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150th Anniversary
Of Confirming Act
Story One Of Most Dramatic
In The History Of
The Nation
iately assumied a paternal attitude to-
ward the Connecticut settlers and per-
mitted them to hold their land in re-
turn for submission to. the State's
government, and it is likely that such
a compromise would have heen wel-
comed by the Yankees.
But the land agents in Philadelphia
had coveted the fertile farms and
meadows of Wyoming for years, and
at their pressure, Pennsylvania pre-
sented to the settlers a ridiculous offer
to give them waste and unappropriat-
ed lands in exchange for the farms
they had developed in Wyoming.
The settlers protested, vigorously,
and Pennsylvania's answer was to
send soldiers. and a collection of as-
sorted ruffians to discourage the set-
tlers and drive them from Wijyoming.
Unorganized and without leadership
the Yankees were subjected to humil-
iating outrages. They were thrown
into jail without trial, forced to take
soldiers in their homes, assaulted
while they went about their peace-
ful business. From their desperation
sprung the leader who was to carve
for himself as colorful and as ideal-
istic a career as any in American his-
tory. § ;
A Dream |s Born
John Franklin, a native of Connect-
icut, had come to Huntington Town-
ship shortly after its: founding in 1776.
Unaided and alone except for his dog,
he had pressed through the wilder-
ness to become the first settler in that
township. Later, after he had reared
his cabin of logs, he brought his young
wife to the secluded home. >
He served with valor during the
Revolution. On July 3, 1778, upon re-
ceiving word of the impending dis-
aster at Wyoming, he gathered to-
gether the men of Salem and Hunt-
ington townships and reached Forty
Fort at twilight of the fearful dap to
become the mainstay of Col. Denison
during the night and the day that
followed. His ‘account of the battle
has survived as one of the most ac-
curate.
His wife died of smallpox and he
took his family, including one child
only a few months old, back to Con-
necticut, making his way through
nearly three hundred miles of wilder-
ness. Later he accompanied General
Sullivan on his expedition to avenge
the murdered settlers.
Franklin was six feet, four inches
tall, square shouldered, a man of gi-
gantic strength. All he had learned
he had taught himself, yet he could
swap! an audience with his sincerity
and earnestness, and he was an effect-
ive writer. He almost became the
founder of an ‘American state.
It is difficult to tell show. far ‘the
eng
plans for that commonwealth moved.
The name, according to authentic
sources, was to have been ‘“Westmore-
land.” The capitol was to be at Tioga
Point, a strategic spot where the town
of Athens had been located. It is a
recorded fact that the ambitious
| Franklin's army had been recruited
as far away as Western Massachu-
setts.
In 1786 bluff, bold Ethan Allen came
to Wpbming and entered into an
agreement whereby his Green Moun-
tain Boys would receive so many
thousand acres of the Susquehanna
lands in return for their support. Al-
len was a colorful braggart and the
news of his connection and Franklin's
plans spread and attracted a stream
of emigrants into - the territory in
search of land. ; Sart
It was a dramatic conflict, not only
between two opposing groups of
Americans, but also between two men,
John Franklin, poor farmer, and Tim-
othy Pickering, Harvard graduate,
Secretary of State under George
Washington, and one of the shrewdest
statesmen in the colonies,
Pickering’s attention was called to
the muddle here late in 1786 when,
while passing through Wj)woming “Val-
ley, he observed the rebellious spirit.
Upon his return to Philadelphia he re-
ported that the main issue was not
recognition of the Pennsylvania gov-
ernment, but the right of the settlers
to hold their farms under any gov-
ernment.
Because he seemed to understand
the situation so thoroughly, the As-
sembly appointed Pickering, himself a
Yankee, to end the difficulty.
Franklin Spurns Compromise
At the election the following year
John Franklin was elécted a member
of the Assémbly* but, deeply absorbed
to serve. Those plans Were: materi-
alizing rapidly. Enthusiasm for the
Fourteenth Commonwealth was spread-
ing as people threw their lot in with
the magnificent farmer, ‘They had
‘Just taught England a lesson. Wihy not
administer one to the stuffy Assembly-
men and land agents at Philadelphia?
The “rabble in arms” was restless
again, . 3
‘And then, just as John Franklin's
dream was on the verg' edge of real-
ization, Pennsylvania passed the Con-
firming Act."
‘Dated March 28, 1787, 150 years ago,
that act confirmed to. the inhabitants
of the County of Luzerne, their heirs
and assigns, who were actual settlers,
the lands which they occupied at the
time, and which had been allotted to
them before the Decree of Trenton.
The Yankees Divide :.
Many! of Franklin's followers re-
mained loyal to him. But many more,
tired of the long controversy, accept-
ed the proposal. Re
Franklin, who knew..the Confirming
Act was a trick to quell the rebellion,
warned the settlers and strove valiant
ly to hold them to his cause. The
greatest gathering of settlers ever held
took place at old Forty Fort. Picker-
ing was swaying the ‘audience when
John Jenkins jumped up to prophesy
in plans for his new State, he refused’
that Pennsylvania would repeal the
law as soon as the Yankees submitted.
