PAGE TWO Legislature Passes Act Creating Luzerne County Colonel Pickering spent forty days looking over this portion of the state, and, as a matter of truth, his visit was not social at all. It was a political examination of the ground. Very important affairs de- pended on his report. Very little escaped his keen view. He saw enough to learn that Pennsylvania would lose this fair land, if it de- layed any longer. He returned to Philadelphia and reported this fact to the Assembly, and it passed the act that created Luzerne County, September 25, 1786. Colonel Pick- ering was not only selected as one of the men to carry out the act but was appointed a Judge, Clerk of the Courts, and Prothonotary as well, The new county was named Luzerne in honor of Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister of Frahce to the United States. First Court Opened January 1787 Colonel Pickering came here in January, 1787. Under his direction the election of county officers pas- sed off quietly. On May 29, the first court was opened in the home of Colonel Butler, at ithe corner of River and Northampton Streets, and carried on in a quiet, orderly man- ner. Later on he succeeded in getting the Assembly to pass a law giving the Wyoming people ownership of their lands. Franklin Arrested Every effort was made by Colonel Pickering to get Colonel Franklin to act with him, but Franklin was pledged to the mew state plan. Pickering soon saw that, if Frank- lin were not stopped, there would be further trouble.. Chief Justice McKean was notified and he or- dered Franklin's arrest. Franklin was secured by a ruse on the River Common, and although he fought until he was exhausted, was finally overpowered, bound on a horse, and was on the way to the Philadelphia prison, before his capture became known to his friends. Attack on Colonel Pickering’s Home Franklin's friends directed their rage toward (Colonel Pickering whom :they blamed for the arrest. An attack was made on his lodg- ings, and he, leaving his wife and children behind him, was forced to escape to the mountains in the night. He went to ‘Philadelphia and remained there until affairs in Wilkes-Barre became’ quiet. Pickering was right in his belief that, with their leader absent, the new state party could not make any progress. Interest waned, and the people settled down to conduct their affairs in peace. Pickering returned to Wilkes- Barre, and, in 1787, began the erec- tion of ‘a house, which still stands where he built it, over one hundred forty years ago, on South Main Street between Northampton and South Streets. It is the oldest house in the Valley: Colonel Pickering Imprisoned The New State party did not give up. At eleven o'clock in the night of June 26, 1788, the door of his house was forced open and Col- onel Pickering was seized by a party of men disguised as Indians and car- ried off up the river. Pickering Released As soon as this was known, the sheriff of the county sent troops in pursuit, and regular soldiers were ordered here by United States government. Pickering was held prisoner for twenty days, for the purpose of securing the release of Franklin. When it was seen that this would not secure Franklin's re- lease, Pickering was permitted to return to Wilkes-Barre, provided that he would recommend a pardon for Colonel Franklin. The march of the regular troops was halted at Easton. For the rest of the year, peace and quiet ruled in Lu- zerne County under Pickering’s able management. Franklin, in prison, realized that his great plan was destroyed, and so in September, 1788, he wrote the Supreme Executive Council praying for a pardon. Franklin Released on Bail As he was the very soul of honor, his request was considered, the Council taking it as surrender of his New State plan, and he was re- leased on bail. Franklin Released on Bail In November, 1788, Franklin was brought to trial charged with high treason; that is, for trying to “erect a new and independent state,” in an already legally organized terri- tory. The trial was held in Wilkes- Barre before Chief Justice McKean and Justice Rush, and this was the first Supreme Court Session held in Wilkes-Barre. Important wit- nesses were absent, so Franklin was released on bail. His case never THE STORY THE POST, FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1946 OF CELEBRANTS AT GARSSON CHRISTMAS PARTY ENJOYING THEMSELVES AT A CHRISTMAS PARTY held at the Batavia Metal Products plant of the Garssons, Batavia, I11., are David Barkley (left), son of Sen. Alben Barkley of Kentucky; E. M. Glazier, (center), one of the Garsson company directors and Col. Herbert Heiss, who passed on contract awards with other Chemi- cal Warfare Service officers in Washington. Heiss resigned his post recently and took an executive job with Garsson’s Batavia Metal Products Corp. (Photo Copyright 1946 by International News Photos) called again. For many years after this at each election he was chosen a member of the Assembly. In later years he removed to Athens, near the New York state border, where he resided to the time of his death. No further trouble of a serious nature occurred here after 1788. The law securing the land to Wyo- ming people, however, was repealed and a new one was not passed until 1799. Perhaps, boys and girls, we may best close the story of the Wyom- ing Valley quoting from Miner's History Pennsylvania in State