The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 45

TDIES-LEADER, EVENING NEWS, RECORD, WILKES-BAR RE, PA SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1973 12 Use of Culm as Fuel Predicted Over 100 Years Ago, Historical Time Capsule Reveals century and think of the mighty; generations were such things as changes that have been wroughtjthe fact that eggs were then during this period the wonder selling at 18 cents (a dozen) and ful discoveries and great improvements that have been made I --I 5 -J 1 A also that the cost of living at Wyoming Valley Hotel was $3.50 a day. Additionally, Miner pointed out and adopted the advances in political, moral, social and eco that the population of the City oi ttiixes-Barre (recently elevated from borough status) was "estimated to 25,000." The nomic conditions of life and society Miner wrote, "We doubt not that great changes will occur and great advance be shown, but in which direction or in what ways we can only im limits of Wilkes-Barre City were described as including "the agine. "Perhaps the power of elec IPU-jem 7 I spaces surrounded on the west by the river, on the east by Meade Street, on the north by Mill Creek, and on the south by tricity will have been success-i "Among the subjects to which our attention now turns is the possibility of utilizing the mountains of coal dust (culm) which accumulates around every coal opening These words, suggesting the seed to develop technology through which the wastes of anthracite mining could be put to useful purpose, were not written by a modern-day researcher seeking a solution to the nation's current energy crisis. They were, instead, written more than 100 years ago by the late Lewis H. Miner, a member of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, as part of a letter sealed into a "time capsule" which was stored for a century in the basement of the society's Wilkes-Barre headquarters.

Miner's letter, a greeting to the society members who were to open the time capsule 100 years after it was sealed, was among the documents and paraphernalia recovered when the lead container was chiseled open. the Hanover fine." fully worked and applied and in a good degree supercede steam as a motive power or that bal In addition to the letter, the loons may traverse the air and perform (maneuvers from point) to point Wilkes-Barre Memorial Association, a coal trade circular, a Hartranft The Ring political pamphlet, bank statements from F. V. Bockaiellow Company, Brown Grey and -the Miners Savings of Wilkes-Barre, a bill of fare from Wyoming Valley Hotel, a letter from William Baker Stevens, Bishop of Pennsylvania Episcopal Church, a Wyoming Seminary anniversary program, and a Memorial Church i A number of trade cards were in the box, too, as were handbills dealing with such things as the appearance of Horace Greeley at the Lehigh Valley Depot, activities at Lee Park Raceway, a ballet at Frauthenthal's Opera House, a morality show, a billiards exhibition game by Mao-. rice Daly, a 9th Division Parade, Maennerchor Society of Wilkes-Barre, Berry's Opera House and the public schools of Wilkes-Barre.

Although the box was sealed in October, 1672, and was not to be opened for 100 years it strangely possibly even portentiously carried a note on its exterior -stating that it was not to be opened "until June, 1972." The box, sealed as it was la lead and given additional exterior protection by a specially. built wooden case, survived the rigors of time without apparent damage until June. 1972. Historical and Geological Society The letter writer points to the development of photography and 100-year-old box contained a 1872 Wyoming Historical and Geological Society Card, an 1371 copy of Boyd's Wilkes-Barre City Directory, a collection of photographs by E. B.

Headley, a memorial discourse on Hon. John N. Conyngham, "The Metropolis Explained and Illustrated," 1871, a book of Wyoming Histroical and Geological Society minutes tne eiectnc teiegrapn as "the crowning achievements of the century that has passed Also accurately anticipated by Miner as a "reality" before the time capsule was opened was the initial victory of that era's "women's lib" movement: adop of 1872, a catalogue of Wyoming Atheneums Library (1864), a letter from Charles Dorrance to his oldest living descendent, Masonic tion or woman suffrage legisla tion. It was not, history shows. CENTURY-OLD HANDBILL This king-sized handbill, of a type popularly used for advertising events of the day in the 1800s, was one of feveral recovered from a "time capsule" opened recently by Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.

