The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, March 22, 1912, Image 1
GOING TO HAVE A SAMS? If you are, havd your bills printed nt Tho Citizen office Extra touch, Hoard of Trndo EnvelqKyFar durnblo paper used, and our printers licst. xno uiuzen i-rinw make a neat, boldly displayed bill. Oth YEAR --NO. 24 HONESDALE, WAYNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1912. PRICE f. JENTS MSB Mr' 1 KILLED WHILE SLEEPING r.igm in uno JMinnioro l aniliy Tupcci Out by Explosion Cnuso Either Dyiiniulto or Gns. From Tho Scranton Times. 'Eight persons aro dead and an other is In tho State hospital with little chance of recovery as the re- ll it ni nn nr r r Anl An nr ill cv l f lt Wednesday morning in tho homo of JUBt what caused the explosion , has not been dctormined, and may never be. One theory is that It was the result of a diabolical Dlack Hand plot, In which dynamite, nltro-gly-( cerine or some other high explosive was used, and tho other Is that gas i bv a mlno cave, was ignited by a himii nr stnvn In tho Coviello home. Tho dead: Mrs, Jean Datisto Coviello, aged forty-eight years. William Coviello, iged twenty-one won ra Lizzie Coviello, aged fourteen Lucy Coviello, aged fourteen years Domlnlck Coviello, aged eight years. Mrs. Vlto Summa, aged twenty- eignt years; a marrieu uaugiuer. Rose Summa, aged four years. Frank Summa, aged llvo years; on or Jirs. vito summa. The injured : Mamie Summa, aged ten years; daughter of Mrs. Vlto Jean Batiste Coviello, the head of the house, Is a night watchman for tho Scranton Gas and Water com- innl ntlil woo llllGV lncf nlp'llt n Tl was summoned about 5 o'clock Wed nesday morning, and after ho had riewed the wreck, friends took him to tho home of another married daughter, Mrs. Jean DeLorenzo, Zii the scene of the tragedy. He and Urs. LeLorenzo are the only two members of the family alive. She moved from her father's home a cnnnln nf mnntliK airn. Only a mass of charred timber and wood that Is torn and split Into rlirnilu rumnlna nf tho two-stnrv house occupied by the family. The thrpp-storv nouse 01 .Micnaei simone. .1 n. O A A Tr 1 Til Dl.nnt ii'lflcrlif fl tn ;tl ILL i I T 1 1 1 111 .111 1 . 1 . 1 . l.llllhlll, .11 1. n l to nlcn n tntnl lncc .111 . I 1 .J 1 . LU11. .vwu. Just a few minutes before the ex- Plosion occurreu two men were sum . . i 1 1 to have been seen running at full Knnpri nnwn urniiev SLreui. livu ur bia blocks away from the sccno or the It Is estimated that at least a thousand windows were broken In boused and stores In the noighbor bood. Little "Mamie Summa. was heard moaning and tender hands took her from a tree In front of the house, where she had been thrown. She Is the only occupant of the house alive. Rhn ns unconscious when taken from tne tree ana was still jn mat condition at 3 o'clock this afternoon, according to omciais at tne State hospital. There are a number of lacerations and contusions on her is probably Injured internally. Coviello s Bouse Is Just across the ittreet from the house of Mrs. Pat rick Jordan, at 241 Elm street, whoso cellar dropped Into tho mines a week ago. Sho heard voices shouting and lowered a ladder into tho holo In tho cellar and rescued two miners whose escape, otherwise, was cut off by tho caveln. That caveln extended to the street and broke tho gas main. Tho hole has been filled up and men employed . i. n . r. .. .. c. tit n . m ujr mu ocruiJLuji uua ot. wumi tutu- liahy were still busy this morning Knnri.rlnr' ihn hronlr Houses on each side were Knocked out of plumb, one burned to tho ground and two across tho street jpartially wrecked. People asleep in Photo by American PrrB Association. Top arrow designates where Mamie Summa was found; lower arrow whero seven bodies laid. them were lifted out of their beds; doors blown off their hinges; shades cut off their rollers as If by n keen knife, and hundreds of window panes blown in and the glass scattered over tho floor. Next to the home of tho stricken family of Coviello, the principal dam ngo was sustained at tho homo of John 'Banks, at 243 Elm street, al most across the street whero tho ex plosion occurred, the home of Pat rick Jordan, a big double dwelling IPX i.yurr""" and storo owned by Angolo Mecca on the same side of tho street as tho Coviello house. Tho bodies