of Progress “Christmas 1788 found Luzerne County abounding in the neces- saries of life, the laws of Pennsyl- vania in perfect operation, receiving everywhere cheerful obedience, Franklin at liberty, Colonel Picker- ing industriously performing every duty, high or low, allotted to him in life, a most extraordinary man— indeed perhaps he was the only man who could have introduced the laws and averted civil war in ‘Wy- oming.” Colonel Pickering resided in Wilkes-Barre until 1792. During a part of this time, he acted as the agent for the United States and THE DALLAS POST “More than a newspaper, a community institution” ESTABLISHED 1889 A non-partisan liberal progressive newspaper pub- lished every Friday morning at the Dallas Post plant Lehman Avenue, Dallas Pennsylvania. Entered as second-class matter at the post office at Dallas, Pa, under the Act of Mareh 8, 1879. rip- tion rates: $2.50 a year; $1.50 six months... No subscriptions aceepted for less than six moaths. Out-of state subscriptions: $3.00 a’ year; $2.00 six months or less. Baok issues, more than ene week old, 10s Single copies, at a rate of 6c cash, can he obtained every Friday merm- ing at the following newsstands: Dallas— Tally-Ho Grille, LeGrand’s Restaurant; Shavertown, Evans’ Drug Store; Truokeville—Leenard's Store; Idetewn—Caves Store; Hunte ville—Barmes Store; Alderson— Deater's Store When requesting a change of ad- dress subscribers are asked to give their old as well as new address. Allow two weeks for changes of ad- dress or new subscription to be placed on mailing list. We will not be responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and editorial matter un- less self-addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed, and in no case will we be responsible for this material for more than 30 days. National display advertising rates 80¢ per column inch. Local display advertising rates 50c per column inch; specified position 60c per inch. Classified rates 8c Mimimum charge 80c. per word. Unless paid for at advertising rates, we can give no assurance that an- nouncements of plays, parties, rummage sales or any affairs for raising money will appear in a specific issue. In no case will such items be taken on Thursdays. Editor and Publisher HOWARD W. RISLEY Associate Editor MYRA ZEISER RISLEY Contributing Editor MRS. T. M. B. HICKS brought about a treaty of peace with the Six Nations ‘of Indians. He left Wilkes-Barre to accept the office of Postmaster General of the United (States under President Washington's Administration and was later Secretary of War and Secretary of State under President John Adams. Still later he was United States Senator. from Mass- achusetts. NAMING OF WILKES-BARRE Cause of French and Indian War A number of years before Wilkes- Barre was settled, France, which possessed (Canada; and England, which governed the thirteen colon- ies in America, fell into a dispute over territory and made war on each other. Both countries wanted the fertile valleys of the Ohio and the Mississippi. This war was call- ed the French and Indian War. The Meeting of John Durkee and Isaac Barre England sent Colonel James Wolfe with his regiment to help capture a French Fort and town called Louisburg, situated on a large island on the east coast of Canada. The American colonies such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island also sent regiments to help Colonel Wolfe. In the regi- ment from England was a young officer named Isaac Barre, who was Colonel Wolfe's principal assistant. In one of the Connecticut regiments was an officer named John Dur- kee, who was captain of one of the companies. The two men, John Durkee and Isaac Barre, met dur- | ing the war and became friends. When the war was over, they part- ed and never saw each other again. Colonel Barre continued in the English army, and Captain Durkee went to his home in Connecticut. Erection of Fort Durkee and Wilkes-Barre Named When the Connecticut people came to Wyoming to settle, the second party, which arrived here in February 1769, was led by ‘Cap- tain Durkee. Shortly after he ar- rived he built a fort which he called Fort Durkee, and he named the town that he founded Wilkes-Barre in honor of his friend Isaac Barre and an English statesman, John Wilkes. You will kow why he se- lected this mame when you learn who Isaac Barre and John Wilkes were, and what they did to cause Captain. Durkee to name a town in their honor. JOHN WILKES Wilkes Ejected to Parliament John Wilkes Arrested John Wilkes was born in Eng- land in 1727. His father was rich, and John received a good educa- tion. He was not a very good look- ing man, but he was a pleasant, gentlemanly fellow who could write unkind and unpleasant letters and cause those about whom he wrote to get angry. He became interested in politics and was elected to Par- liament. He attacked the King’s ministers in a paper that he had published and the King ordered these ministers to have him ar- rested. They did so, but on a form of paper called a warrant that Wilkes said was against the law. Many others had been arrested be- fore on the same form of paper, but Wilkes was the first man who claimed that this was a method of taking from the people their liberties. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and when the New Barber Sargi Toni of Parsons, barber at Camp Dix, N. J. new barber at Gregory's Barber Shop. He and Don Grose expect to keep customers fresh and cheer- ful while Charlie takes a needed rest. former is the NEW HOLLAND AUTOMATIC PICK-UP BALING PRESS MODEL 76 "AUTOMATON" Of proven design, this modern efficient baler picks up hay from the windrow, bales and ties — at the rate of 250 bales per hour. And the entire baling process is auto- matic. Just hook up the “Automaton” behind your tractor and you are ready fo go. No exira labor required. See your dealer today for complete information. CHARLES H. LONG Sweet Valley, Pa. WYO people took up his cause, the Court - ruled that the King and his minis- ters had no right to arrest or im- prison any one with that form of warrant. He was released and from that time no Englishman could be arrested except by the law of the land. Wilkes Dismissed from Parliament The King was very angry and would not give up; so he declared Wilkes an outlaw and had Parlia- ment dismiss him. The way this was accomplished was a violation of the rights of English citizens. Wilkes fled to France but soon re- turned to England. The people again elected him to Parliament. Again he was dismissed. This hap- pened four times in a number of years. Wilkes was imprisoned for twenty-two months and during all this time the people came to his assistance and showed the King and his ministers that they were in favor of him because he was fight- ing for their rights. This continued for eleven years, and in the end the King had to give up and permit the people to choose the man they wanted to serve them in Parlia- ment, for this was their lawful right. Wilkes Chosen to Represent the People in Parliament Wilkes was the most talked of man in England, and the story of his fight with the King, and the | King’s ministers, was well known in America. ica had the same idea of liberty that Wilkes had, and they were delighted to see him victorious. Bonfires were lighted, banquets were held, and money was sent to him. The people in Amer- Death of Wilkes in 1797 You will see that Colonel Durkee had good reason to name the new town in honor of Wilkes. At vari- ous times after Wilkes-Barre had been named in his honor, he was Sheriff, Lord Mayor, and Chamber- lain in London. Wilkes died in 1797 and was buried in London. ISAAC BARRE Colonel Barre and Wolfe Meet Colonel Barre Comes to America Isaac Barre's forefathers came from France and settled in Ireland. Isaac was born in Dublin in 1726. His people were not rich, but Isaac was educated as a favor in Trinity Col- lege. After he left Trinity College, he was appointed ensign in an English regiment and became very well acquainted with a Lieutenant Colonel whose name was. James Wolfe. This was the famous Gen- eral Wolfe of the French Indian war. Later on Colonel Wolfe made Barre his Brigadier major. When Wolfe was sent to America to fight the French, he took Barre with him, When Wolfe was appointed Major General of the English army in America; he made Barre his Adju- tant Genera] with the rank of Col- onel. At the famous battle of Que- bec, both General Montcalm, the. French commander and General Wolfe, the English commander, were mortally wonded. General Wolfe died in the arms of Colonel Barre. Colone] Barre Fights for American Liberty After the war ended, Colonel Barre was elected to Parliament and was always on the American side in all the troubles that Parliament had with America. He fought for Amer- ican liberty in the English Parlia- ment as hard as he fought for Eng- land in America during the French and Indian war. Colonel Barre died in 1802. During his long life he was Ad- jutant General in the British Army, Governor of Sterling Castle; Vice- Treasurer of Ireland; Treasurer of the Navy; Paymaster of the Army; and Clerk of the Pells. He was al- so a member of the House of Com- mons for forty years. THE END accidents. He is only one of 723 killed...20,312 injured... a total of 21,035 humans sacrificed by reckless . . . thoughtless . . . careless . . . driving and walking in the first five months of 1946 in Pennsyl- vania. Life snuffed out! Happiness blasted! Why ? These drivers and pedestrians thought it couldn’t happen ro them. It did happen to them! It can happen to YOU, thedriver... YOU, the pedes- trian. And only YOU can stop it by He laughs no more. He is no more. His life . . . his happiness . . . needlessly. wasted in the tragic toll of traffic ¢ correcting the faults which are the basic causes of traffic tragedies: When you walk—Be alert for traffic lights, warning signs, passing cars. Don’t jaywalk. Look before walk- ing into the roadway. Never walk from behind a parked car. When you drive—Keep eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, mind on the job. Don’t pass on hills or around curves. Don’t hog the road. Don’t take that drink. Don’t speed —It’s a gamble of life against time which you are bound to lose. Drive and walk so that YOUR life and happiness will not be— WASTED. PENNSYLVANIA WILL PUNISH TRAFFIC VIOLATORS TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW. IF AT FAULT IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT YOU FACE LOSS OF YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGE . . : HEAVY FINES . .. JAIL SENTENCES. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Edward Martin Governor David W. Harris Secretary of Revenue ™ ( J
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers