Question:

In 1947, if a driver left Scranton at 7:30 a.m. how could they arrive in Exeter at 7:10 a.m.?

1947 – 70 Years Ago

An advertisement in the Sunday Dispatch read, “The Sun Shines Every Day at Harding” where a person could buy a lot for as little as $300 along the beautiful Sullivan Trail, an ideal location to “Build Your Dream Home.” Those interested were asked to write or call Frank Yuscavage in West Pittston. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator, $300 had the same buying power as $3,401.87 today.

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Due to the upswing in crime after the end of World War II, the Dupont Police Department found itself in need of a patrol car. At the time, the members of the police department were using their own vehicles to patrol the town as well as shouldering the expenses of that duty.

A cave hole opened on Elizabeth Street in Pittston and nearly swallowed an entire Stegmaier Beer Truck hauling 120 cases of beer. The incident happened within 20 feet of a location that earlier had collapsed, taking two pedestrians into a hole up to their necks. The driver, Charles Bartos of Wilkes-Barre, was still weak from the experience but felt lucky the cab was hung up on the rim of the hole, as he felt the back end slipping deeper into the crevasse. “ I thought I’d be trapped, dropped down into the mines.” Bartos said, as he looked at the beer bottles and cases filling the hole.

1949 – 68 Years Ago

John C. Kehoe, publisher of the Sunday Dispatch and Pittston political powerhouse, was rumored to be in critical condition as members of his family were called to his beside. The next day it was announced that “The political wizard of Harding had succumbed.” Known to have many political enemies, Kehoe’s supposed passing spread quickly. Kehoe, upon hearing the rumor said, “It got so strong that for a while I thought perhaps I was dead and I made a visit to the family mausoleum to make sure I was not laid to rest.” But William Watson, editor of the Sunday Dispatch, squelched the rumor by saying, “ Kehoe is as healthy today as he was 20 years ago and is just as anxious to crack back at those that started last week’s rumor.”

Yatesville School District owed Jenkins Township School District approximately $12,000 for the tuition of 27 Yatesville high school students attending classes there. In dire need of funds, Jenkins Township requested Yatesville pay the tuition. Yatesville, however, had no money to meet the obligation, so 27 students from the community were evicted from the Jenkins Township School District. Both school districts were hoping the action would bring aid from the State Department of Public Instruction.

1950 – 67 Years Ago

On April 30, 2017, seven days after, Jacob Wachs, of Pittston discovered the body of Mrs. Margaret Mahon in her Prospect Street home, police were unable to yield any clues as to who might have murdered the woman. On the day of the murder, Wachs, a gardener for the wealthy widow, was unable to gain access to the home. Fearing for the well-being of his employer, Wachs enlisted the help of a neighbor and relative of Mahon, Mrs. Isabelle Moore. Entering through a kitchen window, she knew was unable to be locked because of mine settling, Moore found the wealthy widow lying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor, obviously the victim of foul play. Instead of calling the police, Moore called First National Bank, who held Mrs. Mahon’s assets, to inform them of Mahon’s death. Deputy Coroner Harold Howell was called, but could not leave an ongoing funeral so Howell called William Snowden, a funeral director, to remove the body. Howell later told police he advised everyone not to touch anything, but after the body was removed, Jacob Wachs, using soap and water, thoroughly cleaned the kitchen. The police were summoned to the scene five hours later, but were unable to garner any clues from the crime scene. They did find out that two rings Mahon was said to have worn constantly were missing and an autopsy determined the woman was bludgeoned and then strangled. Mahon’s will had quickly been probated and divided among relatives. The amount of her estate was $55,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator $55,000 is equivalent to $570,598.00 today.

1960 – 57 Years Ago

Plans were made for the silver jubilee of Rev. Rudolph Borgogna O.S.J. pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Dr. Vincent D. Gallizzi, general chairman, was assisted by Charles Adonizio Jr., Mrs. Peter Minichello, Anthony Just, James Bright, John Cremard, Dr. Anthony Adonizio, John Gigliello, Joseph Pupa, Albert Lispi, Paul Augustine, Dominick Cocco, Emilio Casagrande, Louis Capone, Sam Daley, Nello Riccetti, Sam Zanta, Albert Melone, Mary Biscotti, Mary Pompino, Charles Ross, Frank Scrudato, and Louis Fellin.