were at McGuIre's un dertaking establishment half a dozen blocks away, but thoy wouldn't let Coviello go there because of his col lapse. They feared for him: "They aro nil gone." ho crled,"and now I want to go. Thoro Is no use living now." Over at tho flro thoy told how when bo came to tho scene of tho explosion ho drew his rovolvor and tried to kill himself, but was pre vented by some one quick to seo his condition. That's why they didn't leavo him alono all morning. They will wait to make tho arrangements for the funeral until the coroner makes an Investigation and tho grief . stricken Coviello gots over tho first shock of the horrible fate of his wife , and children. Mrs. Lorenzo, tne ciaugntcr, is tho one that's left. Sho lived in tho Ill fated house until two months ago nnd sometimes spent the night there , but fortunately she did not Tuesday night else her s would have been the fate of the others. Coviello couldn't bo comforted, not even by the daughter. He rnnlrln't iinrlnrat nm. wliv fntn nlinnlrl have struck him such a blow. Coviello declared that he know no . one who could wish him ill. Others said the samo nnd explained what a hard-working man Coviello Is and of the respect he is held In by tho Italians in his neighborhood. No body had threatened him or his fam ily and there hadn't been any trouble, yet there were those around him who shook their heads knowing ly. "It doesn't seem that gas could do that," said the daughter. " I think that maybe somebody put some dynamite or something in the house,'' volunteered another Intel ligent looking young woman. While the bodies were all found In the one pile, it became known that Mrs. Coviello and three of the gins slept on tne nrst noor ami uie other five on the second floor. That they should all have been blown to 'the same spot was another freakish pcrformante of tho explosion. They were completely covered by debris. 150 MINERS ENTOMBED Twenty Rodios Taken Out To-day All Found Huddled in a Heap. (Special to Tho Citizen.) McCurtain, Okla., March 21. One hundred and five men were found dead in the San Born mine as the result of an explosion here yester day. Twenty of the bodies taken out to-day were found In a heap, which is evidence that the men tried to get out. Tho flro Is still raging. Hun dreds of women are standing at the foot of tho mine which is a most pathetic scene. Many- of their be loved ones are still in the mine. REVS. SI6N0R AND WILSON Two Methodist Preachers Who Aro Missing to bo Discussed by Bis hop and Cabinet Friday. (Special to The Citizen.) 'Scranton, March 21. Tho Wyo ming conference of the .Methodist church will go into executive session at D o'clock Friday morning at which time the case of Rev. Watson B. Slgnor, a former pastor of Orson, Wayne cunty. Pa., and also that of Rev. R. S. Wilson, of Genessee, N. Y will 'bo taken up. Uev. F. P. Doty was named as one of the auditors of conference in place of Mr. Slgnor. Taft Postpones Meeting. Washington, D. C, March 21. President Taft today postponed in definitely his proposed conference with John Mitchell regarding the coal situation. Tho announcement from tho White House, unaccompan ied by any reason for tho change In plans, followed closely a conference between tho president and Secretary of Commerce and Labor Nagel, who saw tho president shortly after his return from New England. Socre- I tary Nagel and Dr. Charles P. Nelll, United States Commissioner of La i bor, aro keeping in touch with de velopments in the situation. , Wnyno Coal Company Now Ready to Hcgln Operations. ' The Wayne Coal company, a new subsidiary or the Erlo, showed much foresight and worked all wln 1 ter constructing a track from No. 17 1 1111 and Qulntln's fill, In Lako town . ship, this county, to the mill switch i on the Scranton division of the Erie near Clomo. There aro several hun ' dred thousand tons of small sizes of coal in tho fills, which were part of the abandoned Pennsylvania Gravity railroad. Tho material will bo put through n washory that has been erected at the switch, and tho result ing product rushed to Now lorn. Now that the prices of anthracite aro increasing In tho largo eastern cities, the Wayno Coal company's preliminary outlay, which is re ported to bo $so,uoo, win UKoiy uo amply returned. Judge Kearlo Will Decide. (Special to Tho Citizen.) Scranton. 'March 21. Judge A. T, Scarle, of Jlonesdalo, heard argu ment in tho caso of tho Court of Lackawanna county vs. Tho Lacka wanna commissioners yesterday and today. Tho court hold out that tho commissioners had no right to ap point Henry Wetter and Thomas Law as tipstaves of tho court, while the commissioners claimed that they had a right. Former Judge Kelly pleaded for the court while Attorney George Watklns was counsel for the commissioners. Judge Bearle toTd the court here that ho wouM give his decision In a few days. WYOMING CONFERENCE IN ANNUAL SESSION OPENING TUESDAY EVENING IN SCRANTON IUHIIOP CRANSTON PRESIDING BRIEF SKETCH OF THE CONFERENCE AND ITS GROWTH. Tho Cist session of tho Wyoming Conforonco of tho Methodist Eplsco pnl church was oponed In Elm Park church, Scranton, Tuesday evening, Bishop Earl Cranston presiding, with a grcnt temperanco rally. Upon tho bishop la Imposed tho nrduous task of directing tho delib erations of this largo church body, before which n number of Important Courtesy of Plttston Gazette. BISHOP EA RL CRANSTON Who is Presiding Over tho Sessions of Wyoming Methodist Episcopal Conference, in Elm Prtfjc .Church Scranfon. church Issues will come, and passing upon the annual appointments of the ministers to their charges. Bishop Cranston has grown old in the service of God, but his 71 odd years set lightly upon his erect shoulders, although his llfo has been active, and, at periods, strenuous. Ho as born born at Athens, Ohio, on Juno 27, 1840. Ho was graduated from Ohio University in 1861, and later received degrees of A. M. and L. L. B., from that school and that of D .D. from Allegheny College In 1S82. Ho answered tho call to arms in 18C1, serving In tho Union Army until 18C4 with distinction and at taining tho rank of captain. Follow ing tho war ho entered tho Methodist ministry. In 1884 ho became an agent for the Book Concern. In 1896 he was elected a bishop of his church and spent the next two years In visitation work in the Far East. Bishop Cranston lives at Washing ton. Tho Wyoming conference is one 'of the large conferences of tho Metho dist Episcopal church. In 1911 at conference time there were 210 charges, having a membership in full standing of 49.C30, which was an Increase of 2,000 over the previous year, so that It might well bo as sumed that tho membership is now much in excess of 50,000. Tho pro bationers, according to the last an nual report, numbered 3,302. There aro 130 local preachers In the confer ence. In connection with tho churches there are maintained 425 Sunday schools, with 0,384 officers and teachers and 57,647 scholars, a total of moro than 64,000. There aro also 235 Epworth Leagues (sen ior), with a membership of 10,527, and 112 Junior Epworth Leagues having a membership of 4,789. For pastors' salaries tho charges pay $185,306, and for house rent for the pastors $34,724 is paid annually, while for all ministerial purposes, in cluding pastor, district superintend ent and bishop tho Wyoming confer ence paid In the year ending In 1911 $245,044. Tho support of tho phy sical property of tho conference, and Its maintenance cost $111,328, while for benevolences there was paid by all charges of tho conference in tho yoar closing a year ago $101, 365. Tho annual expondituro for Im provements on church property and annual payment on church Indebted ness adds another $100,000 annual ly, bringing tho total moneys raised by tho conferonco each year up to $550,000. Tho property of tho churches of tho conforonco Is valued at moro than threo and a quarter millions of dollars, the exact total being $3,317,600. Thoro are 432 churches valued at $2,767,850 and 214 parsonages valued at $549,750. Tho Indebtedness on church proper ty nt conference tlrno last year was only $80,366. Tho Elm "Park church has one, of the handsomest and 'most valuable sacred edifices In tho conforonco, and not only tho Methodists but nil people of the city of Scranton tako prldo in the splendid temple, Us organ and chimes, and the great influence the church wields In tho community. It Is fitting that tho conference should not only meet In session this year nt Elm Park, but wo should llko It the conference camo to us moro fro ciuently, so tho outside clergy and 1 laymen