Area History:History of Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pa: from a souvenir book Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shirley E. Ryan, sryan@enter.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ______________________________________________________________________ MAHANOY TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WILL CELEBRATE IT'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY IN 1999. THIS HISTORY WAS WRITTEN IN 1935 BY STUDENTS OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF THE MAHANOY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY OF MAHANOY TOWNSHIP (FROM "POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN", "MORNING PAPER" January 15-24, 1935) Under the supevision of Leroy MacFarland, head of the Social Studies Department of Mahanoy Township Senior School, this History of Mahanoy Township was prepared by the following: General History, Ruth Hall Boston Run, Ellen Lally St. Nicholas Breaker, Bernadette Connell Buck Mountain, George Bell Coles, Gerald Davis Ellengowan, Miss Mary Broderick, High School Librarian and Kathryn Jennings Foundry Row, Dorothy Moyer Jackson's, Mary Quinn and Anna Steisel Maple Hill, Anna Blickley and Betty Malloy New Boston and Morea, John Bebel Park Place, Helen Casper Suffolk, Mary Shaner Vulcan, Ruth Dresch Mahanoy Township High School, Francis Guinan and Marcia Morfing Student Council, Delmar Schrepple A Family of Interest, Rita Barney Peddler's Grave, Della Romanavage BEGINNINGS: Mahanoy Township was formed from Rush Township in 1849. It is bounded by five townships - West Mahanoy, Union, East Union, Rush and Ryan. The first person to settle was a German named Reisch, who came to the site of Mahanoy City in 1791. During the next years others came, among whom were Henry Ketner, Henry Schaeffer, Samuel May, John Eisenboth, Daniel Brobst, and Erastus Williams. First store was opened in 1861 in St. Nicholas by Smith and Krebs. THE PEOPLE: From earlies times Mahanoy Township has been characterized by a wide range of nationalities. Practically every nation of Europe is represented by one or more families. There is one colored family in the Township, The Harvey family of Morea. There are no Chinese, Japanese, or Jewish residents in Mahanoy Township. INDUSTRY; The chief industry of the Mahanoy Township section is coal mining. The St. Nicholas Colliery was opened in 1861. In that year, St. Nicholas was first settled. At that time St. Nicholas included what is now St. Nicholas, Wiggans, and Suffolk. In 1861 Cake and Guise commenced mining operations. The same year North Mahanoy, Primrose, and Copley Collieries were opened. Glendon Colliery was opened in 1860; Boston Run, 1862; Schuylkill, Tunnel Ridge, and Bear Run, 1863; and New Boston, West Lehigh, Suffolk and Knickerbocker in 1864. Many changes and improvements have been made in this industry since operations first began. The latest changes are found in the new St. Nicholas Central Breaker. The coal from nearly every P.& R.C. & I. Co. colliery goes through this large breaker before it goes to the market. In the year 1929, the Philadelphia Reading Coal and Iron Co. decided to build a central breaker, which was to be located in the vicinity of St. Nicholas. The first step taken was to remove the one row of houses, which was nearly one half the village of Suffolk. In August 1929, people occupying those houses received notices from the company to move. After they had moved, in a short while the houses were torn down. After the removal of the houses they built the new bridge which is now in use at St. Nicholas. The work of the bridge was completed in 1931. After completing the bridge they immediately fenced in the ground which the breaker would occupy. Shortly after this the real work of the breaker was begun. They also made tracks for cars in which coal would be stored. This is widely known as the stockyards. At each end of the stockyards a set of lights was erected, in order that the coal may be viewed by night. The breaker was completed in 1932. The new construction did away with two old breakers. The new construction was able to hire only half the men which were employed in the other two breakers. At various times there have been strikes and labor disputes in the coal fields. Several strikes and suspensions have occurred in the last three decades. The most important strike occurred in 1902. This strike was characterized by violence. In some sections surrounding Mahanoy Township it was necessary for troops to quell the uprisings. The coal regions are greatly affected by the world wide business depression. The miners and all employees are fighting hard for a square "deal". Various attempts have been made to stop the working of several collieries. In general, the attempts have not been very successful.. However, in the summer of 1933 the unemployed coal workers showed their power. At that time the coal company decided to make a strippings near Jacksons. This would necessitate the destruction of several homes. Immediately the unemployed men began to picket the stripping workers and work was stopped. The "pickets" established several camps along the Mahanoy City-Jacksons road. CHURCHES: Four churches take care of the religious and moral development of the residents of Mahanoy Township - a Protestant Union Church in both Park Place and St. Nicholas, a Roman Catholic Church in Ellangowen, and a Protestant Church in Yatesville. The Yatesville Church is owned by the Methodist Episcopal Church of Shenandoah. The Church does not support a pastor of its own. The parishioners attend Sunday School in the small Church and on Sunday night they attend Church services in the Church at Shenandoah. The first St. Nicholas Church erected in 1874, was destroyed by fire in November 1922. The cornerstone for the new edifice was laid in September 1923, and the Church was dedicated September 1924. The Ellangowen Church - St. Aiden's R.C., - was destroyed by fire in August 1933. At present the Church services are conducted in the large rectory in Ellangowen. As yet, work has not been started on a new building. The spirit of the people has been shown on two occasions in particular. First the efforts put forth by the St. Aidan's Parish for the purpose of collecting money for the benefit of the Church. Second, the accomplishment by the people of the St. Nicholas Union Church, of paying off a debt exceeding $25,000. plus interest in 10 years. On October 29, 1933 a jubliee was held and the Church mortgage burned. IMPROVEMENTS: There have been many varied improvements in and about the homes, since the communities were first settled. Until as late as 1920 many of the roads were dirt. During the third decade some of these dirt roads were tarred and stoned. The water