John Casey and Louis Pinola, both of West Pittston, were honored at the Pittston Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Awards Dinner. Both young men were cited for their community service. Attending along with the honorees parents Mr. and Mrs. John Casey and Mr. and Mrs. Louis, Pinola, relatives and friends were Mr. and Mrs. Ted Louden, Judge J. Harold Flannery, Mrs. and Mrs. Sam Maira, Mr. and Mrs. Ned Burke.

Answer:

In 1947, the person leaving Scranton at 7:30 a.m. and arriving in Exeter at 7:10 a.m. was experiencing the effect on areas observing Daylight Savings Time or Standard Time throughout the Wyoming Valley. As it was reported, a person leaving Scranton at 7:30 a.m. would go through Pittston at 7 a.m. then pass through West Pittston at 8:05 a.m. and arrive in Exeter at 7:10 a.m. As it stood Pittston, West Wyoming, Dupont, Exeter, Duryea, Hughestown and Jenkins Township stayed on Standard Time, while West Pittston, Wyoming and Avoca adopted Daylight Saving Time. To make the issue more confusing, Pittston city merchants, all but two churches, a portion of the many schools and theaters operated under Daylight Saving Time. But the mines continued operation under Standard Time. Owners of city taverns were not sure what to do, so they contacted the State Liquor Control Board for a decision.

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Students were inducted into the Wyoming Area School District National Honor Society in 1976. From left, first row, are Mary Beth Anderson, Ellen Batey, Raymond Callahan, Theresa Ciarmatori, Patricia Connors, Nadine Crego, Jean Fisher, Susan Panzitta, Debbie Stavish, Arlene Cravatta, Ellen Dellarte, Mary Greskiewicz, Christine Halchak, Mary Ann Harvey. Second row, Mr. O’Connell, principal; Dr. Doris Wylie, principal of pupil personnel; JoAnn Matani, Bonnie Begliomini, Denise Marianacci, Denise Musto, Christopher McNulty, Cathy Nally, Peggy Nocito, Mary Lynn Pastva, Lynn Zavada, Amy Taylor, Annette Tabone, Cynthia Pappas, Anne Marie Petoniak, Michele Pugliese, Cathy Richards, Donna Rooney, Susan Rooney, Jr. Olesky, superintendent; Mr. Nicholas Mauriello, vice president of Board of Education. Third row, David Bella, Carmen Santasania, Justin Saporito, Theresa Savitski, Joseph Semenza, Mark Stanchak, Sharon Stashak, Kris, Davis, Cathy Troy, John Tirpak, Frank Brannon, Thomas Cometa, George Brady, James Mangino, Carl Luchetti, Sylvia Rygiel. Absent from the photo was Donna Kufta.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_WA-HONOR-Soc-1976-toned-1.jpg.optimal.jpgStudents were inducted into the Wyoming Area School District National Honor Society in 1976. From left, first row, are Mary Beth Anderson, Ellen Batey, Raymond Callahan, Theresa Ciarmatori, Patricia Connors, Nadine Crego, Jean Fisher, Susan Panzitta, Debbie Stavish, Arlene Cravatta, Ellen Dellarte, Mary Greskiewicz, Christine Halchak, Mary Ann Harvey. Second row, Mr. O’Connell, principal; Dr. Doris Wylie, principal of pupil personnel; JoAnn Matani, Bonnie Begliomini, Denise Marianacci, Denise Musto, Christopher McNulty, Cathy Nally, Peggy Nocito, Mary Lynn Pastva, Lynn Zavada, Amy Taylor, Annette Tabone, Cynthia Pappas, Anne Marie Petoniak, Michele Pugliese, Cathy Richards, Donna Rooney, Susan Rooney, Jr. Olesky, superintendent; Mr. Nicholas Mauriello, vice president of Board of Education. Third row, David Bella, Carmen Santasania, Justin Saporito, Theresa Savitski, Joseph Semenza, Mark Stanchak, Sharon Stashak, Kris, Davis, Cathy Troy, John Tirpak, Frank Brannon, Thomas Cometa, George Brady, James Mangino, Carl Luchetti, Sylvia Rygiel. Absent from the photo was Donna Kufta. Sunday Dispatch file photo

Peeking into the Past

By Judy Minsavage

Reach Judy Minsavage on Twitter @JudithMinsavage