Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-02-27


The members of the borough council,
together with large number of the
citizens of the borough, met at the
council room at eight o'clock on Satur-
day evening. President Dooris called
the assemblage to order and explained
the object of the meeting, which was to
present to Hon. Eckley B. Coke, a
testimonial for the kind interest mani
Tested by him in the welfare of the
town, after which Mr.. John d. Hayes,
on behalf of the council and citizens of
the borough, presented to Mr.. Coke the
testimonial, which consisted of a gold
watch charm, bearing the inscription
''The people of Freeland to their friend, ,"
and on the reverse monogram neatly
engraved of the initial letters "E c."
In presenting the testimonial Mr.. Hayes
said:
In requesting you to come here tonight we
had two objects in view; the one to show that
we are not ungrateful for favors rendered; the
other to profit by your suggestions or advice
We are not insensble to the generous spirit
that prompted you to set aside a valuable piece
of land for public park, knowing that your
ultimate object was that our water supply
should not be contaminated.
We cannot be Indifferent to the interest you
hlhlillcsJ Ill our DOfOugn ana tne nelBhDOrly
spirit you display in extending to us all ac-
commodations, and so far us possible for you
to do, aid in extending and increasing the size
and prosperity of our town.
In recognition of this we ask you to accept
this watch charm a slight token of our ap-
precia'ion. The inscription. THE people of
Freeland to their friend" expresses briefly
what we mean, as our people recognize the
fact that you are their friend, not only in name
but in fact.
In conveying the park to the borough of
Freeland there was no blowing of trumpets or
loud proclamations made Of generous deeds
performed by you or yours; but the sentiment
that inspired the grart is understood by lis and
we appreciate it,
Now, knowing as we do, the real interest you
feel in our welfare, believing that you enter
tain the kindliest feelings towards us, and hav-
ing the highest respect for your Judgment
based as it is upon experience and observation,
we shall gladly hear from you now or ut any
time suggestions as to our future course.
Before concluding permit me, on behalf of
the council and the citizens, to assure you tina.
We recognize in you sincere friend of Free
land in your wife God bless herr a noble
hearted woman, whose eXertions, seconded by
your own, do much, very much, to alleviate
human misery, and that God will long spare
you both is the wish of the officers council and
people of Freeland.
Mr.. Coke responded, saying it was
very hard for him to express in words
to the council and citizens what he felt
then. He was deeply touched by the
testimonial he received, and then went
on to explain what prompted him to
deed ten and one-fourth acre plot of
land to Freeland. He referred to the
epidemic that occurred in the town of
Plymouth, and the rayages it made
among the inhabitants of that borough,
but with great effort on the part Of the
authorities the disease was stamped out,
1t struck him then that if such a condi-
ton of affairs was to visit Freeland,
"what would be the result?" and with
these thoughts in view he determined to
protect the water supply of Freeland, by
keeping this tract off the market, so that
the people of this town could have
place in which they could feel at home
with themselves and their families.
Nothing pleased him so well as our
system of sewerage. Good drainage is
an essential to good health, he said, and
although it eventually passes Drifton on
its way to the Susquehanna they don't
get angry, but on the contrary envy us.
We have here no fields of wheat or other
cereals, but plenty of coal good air and
good water, and he was also glad to know
that the town is well prepared in case of
fire.
That these things are here, he said, go
to show that the people have the interest
of the town at heart. Mr.. Coke then
spoke about the kind of industries that
should be induced to locate here, and
said it would soon be possible to get as
much powe' out of the culm banks as it
as is usually gotten out of good coal.
The line of manufactures suitable to
Freeland, he thought, are those that can
be started on small capital and can utilize
minor labor. Mr.. Coke spoke of an in
dustly which he is about to start near
town-the untilizng of the culm banks
and the necessary machinery to be built
for that purpose, which would add
mater ally to the growth of our town.
He said he did not intend to build any
more dwelling houses, preferring to
have men in his employ who owned
their own homes. In conclusion he
spoke of the home government in bor-
!, oughs and contrasted itwith the govern
ment in coal company towns. He said
the principal help Freeland would get
from Coke Bros. & Co. would be the i'll
crease from their road and shops, which
are yet in their infancy.
The meeting then adjourned and Mr..
Coke was escorted to DePierro Bros.
hotel, where a reception was held.
The dining room of the hotel present.
ed most inviting appearance to the
guests, and when all were assembled at
the table an enjoyable time was had.
An excellent meal, comprising every
thing of the best that is in the market,
was served. Mr.. Coke, who was seated
at the head of the table, kept the COM
pany amused with his abundance of
witty stories and anecdotes about the
early history of the region and its
people. Brief addresses were made by
Messrs. Hayes, Neuburger, Mccarthy,
Maloy, Mcknight, Buckley, Koons,
Berner, Williamson and Fowler.
Before parting Mr.. Coke gave his sin
oa,a thonks for the honor shown him