The poster in the foreground, being viewed by the society' Register for Luzerne County with until almost SO years after Min the names and addresses of the er letter was written on grand officers for 1872, an invita- August 26,4920 that the then "TIME CAPSULE" OPENED Ralph Hazeltine, executive director of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, inspects the interior of a 100-year-old lead box in which memorablia of 19th century Wilkes-Barre was contained. The container, sealed in October, 1872, by early members of the Society, was encased in a specially-built wooden box which bore this notation: Good friends, with due regard forbear To seek for what's enclosed here Until the time shall come about When all within may be found out. Not to be opened before June, 1972. Although parts of the letter are illegible, mainly as a result of water seepage into the box during last June's flood, those still-readable portions of the documents provide some insight into the Wyoming VaDey area's background as well as the pre-eeptiveness of the Historical and Geological Society's members. In this letter, which is dated October 11, 1872.

Miner com tion to the installation of officers executive director, Ralph Hazeltine, represents an advertise-of Dieu le Veut Commandery 45. ment for parade and oration to be held in. Wilkes-Barre. Tt A 1 9 it ti-1l Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby proclaimed the Suffrage Knights Templar. Amendment part of the U.

S. Constitution and women obtained Also, copies of the Wyoming rarucipuung uniis inciuaea me cawauon oi roiree, wuxes-Barre Mayor and City Council, "the entire Ninth Division National Guard," Wilkes-Barre Fire Department, bands and the like. Camp Meeting Association's char voting rights in the nation. Again, because of the water- ter, bylaws, rules and regula incIudedourccs 'M Newspaper editions tions (1872), a notice of the ap caused deterioration of the letter, there is some question about mented on some of the things he ana an envelope containing a note from Charles Linskill to in the time capsule includes years ago was constructed along the Susquehanna -and was regarded as all that would ever pointment of James Jones as as within the next hundred years. The culm mountains still exist, however, and researchers only now are intensifying their efforts that portion dealing with the Nellie, a picture (photo) from sistant cashier of Wyoming Na beneved the future held in store and would have become reality by the time the lead box was those of Sunday Morning Free Press, Luzerne Union, Record the Hull Gallery of Art, tional Bank, Ziba Bennett presi politics of the writer's time, From what is still legible, bow- and several cards.

of the Times, The Morning aamagea Dy waier wnica nooaea into the basement of the Wilkes-Barre headquarters building in the 1936 flood. Last June, however, the capsule was immersed beneath soma 11 feet of water, its heavy weight preventing it from floating as towards feasible, economical ways of converting the mine Republican (Scranton), Pittston dent (1871), a yearly statement of Wyoming Building and Loan Association (1871), a timetable News clippings were also In be needed to develop our coal deposits is almost abandoned and a few years will probably find it filled up Although other thoughts along these lines ever, it appears Miner did some speculation about the possibility opened. At it turned out, he was "right on" in some of these views. On others, however, things did not turn out exactly Comet, The-World, Pittston Ga wastes into usable fuels to meet cluded in the box, including some from the VPlymouth Star," zette, The Wilkes-Barre Daily for the Lackawanna and Blooms- the growing energy crisis. of a unification of the United States, Canada andor Mexico.

It further appears that he de the constitution and bvlaws of have been partially eradicated, Among the "right on" predic and the pattern from Le Mom-teur de la Mode, Paris. burg Railroad, a letter from Artie Mulford on Carpenter Tropical Storm Agnes flood words still legible seem to sug tne Young Men'a Christian As as Miner anticipated. The views on the useful appli eation of "coal dust," unfortu tions made by Miner, in his let Materials on Central Railroad sociation (1872), a copy of the Company letterhead, a letter to clined to predict the outcome of the Presidential race of Novem-j surged into the city. Water apparently seeped into gest that Miner believed the canal routes eventually would be ter was one regarding the ultimate abandonment cf canals of New Jersey, Railway Pas nately, wound up in the latter Miner from Hendrick B. Wright (1872), a letter to Mr.

Miner New Jerusalem Messinger, published in New York, an 1872 pam- sengers Assurance Company, the container through a minute ber, 1872, involving the incumbent Ulysses S. Grant and his replaced by railroad beds. History has shown that he was cor i -1 1 a i built in this area and still in use when the "100 year box" was category. Although be foresaw the need for developing practical Western Union Telegraph Com from Charles Linskill on Hil- opponent Horace Greeley. Presi dreth Company letterhead, case, it was reported, and soma rect in this assumption.

sealed. In this regard, he wrote: pniet appealing for a hospital in Wilkes-Barre, a number of handbills from various local firms and agencies including some for dent Grant, as it turned out, was poetry on Horace Greeley (the SVVAJ VII AU4VO XJAWWAWJ Other accurate insights can be 'Railroads and locomotives have uses for the anthracite culm, Miner was somewhat off in his timing. The author of the cen pany, Toledo, Wabash Western Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, Pennsylvania Railroad and Chicago, Burlington Quincy of the documents and items inside were damaged. Opening of elected to his second four-year :flmw.ti Pvcontiai found in a portion of the letter been introduced and have taken term in we yviuie nouse. Timnfh vrVar iMao the box in the days following its relating to technological tury-old letter indicated his be Passed along through the JeWan admission card to Linsldlls! the local Opera House, a road show for Great North American Circus.

recovery prevented further dam the place of turnpikes and canals which are now almost abandoned. The canal which forty! Railroad were also as were copies of the 1872 program of lief that a useful role for. culm would "doubtlessly" be reached ter as items of interest for future 14th of July, Shupps Hall (1871), age from mildew. "When we look over the past Crash at St. Johns in 1928 Worst in History of Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railway spots along the line were favor cars climbed along the mountain operated with heavy losses and there was a drastic curtailment Barre car bearing down upon them.

Then it was, he stated to pact shattered the electrical controls and a short circuit let loose flames that for a half hour ites of picnickers and campers to be passed was not at the point, then a halt was called and the wait made. On Tuesday, May 8, came the break in the routine. There was giving an excellent view of the many towns along the Susque-hana River. After a i Besides doing a substantial of service, but the private autos, busses and trucks proved too reporters in a heart-broken voice, that he recalled the order and doing this at this passing point, as I usually walked front to see whether the car was in the siding." The two cars were burned so badly they were junked. James Simmons, engineer of (MtNrl Jtate! Tkb to Um mcmi la wattt at wtteto akaal the BaUraU Um, totk Weill, mat mlmUi, in fliriaf tlw Haw wkca n(lram4 ni kinc.

TIM Infwamttoa UHl ktnm plica' aj-a aaaTtoa, at Uwv4 T. Gardner, rear S. WaablBftaa anl ha far tlrat yean wark4 with rVnaarrranta Kallraad. Gartner new la a callertar at timetable! and nietana af tbthmu aatlanal an4 lecal laJlnaal aa4 trailer campanlae. ate into his body and made him beg for solace of death.

He much and Wilkes-Barre Hazle realized his mistake. through a tunnel 2,800 feet long passenger business, the line enjoyed an' excellent freight business, both carload and less a large bottle amonz the bag "It only shows you," he said, the line climbed the Penobscot and Nescopeck Mountains, over called to bystanders, who were tying to release him, to end it for him with a shot. For a half ton discontinued all operations in September, 1933; thus ending some 30 years of interurban serv gage being carried in the baggage than carload. The line had phys compartment. As the car neared looking Conyngham Valley.

Then came a beautiful ride half way "how the human mind does fail one." He had been a running mate with Cunius for years. They clasped hands, as the one, facing ical connections with the Jersey Central at Ashley Junction, and the car from Wilkes-Barre, stated that when he rounded the iiitiiiA ha nr at a rA inif ttaj af A St. Johns, Searfoss inquired' as hour he stood as in a pillory. At the end of that time nature gave ice between the two cities. On May 8, 1928, to its destination and was told In 1899, Alvin Markle, an important businessman and finan up the side of Butler Mountain, the Lehigh Valley at Oakbur up the fight and he mercifully it was booked for Wilkes-Barre of being seated.

