Miscellaneous News Paper Articles From the Past
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
May 5 1851
The extensive powder mills of Messrs. Donetzger, near Mauch Chunk, Pa., exploded on Friday week with a terrible noise. One man was instantly killed and several others very badly wounded. The buildings were shattered to atoms.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
November 30 1857
A "Beef" War
The citizens of Mauch Chunk have been waging a war against their butchers, because of the high rates at which they retailed their beef in the market. The upshot of the matter has been the forming of a Beef Association, with President, Directors, Treasurer, Secretatry, &c., who purchase the cattle, prepare the beef, and dispose of it at cash prices, at from six to nine cents per pound. The butchers, thereupon, tried to starve the people into submission by absenting themselves from the market, but as the "Association" had plenty of good beef on hand, the attempt proved a failure.
The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 5 1860
Railroad Accident
A sad accident occurred about noon of Thursday last, on the Beaver Meadow railroad, about six miles from Mauch Chunk (Pa.) The usual train, consisting of one baggage and one passenger car, left Mauch Chuck about 11:15 pm. The car was full, many of them having left with the intention of spending Thanksgiving day at different places on the line. When opposite Beaver Creek Dam a rail broke, and the trucks having been thrown from the track; the passenger car was tossed sideways into the Lehigh river, down an embankment over fifteen feet in height. Many of the inmates of the car were ladies. So sudden was the shock that four of these were injured so seriously as to be unable to escape from the broken car after it had reached the river. Five persons, as far as known, were either killed by the fall or drowned. Their names are as follows" Robert Nichels, conductor; Mrs. Farrow and sister, of Beaver Meadow; Miss Smith and sister, of Mauch Chunk. As soon as the car settled in the water the roof was broken open by those of the train hands who were uninjured. A number of persons were extricated through their agency. The water was about twenty feet deep at the spot. Many of the passengers escaped through the windows, and several jumped from the car in its rapid descent. The locomotive and remainder of the train did not leave the track. It appears singular that the rail, which sustained the weight of numerous heavy coal trains, should have broken during the passage of a light passenger car.
The Indiana Democrat (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
October 19 1876
In Weissport is a man named William McDaniel, who carries a pistol on his person, and while descending a ladder on last Wednesday, form some unknown cause, the weapon was discharged, the ball passing through the owner's head killing him instantly.
Chester Daily Times (Chester, Pennsylvania)
June 12, 1877
On Saturday, the miner boys, to the mumber of 1,100 employed at the seven collieries of the Lehigh Valley at Wilkesbarre companies, in the vicinity of Coaldale and Lansford, in the Upper Lehigh region, struck against the reduction of wages which went into effect June 1. At noon today a mass meeting of the men was held at which a committee was appointed to ascertain the amount of the reduction proposed. The collieries were all idle there today.
Chester Daily Times (Chester, Pennsylvania)
June 20 1877
The proposed hanging of the four Mollie Maguires at Mauch Chunk on Thursday has created a great sensation, and it is believed that an attempt will be made to rescue the men now in jail there.
For some days past secret meetings of the friends of the condemned men have been held for the ostensible purpose of making arrangements to receive the bodies of their late comrades after the hanging is over.
These gatherings have been held in secluded spots, as is usual just before the time when some outbrake is expected.
A large number of the Coal and Iron Police have been placed on duty at the Mauch Chunk jail, and a posse of Deputy Sheriffs sworn in who will endeavor to protect the law. The authorities say that if a rescue, it will require more than one regiment of soldiers to drive them out of the town, on account of the high hills around it from which they could pour volley after volley into the place.
Some trouble is anticipated at Pottsville, but the fear is not so great as at Mauch Chunk. Application has been made to the Governor for some troops.
New Oxford Item (New Oxford, Pennsylvania)
March 27, 1896
The Hand Upon the Wall
Upon the wall of cell No. 7 in the County Jail at Mauch Chunk, Penn., is the imprint of a man's hand, which would not attract attention were it not for the strange story connected with it - a story which can be vouched for by many of the town's citizens.
Alexander Campbell, of Lansford, was an occuopant of the cell in June, 1877. The Mollie Maguires were holding their reign of terror throughout the coal regions at that time and he was arrested and sentenced to be hanged in connection with the murder of John P. Jones. He stoutly asserted his innocence, and it was only through the confessions of his comrades in crime that he was convicted. The night before he was hanged he stood on his cot, and, it is said, placing his hand upon the wall, he declared that in proof of his innocence the imprint would remain upon the wall forever. The impression of the hand can be as plainly seen now as if placed there yesterday, though the walls have been whitewashed often. The phenomenon has been viewed by many, but none of them has been able to suggest a plausible solution of the mystery. The cell is regarded with awe by the prisoners in the jail, and if any of them become unruly the warden has only to threaten them with a night in cell No. 7 - New York Herald.
New Oxford Item (New Oxford, Pennsylvania)
November 12, 1897
Landsford, Pa., Nov. 8 - John Simon, the last of the five unfortunates who were suffocated by escaping coal gas while asleep Thursday morning, died during the night without regaining consciousness, although the attending physicians did everything in their power to save his life.
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