system that is in existence was unknown in our grandparents' day. They often had to carry their drinking water, as well as the water for the "family" wash and other household cleaning, a distance of a mile or more even in the coldest weather. Then, the water wasn't purified like our water. It came from springs on the mountains. Until the third decade kerosene lamps were used for lighting. At present in Boston Run there is only one family that does not have an electric lighting system. About 42 years ago, the trolley cars began to run in the Township. In some communities the trolley cars ran so close to the homes that people, by leaning out the bedroom windows, could touch them as they passed by. BEAUTY SPOTS: The beauty spots of Mahanoy Township are a contrast to ugly coal banks. A beautiful twenty-two room house stands between Suffolk and Patriotic Hill. It is built on a hill which adds to its attractiveness. Another beauty spot is the Lincoln building - a central elementary school located between Morea and New Boston. The crowing beauty of Mahanoy Township is the high school building. The beautiful structure from a distance resembles the government buildings in Washington. SCHOOLS: The high school not only stands for a beauty spot in the district, but it is also a symbol of the improvements made in educational facilities. For years the two room high school at Coles was the only opportunity offered for high school students. Then in 1916 the large high school was built. The Board of Education comprised: President, Frank B. Patterson; Vice President, Patrick Fahey; Secretary, George Bennett; Treasurer, John Jones; Directors, William Adamson, Joseph Striesel, and Alex Bradley. Dr. Joseph F. Noonan, Superintendent of School was Superintendent at the time of the erection of the building. The teachers were few and the students were also few. However, the enrollment has gradually increased and in 1933 it became necessary to construct an annex at the east end of the building. The new high school has all modern equipment and is a first class school. Improvements have also been made in the elementary schools. The cold "little red school house" no longer exists. The Lincoln building is fashioned after the high school and the other elementary schools have been improved by the installation of modern heating systems, fountains and improved teaching equipment. The changes must be attributed to Superintendent Joseph F. Noonan and the School Board which at present includes: President, Conrad Dresch; Vice President, William R. Miller; Secretary, James H. Redclift; Treasurer, Peter McGroarty; Directors, Michael Whitaker, Martin E. Jennings, Andrew Hyland. Harry Loeb is the tax receiver of the Mahanoy Township. Mahanoy Township has made its contribution to Schuylkill County both politically and socially and is prepared to make still greater contributions in the future. BOSTON RUN Within the last twenty years Boston Run underwent many changes. The entire location was changed also the source of water and many other things. Boston Run was first built because a breaker and mines situated in that territory was prospering. Naturally a few homes were first built so the men could be near their work. Gradually new homes were built and people began moving to work in surrounding territory. The breaker was situated on top of a coal bank and the homes were built at the bottom of the bank. The homes were rather crude. They did not have running water and they used lamps for light. The women walked a mile for their water They were rather closed in, being at the bottom of a bank and used the trains, which passed near by, for travelling. With the introduction of constructing highways through rural communities the location of Boston Run was changed. A highway was constructed about a thousand feet from the houses and the people wishing to be near the highway began building homes near the road. The people who lived at the foot of the bank moved over to the other homes. These new homes were much better than the old ones. They had electric lights installed and running water, which eliminated the walking to wells. Boston Run now holds about twenty-five homes, two families living in a block. The highway runs through the community with homes on both sides. BUCK MOUNTAIN According to Mr. Moxion, the oldest man in the community, the breaker at Buck Mountain had been in operation in the year of 1889. The latter part of 1899 the first colliery burned down due to a spark of fire uniting with the dry wood on the building. In 1892 the second colliery was built and was in operation for eight years. In 1900 the Lehigh Valley Coal Company placed a large colliery which is at present idle. People in the eighteen hundreds used trained horses or mules to do most of their work. The people had one purpose in mind when they moved to this new community, they would always have work and happiness in the future. They had to walk, in some cases, to get their food from Mahanoy City. There still remains a Buck Mountain in Carbon County. The reason this name New Buck Mountain is given was to give the different meaning between both Buck Mountains. The people who at present are residing in New Buck Mountain had brought this name to this new county. Later they had forgotten the word "New" and only called it merely Buck Mountain. The year the first family located was in 1855. The family was Irish in nationality. The name was Mrs. Coll. She has since died, but this information was received from her relatives. Mrs. Nolan was another. The first school was established in the year of 1888. There were only two rooms in this school. Since then the school was built on top of the mountain. It was about the center of the lower patch. This was due to the population being greater in the lower end of the community. The exact year was 1898. Later this was burned down. It wasn't until 1920 when the people of Buck Mountain received a new building which at present is still standing. The students that had been taught in these grades had to walk down to Coles because that was the high school at the time. The persons of the past who went to school had no opportunity as we do because they had no buses to take them to school. They were the pioneers who had to go through all sorts of weather in order to gain knowledge. Those who had wealth stored up and bought horses for their sons and daughters so as to save their energy and also they thought it would tend to give them more "pep" in doing their day's work in school. The people state that they had terrible storms here, storms which carried many a home for a mile. Between 1855 to 1865 is found the beginning of improvement of the school system. It was in 1859 when the tunnel was actually being built. The tunnel was completed and in operation the year of 1862. The length of the tunnel is one mile long. From 1862 to 1875 the people improved the home conditions. Roads were constructed for traffic. In these ten years leaders where elected. Then came a Union. From 1875 to 1885 there was a movement for the preserving of the forest. From 1885 to 1895 the first red school house burned down. In 1892, carpenters were at work building another school house with better protection against fires but this one still remains as a home instead of a school house. From 1895 to 1905, the first auto came to Buck Mountain. From 1905 to 1915, the "real up to date breaker" was put into operation at Buck Mountain. 1915 to 1925 found the politicians making speeches on elections. Since 1925 to 1934 the population has been decreasing. The great event during these ten years was the closing of the colliery. The people believe that it would open up but now they have lost hope. The inhabitants include Russians, Poles, Lithuanians, Irish, Dutch and German. COLES: In the year 1900 the first public high school of Mahanoy Township was built in Coles Patch. Its first teacher was John Coyle, and its Superintendent Frank Noonan. This school was to accomodate all the children from the Township district. It was an immense structure made of blocks of rock as foundation and heavy timber for the building part of it. It was surrounded by trees and green grass. This school was used for many years until the new high school in Mahanoy City tooks its place. Then another school was built in the vicinity of Coles next to the old high school. In this school, which remains to this day, the first teacher was Dan Guinan, who later became Superintendent of the Mahanoy Township District. This school was to accommodate only the children from Coles Patch who were not old enough to go to the high school. In this school there were two rooms. These two rooms each had three grades and the teachers there had to teach three grades at one time. This was done by giving work to one grade and then going onto the next, etc. Then in a later period (about 1925-26) one rooms was abandoned (on account of the lack of pupils) and six grades were in one room for one teacher. The teacher who had the six grades in one room to teach was Miss Purcell. ELLANGOWEN: About a century ago, the Pennsylvania Land Title and Improvement Company sent a representative, Samuel Everett, to clear the ground and build a home to the extreme western part of the present Mahanoy Township. For at one time Mahanoy Township embraced West Mahanoy Township also. The present name of the settlement is Ellangowen. The nearest neighboring town was Pottsville. The land was cleared and Mr. Everett built a log house, constructed in such a substantial manner that it remained standing until a short time ago. The building was a long, one story house with tiny windows and an immense fireplace. The region abounded in wild game such as bears and deer. In the vernacular of Mr. Everett, he and his family lived on "bear meat and deer meat". After Mr. Everett came, other representatives followed. Prospectors interested in finding rich veins of anthracite founded the surrounding villages: Fowlers, Jacksons, Phillips, now Suffolk, and Cakes or St. Nicholas. A school house called the Maple Dale School was built near Mr. Everett's home and his daughter, Kate Everett was the teacher. The children from the neighboring villages attended this school. A man by the name of Fisher opened and drove a drift at Ellangowen about 1860. Later a man by the name of Lanigan took it over and then called it Maple Dale. Frank Daniels was superintendent, John Beach outside foreman, and Dave Morgan, inside foreman. When the Reading Company took over the place they sank a shaft. Bill Broughall had the contract to sink the shaft, and when it was finished he was made inside foreman. Mr. Broughall came from Tuscarora to Maple Dale, and Dave Morgan was sent to West Shenandoah colliery in Shenandoah. Franklin B. Gowen was then president of the Reading Company and the name changed from Maple Dale to Ellangowen, in honor of Mr. Gowen's wife, Ellan Gowen. Patrick Galvin, who lived on Bunker Hill, was the first man to start the new shaft. He was top man until they began to hoist coal. In 1877 the breaker burned down and when the shaft was finished the coal was sent overland by locomotive to Fowlers, which is now known as Knickerbocker Colliery with Herman Gilbert as engineer. In those days all the houses in Ellangown were built from timber on the mountain side. There was a saw mill at the breaker and all the lumber used in building the houses was sawed there. The Everett brothers were wood choppers, Jim Keefe was the log team driver who hauled in the timber with a 4 mule team. Henry Sampsel was the sawyer, and Joe Singley and his son Albert were his assistants. During the brush fire of 1877, 13 houses which stood where Maple Hill side tracks are now, burned down. One house is still standing. Some of the people who sustained loss in this fire were Martin Carroll, Tom Fogarty, Ed Mitchell, Phillip Cartwright, Jim McNulty, Bill Greener, John Hamburger, Henry Sampsel, Joe Singley, Patrick McGonigle, Joe Barzaites, better known as Adam Showers. He was the first foreigner to come to Ellangowen. There was a seven month strike in 1875. That was when the Reading Company took over the place. The employees accepted a $2.50 basis with a sliding scale. This meant that if the coal sold at $2.50 a ton, there was nothing taken off the miners' wages. If coal sold for less than $2.50 there was so much percentage taken off the miners' wages. For every $.10 the coal dropped the miners wages dropped 3 cents. If the coal sold above $2.50 the miners wages were to be increased on the same scale. Slate pickers begain in the breaker at $2.50 a week. In 1887, the miners formed a union, called the Laborers' Amalgamated Association. In 1888 the Knights of Labor took hold, and the wages increased. The Lehigh region went on strike in September 1888. In December the railroaders went on strike and the miners went on strike in sympathy with them. In February 1889 the strike was declared off, with the miners acceptance of a 22 per cent reduction. Austin Corbin was then President of the Reading Co. John Mitchell came here in 1895 and tried to organize the United Mine Workers of America. John Fahey and other organizers came here with him. Not much impression was made on this region at that time, but the upper regions responded quite readily. In 1900 a general strike was called. It took affect in the Wilkes Barre and Scranton districts for a week or two. Then it spread all over the region and all the Reading Co. collieries were called out. When the strike was called in this region some of the men responded, but others did not. The strike was over, October 29, 1900. This is the date set aside for the observance of Mitchell Day. The miners in this region were working for 3 per cent below the basis at that time. Mitchell demanded a 10 per cent increase. The operators rejected the proposal. When the strike was on about 2 weeks the operators posted notices of a 3 per cent increase. The miners would not accept. The next week notices were published for a 6 per cent increase. Still the miners refused. Two weeks later the 10 per cent increase that John Mitchell demanded was granted plus the 6 per cent the operators offered the miners, which gave them an increase of 16 per cent. The miners worked under these conditions until 1902, when Mitchell demanded a 10 per cent increase and an 8 hour day. The previous contract expired April 1, 1902, and in order to give the operators a chance to consider the above proposal the men worked until May 10, 1902. Then John Mitchell called out all the miners and laborers. In July of that year all the maintenance men were called out. The strike was settled the latter part of October 1902. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, was appealed to by John Mitchell to intervene. He got the operators to consent to the decision of an arbitration board appointed by him. Both the parties consented to this plan. The first arbitration board the President appointed was objected to by John Mitchell. Roosevelt appointed another board favorable to both sides. When the arbitration board was appointed, the miners went to work under the condition that any decision made by the arbitration board would be retroactive to January 1, 1903. The arbitration board gave to the miners (a) a 10 per cent increase, (b) a 9 hour day, (c) an 8 hour day to firemen and water hoist engineers. EARLY SETTLERS: The populations of Ellangowen in the early '60's was composed for the most part of English, Irish, Welsh, and a few Germans. The Slavs, Lithuanians, Poles, and others came into this region about 1878. Samuel Everett was the first settler in this section. He lived on a well cultivated farm in a log house, and had a slaughter house here. Some of the other settlers here were Mosey Leary, the first stable boss, Charles McKenna, Charles Hughes, Patrick Dolphin, John and Mitchael Muldoon, Corrigan Family, Tracey Family, Nickey Burker, Nicholas Didyoung, Michael Neary, Patrick Kearns, Patrick Giblon, John Coughlin, Mike Leonard, John Leahy, later moved to Flour Barrel, now called Maizeville, George Brown, John Broderick, William Broderick, Patrick Shaughnessy, "Black" Jack Monahan, Dan Bradley, Darby Burns, George Frost, George Becker, Bankes Family, Jim Shirey, J.B. Hawler, Bill Bennett, Millward Family, Jimmy Bolton, Bob Yarnell, Mike Riley, and Nicholas Family. FOUNDRY ROW: Before the present row of homes, which goes under the name of Foundry Row, was built an old stone foundry occupied the entire space taken up by these twenty houses. The stone foundry was owned and operated by Mr. Wren and Mr. Lee. In the rear of the foundry were warehouses, a pattern shop, a screen shop, and a two room office. A little to the rear on the right was a two story house. In 1921 Arthur Lutz and Company bought the land and tore down the old foundry. A short time after they began to break the earth and to construct the homes. These twenty homes still go under the name of Foundry Row, after the old stone foundry. JACKSONS: The mining village of Jacksons, which is about two miles from Mahanoy City, began about 1860. Prior to that coal was discovered and a band of Yankees from Maine formed a corporation known as the McNeil Coal and Iron Co. They then built two breakers and started a colliery known as Jacksons Colliery. The general manager was Mr. Jackson, after whom the place was named. Mr. Jackson began construction by erecting a big barn and a house for his own use. The barn was used for the purpose of housing the animals, which consisted of two oxen, twenty mules and one horse, belonging to the Jackson's Colliery. His dwelling is still standing and at present is being occupied by three families. His barn was remodeled and is now used as a dwelling, housing five families. The next house was built for his daughter, later on a slaughter house was built and a home for the people employed there. The next houses were built near the Lehigh Valley Railroad, three-fourths of a mile away. These homes were occupied by men employed on the railroad. A contractor working on a project for the colliery made himself a home which is still occupied. It is situated north of the main part of the patch now known as Foots. After years of service General Manager Jackson was removed and Captain Yates took his place. He erected buildings about a half mile away from Jacksons. Jacksons was also included in this village and it was then called Yatesville in honor of Captain Yates. It included what is now Yatesville, Jacksons, Barrys, and Robinsons. After that came Mr. Robinson who gave Robinsons its name. John White then came as a "leesee" from the McNeil Coal and Iron Co. to operate the colliery for twenty-five years, but it was only operated three years. The McNeil tract of land was composed of 533 acres. The Reading Co. in 1874, gained possession of the tract and tore down Jackson Colliery. They then worked from Yatesville Colliery, later known as Knickerbocker Colliery. In 1865 more houses were built west of where the school stands. The houses erected east of the school were completed in 1873. This was still known as Yatesville until the people had the name changed back to Jacksons in honor of Mr. Jackson. The chief occupation of the people is mining since it was founded up to the present day. The first school house was built on a hill in back of the houses in 1865 but this was taken in by the mines. The first teachers in this building were Mr. and Mrs. Hartnut. Later another school was built about a hundred yards east of that one in 1887. This was burned down. After this another school was constructed but it was burnt down in 1920. Jacksons has now one of the finest schools in the Township, known as the Washington Building. MAPLE HILL: Maple Hill, a village having 24 homes and 134 residents was settled after the Maple Hill Colliery assumed operation in 1892. In 1891, the first shaft was sunk. A Pottsville man named Dolan had the contract to drive the first tunnel while a contractor from Mt. Carmel had the contract to sink the shaft. This shaft, familiarly known as No. 1 shaft is, 1750 feet deep. The first engineer to work at No. 1 shaft was J. Coughlin. Later on, when two shifts were organized, Dan Evans and William Linkhorst were employed there. Charles Portand had the contract for No. 2 shaft, which is 1000 feet deep. The first engineers