Since things have been slow lately, maybe this is a good time to hear again from J. U. Hopewell, editor and publisher of The Providence Register, a weekly appearing from 1879 to 1914 in North Scranton. Mr. Hopewell was a businessman, journalist, civic booster and a scold. Among other projects, he led efforts to raise an American flag at P.S. 25, to secure funds for the installation of a clock in the school's bell tower, and to install a watering trough for horses at Providence Corners. He tried to educate his readers about preventing disease through cleanliness and order. He insisted that the city of Scranton provide a police station, a library reading room, sidewalks in good repair, and, in general, do the right thing by the citizens of North Scranton. Hopewell deplored both civic and parental lack of responsibility; he seems to have been a striver and an achiever who looked for similar qualities in others. The following are some excerpts from the period 1882-1913. Items not preceded by a date are from the same issue of the paper as the item above them. June 24, 1882--Arrangements have been made to hold a grand pic-nic on the Fourth of July, in Von Storch's grove, at the High Works, Providence, under the auspices of St. Mary's Church Convent School....Jumping, running, glass ball and target shooting, throwing the sledge, etc., etc., will be some of the main features of the pic-nic. August 8, 1891--That Market street sewer: Several times during the past year we have alluded to the sewer that should be built on West Market Street, running from Brick avenue to the Lackawanna River....Nearly every cellar along the street has from one to three feet of water in it, and a number of them are not fit to be used. It is a wonder to us that there has not been more sickness and death...Nearly all the property owners want the sewer but a few are opposed to it and the latter seem to have the preference.... July 23,1892--The dirtiest, filthiest spot that was ever known to be in existence is called Green Street and is located in the Second ward of this third class city of Scranton. July 30, 1892--Mourning bonnets and veils for rent...at Miss E.E. Leach's millinery store. October 7, 1893--A good Game of Alley Ball: The game of alley ball at Laybourn's court, near the Providence D & H depot, attracted fuly one thousand lovers of the sport from all parts of the valley on Saturday afternoon. From Scranton to Archbald: the rails have been connected, the switches put in place and the trolley wire suspended and now we have a complete system of electric railway from South Scranton to Archbald, twelve miles up the valley....Cars will be run to Providence every ten minutes, and to Archbald borough every twenty minutes, leaving the Lackawanna avenue station on the hour.... August 3, 1900--The pile of stones and other rubbish still remains on the public square at Providence Corners, much to the disgust of thousands of people. Would such things be tolerated in other cities? There was a slight settling of the earth at the intersection of Pond and Depot streets on last Wednesday, caused by a cave-in, which occurred in the abandoned workings of Legitt's Creek colliery. The hole will be filled up at once. July 19, 1902--The ladies of the Home and Foreign Missionary societies of the Providence Presbyterian Church and their friends intend holding a basket picnic at Nay Aug Park on next Tuesday....a special car may be secured. Fare, 20 cents for the round trip. March 14, 1903--Ontario & Western Annual Spring Excursion to New York City: Spring is fast approaching, and with it comes the glad announcement that the New York, Ontario, & Western Railway annual spring excursion to New York city, will take place on April 1st....the fare from Scranton to New York and return, for this occasion will only be $5.30. Spetember 19, 1903--The condition of Market street, west of North Main avenue, would cause a supervisor of a poor county road to hide his head in shame if he were to see it. No other city in the world would tolerate such things. June 25, 1904--Twenty Years Ago in Providence [1884] : The pupils of Mrs. Marion Bloom's school held a picnic in the Grove near the Providence D & H depot....The boys had good times bathing in the Lackawanna River and the race at Carter's Capouse Works was a favorite resort. April 8, 1905--The employees of the D & H company at the Marvine, Legitt's Creek, Dickson, von Storch, repair shop and Manville mines will be paid today. August 18, 1906--Work was resumed at the von Storch colliery on Thursday after an idleness of some time. During the past week electric lights have been placed in the hardware store of W.C. Cowles. A number of people from this section will accompany the D & H excursion to Saratoga, Albany and Lake George today. September 7, 1907--M. Walenck, who has a steamship ticket agency on the corner of North main avenue and Market street, has received word from the offices of Red Star and White Star lines announcing a big reduction in fares to the old country. May 11, 1907--The brick pave put down only a few years ago on North Main avenue is going all to pieces and in a short time will have to be relaid. It is against the law to throw ashes or garbage into the publlic streets. Now let that law be enforced on all classes and condition of people. It is confidently expected that cars will be in operation on the electric railway between Scranton and Dalton by June 1. The power plants are ready and the cars await shipment. Twenty Years Ago in Providence [1887] : Snow fell on the eleventh day of May. The mines were being worked on half time. January 16, 1909--Twenty Years Ago in Providence [1889] : Times were hard and money was scarce The weather was very cold; we had lots of snow and good sleighing. Nearly all the young people in this section were crazy on the roller skating question and company Harmony was crowded at each exhibition. March 19, 1911--Benefit to Lake Winola: On last Saturday a deal was closed by the management of the Northern Electric Street Railway whereby all the right, title and interest of the Lake Winola Improvement Association...is transferred to the railroad company. This will give the company the use of the new dancing pavilion, steamboats, pleasure boats....many improvements will be made in the surroundings of the lake. April 19, 1913--Twenty Years Ago in Providence [1893] : The scaffolding was taken from the tower of the new No. 25 school building. The Park House, located on the race course, near the D & H depot, was totally destroyed by fire. Excerpted by Anne Tullar, who researches Providence ancestors McMullen, Grady, Rowland, and Flynn, as well as McDades from Dunmore. --------------------------------- Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

Looking for any information on the following family: Reese T Evans (b. 1825 Carmarthenshire, Wales d. 1887 Scranton) married Mary, surname unknown in Wales. Very interested in learning her last name if anyone has any information. Had the following children: Mary b. 1845 Wales Sarah b. 1847 Wales Stephen b. 1854 PA David b. 1856 PA Thomas b. 1858 PA Elizabeth b. 1860 PA George b. 1862 PA Catherine b. 1863 PA (my Great Grandmother) Miriam b. 1867 PA Reese was a mine boss/inside foreman at Diamond Shaft, was on the city council from 1874-1876 and was Scranton City Treasurer in 1877. I am really searching for the town in Wales and the surname of Mary. Any info is appreciated. Best regards...