* VOL. 86 NO. 49 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1975 James W. Haddle of Kunkle, charged with criminal homicide in the death of David M, Hodge, Kingston, on Dec. 23, was released on $25,000 bail Dec. 24, following a hearing before President Judge Bernard C. Brominski at Luzerne County Courth House. Haddle was freed according to the DA’s office, pending a hearing set for Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. before District Magistrate Earl Gregory of Shaygertown, to answer the charge of cfr homicide as cited by Dallas Twp. Police. The hearing will be held to establish whether or not there is sufficient evidence to hold Haddle for trial. Dallas Township Police Chief Carl Miers said Haddle was arrested on the evening of Dec. 23 on the general charge of criminal homicide following an argument at the Haddle home which resulted in Hodge's fatal injury. An autopsy was conducted at the Mercy Hospital by Dr. George E. Hudock, Jr., Luzerne County coroner, who attributed Hodge’s death to a fractured skull due to kicking. Hodge was a native of Augurn, N.Y., and moved to this area with his family several years ago, residing first in West Pittston and moving to Kingston three months ago. He is survived by his widow and six children: Investigation in the homicide is being conducted by Police Chief Carl Miers and Patrolman Douglas H. Lamoreux. Assisting in the investigation are Sgt. Sev Newberry, Dallas Borough; Lt. Donald Dorris, Troopers Michael Jordan, Joseph Brozena, and William Koschinisky of the Pennsylvania State Police, Wyoming; District Atty. Patrick Toole, Luzerne Co. Coroner Eugene Hudock, Chief Deputy Coroner Joseph Shaver, and Deputy Coroner Richar Disque. y Monday confirmed that Haddle was a patient in the hospital for undisclosed reasons and his condition was reported as ‘good’. A spokesman from the Rural Health Clinic reported that Haddle had been a patient of the Noxen office in April but reports from patients treated during the past week had not yet been sent into the main office in Wilkes-Barre. - Another mediation session between striking workers of the Com- munication Workers of America and ~ Commonwealth Telephone Col. ended Monday after about three hours of . discussion with no progress, ac- cording to a Commonwealth - spokesperson. Charles McHugh of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service called the meeting at the Hotel ‘Sterling in Wilkes-Barre. = No ad- ‘as of Monday afternoon, although McHugh will be in touch with both parties: Service is continuing with management performing the duties of the striking employees. The company spokesperson said that no difficulties were encountered with the heavy load of calls on Christmas Day, even though the company handled more calls than it did the previous year. She pointed out that management personnel performing other functions are now. more familiar-with “these duties and that since most long- distance calls are direct-dialed, operators are not needed. Union spokesman Robert Mack could not be contacted for comment on the latest negotiation session. Commonwealth is still standing on an offer of a 9.4 per cent across-the-board wage increase with increases in TWENTY CENTS 1976 budget for Dallas Twp. Dallas Township supervisors adopted the 1976 budget Monday night at a special meeting held in the township building. The supervisors announced there would be no increase in taxes, that the present 3 mills will remain in effect. Dallas Township has a total of $270,000 in the General Fund. The supervisors authorized Township Solicitor Frank Townend to draw up an ordinance for 35 mile speed limit signs to be posted on Lower Demunds Road from Moore’s Store to Demunds Corners. The township reorganization meeting will be held Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m., at the township municipal building. Jackson Twp. Jackson Township supervisors adopted the 1976 budget and approved payment of current bills at a special meeting Monday night at the Township Fire Hall. increase in millage for the coming year. A reorganization meeting will be held Jan. 5, 1976 and the first regular meeting will be held Feb. 2. : DSS 1975 A review of Local high school educators saw little change in disciplinary procedures following Supreme Court decision. The court held that no student may be expelled unless given Order of the Eastern Star celebrated a] its 50th anniversary. 3 Kingston Township narcotics officer Sgt. William Pugh claimed Back Mountain reaction to his previous comments concerning the existance of If archaeologists of the future attempt to reconstruct life in the Back Mountain during 1975 from the pages of the Dallas Post they’ll learn a lot about sewers and roads. Above, Ertley. » J ED. NOTE: This article is the first in an exclusive Dallas Post- Mountaintop Eagle bicentennial eries which presents the historical development of the areas of Luzerne County during the 1776 founding of the nation. The facts are presented in a newspaper style as if happening and ‘reported at the time they occurred. Background facts are obtained from various historical documents available in the area and are thought to be accurate.) DATELINE WESTMORELAND (Dec. 20, 1775) The Continental Congress today passed a resolution urging contending parties for the lands on the waters of the Susquehanna River to ‘immediately _ cease all hostilities and avoid every ~~ appearance of force.” Congress asked settlers from At Connecticut and Pennamite origins who have been contending over the region for a number of years to “behave