Nesquehoning Chroniclings

by- Denny Creitz

     Lets start with an advertisement from the Mauch Chunk Courier dated:

Monday, September 19,1831

TOWN-LOTS IN NESQUEHONING.

     The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company offer for sale a variety of Building Lots in the Town of Nesquehoning. This town is situated in the Nesquehoning Valley within half a mile of the coal mines on Room Run – 4 ½ miles by a railway from the coal landing at Mauch Chunk – 40 miles from Catawissa and 30 miles from Berwick on the Susquehanna. The ground is very favorable for a town plot and a number of buildings are already erected. It being in the immediate vicinity of the greatest anthracite coal region now known, and on the only ground near it adapted to a town, will no doubt secure a speedy and extensive settlement. For terms, apply to Josiah White, Acting Manager, at Mauch Chunk

     Mauch Chunk Courier. Monday, February 22, 1832.

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT NESQUEHONING.

     A number of the citizens of Nesquehoning, Lausanne, Mauch Chunk, and Lehighton, met on the 22nd at the house of N. Allen, in the town of Nesquehoning, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of General George Washington.

     The company assembled took seats at the table at about 4 o’clock p.m. – when, after having done justice to the noble provision made in the way of edibles and drinkables by the worthy and attentive Host and Hostess, the cloth was removed, and the Assemblage organized by calling Mr. Isaac Salkeld, to the Chair. Col. I.T. Dodson and B. Needham were appointed Vice Presidents and S.S. Barber and A. Sisty, Secretaries. C.H. Williams, Esq. of Lehighton, having been chosen Toastmaster. Toasts were drank, interspersed with numerous excellent songs appropriate to the occasion.

     We do not recollect to have been at any assembly where the persons engaged appeared to enjoy the pleasures of the day with a greater zest than on the 22nd, and the tremendous applause with which some of the sentiments were received, told well for the patriotism and true American feeling of the citizens in the Coal Region.

     The company retired at an early hour and we believe, without exception, highly gratified with the festivities in which they had participated, on the Centennial Birthday of the man who has justly been termed the Father of his Country. 

 Mauch Chunk Democrat December 6, 1890.

     W. J. Fisher is prospering with his tin store, an industry we needed.

     Photographer Llewelyn Davis will move to East Mauch Chunk next week.

     The post office has been transferred from T. H. Corby’s store to Hibernia Hall. 

     The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company will build a new stable 50 x 120 feet and two stories high. It will be convenient to the breaker. 

     The new store of Corby and Cassidy was opened last week with a full line of goods. This new firm claims that it will sell fully as cheap as any outside merchants that are now supplying the town. They are enterprising men and we believe they will do it. Home trade should be patronized, especially where people can do as well as outside. 

     On Monday a new school was opened in the new school building, with Miss Maggie Collins as teacher. The seats and other furniture used in Hibernia Hall last term were taken for this room. On the arrival of the new furniture two more teachers will make a start in this building, giving our people six teachers in all. A position of janitor will then be opened for applicants and should be a good situation with fair pay for some of our old citizens. 

Mauch Chunk Democrat April 11, 1891.

     Dr. Kistler is the busiest man in town. 

     Dixey is having his barbershop beautifully frescoed with the latest Easter shades. 

     Camp 524 P. O. S. of A. are making preparations for the celebration of their first anniversary on May 15th. 

     Butcher Thomas Smitham is having a large building erected on Railroad Street as a storeroom for his meats. Tom makes a neat appearance as a meat vendor. He is doing a nice business and certainly is in the full meriden of his charms when embossed with the butcher’s snowy white garb. 

     An alarming fire broke out in a block of houses occupied by four families on Railroad Street at about 12:30 o’clock Thursday evening. The fire originated in the back part of the building occupied by Jenkin E. Jenkins. Two members of this family, the father and son, have been confined to the house for some time, the former being ill for many months, and the latter abed on account of injuries received in the mines one-week ago. The father seeing the reflection of the flames, aroused the family, who barely escaped with their lives, passing the afflicted through a window, receiving slight burns by so doing. The building is one of the oldest on this street and the handsome new building recently erected by John Verdon was embossed by the flames and though the most daring efforts were made by our gallant fire laddies, it was all in vain. The main object then became to save the adjoining buildings and those on the opposite side of the street, several of which were ablaze at the same time, which somewhat baffled the daring workers. By knocking out the ends of the burning buildings and a goodly force in the bucket brigade, they finally gained a victory and saved a solid square from the vengeance of the greedy flames. The whole town was aroused by the dismal cry of fire and the ringing of the large bell on the M. E. Church. Fortunately it was a perfectly still night, not a breath of air stirring, or the efforts of the bucket brigade would have been jeered at by the scaling flames and the west end of Nesquehoning would have been wrapped in one entire sheet of fire. The large building was occupied by J. E. Jenkins, Martin Fahey, George Moyers and William Jenkins and was the property of the latter, no insurance. The new block had not yet been tenanted and was the property of John Verdon, was insured, possibly to its full value. The tenants of the former building lost most of their furniture and clothing, some escaping with nothing but the scanty clothing hastily thrown on. The scene presented was the most excitable ever witnessed in a small village, several blocks of houses ablaze, mothers carrying little children to neighboring houses, furniture and clothing from all the buildings piled promiscuously in the street, huge red sheets of the raging flames reaching toward the adjoining buildings and the sparks shooting high in to the air presented a frontier aspect which shall long be remembered. At about 4 o’clock in the morning, the fire having abated, we considered the victory was ours and the rest of the village safe. All who had homes left in the square commenced to remove from the street again into their homes and a cordial welcome was extended by kind friends and relatives to those who were unfortunate. Several slight accidents occurred during the blaze, none, however are considered very serious.

Mauch Chunk Democrat May 11, 1901.

Nesquehoning Notes.

     Miss Anna May Pauff was calling on friends in Mauch Chunk yesterday.

     John B. Miller has bought the double house and lot located opposite the depot from Squire Charles E. Fenstermacher who is now a prosperous lawyer in Indiana. The consideration was $1600.

     The Nesquehoning streets have never appeared better than now owing to the efforts of the new supervisors and the town’s new association. But already miniature ash mountains are appearing here and there on the streets and it should not be allowed. The citizen who is too lazy to keep the street in front of his own house clear of ash heaps, tin cans and other rubbish should live in the pine swamp or on Broad Mountain, where there are no streets.

     Miller & Derrick the Nesquehoning lumbermen have moved their saw mill to Quakake to cut the timber on the Dryfoos tracts, containing about 700 acres. It is a three years job. The mill is located in Dark Hollow on the lower road leading from Quakake to Weatherly and about one mile from the Hudsondale station, in the direction of Weatherly. A dozen or more men are employed on the contract, many of whom have moved their families from Nesquehoning.

Mauch Chunk Democrat March 22, 1902

Nesquehoning Notes.

     The bull pump in Shaft No. 1 broke last night, causing the colliery to be idle today. Men are at work building dams in the gangway to prevent the water from rising at the foot of the shaft until repairs are made.

     Miss Annie Hagan, of Shenandoah, is visiting her sister, Mrs. James H. Crossen.

     Henry Snyder and C. Reilly represent Local 1704, at the Shamokin Miners’ Convention.

     Lover’s Lane, Bachelors Walk and Consultation Corner are crowded with the youth and beauty of the town these bright nights.

     Miss Jennie Morgans and Miss Bertha Paisley will open a dry goods and grocery store in the Bennyhoff property, lately purchased by Mr. Morgans.

     Butcher Simmons has purchased a fine four-year-old horse from O.B. DeLong. Consideration $150.

     Samuel Ratcliff, an old and respected citizen, is lying sick. Old age and debility is the trouble.

     Small pox has disappeared in town and there is only one case of scarlet fever. Sanitary agent Miller is still on duty.

    The funeral of Winfield S. Hancock, which took place on Sunday afternoon, was largely attended. The United Mine Workers turned out in a body, to the number of 650 members, and also the P.O.S. of A., 100 members. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in town.

Mauch Chunk Democrat July 25, 1908.

     The Nesquehoning Citizens’ Association has bought 500 feet of fire hose and a hose carriage from the Eureka Hose Company, of Philadelphia, which are expected to arrive on Saturday.

     Postmistress Hester Steventon returned yesterday from a visit to her brother, Ernest, at Harrisburg. Miss Stella Davis, her assistant, had the office in charge during her absence.

     A seven-ton lump of red ash coal was mined at No. 1 slope, and it is to be placed on exhibition at Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company’s Philadelphia office as a sample of the coal this company mines and sells. The lump has been brought to the surface through the new shaft and it will be ready for shipment in a day or two. It is five feet thick, five feet wide and eight feet long.

Mauch Chunk Democrat August 6, 1910.

The latest in this town is that the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company will erect another large number of new houses at North Nesquehoning into which all the families of Little Italy are to be moved because Little Italy is heavily underlaid with coal and it is intended to mine it. It’s a pity. Little Italy is the Switzerland of America's star attraction, more interesting to the stranger than Glen Onoko, the Flagstaff or even the Switch Back. Former President Roosevelt’s article on the mine worker will not be complete without a full page bird’s eye view of Little Italy and a description of the happy people who live in it.

Mauch Chunk Coal Gazette September 13, 1910.

     The local baseball team journeyed to Slatington Saturday afternoon and shut out the team of that place by the score of 1-0. The locals had 4 hits to their opponents 3. The pitching of Blank was the feature.

     That the town should have more fire plugs and have them placed at every corner, was evident when the fire broke out in Fabras’s stable Saturday noon, destroying the entire building and contents, John W. Corby while coming from work was the first to see the flames, gave the alarm and by extraordinary efforts, succeeded in rescuing a valuable cow. When the firemen arrived two minutes later they were greatly handicapped, as no fire plug within two blocks could be located. A connection was made at the corner of Railroad Street and Griffith’s Lane, over two squares away. After this connection the hose which measured 500 feet was 75 feet short of reaching the fire. The fire laddies did excellent work in saving the adjoining buildings. The matter of placing plugs on every corner should be attended to at once.

     William Strohl, one of the town’s best-known hunters, captured a 28-pound ground hog on the Broad Mountain.

Mauch Chunk Coal Gazette April 2, 1912.

     In pursuance of their annual custom the local schoolteachers will treat their scholars to an Easter egg hunt on the Easter Rock on Thursday. The young folks are looking forward with pent up enthusiasm to this pastime and yesterday myriads of them could be seen scrambling up the mountainside to the Rock where they made preliminary searches of likely hiding places. Easter Rock situated on Sharp Mountain South of town is a historic and romantic spot and has always been a mecca for young folks.

     While standing in front of the post office Saturday afternoon John Reilly suffered a weak spell and fell, striking his head on the cement pavement. He sustained a severe cut and bruises which were attended to by Dr. Behler.     

     John McKae and Patrick Hughes left today on an extended trip through the West.

      With a large and orderly parade the mineworkers are celebrating their holiday today in a quiet manner and though they acknowledge a suspension is inevitable there is among them a kindred and universal feeling that a strike may be avoided. On every corner groups of workers discuss the problematical situation and some of their opinions are filled with sound reasoning and logic, showing that the miner does not lose his spark of intelligence by delving in the dark caverns underground.

     The one-month-old child of Undertaker Joseph Gallagher died yesterday. A sad feature in connection with the death is the fact that the mother is in the Palmerton Hospital, where she is to undergo an operation today.  

     The electric streetlights were turned on last evening for the first time and occasioned universal gratification and satisfaction. All are large sized arc lamps and reflect a brilliant illumination. There is a total of 25 lamps and are so located as to light the entire town. Hundreds of men, women and children gathered on the streets last evening to enjoy the novelty. An inexpressible happiness was depicted in every countenance. Thanks to our enterprising citizens who brought it about. We may now look for paved sidewalks and better streets. Let the good work go on.

     Morgan O. Morgan is a candidate for delegate to the Republican National Convention. Mr. Morgan needs no recommendation to the people of town. He is an upright citizen, an exemplary neighbor, and is one of the ablest mine foremen employed by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, and it would be an honor and a credit to the citizens of Carbon County to elect him delegate.

Mauch Chunk Daily Times December 9, 1915

    Mrs. W.R. Watkins and daughters Florence and Ella left Mauch Chunk on the Central Flyer this morning for a few days shopping in Philadelphia. Had the weather been favorable, the squire who acts as driver for Mrs. Watkins would have driven them down in her auto.

     The J.C. Bright Store in Nesquehoning, which contains the largest frontage in Carbon County, is now beautifully decorated with holiday goods. It contains many desirable and costly gifts for Xmas. Such a window display does credit to the popular manager Dick Edwards and would compare favorably with many of the well decorated window displays now seen on Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

     Eye strain is relieved by Sassafras Eye Lotion. See after study, work, automobiling and the “Movies”. Sold at Campbell’s Drug Store.

THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER
In 5 parts
at NEWTON THEATER
TONIGHT

Mauch Chunk Daily Times March 2, 1918.

NESQUEHONING MINERS ARE STILL ENTOMBED. NO HOPE FOR THEM.

     The two Nesquehoning miners entombed yesterday are still closed in. No hope is held for rescuing them alive. Three shifts of miners working constantly to recover their lost comrades. Both are married men and respected citizens.

     Relays of workmen have been energetically working in the tunnel in desperate efforts to reach the two men who were entombed while at work yesterday, Andrew Malatchak and George Grick. There is practically no hope of their being recovered alive, but this does not deter the rescuers in any way from doing their utmost in trying to reach their comrades, dead or alive. It is said that if they have dropped into old abandoned workings in the vicinity, it will be some length of time before it will be possible to recover their bodies.

     A pathetic incident of the accident occurred after the first cave in took place. Workmen rushing to the scene heard Malatchak call for help, crying that he was caught and was being badly squeezed. Just then another fall occurred and nothing more was heard.

     Last night the rescuers came upon some of the ill fated men’s working tools, but up to this hour no sign of the entombed men.

     Both men are married and have families and the utter grief of these loved ones is pitiful to behold. They were practical miners and men who had earned the respect of every one in Nesquehoning, and were extremely thrifty, each owning their own homes at Nesquehoning. Malatchak a brick structure on West Railroad Street and Grick a fine residence on the extreme East End of town.

     There are no signs of any rapping or noises that would give the faintest hope of getting them out alive.

     Foreman John T. Paisley is on the scene of the accident continuously since it happened and is personally directing and supervising the hard task. Mr. Paisley had visited the place ten minutes before the accident and warned the men to be careful and let it settle, but not withstanding his advice he was called back to the scene of rescue alas too late to be an eye witness, but he has not left the scene since the accident happened and has also picked the most skillful miners to carry out his plans and it is hoped that in a day or so the bodies will be reached.

     Three shifts of 30 men each are engaged in the rescue work. Steve Douritzy, Wm. Buck and Tony Kattner being the miners in charge.

Mauch Chunk Times-News July 5, 1928.

     Marie, the four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mikovich, of West Railroad Street, was struck and knocked down by an automobile at the corner of Catawissa and Allen Streets, on Tuesday afternoon. The child darted across the street from behind a parked car directly in the path of a Ford runabout driven by Michael York, who exerted every means to avoid hitting the child, steering his car up on the pavement in his endeavors. Mr. York rushed the little tot to the office of Dr. McDonald, where it was found she escaped without serious injury of any kind, barring a few minor lacerations.

     Dairyman Len H. Marsden has begun the erection of a modern and roomy garage, 26 x 30 feet, with a capacity of four cars and quarters in which to conduct his dairy business.

     The members of St. Mary’s Catholics congregation dedicated the addition to their cemetery at the extreme East End of town with impressive ceremonies yesterday. A parade at 10 a.m. headed by the Boys’ Band and participated in by adults and children totaling well over a thousand marchers traversed the principal streets of town, proceeding to the scene of dedication. The exercises included the consecration of the grounds and a sermon by Rev. Father Eugene Runtagh and selections by the band and the church choir. A neat sum was realized by the sale of tags.

     John Malatak sustained an ugly gash in his left thumb when an ax he was using slipped. He had the injury treated at the Coaldale Hospital, several stitches being required to suture the wound.

     A new social club of local Beaux and Beauties enjoyed a doggie roast at Hauto on Tuesday evening.

    The 1927 graduates of the local high school enjoyed a very interesting reunion at the Shankweiler Hotel on Tuesday evening.

Mauch Chunk Times News December 11, 1947.

    Lou Higgins, the modest hard working Nesquehoning High School football star who was named today on the Associated Press All Pennsylvania Scholastic team as fullback. Seven colleges are after the services of Coach Tony Mezza’s chief pigskin lugger, including the University of Pennsylvania, Lafayette, the University of Pittsburgh, Cornell, Tennessee and Kentucky.

     Other Nesquehoning boys who received honorable mention in the AP selections were George Macinko, stellar end and ace pass receiver, and Mike Feddock, the aggressive half back with this year’s Maroon and Gold combine. All three men will graduate in June.