to work at No. 2 shaft were James Ryan, Robert Hoffman, and Ralph Brown. The first settlement in Maple Hill was made in 1895, when William Linkhorst and his family moved to the small village, soon followed by other men who wished to be near the colliery. Some of the first settlers were: Dan Evans, William Sykes, George Howells, Thomas Myers, James MacDonald, Thomas Williams, William Linkhorst, Gwyllyn Jones, William Dowling, John Shirey, Harry Henninger, Thomas Manion, Patrick Hyland and Wes Lindenmuth. Reese Tasker was the first inside foreman, while Thomas Williams, an early settler, was the first outside foreman. Wes Lindenmuth was the first engineer on the water shaft. James Wildes was employed when the authorities decided to have two engineers. On January 15, 1906, the citizens of Maple Hill were startled by the appearance of flames in the home of Thomas Feely. People rushed to the scene of fire hoping to be of help, but the victims barely escaped. Anna and Margaret Feely were found to be missing. All attempts to rescue them were hopeless and the two children perished in the flames. George Campbell who lived in the adjoining house, lost his home also, in the fury of the flames. The school house at Maple Hill was erected in 1906. Miss Mary Jennings was the first teacher in the new building. Since then, the following teachers have been employed at Maple Hill: Ada Hales, Ruth Sult, Phoebe Jones, Elia Brennan, who is the present teacher. In 1907, the school was threatened by fire, but the united attempts of various residents saved the building from destruction. Modern improvements in the way of electric lights and running water have been installed recently. Several brush fires have taken place in the region of Maple Hill, but foremost in all minds is the first which took place on April 19, 1928. Early in the afternoon a few men noticed a blaze which was near the Pennsylvania Railroad. Men banded together and ran to the scene of the blaze, after notifying the teacher at the school house to be prepared to dismiss the students at the first sign of danger. At first, the people throught that the blaze would be quenched in a short time; but they had not noticed that a brisk wind was blowing, fanning the flames into a determined fury. Soon the woods were afire extending from Maple Hill to Ellangowen. All school children were dismissed and they sought refuge in a delayed transportation bus. Flying sparks set the homes of Andrew Romanavage and Mrs. Ellen Henninger afire. The children of these families saw their homes burnt to the ground. About 4:30 p.m. the flames subsided. Practically every home was damaged to some extent. For weeks, everyone was greatly upset, and found it difficult to rest with contented minds. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. One of the greatest curiosities among the early settlers of Maple Hill was a wireless telegraph machine constructed by William Souberry, an engineer at Maple Hill Colliery. By means of the Morse Code, he could jot down messages, and could get the baseball scores sent over the air waves. Many citizens found it difficult to believe that such a thing was possible, and were not satisfied until they had seen this curiosity with their own eyes. William Souberry was greatly interested in mechanical devices, and at present, a toy engine, of his construction, is in the possession of an early settler of this community. Communication and transportation are problems to be considered by every community, and they faced the citizens of this small section. In 1914, the first street car, or trolley car, as they were popularly called, traveled through Maple Hill enroute from Mahanoy City to Shenandoah. For quite a while afterwards, one of the chief amusements of the community was a ride in the trolley car. It was quite common for adults to take their children for a trolley car ride on a Sunday afternoon. Buses took the place of street cars about 1927, when regular trips and routes were assigned. Recently telephone service has been given attention. Five families have had telephones installed during the past year. Electricity was installed in all houses in 1925, replacing the colliery service which had formerly supplied only the homes of the foremen, with this convenience. The Pennsylvania Power and Light Co., assumed control of this public utility. At the outbreak of the World War, everyone responded to calls for aid. In 1918, Maple Hill was the scene of the Red Cross social and many picnics, socials, etc. During such affairs as much as $600.00 to $800.00 was collected during the course of one afternoon or evening. Many changes have taken place in Maple Hill since the days when the settlement began. Early settlers have changed their abode, moving to distant towns or cities, while others have died during the 39 years of settlement. At present, Mrs. Linkhorst, Maple Hill's first resident, is the only early settler still residing there. Dan Evans, one of the first men to take up an abode in Maple Hill, is the only living resident still working. He has been an employee at Maple Hill Colliery for 41 years. Many changes have been made at the colliery. For example, the breaker, which was constructed in 1893, has been torn down and all work of that type is carried on at the St. Nicholas breaker. A modern and well equipped boiler house has been constructed to replace the older and less efficient construction. Both the new breaker and boiler house have been erected during the past two years. Mrs. Linkhorst and Dan Evans were helpful in securing information concerning the history of Maple Hill, in response to assigments concerning this region. NEW BOSTON AND MOREA Until the school term of 1920, the children of Morea, New Boston and Vulcan had been going to one room school houses. In 1919, a modern brick school building was erected between Morea and New Boston. The one room schools were abandoned and they began going to the new building, which was named the Abraham Lincoln School. New Boston did away with their old school house in 1929. The Morea old school still stands. Between the years 1928 and 1932, it was used as a movie and vaudeville house. It is being used at present as a meeting hall for the United Mine Workers and as an election poll. PARK PLACE Park Place was named by the government through the mail. The village was owned by the Lentz Lilly and Company. Park Place Colliery was built about the year 1864, it burned down in 1895. It took all winter to rebuild it, and it was finished in May 1896. Mr. Myers was the first outside boss at the colliery which Mr. Stacket was a superintendent. The company store was in operation at this time. When the store was in full swing it took a person several hours to get waited on. The goods were transported to the people by a wagon and mules. A railroad was built to the back of the store in which the shipment of the goods to and from the store was made. The store manager was William Swartz; the assistant manager, Mr. Clarkson, and the general manager, bookkeeper and paymaster was Charles Butler. The first post office was located in the store and was later moved to a house when the store went out of business. Three houses stood opposite the store occupied by Swartz, Clarkson and Butler. Two are still there. Myers, a village which got the name from the outside foreman, Mr. Myers, had three houses in its vicinity. There were three houses east of Myers, Ryan, Clark and Caplin lived in these. The Park Place dam above Park on the road to Girard Manor was built by Contractor Mr. Gorman, of Mahanoy City. A six months' strike broke out in 1902 and another in 1925. There was an old saw mill in the back of the colliery. The first road was an old, muddy, rutty road across the hill and came out at Primrose, but the road today, a well paved road, runs from Mahanoy City to Park Place. The modern electric lights have taken the place of the oil lamp and illuminates the village street. SUFFOLK In 1868 the mining village of Suffolk was made up of 42 families. All the men and boys of the community were employed at the Suffolk Colliery so you see they had to abide by the slogan "Buy-Burn-Boost-Anthracite", in order to make a living. This village received its name from the Suffolk Coal Co. which owned the homes and colliery in the 18th century. The Suffolk breaker was located where the present St. Nicholas breaker now stands. John Phillips was the superintendent of the colliery and was one of the most outstanding citizens of the community. There was one general store in Suffolk which was owned by James Delong. This was the only store in the neighborhood. Mr. Delong was another outstanding citizen of the village. The school house, consisting of one large room, was located at the present site of the new breaker gateway. This school room was the scene of many happy gatherings, such as balls, tea parties, dances, and many other amusements. Every one had a joyous time at such meetings because the inhabitants of Suffolk all lived as one large happy family. A school room was later located on the opposite side of the same place as the one there today, which is more modern, consisting of three rooms. In 1874, by the united effort of the people of St. Nicholas, a church was erected in Suffolk. Around it centered the religious and social life of St. Nicholas until its destruction by fire, November 10, 1922. Undismayed by their misfortune the congregation made immediate plans for the building of a new church, and on May 1, 1923, the ground was broken. The corner stone was laid on September 23, 1923, and on September 28, 1924, the dedication cermonies were held. L.J. Wentz supervised the work of laying the foundation which was performed by men of the community. The polishing of the concrete was the work of John Eagan. Ralph Barnhardt was the contractor in charge of the building, which was built on day's wages, at the union rate for labor. The bell now in use on the new church was presented to the congregation in 1874 by John Phillips and has been in constant use since. John Phillips sold the Suffolk Colliery to the Philadelphia Reading Coal and Iron Co. He then moved to Pottsville and lived retired. The people of Suffolk missed him greatly because he was always the leader of all social gatherings. The older generation have all passed away, although their children still occupy the homes of their parents. But one would wonder what became of the 23 families who were compelled to move five years ago to make way for the St. Nicholas Central Breaker. Ordered out by the Reading Coal Co. these families had to find a new locality in which to reside. The store owned by James Delong in the 19th century and later in the 20th century owned by W.R. Adamson had to be torn down four years ago in order for the concrete bridge to be built. Thus an outstanding citizen of Suffolk in the 20th century was also compelled to find a new home. Immediate action to erect both breaker and bridge took place and we have the Suffolk of today composed of 19 families, a Union Church, and the St. Nicholas Central Breaker, also the Mahanoy Township Elementary school house. VULCAN Vulcan might be called a suburb of Mahanoy City. It is one of the many so called "patches" throughout the Mahanoy Township and one of the smallest, having population of approximately 200. Vulcan was a group of houses built for the employees in the mines by the coal company. The first breaker was owned and operated by the Mill Creek Co. In 1911 the old breakers of Vulcan and Buck Mountain were torn down and combined into a new modern steel breaker at Vulcan. At this time Vulcan gained an addition to its populace. The Lehigh Valley Coal Co. which operated the new breaker built the "new patch" down between the coal banks to the right of Vulcan. The inhabitants are of varied nationalities. At the present time the mines are idle. It is necessary for the people to get their water supply from Park Place across the mountain to Vulcan. The Mahanoy Township supplies buses to transport the students to and from school. The elementary grades are at the Lincoln School near New Boston while the high school is in Mahanoy City. Vulcan, as you know, was the god of fire who was crippled when the angered Jupiter threw him from heaven to earth. Perhaps, after all, at this time, it is a very appropriate name. MAHANOY TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL The beautiful white building on the hill on the southern border of Mahanoy City is the home of the Mahanoy Township High School, which is attended by pupils from all parts of the township and surrounding districts. This building was built in 1916 and the first school in it had as a total 75 pupils and three teachers. On July 1, 1918, the State recognized the Mahanoy Township School as a high school. Previous to that time there was no recognized high school, but there was a school in Coles known as the Coles High School. The Mahanoy Township school building fifty years ago had but one large room and, where pupils were numerous enough, contained two teachers, one at each end of the room. The assistance teacher took the beginners and classes up to the third reader grade. There was a strong preference for men teachers at that time, because they could keep order in the school and they made daily use of the switch, or rod, or strap in aweing noisy boys into silence. The course of study did not include much more than the three R's. The "fifth reader" was the highest grade, and pupils went "through" history, geography, spelling and grammar, and as far as they could in arithmetic each term, and the next term started again with the same books. In this way, the frequent reviews served as clinchers, and some pupils became very thorough in their studies. In Mahanoy Township there was a strong line up of intellectual men teachers. They were dominating characters in the classroom. They knew something thoroughly and developed into thinkers. Parents who now have children going to school will recall some leading men teachers in Mahanoy Township - A..J. O'Connor, John F. Dolphin, Michael Whitaker, Martin Whitaker, John C. Noonan, John Coughlin, and a Mr. Davis of Centralia and Frank J. Noonan. These men mastered most of their studies at home, some of them learning more out of school than they were taught in school. Things have now changed. New ideas and new methods in teaching indicated that the schools are keeping pace with the march of invention. The first improvement in school buildings was to divide the large room into two rooms - one for the principal, and a separate room for the assistance. Countless improvements followed until now Mahanoy Township High School stands out as one of the finest in Pennsylvania. The recognition of the high school took place under the leadership of Dr. Joseph F. Noonan. Dr. Noonan, a graduate of Millersville State Teachers' College with the degrees of bachelor of pedagogy and master of pedagogy has been superintendent of Mahanoy Township public schools for the past twenty-one years. After completing a business and commerical course at Pennsylvania Business College in Lancaster, he entered Muhlenberg College, receiving from that institution the degree of Bachelor of philosophy. His quest for further knowledge resulted in his taking courses at Pennsylvania State College and Columbia University. Dr. Noonan earned the degree of master of arts and doctor of philosophy in the graduate School of Education at New York University. During his career, Dr. Noonan has served as a grade teacher, high school teacher, special supervisor, high school principal, supervising principal, college instructor, and institute lecturer. In 1928 he was elected president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. His constant research work in improving instruction has been the cause of the steady advancement of the Mahanoy Township public schools in educational fields for the past twenty years. During the early years of the high school only straight academic work was presented, there being no differentiated curricula. But as the years have elapsed, new types of educational opportunities were being presented to the students. It was not until 1925 that any of these educational opportunities were presented. It was this year that the school provided the students with four curricula, namely; College Preparatory, Stenographic, Mathematical Scientific and the Elective Course. At the same time the student was gradually introduced to the fine arts such as instrumental music, vocal music, and cultural art. In the year 1930 sound pictures were introduced, presenting to the students various types of pictures that appeal generally to the intellect, the emotions and the moral sense. New equipment is added to the departments every successive year. Thus these extra-educational activities have resulted in an increase in enrollment which has increased from 75 in the year 1916 to 642 in 1932. The faculty staff, which has risen from three teachers to that of twenty seven, twenty-three of whom are regular curricular teachers and four of whom teach special subjects, is also the result of extra educational activities. Then came the greatest achievement in the years 1933-1934. A new addition has been added to the building. Here the physical education of the students will enable them to develop their bodies, and a cafeteria, which will eliminate all cares of lunches. Many new class rooms will provide the students more opportunities. Furthermore, it is hoped that the Mahanoy Township High school will build a stadium at the west end for further athletic improvement. At the present time there is a Senior High Mixed Glee Club under the supervision of Miss Marjorie Bone. The Glee Clubs participate in programs and often contribute various vocal arrangements in morning exercises. At the Annual Music Concert the Glee Clubs stage an entertaining and varied program. In 1932, the Senior High Girls' Glee competed with other schools at a contest conducted at Pittsburgh where they received the honor of winning second prize for their State. In 1933, however, they were determined to bring the laurel of first prize back with them. It was a great honor when they captured the first prize at Sunbury. The Mahanoy Township art department is equipped with the best available material. Every year since 1922 the Mahanoy Township entered the health contest sponsored by the Anti-Tuberculosis Society of Schuylkill County. The students each year have had the honor of winning several awards. Since that time the senior high won ten first prizes, five second prizes, and two third prizes. At the end of the school term the art department gives public exhibitions of the work accomplished during the year. Each year the school has entrants in the Oratorical Contest conducted in Pennsylvania. In 1926 Ethel Brown won county championship while Roy Brill won the first place in the eastern Pennsylvania district in 1920. Oratorical Contests, Oratory and debating are sponsored by Mr. MacFarland. The Debating Team in the year 1931 had the honor of winning county championship. In 1933 the Mahanoy Township High School band became prominent. The boys participating in this group attended many community and school functions. Each year there is a contest in which the Mahanoy Township Band competes with other schools in the state. The school newspaper, the "Leader" was organized in 1923. About two years ago the Mahanoy Township received honorable awards at the Newspaper Convention in New York. Student council was organized in the year 1924 by the present principal, J.J. Morfing, and since then it has flourished into one of the most active organizations in the school. It is the highest form of student representation, by which the students may participate in governing school affairs. It includes the presidents of various classes, clubs, and home rooms, therefore it comprises the students' own choice. The four upper classes, freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior, each elect two members to represent them in a so-call Executive Committee. The president of the council is speaker of the committee. The principal is faculty advisor and makes suggestions as to the passing of classes and order in lining up. A FAMILY OF INTEREST Amid the mountains and nestled in coal banks, we find the little village Morea. It is the only village in the Township having a resident negro family. Looking back many years, a train is seen Morea bound from Virginia, carrying as passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey. Mr. Harvey, a peaceful loving man, found employment at the Dawson Coal Co., in Morea. He worked under Dawson, and when the Madeira and Hill Corporation took over the colliery, he still remained at his job, where he still is employed. Mrs. Harvey a well reputed woman, made a wide range of friends throughout the community ever since she left her native state. Seven children blessed the couple: William, Jordan, Elsie, Robert, John, Elijah and Jean. Only once has sorrow visited them., and that was a few years ago, when their son, Jordan, a porter on a train, died. All their children received an education. Elsie, Robert and John are graduates of Mahanoy Township High School. They still have two children in school, Elijah in the junior high school and Jean a member of the Lincoln Elementary School. The Harvey children are well mannered and seekers after knowledge. Music seems to be the the aim of the boys. Elsie graduated in 1924, and for the past few years has been teaching in a Pottsville kindergarten for the negro children. With the class of 1928 is found Robert. He plays the traps in several leading orchestras and is a violinist besides. In 1932, John graduated from high school. He has a job in the Morea colliery while he frequently plays the trap drums in orchestras. Elijah, a fine little chap, is well liked by his teachers and fellow students. His greatest interest lies in the field of music. He plays the tuba, and is a member of the township band. Often he plays tuba solos during student programs. Jean, a member of the Lincoln school has a winsome disposition which won her the friendship of her schoolmates. A PEDDLER'S GRAVE (Symbol of First Murder in Schuylkill County) The "Peddler's Grave" located alongside the public highway leading from Mahanoy City to Ringtown, across the road from the P.&.R.C.& I. Company's upper Waste House Run Dam is a landmark recalling a brutal murder committed there on August 11, 1797. Then deer, hare, and small game were plentiful on the site of what is now Shenandoah, which was then a dense forest and the murderer had been stopping at a log hotel on the site of Mahanoy City for ten days previously, engaged in hunting. The victim who here met his death by foul hand of the assassin was Jost Folhaber, and his sad end was met by the cupidity of the murderer, and not from any motive of hatred or revenge. Folhaber was a travelling peddler, a resident probably of some part of the moutnain regions of Berks or Northumberland County, travelling by horse to Reading and Catawissa. All that is know of him is that he had a wife whose maiden name was Margaret Lindenmuth, and a sister living at Roaring Creek, then included in Northumberland County. He carried light wares of personal or domestic use, and his saddle bags were usually filled with old copper coins, the proceeds of his sales. One of his stopping places, located several miles from other dwellings was a tavern kept by John Reich which was the first house on the site of the present borough of Mahanoy City. It stood about sixty years ago, its location being in the rear of the building of the Merchants Trust Company at the southeast corner of Main and Center Streets. This territory was then a part of Northampton County. On the first day of August 1797, a well dressed and good appearing man came to Reich's place, and said he was on a hunting trip. But most likely he was there with more dangerous designs. He was Benjamin Bailey, 31 years of age, and a native of Morristown, New Jersey. He stayed at the tavern for ten days, the landlord agreed to take game which he would shoot as an equivalent for his board. Early on the morning of the 11th, Jost Folhaber arrived on horseback, Bailey saw him and learned of his occupation. Landlord brought some goods from Jost and his jingling saddle bags attracted Bailey's attention concluding they contained a large sum of money. Bailey became acquainted with the peddler and learned from him the direction he was taking. He followed Jost unobserved intending to rob him. The peddler stopped from time to time to rest and when he reached the Waste House Run, Bailey rushed forward with the idea of robbing him, but he thought Folhaber would recognize him later so he killed him by shooting him in the back. The shot had not killed him outright, Bailey fearing his deed would be discovered finished the job by striking him on the head with a tomahawk. Ridding himself of his bloody clothing and placing Jost on his horse led the horse and dead rider further from the path. Bailey started for the sacks expecting to find a large sum of money, he was utterly disappointed by finding them to consist of a collection of copper coins amounting to five pounds and a few goods of no great value. While trying to dispose of the loot he heard some one approaching on horseback, a Mr. Clarke, also Mr. Jackson on foot. They both passed him, not suspecting anything. On August 26, Folhaber's partly decomposed body was discovered and recognized as that of the peddler's. An inquest was made by John Myer, Esquire, a Justice of the Peace of Hamburg. Meanwhile Bailey was seen in Mifflinburg in Northumberland County, trying to dispose of some goods in his possession and was charged with the crime. He was pursued and finally arrested in Easton, Pa. He was jailed and denied his guilt, blaming Reich, but nothing could be found against Reich. His trial began Thursday, the ninth, and ended in twenty-four hours in a verdict of guilty of willful and deliberate murder. He was sentenced. The death warrant was issued by Governor Mifflin on December 23, making January 6, 1798 as date of execution. Bailey was confined in the old jail at the corner of Fifth and Washington Streets and attempted to commit suicide by opening a blood vessel with a piece of glass but was stopped. On the day of his execution he confessed he was guilty and said he regretted that he wrongfully injured an innocent man and hoped his case would be an awful warning to all who gave way to the temptations of the devil. He was sensible of the disgrace he brought upon his parents and his wife, Sarah Bailey. The execution took place upon the Common (now the public park) and the constabulary, military forces and between six and seven thousand people were present. Bailey's last words were "God , be merciful to me, a sinner"! The German peddler's grave was first marked by a cement headstone made by Lewis Bendrick of Jackson and erected by Frank Thiel, Edward Hillibush, Joseph Troy and Frank Benedict. It is visited by hundreds yearly and kept from being obliterated.