His first glimpse Junction. Then the automobile cier of Hazleton, organized the giving a splendid view of Mount Sugar Loaf in the distance. The there was a terrible collision- at St. Johns. Engineer Harry Cun-ius, 50, was driver of the car He busied himself placing it in of the onrushing car showed him began to make itself felt and Wilkes-Barre Hazleton Rail investigation, free and alive, bid the other, trapped and doomed, good-bye.

At the inquiry, Searfoss said: passed from his; suffering with legs burned off and the released lifeless form toppled through the that Cunius was seated. Sim a better position for the remain cars operated over the streets in competed with the W.B. H. for passenger business, while trucks that left Hazleton at 1:45 p.m mons wrenched open the door to Hazleton using overhead trolley der of the. trip.

It was -while engaged in this that the passing On January 12; 1903, passenger service was inaugurated between Hazleton and Ashley. Under the running schedule he his compartment and hollered to wire, but at Hazle Park, the shift were out to get the freight busi window to the roadbed. Passengers from the two cars "I knew at Hazleton when I got the orders, that I was to pass' the passengers, "Hold fast, we point was reached and his or ever to third rail was made, was to have passed the train leaving Wilkes-Barre at 1:30 At Ashley passengers trans ness. The interiirban got along fairly well as long as there swarmed out on to the right of are going to get hit." After the where the private right-of-way ders, calling for a halt, went ferred to a local street car to driven by Engineer Jim Sim crash, he grabbed a chisel and commenced. Hourly service was way and tried to help.

"Harry," as he was known to most of the finish the trip into Wilkes-Barre. wasn't a good highway between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, but without regard. He was still engaged in that task when he worked like a mad man to try the other car at St. Johns siding. I failed to notify Cunius between the St.

Johns Station and the Power House with three blasts, but I never was in the habit of mons, at St. Johns. Instead, Cunius sped on past the meet maintained daily, the Limited making the 31-mile run in 45 passengers on the line, had been then the State completed a good In March, 1907, the line was extended from Ashley to a tempo heard the brakes applied and looked up to see the Wilkes- employed 24 years on the avail. minutes and the locals making cement highway (Route 309) be ing point at 40 miles an hour as if he was on the express and had many, many friends. tween Wilkes-Barre and Hazle ton and the line was doomed.

it in an hour. The line was heavily patronized because of the direct route and because many schedule which left Hazleton at 1:10 p.m., with the right of way There were many tears shed over the passing of a true friend and During the early 1930s the road as far as Nuaneola. a often many expressions of Horror as to the manner of his passing. Arthur Searfoss, conductor, as mad4 by Cunius. The speeding cars collided 1400 feet from their passing point.

Twenty-six, out of a total of seventy passengers aboard the two -cars were in sumed responsibility for the ac cident. Searfoss routine on the run was to ride the platform with jured, and Engineer Cunius was burned to death. Cunius as they approached St. Johns. Fares were collected by PRESIDENTS DflYSflLE His death was one of stark that time and if the car that is to be passed there is in the sid horror.

The vestibule of his car, stove in by the crash, trapped him in the small compartment rary depot at Coal and N. Welles Streets, Wilkes-Barre. In 1908, the line was finally finished to the city proper, by means of a private right of way and a large steel viaduct, which crossed a number of other railroad lines in reaching the W. B. H.

terminal on N. Pennsylvania Avenue. The W. B. H.

was the first railroad to be operated commercially with the guarded third rail and was one of the earliest roads to operate on fenced in right-of-way, with all grade crossings eliminated. The line was designed to handle standard steam railroad equipment and competed with the steam railroads in the Hazleton territory. In spite of the difference in elevation of 1,200 feet between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, the maximum grade of the line did not exceed three percent. Soon after leaving Wilkes-Barre, the ing, the verbal oraer to pro CZE3 ceed could be given. IT the car at the front of the car.

The im Atherholt to Give Recital at Wilkes College Robert Atherholt, a sophomore music major at Wilkes College, Boston Symphony at Tanglewood Musk Festival last year. Atherholt's program will include "Concerto for Oboe," by Alessandre Marcello; "Suite (d-apres Corrette)" by Darius will present a recital on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 in Dorothy Dickson Music Hall. RAILWAY Atherholt is the son of Mr. and IMilhand; "Six Metamorphoses Mrs. Roy T.