might become better nc- qualntcd with tho Elm Park church! and the people, says tho Scranton Times. The Wyoming conference has met six times In Scranton since the first conference was held In Carbondalc In 1852, Elm Park church has enter tained only onto, and that was In 1894, eighteen years ago. Tho Scran ton Methodist Episcopal church, formerly the Adams avenue church, later tho Elm Park, entertained the conferenco In 1860 and In 1880. Simpson church of West Scranton, was the most of tho conference in 1867 and in 1884. There aro eleven churches of the conferenco In Scran ton, with a total membership oT more than 5,000. The conferenco opened with tho celebration ot the Sacrament of the Holy Communion under the direction of the bishop, assisted by the mem bers of his cabinet. The preliminary events of tho con feronco Included tho examination of candidates for admission to tho con ference and for advancement in the different classes. An unusual feature of tho examinations was the presence of father and son, Rev. Edgar D. Cook, of Norrls, N. Y., a candidate for advancement to studies of tho fourth year and his son, E. L. Cook, who is ono of Hvo young men to join the conferenco from Drew Theolo gical Seminary, Madison, N. J. Rev. Alfred Smith, D. T)., of Wil mington, Del., secretnry of the Tem perance Society of tho 'Methodist Episcopal church, was the speaker Tuesday night at tho anniversary ses sion of tho temperance society of the conference. Rev. J. A. HenBey, D. D., of BInghnmton, district superin tendent of tho Blnghamton district, presided at the meeting and Introduc ed 'Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith's address was entitled " From Maine to Texas on tho Water Wagon." Ho told of tho fight In Maine last fall In which an effort was made to repeal tho constitutional nmendmont providing for prohibi tion. Ho said that the liquor ele ment from other states Invaded Maine and put up the cry that local option would give tho peoplo of Maine tho right to decide. " I decided In that light that when the liquor Interests boarded a local option wagon," ho said, " that lt was tlrno for men to get off. Local op tion as a means for solving tho liq uor question is obsolete. 'Wo should have a prohibitory clnuso In tho fed eral constitution, for lt every state favors prohibition, thoro would bo enough liquor sold in tho DlBtrict oi Columbia to dam tho whole country." Dr. Smith told of tho fight in Tex ns for a constitutional amondmont saying that 147 nowspapors had sold themselves, princlplo and all, to tho liquor interest. Even at that, ho de clared, tho amondmont had beon lost by only 5.000 votes. In Malno, on tho other hand, Dr. Smith said, tho newsnanors could not bo purchased, but stood a solid phalanx against tho repeal of tho amendment, with tho result that victory louoweu. ur, Smith charged the attempt to rees tablish tho saloon In Maine after sixty years of prohibition up to the Democratic party loaders nnd to Republicans. Dr. Smith spoke to an audlonco which Included many of tho leading members of tho local Prohibition pnrty and his raps to local option were roundly applauded. About ono hundred and fifty dele gates answered present when tho roll was called by Rev. Ripley, of Haw ley. Five of tho members havo died. namely. Rev. Haskel B. Benedict,' Rev. William M. Hiller, ,Rev. Thos. ! Burgess, Rev. Samuel Moore and1 Rev. Charles M. Surdam. Aftor tho roll call the conferonco proceeded to organize by tho election of officers. Rev. Ripley Re-Elcctcd. Rev. Mr. Ripley was re-elected conforonco secretary. His name was put before tho conferenco by Rev. L. C. Murdock, D. D., superintendent of tho Scranton district, promptly sec onded and the election mado unanI- mous. Rev. Mr. Ripley nnnounced the following assistants: Thomas M. Furey, George H. Prentice, Ira L. Bronson, as reported anniversaries, and Elmer E. Pearco as expert pen man. Rev. Louis E. Van Holsen, of Lu zerne, on motion of Rev. H. C. Mc Dormott. D. D., superintendent of tho Wllkes-Barro district, was re-elected conferenco treasurer. He named as assistants Rev. Elmer E. Pearce, Rev. R. E. Austin, Rev. John G. Frey, Rev. H. W. Thomas, Rev. William B. Arnold, Rev. H. S. Smith, Rev. W. E. Wolcott and 'Rev. William McAlplne. On motion of