themselves peacefully’ until the dispute can be legally decided and all property ‘‘taken and detained” can be restored to the original owners. The congressional measure also asked that parties to the dispute avoid molesting persons or property from the other faction and “‘that things be put in the situation they were before the late unhappy contest.” The dispute focussed against New England ‘“Yankees” residing in the Westmoreland area and has involved armed men, several raids and ‘“‘arrests’” by Pennamites of Lackaway. A threatened incursion by Col. William Plunkett's Pennamite forces into Wyoming Valley led Westmoreland representatives to submit depositions to the congress on Dec. 18. The Connecticut General Assembly, meeting in New Haven, during its October session authorized the New England settlers to organize as the 24th Regiment, Connecticut Militia, for the defense of the region. Line officers named for the military group’s organization included Capt. Nathaniel Landon, Lt. George Dorrance and Ensign Asahel Buck for the Second Company, located in the Kingston District; Capt. Stephen Harding, Lt. Ensign John Jenkins Jr. for the Seventh Company in the vicinity of Exeter and Providence; Capt. Samuel Ransom, Lt. Peren Ross, and Ensign Asaphy Whittlesey for the Third Company in the Plymouth District; and Capt. Stephen Fuller, Lt. John y ~ During the year the financial and construction woes ‘of the Harvey's Lake municipal sewer authority and Glace and Glace construction engineers was extensively reported. So was the Carverton Road reconstruetion progress and the problems of the general contractor on that job--Wyoming Sand and Gravel. A variety of school issues and other local governmental activities were also conspicuous during the year. In January, the Dallas Post returned to publication under new management, Pennaprint Inc. Former Tunkhannock resident Ray Carlsen, editor and publisher of Pennaprint, announced that three newspapers (the Dallas Post.) the Mountaintop Eagle, and the (Abington Journal) formerly owned by former Gov. William Scranton’s Greenstreet News Co.,would resume publication after an interruption of four weeks. Garrett, and Ensign Christopher Soer, of the First Company, in the district south of Wilkes-Barre. The New Englanders group is acknowledged in the dispute as the “Yankee” faction while Pennamite forces have indicated a definite “Tory’’ loyalty. Prior to the congressional resolution, the Connecticut General Assembly, meeting in special session on Dec. 14, 1775, authorized the “raising and equipping” of a group of “minute-men’’ to be held ‘in readiness for the defense of the colony. 2 The emergency was emphasized during a September skirmish at which Yankee settlers in the Warrior Run ttlement were routed by a Pen- ite Tory force. the chance to explain his side of the story. Northeastern Pennsylvania (Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Monroe counties) unemployment rose for the fourth straight month. During February, the Lake Lehman High School Band was invited to compete in National Blossom Festival to be held May 11th at Niagra Falls, Ontario. Luzerne County Planning Commission claimed the Back Mountain area will need small urban parks by 1990 and the Harvey’s Lake Sewer Authority discussed feasibility of sewering residents of boat houses. Local pharmacists objected to new state initiated PAID = prescription program for welfare recipients, during February and the new Back Mountain jaycee chapter was presented its official charter. Local car dealers were optimistic following end of one month rebate period. In March, Kingston Township Policeman Sgt. William Pugh sought Dallas Kiwanis Women’s aid in fighting potential Back Mountain drug problem. The Dallas Borough Council unanimously approved rezoning a portion of Powderhorn Estates to a residential area. iso in March, Jackson Township adopted 10 a.m. curfew for all children under 18 years of age. Lake Lehman High School students ranked high on an evaluation by Middle States Association education committee. The sewering of boathouses was deemed necessary at Harvey's Lake by the Pennsylvania attorney general, during March. Back Mountain athletic directors: felt that the Commonwealth Court’s decision to strike down a PIAA clause denying high school girls’ access to interscholastic team competition with boys could ham girls’ participation in varsity sports. Also in March, the Dallas School Board decided to close and sell the Shavertown Elementary School located on Route 309 and W. Center St. In April, the Dallas High School was burglarized. On March 31 the Dallas w a ‘‘drug culture” in the confirmed his contention. in Applewood Manor. Dallas Township unlikely. Kingston (Continued on page six) Dr. Gittens heads Retreat appointed \ to the | position Northeastern Region. | since June 1, 1975. In his new position, the superintendent will work with the Regional Welfare Office staff, the Retreat State Hospital Board of possible care and services for the patients at the Hospital. He will directly supervise the hospital’s administration including financial management, the provision of support and professional services, and staff supervision consistent with Department regulations. Prior to his appointment at Retreat, Dr. Gittens served as a special assistant of mental health and medical and psychiatric services in the Ofiice of Mental Health and Medical Services for the Department of Public Welfare. Meharrie Medical College, Nashville, Tenn. : ry x 3 PE Sa Sf NL
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers