary, first premium; Amy Decker, Annie Bell, Anistasia Campbell.  For improvement in music the following young ladies were given prizes:  Winnifred Flynn, Theresa Loftus, Mary Flynn, Mary O'Boyle, Mary A. Brennan, Nellie Tonery, Rose Meehan, Gertrude Hawks, Mary McAllister, Mary Grady, Anna McNamara and Master Patrick Harding.

The remainder of the programme was then executed after which Bishop O'Hara made a brief address in which he spoke in glowing terms of praise of the good sisters of the School who worked so earnestly and hard for its success.  The audience then dispersed.



The Providence Register, Saturday, September 18, 1886

Buried Alive--Sad Calamity at Marvine Shaft--Seven Men Entombed and Eight Others Injured--A Sad Scene.

One of the worst calamities that ever occurred in this valley happened at the Marvine shaft of the D. & H. C. Co., situated at the upper end of Providence, on Monday morning last.  At about half-past nine o'clock people living within a half-mile of the mines heard a loud report and turned pale from fright. Those who lived in the neighborhood of the shaft saw a great cloud of dust roll up from the dark pit immediately after the shock had been felt, and knew at once that a disaster had occurred down in the depths of the mine, where three hundred men and boys were working.  The report soon spread and a few minutes later hundreds of men, women and children were grouped around the entrance to the mine.  The report that fifteen men had been crushed to death spread quickly among the crowd, and the anguish of the women who had relatives in the mine was heart-rending.

Upon inquiry it was found that a great cave-in had occurred in the fourteen-foot vein. In the course of an hour several of the miners were brought out of the shaft in safety.  The said that the first intimation they had of the danger was when clouds of black dust and debris began to rush through the galleries and chambers of the great colliery.  The air caused by the cave-in, six hundred feet away from where they were, swept through the passage-ways with the force of a tornado, spreading alarm and death through the underground workshop.  A panic followed, as all the lights were blown out.  The rumbling sound told the men that death was near, and made them feel that the next moment they would be crushed to death under tons of earth and rock.  Many of them worked their way to a place of safety near the foot of the shaft, but those who were near the tremendous cave in, a thousand feet from the foot, either lost their lives or were injured.  So far as is known the names of the killed and missing are as follows:

In addition to the above list the following persons were injured: The whole history of the accident, as to its cause, etc., is told in the following story by Timber-boss, Peter Kelly, after coming from the mines: "About a week ago the men noticed a 'squeeze' in the old workings.  It seemed to be working its way toward the spot where the cave in occurred.  I was there with a gang of six men, putting up timbers on the road to the right of where the fall occurred.  In that part of the mine there are sixteen chambers in which sixty men were employed.  We felt the squeeze coming and we assembled in a group.  We then started through the old workings, and a second later the first fall occurred.  All of our lights were put out at once.  The fall of earth and rock extended from where the timbering gang had been at work to the road on the right, a distance of one hundred yards.  We had to go through the other old workings to escape.  When we got into the main heading we found the gate locked.  We quickly tore it down, and as we did so the roof fell in on all sides.  Our only hope then was to rush out in the face of the fall to get out to the slope.  This we did while the roof was falling all around us."

The working consists in the rocks lying at the top and bottom of the coal veins pressing together and "squeezing" the coal between them.  While this is going on particles of coal will be forced from the great pillars with reports like pistol shots; and the whole area where the squeezing is going on will be filled with the rumbling noises of the rocks sliding and slipping upon one another.  This is what was going on in the mines previous to Monday over a portion of the workings lying on the right of a heading, which, starting out from the foot of the slope, ran through the bottom of a basin, chambers being open on both sides of the heading.  The miners had all been withdrawn from the workings on the left of the heading, to which portion of the mine the "creep" was confined.  The fall occurred three hundred and fifty feet below the surface and extended over five to six acres. One hundred and fifty feet aabove is the Diamond vein, many parts of which has been wrecked by the fall underneath.  The fall of thousands of tons of rock occurred about one thousand feet from the foot of the shaft.

Just as soon as possible work was commenced and an effort made to reach the entombed men, dead or alive.  Superintendent of the Coal Department, A. H. Vandling, with his ususal promptness, gave orders to spare no expense whatever in the effort towards rescue, and this is being done as fast and as wll as possible.  Mr. Joseph Birtley, the inside foreman, and B. B. Atherton, the outside foreman, work heroically, and are also doing all in their power to render assistance.

Three shifts of experienced men are now at work drilling a hole through a pillar near the part of the mine where the miners are imprisoned, and work is progressing rapidly; but it is expected that the chamber cannot be reached before Sunday morning.  All hope of finding the men alive has been abandoned, and it is not likely that even the bodies will be recovered for some time.

The place of the accident is visited by hundreds of people every day, and every time the carriages are hoisted to the surface the men are beseiged with questions by weeping wives, mothers and sisters of the missing men.

An idea of the extent of the cave in may be had from the fact that there are a number of cracks in the earth's surface, three hundred and fifty-five [feet?] above where the cave in occurred.

The latest information from the shaft, at 7 o'clock Friday night, is that the "creep" has practically stopped and the "workings" has ceased, and the workmen are working with less fear than at any time yet.

An impression prevails that the body of John Shafer has been brought out. This is not so, as all the missing men are within the mine.  The two mules that were left by their drivers, in the Diamond vein, were found alive and all right.

The regular work at the mine has been practically suspended for the present.

[Note:  In the interest of readability, I have corrected a few typos--ed.]


Green Ridge Notes:

Jessie Wilbur is visiting her friends in Easton.

Miss Sallie Rea is visiting her sister, Mrs. Barbour, at St. Louis.

Mr. A. L. Francois has been down in "Old Virginia" during the past week.

Mrs. Tiegler and Mrs. Nobles, of Wayne County, have been visiting at Mr. J. Guy's during the past week.

Mr. Dimmick has returned with his family and occupies his comfortable house on Sanderson avenue.

The wedding of Mr. D. R. Nichols and Miss S. A. Howell will take place in the Green Ridge avenue Presbyterian Church next Tuesday evening.

Died, in Green Ridge, September 11, 1886, Charles H. Kennedy, aged thirty -seven years.  The deceased had been confined to his bed for about eight weeks previous to his death.  The funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, and interment was at Dunmore.

The ladies of the Green Ridge M. E. Church have organized a Foreign Misssionary Society with the following officers: President, Mrs. E. B Reynolds; first vice president, Mrs. H. H. Stevens; second vice president, Mrs. A. M. Lancaster; third vice president, Mrs. Merritt Gardner; corresponding secretary, Mr. O. P. Wright; treasurer, Mrs. W. D. Lord.



The Providence Register, Saturday, September 25, 1886

THE MARVINE CAVE-IN.  The Bodies of the Eight Victims of the Sad Disaster Rescued.

On Monday last the report that the bodies of six entombed miners at the Marvine shaft had been found [spread?] like wild-fire and in a short time an immense crowd of people had assembled at the scene of the late disaster.  The report proved to be true, for workmen, after drilling and working hard for a number of days, had reached the chamber where it was supposed the men had gone.  The "bore-hole" was completed on Sunday afternoon, but the presence of so much gas caused the workmen to desist, until it presence had been reduced. On Tuesday morning, however, a search was instituted and after careful travelling the searchers were able to get through the cross-cut into the heading.  The cross-cut was only a short distance from the face of the air-way and heading.  The air-way was, ass has been formerly stated, known as McNulty's.  The heading was known as Harvey's heading.  Turning to the left after passing the cross-cut the party found, within a few feet of them, the bodies of six of the imprisoned miners.  They were lying side by side, snuggled up together, as men naturally would do who had lain down to sleep in a cool place with no covering.  One man lay partly on his side, with his arm thrown over the body of the man next to him.  The third man lay a little lower down, so that his head was below the shoulders of the other two which nearly touched.  The outside man was Murphy, the next Harrison, the shorter one Carden, then came Young, McNulty and Shafer, who lay near the rib with his coat under his head as a pillow.  They had no hats or lamps with them, and all looked as quiet and peaceful as though in easy slumber.  Their faces already showed traces of the length of time they had been dead, while an unpleasant effluvia emanated from their bodies, showing that decomposition had set in.

Carefully as possible the bodies were lifted from their places and carried to the passage way.  After all arrangements had been made they were taken to the foot and then hoisted from the mines.  The bodies were then carried to the carpenter shop near by, where they were prepared for burial.  After being placed in coffins they were taken care of by those whom they had left to mourn their demise.

After the bodies of the six men had been brought out further search was made for the other two bodies, McGuire and Kavanaugh, but the gas was too strong and the party retreated.  On the way back they found the men's boxes locked, the tools by the boxes and their dinner cans filled with untouched dinners.

On Wednesday morning, however, further search was resumed and, after clambering over fallen coal, &c., &c., the searchers came to the door across the heading, between Reddy's and Kelly's chambers, where they detected the presence of a human being under the coal in front of the chamber.  They at once set to work to uncover it.  They lifted the large pieces of coal and rock, weighing two or three hundred pounds apiece, to one side and found the body of a man lying face downwards, with a board on top of it.  He lay with his feet toward the door, his head towards the end of the heading.  The door itself was open and intact.  The space between the top of the door and the roof of the heading was boarded up, and when the squeeze came this was all torn out.  The supposition is that the two men decided to venture through the fall to the slope, but were met by the second fall and, fleeing from that, this man was caught by a falling board as he passed through the door and was instantly buried under the falling coal.  On examination it was to be the body of Cormac McGuire and it was brought to the surface.  Further search was continued and, after traveling about one hundred and fifty feet the body of Kavanaugh was found.  From the position of the limbs, it was evident he was engaged in prayer when overcome by gas.  He was not injured by the fall.  His body was then taken out and delivered to his friends.  All the missing bodies have been recovered and the funeral services over the remains of each were held during the week and their remains deposited din the tomb.  This is the end of this exceedingly sad disaster and it is hoped that it will be a long time before another of its kind will have to be recorded.  A jury has been impanelled and they had a meeting at C. S. Lowry's on Wednesday, and another on Friday evening, when witnesses were examined, but no conclusion had been arrived at as we go to press.  All that could be was done by the management of the D. & H. C. Co., in an effort to recover the bodies, and in this they succeeded.  The mines will be put in working order as soon as possible and work resumed there at once.



The Providence Register, Saturday, October 16, 1886

The jury in the case of the recent disaster at the Marvine met on last Saturday and, in accordance with the testimony, rendered a verdict to the effect that John Young, Patrick McNulty, John Shafer, Patrick Murphy, Patrick Harrison, John Carden, Cormack McGuire and Patrick Caveney came to their death on the 13th day of September, A.D., 1886, on the slope section of the fourteen-foot vein, at the Marvine shaft of the D. & H. C. Co., by being suffocated with mine gas caused by the circulation of air having been cut off by an unusually large fall of roof.

Mr. Enos Flynn, the genial storekeeper, of West Market street, was married to Miss Burke, of Main avenue, on Tuesday last by Rev. T. F. Kiernan, of St. Mary's church.  The groomsman was Mr. Timothy White and the bridesmaid was Miss Tillie McShane.



The Providence Register, Saturday, October 23, 1886

G. W. Miller and Ambrose Mulley were in New York this week on business.

Mr. O. H. Taylor and family of Rome, Pa., are visiting M. K. Taylor, of Church avenue.

Mrs. Albright, of Utica, N. Y., daughter of the veteran Dr. Hollister, is visiting friends in this city.

W. H. Richmond and daughters, Misses Emma and Clara, went on the Luray excursion, which left this city Tuesday morning.

Mrs. Louis Beecher Gorman, of Factory ville, is visiting her daughter-in-law, Mrs. M. E. Gorman, Main avenue.  The old lady is ninety-two years of age and has ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren living.  Although blind, she can set up a stocking and knit it.

Mr. John McDonnell and Miss Clara Mulley were united in marriage by Rev. S. Fulton on Thursday evening ....They commenced housekeeping at once on West Parker street, in a house that had already been furnished.

Green Ridge Notes--Miss Nellie Newell returned home on Wednesday from a visit to Jermyn.

Mrs. Thomas Wilson visited Mrs. George Stone, on Capouse avenue, this week.

A reception will be tendered Bishop Nicholson, of the Reformed Episcopal church, this evening between the hours of seven and nine o'clock at the residence of Mr. E. C. Dimmick....

The ladies of the Green Ridge M. E. Church held a sociable at the cozy residence of Mr. E. D. Hughes on Wednesday evening....

Dr. J. L. Rea, accompanied by Dr. Payne, of Hyde Part, visited the Hillside Farm and Abington Poorhouse Monday on business relating to the insane of Lackawanna county.  Drs. Rea, Payne and O'Brien have been appointed a committee on the insane for this county.



The Providence Register, Saturday, November 6, 1886

Meeting of the Turnpike companies--At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Ridge Turnpike Company, held Monday, the following were elected directors:  George Sanderson, William Mathews, Charles duP. Breck, J. C. Platt, J. Ben Dimmick, William Silkman, J. Atticus Robinson, Henry Belin, Jr., Ed. C. Dimmick.

At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Carbondale and Providence Turnpike and Plank Road Company, held Monday, the following directors were chosen:  James Blair, George H. Catlin, J. Ben Dimmick, George Sanderson, Charles duP. Breck.  J. B. Dimmick was elected president.  Charles dup. Breck, secretary and treasurer.

Officers Elected--the Ladies' Aid Society of the Presbyterian church elected the following directors for the ensuing year: President, Mrs. W. D. Kennedy; Vice President, Mrs. Geo. E. Guild; Secretary, Mrs. Thomas Gillespie; Treasurers, Mrs. H. R. Hurlbutt, Mrs. F. B. Silkman, Mrs. Geo. Griffin, Mrs. C. Scharar, Mrs. E. W. Weston, Mrs. J. L. Atherton, Mrs. J. B. Fish, Mrs. Thomas Morgan, Mrs. William McDonnell.  The society will hold its seventh annual fair and festival Friday evening, December 3, in the Armory of Company H.

Mrs. Patrick Neary, aged eighty years, died at her late residence, 553 West Market street, on Monday.  The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon. Interment was at Hyde Park.



The Providence Register, Saturday, April 9, 1887

Died, in Providence, Pa., April 7, 1887, Michael Neary, aged eighty-four years.

Married, in Providence, April 6, 1877 [ typesetting error?  I think this was meant to read "1887"*], by Rev. J. E. Davis, Mr. William Hughes and Miss Mary Reese, both of Providence.

Mr. Alex. Simpson assumed the duties of the office of City Treasurer on Monday morning.  Mr. S. B. Mott is his deputy who is assisted by Ellis R. Simpson.

* NOTE:  [Sent to confirm the correct date. Richard M. Reese]

License No.1314, recorded in Vol.  5, pg 134, Lackawanna Co. :
    William S. Hughes, 21, born in Wales 11/14/1865 to
    Edward and Mary Hughes, a footman in the mines and
    Mary Reese, 17, born July 4, 1869, in Plymouth, PA to
    David W. and Sarah Reese.

They were married 4/6/1887 by Rev. Jacob E. Davies.



The Providence Register, Saturday, August 27, 1887

Died, in Providence, August 22, Maria, aged about thirty years, wife of Richard Smith.  The funeral took place on Wednesday and interment was at West Pittston.

Mr. Lawrence Lynch, of this place, and Miss Agnes Goodwin, of Dunmore, were joined in wedlock in Lady of Mt. Carmel's Church, Dunmore, last Wednesday evening at 5 o'clock.  Rev. Father McMurry officiated.

The following persons from this section of the city have been drawn as jurors to serve during the October term of Court: Grand Juror--J. U. Hopewell, Petit Jurors--M. D. Osterhout, P. J. Franey, J. L. Hull and Alfred Pitt.

Died in Scranton, Pa., August 23, 1887, Jacob Shafer, aged sixty-five years. Mr. Shafer had charge of a small store at Capouse for a number of years and was much respected in his neighborhood.  The funeral services were held yesterday afternoon and interment was made at Forest Hill.

Mr. James Flynn, of Providence, was the contractor to furnish coal to the public school building last year, and in that capacity made an excellent record.  Though there were two additional schools last year, one thousand tons of coal were used less than the year before, notwithstanding the severity of the season and the lateness of the spring.  This was undoubtedly due to the "good measure" given by Mr. Flynn.  --Free Press.



The Providence Register, Saturday, July 7, 1888

Green Ridge Notes--S. P. Hull gave a stag party on last Monday evening.

Mr. C. S. Jacobs and wife are visiting friends in Bloomsburg.

The store of Rea & Jones has been repainted on the interior.

Rev. N. F. Stahl and family visited Gettysburg during the past week.

Miss Mirinda Lord is lying dangerously ill at her residence on Dickinson avenue.

A. B. Green, of Philadelphia, has been visiting friends in Green Ridge during the week.

E. C. Dimmick's family are enjoying the pure mountain air on his farm near Abington.

Miss Flo and Mr. Harry Hull entertained their young friends on Tuesday evening with a lawn party.

Miss Lucetta Rogers, of Eaton, Pa., spent the Fourth with Misses Allie and Madge Von Storch.

Mr. M. C. Carr, president of the Scranton Oil Company, has returned from a business trip to Bradford county, this State.

Mrs. E. Shoemaker, of Green Ridge, has gone to Tannersville, N. Y., and will remain in that cool retreat among the Catskills for about three months.


Transcribed and provided by Anne Tullar, 2001-2.

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