Dr. Murdock, Rev. E. G. N. Holmes, of Thompson, Pa., was named statistical secretary and directed to select his own assistants to bo announced later. Rev. A. J. Hensey, D. D., superin tendent of tho Blnghamton district, was introduced and submitted his an nual report. Tho work In that sec tion of conference has been one ot universal growth. Especially Is this truo of the Blnghamton churches. Rev. O. L. Severson, D. D., next presented his report of work during the year in the Oneonta district. Re ferring to the worth of men turned out, tho report said: "How much Wllkes-Barro and Scranton districts and cities aro indebted to Oneonta none can measure. Elm Park and Simpson churches of this city each hns In Its active membership a grand son of George Peck, William H. Peck, president of the Third National bank, and George L. Pock, a successful at torney and superintendent of the Simpson M. E. Sunday school. Then think of Reuben Nelson, William H. OHn, Austin Griffin, N. M. Cryden wise, and last, perhaps not least, my distinguished colleague in the cabin et, L. C. Murdock." On Thursday afternoon, the anni versary of tho Women's Foreign Mis sionary society will be held and Mrs. McDowell, wife of Bishop W. F. Mc Dowell will bo the speaker. On Thursday evening, the Laymen's As sociation will hold a-blg mass meet ing. On Friday afternoon, the lay1 delegates will elect general confer enco delegates In Immanuel Bap tist church and the clergymen In Elm Park, to bo followed by a joint meeting at which Bishop Cranston will read his message, which has the samo relation to tho conferenco that tho president's has to Congress. The appointments will bo an nounced at the business session on Monday morning. On Sunday after noon, Bishop Cranston will conduct tho ordination service. NO NEW LICENSES GRANTED BY COURT I'. E. McGrnnnghnn nnd John AVood- inanseo Granted Hotel Licenses, Others Refused No Whole sale Licenses Granted. On Wednesday morning the decis ion in the various applications for hotel licenses was pronounced by the Court. Court was to havo convened at eloven o clock but It was eleven thirty before Judgo Searlo showed up owing to illness caused by a hard week s work. Tho application of MIcSiaol F, Downs, Buckingham township, was refused until such time as business will be more constant thero and un til the business of tho placo will warrant a license. Mr. Downs was granted permission to keep summer boarders but no license was granted to him for a hotel. Thero werre no now licenses granted. Tho application of John Wood- mansco for hotol license at Starruc ca was granted nnd the Judge stated he did not 'bellovo Mr. WoodmanBeo had violated his license. The application of Frank Mnng for n hotel license in Texas was re fused. Tho application for a licenso for a now hotel by Lafayctto Roloson at Hawley was refused. Tho application of George W. Stiles and Joseph 'Herwltlon, for wholesale) licenses at Browndalo, Clintou township, wero refused. The application of Paul McGrana ghan for a hotol licenso In Honesdnle borough was granted. Mr. McGran aghan has had a wholesale licenso but this has been withdrawn by tho Court. Tho application of Paul Vaver schak for a hotol licenso in Canaan wa3 refused. Tho application of Mathow P. Clomo for a hotol licenso at Dy berry will bo hoard next week. Judgo Searlo wont to Scranton Wednesday whero ho will sit In tho Lackawanna county court. Body Found in River. Plttston While ongagod in dredg ing tho river In tho vicinity of West Plttston cemetery tho body of a man was found floating down tho stream Tuesday. Engraved on a ring on the man's left hand were tho Initials "H. O." It Is holleved to bo tho body of Harold Owens, of Lestorshlre, N, Y., who has been missing since last November; CORONER TO l&IGATE Will Hold Inquest Saturday Night to Inquire Into Death of Dutmior Futilities. (Special to Tho Citizen.) Scranton, iMarch 21. Coroner William W. Lynch will hold an In quest Saturday night to determine whether lt was gas or dynamlto that caused tho explosion at Dunmoro yes terday morning and caused tho death of eight persons. Mamlo Summa, aged eight yearn, who was found In a treo fifty feet from tho explosion, Is stilt uncon scious and In a critical condition. Tho funeral of tho other vlctlmn will bo hold Friday morning. Four of tho