Franklin, speaking with great earn-
estness, drove home his charges of
faithlessness and treachery, and
Matthias Hollenback, a-fever with the!
excitement, slashed Franklin over the
face with a riding whip and the meet-
ing broke up in a vicious battle.
Franklin retused to give up his
dream, however. After a day's work
in the fields, he would journey to the
remote cabin of some hunter, to talk
to him about the Fourteenth Common-
wealth. His cause had not died com-
pletely. Pickering had the county.
But Franklin had the people.
Finally Pickering realized there was
only one way to kill the movement
for good and all. He had four excep-
tionally daring men come to Wiyoming
to execute his plan, One of them en-
gaged Franklin in conversation in a
lonely spot while the other ' three
seized him and attempted to bind him.
Franklin’s great strength prevailed,
however, and his calls brought friends
and finall,’ brought Pickering himself,
who notes in his writings that they
could not carry off Franklin until they
had tied his feet under the horse's
belly.
‘The abduction took place on Octo-
ber 2, 1878. The reaction among the
people was such that Pickering fled
fron Wyoming Valley and did not
return until the following January.
Shortly after he returned to his
home on South. Main Street, Wilkes-
‘Barre, a group of “Wild Yankees”, led
by young Gideon Dudley, raided the
Pickering home and took the redoubt-
able Colonel to a secret hiding place
in the woods.
Pickering Stubbern, Too
They offered to give him his free-
dom if he would intercede for Frank-
lin. Pickering refused. He made a
counter offer. He said he would in-
tercede if they would expose their
leaders.
To this offer Gideon Dudley, a
courageous and daring youth, answer-
ed “Whoever does that ought to go to
hell and be lamned everlastingly.”
Pickering was released, though, and
he probably admired Dudley's spirit
for he did intercede for Franklin, wio
was released
But the back of the rebellion was
broken. The sovereignty of Pennsyl-
vania was established. i
Franklin, his dream collapsed, re-
turned to Athens, which was to have
been the capitol of his state.
There, a. grand, solitary figure, he
lived until his death in 1831.
“Mickey” Walsh At
Outlet Tabernacle
The June Bible Conference of the
Outlet Bible Tabernacle is now in pro-
gress with Evangelist “Mickey” Walsh
of Brooklyn as speaker. His messages
are inspiring, uplifting, and most re-
freshing. The conference will close
with two meetings, Sunday at 2:30
and 7:30. Carl and Bob will be in
charge of the music. !
Centermoreland
MRS. BESTEDER
CORRESPONDENT
Jack’s Place at the crossroads is
now open for business,
Miss Betty Niemeyer spent ‘Sunday
with Mrs. Effie DeGraw,
Mrs. Glen Major is spending some
time with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Albert Race ..
The Ladies’ Aid served a nice crowd
at their supper at the church on
Thursday evening.
~The Betsy Ross council of the D. of
A. held its birthday banquet ‘in the
Hall on Wednesday.
Mrs. Charlotte Gwynn and Miss Bet-
ty Price of Wilkes-Barre are visiting
the Lewis Siperko family.
Mr. and Mrs. D E. Davis and their
daughters, Doris and Joan, spent the
week-end with Mrs. Clara Shook.
Ted Dymond is a patient at the
General Hospital where he underwent
an operation for appendicitis last
wee.K. ;
The Children’s Day exercises will be
held at the Methodist church o Sunday
evening, June 27, at 8. Pastor, Rev.
Thomas Kline.
Edward Brunger and Paul Osborne
of Johnson City spent Sunday with
the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Manley Brunger.
The baseball game last Sunday at
Vernon between Vernon and. Noxen
resulted in Vernon's first loss of the
season with a score of 7 to 4.
The Epworth League had a camp-
fire meeting and a weiner roast at
Schoonover's Grove on Thursday eve-
ning to honor Rev. and Mrs, Thomas
Kline.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Besteder, Clar-
ence Bestedér, Molly Besteder, Marion
Gay, and Mrs Otto Harzdorf attended
the band concert at Tunkhannock on
Tuesday evening:
The Lehman Grange gave the play,
“Where's Grandma,” at this place. It
was a very interesting play and acted
in a fine manner, We can certainly:
congratulate Lehman. on its dramatic
ability.
PAGE FIVE
Idetown
The Confidence Class of the Idetown
M. E. church will hold an ice cream
social on the church lawn on Friday
night, June 25.
ps
Ruth’s Bible Class will meet at the
home of Mrs. W. H. Nevel on Friday
night ‘at 8.
Cris
Mrs. Loren Keller and daughter, El-
len, are spending a week at Bingham-
ton, N. ¥ . :
o_O 4
Church News__ Preaching service at
9:30 a. m.; Sunday School at 10:30;
prayer meeting on Thursday evening
at 8 in the ‘church house.
First National Bank
United States Depository
PUBLIC SQUARE
WILKES-BARRE, PA.
Capital—Surplug ....... $ 2,250,000
Resources ............ .. $12,412,000
OFFICERS:
Wm. fl. Conyngham ..... President
Chas. F. Huber .... lst Vice-Pres.
DIRECTORS:
Chas. N. loveland
Francis Douglas .. Exec. Vice-Pres.
Fred O. Smith
Wiliam S. McLean, Jr,
Wm. H. Conynghasa
Richard Sharpe
C. F, Huber
T. R. Hillard
Edward Griffith
Wm. W, Inglis
M. GQ. Shennan
2% Interest On Savings
Sate Deposit Boxes For Rent
M. G. Shennan Vice-Pres. & Cashier |
NOTICE!
per week.
Whatever you want in a gasoline...
the percentage is
Take a tip from the hundreds of motorists who participated in
these fests. Put Blue Sunoco up against any other gasoline in
town by testing it right in your own car. Prove for yourself that
Blue Sunoco’s lively, high-test action is unsurpassed, even
by exira-priced gasolines. See if you don't agree that today’s
greatest value for your gasoline dollar is... Blue Sunoco, ,
SEW
The Ross Federal Research Corp., 2a-
tionally known fact-finding organiza.
tion, asked 1214 motorists in 14 widely
separated cities to fest a “mystery
gasoline” in their own cars. First—tte
tank of each car was drained of the
gasoline it had been using.
The t
A A os Sr rm! §
BOLT AE] Le L).N RI ARE
No EE
anks of these cars were then filled
with this “mystery gasoline.” This un.
known motor fuel was Blue Sunoco, with
the color left out. E. W. Saybolt & Co.,
petroleum testing authorities, checked
this “mystery gasoline” and certified
that it was regular Blue Sunoco.
After these motorists had
time fo compare the performance of
this uncolored Blue Sunoco in their
own cars against the gasoline they had
used previously, Ross Federal investi-
gators asked their frank, honest opin.
ions of the unknown motor fuel.
Compared fo the
you have been
did yoy gotim
on bitsy 72%, :
Table above shows what these motorists
reported after comparing Blue Sunoco
against 54 other gasolines, 11 being
extra-priced. Furthermore, 85% of the
extra-priced gasoline users stated that
Blue Sunoco performed better than the
higher-priced fuelstheyhad been using.
sufficient,
The
Greatest
Show
&n
Earth !
Ny
ute
We will not be responsible for
accidents happening to anyone
riding on unsafe tires... when
they can get Goodrich Safety
Silvertowns for as little as 75c
ADD WOOLBERT
DALLAS PENNA.
|
Mrs. Lynn Brown of Moosic spent
Wednesday visiting in Idetown.
GAY - MURRAY
NEWS——
~ MAKE HAY WITH
OLIVER EQUIPMENT
GUARANTEED QUALITY
DEPENDABLE SERVICE
5 ft. Mower $70.00
6 ft. Mower 75.00
4, ft. One horse Mower 70.00
8 ft. Horse Rake 40.00
9 ft. Horse Rake 42.00
10 fa. Horse Rake 44.00
The Oliver Rake will handle
hsavy or light hay under all
conditions. It has a strong
Bridge Trussed Frame of angle
steel and there are three down
positions for the teeth. Wheel
guards or cleaner te:th are in-
cluded
REPAIRS
Guards for any mower ea 25¢
Rake Teeth ea. 35¢
25 Knives for any mow:zr $1.15
Guard Belts per doz 40c
Steel wheel farm wagons. $49.50
HOW 18 YOUR ROOF?
Robert Coolbaugh is using 10
squares of Channeldrain on one
of his buildings at Falls—Chan-
neldrain is easy to-put on and is
without question the best of the
steel roofings. We can also
furnish you your choice of roll
roofings, or Asphalt shingles at
‘popular prices. :
WARNING !
While thinking of roofing, we
would call your ‘attention to the
fact that high powered salesmen
are making a house .to .house
canvass in this community of-
fering an ordinary Asphalt roof
coating at 1.20 per gallon in 30
gal, barr:ls. We mention this
not to brag, but to protect you
against these scalpers as we sell
just as good a product without
the fancy label at 35¢ a gallon.
SEE US WHEN YOUR
ROOF LEAKS
Gay- Murray Co.
Inc.
TUNKHANNOCK,
PENNA.
“The Sawdust Ring Brought to the Stage”
~ Clowns! Lions! N' Everything!
Tickets
» On
Sale
At
B. and B.
Hardware
Store,
Dallas
LLAS BOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 25
ADMISSION CHILDREN, 25¢ ADULTS, 40c
I
100 - PROMINENT LOCAL PEOPLE IN CAST - 100