Atherholt, 47 S. After" and "Quid for Oboe Solo," Sherman and a graduate of GAR Memorial High School. '-THE He will be accompanied dur Rent Raised by Benjamin Britten; and "Son-ate (1938)," by Paul Hindemith. The public is invited to attend without charge. More Complaints DAY! ing the recital by Andrea Bogus-ko, piano; Mary Bice, clarinet, and Gail Ober, bassoon.

For Bandshell The young music major had made a distinguished mark as a collegiate musician. He is prin ALL WINTER MERCHANDISE MUST GO! cipal oboe in Intercollegiate A cost study of fees and in SAorfest $oufe Between a) Wilkes-Barre Hazleton Edmonton, Alta. Wt The city's community relations desk received 65,200 inquiries in 1972 as compared with 64,744 in 1971. Hal Pawson, director of public relations in charge of the desk, Band, principal oboe in North comes from the rental of Wilkes- Barre City Mobile Bandshell has eastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and a member of Wilkes prompted Wilkes-Barre City Rec said. "Road maintenance was Woodwind Quintet-Concert Band.

reation Board to announce rental Increase for 1973. the major complaint." He studied with John Holmes of Persons and organizations wishing to rent the mobile band- shell for use within the city limits will have to pay a daily rental of $100 or an increase of $25 from the former $75 daily RAILROAD BUFFS ALMOST ENTIRE WINTER STOCK NOW PAPlfcEll fee, it was reported by James L. McClelland, executive director of the recreation board. Rental of the unit used as a stage for outdoor concerts and various other programs will remain at $150 if it is transported to any area within a 20-mue radius of Wilkes-Barre. How f.

SS-- ever, organization renting the 40-foot-long trailer outside the 20-mile radius will, in addition to the $150 daily rental fee, pay an added user's fee of one-dollar per mile. Pianist Watts to Skirts $2 $3 Body Suits $3 Blazers $5 $10 Slacks and Dungarees $3 $4 Dresses $7 Peter Pan Body Suits $5 Long Dresses $7 $15 Shirts-Tops Shells Sweaters $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 Long Coats Car Coats $9 to $22 And More! ALL SALES FINAL REFUNDS CREDITS NO EXCHANGES Not every style in every size and color. If you are interested in seeing rare old timetables of the Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railroad, Wilkes-Barre and Eastern, Laurel Line if you would like to learn about George Gould's Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railway if you would like to see schedules of rail and trolley lines from near and far you would like to learn about the Talue of old railroad timetables, then you owe it to yourself to get a copy of "COLLECTING RAILROAD AND TROLLEY TIMETABLES AS A a 112 page 11" soft cover, plastic bound book, only $5.00 per copy available at Gardner Rubber Stamp Company Rear 73 South Washington St TeL 824-5952 P. O. Box 847 Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

18703 Open 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Daily Except Satnrday, Sunday and Holidays Teach at Tanglewood Boston For the first time, pianist Andre Watts will give piano seminars at the Berkshire Music Center, the Boston Symphony's advanced training center tor young musicians at Tangle- Rite-Way Basement Waterproofing INTRODUCES THE VOLCLAY METHOD wood in Lenox, Mass. The 26-year-old pianist will spend the entire eight-week session of the Music Center as artist-in-residence." He will teach two three-week seminars for ad Kite-way process eaa eUmiaate your basement problems perms-eatly, economically and reliably. By pressors vamping Volclay against the fomditioa walls, we seal tbem against water and transform your basement kU a dry, healthy, pleasant fiviag spice.

1575 WYOMING EXETER vanced piano students July 8 throueh 28 and July 29 through Aug. 18. Enrollment in each TO WORK WKBOUT DIGGING1 I OPEN DAILY SAT. II It AJB.4 P.M. MASTER CHARGE BANKAMEBICAKD seminar will be limited to 20, 345 Adams Ave, Scranton, Psv, Phone 55-3902, 343-7689 (elected by Watts in a series of auditions during bis coming re-i dial tour..