smaller children will bo burled in a slnglo casket. Th two men will bo burled separately. Tho remains of Mrs. Graco Summa will bo laid to rest In tho sam coffin with those of her five-year-old son, Frank Summa. Despite tho stormy weather large crowds aro standing In Mount Carmel cemetery watching the grave diggers. Concerning the Rnrtlett Family. Many inquiries havo been receiv ed at this office relative to tho artl clo concerning Charles Bartlett and who his relatives might havo been. Judge Henry Wilson furnishes us with tho following information. which might throw some light upon the subject. If any of our reader know anything further about th Bartlett family, kindly mail or tell us about it and it will bo thankfully received. The History of Wayno County Ik the sketches of the bar of tho coun ty, contains tho following In relation to an attorney who seems to bo de scribed by tho prisoner as a brother viz: "Ara Bartlett Is a native of Promp- ton, Wayno county. He was educated at the academy In Bethany, and sub sequently taught school. Ho road law with R. M. Grennell and F. M. Crane, and was admitted to tho bar May 3, 1853. He married Lucinda, a daughter of Judge Eldred, and re moved to Kankakee, 111., whero h commenced practice. President Lin coln subsequently appointed him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Dakota. At tho close of his term he returned to Illinois and resumed practice." Beyond this, the only information given by the records Is that he was a member of tho Town Council of Prompton In 1848 and 1849. Noth ing can bo learned respecting other brothers of tho prisoner. Firo nt Calllcoon. The cottage of Mrs. D. Hahn on the 'Hortonville road near Calllcooa was destroyed by flro Friday night. Tho fire department was summoned, and the people had -their 'Choice oi going to the flro or watching, tix. flood In tho Delaware. The fir started in a little building near the house and It wasn't five minutes bo fore the whole structure was a mas of flames and blazed fiercely as though It was an oil tank Instead of a house. The supposition is that it was the work of an Incendiary, for it does not seem that any building could go so quickly and burn with such fierceness without a guiding hand. Samuel R. French Dead. Samuel R. French, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry French, of East Honesdale, died at the homo of his parents on Wednesday morning, at about half past threo o'clock. Death was tho result of tuberculosis. Samuel R. French was 20 years and 11 months ot ago and was born 1 Honesdale on April 21, 1891. H Is survived by his parents, three brothers and two sisters, Raymond. Carl and Clarence, and Verna, an Mrs. Walter Dodge, all of Honesdalou The funeral services will be conduct ed by Rev. W. H. Hiller at the home on Saturday afternoon lit I o'clock. Interment will be In the In dian Orchard cemetery. Manufactures Total Billions. WashIngton.March 2 1 .Twenty billion dollars is the value or the present annual output of American factories, the total having just doubled during the past ten years, according to a Commerce and Labor Department estimate. Exports from tho United States in 1911 amounted ot over $2,413,500,000, of which only $900,000,000 was In manu factures. Gormany Is credited with being the greatest rival of tho Unit ed States in commerce. Found Dead on Roud and Moncy Gone. (Special to Tho Citizen.) Jessup, March 21. John Sopskie, of this placo, who disappeared a month ngo nftor he had received his pay, was found dead lying on the Mooslc road a short distance from hero to-day. Thero wero no mark on Copsklo's body to denoto any vio lence, but his monoy was gone. Theodore Klino Too Late. Harrlsburg, March 21. Theodore Kline, of Lnko Ariel, Wayne county, to-day filed a petition to bo a candi date for tho houso on tho Republi can ticket In Wayne county. As the tlrno for filing such papers expired on Saturday It was rejected. Buying Land at Nnrrowsburg. Strangers havo been In Narrows burg for several days past securing options on lands along tho river front and It is thought that some industry intends to locate there. $12,000 Firo in Jessup. (Special to The Citizen.) Jessup, March 21. A flro In thle town this morning destroyed two frame dwellings and a clothing utore. Loss, $12,000.