The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-22
WEST SIDE EVENTS.
Mott Homestead on Jackson Street Is
Being Torn Down to Make Way for
4 More Modern Structure.

Oldest landmarks on this side-is being
torn down by its owner, l.. =. Williams,
to make room for a more modern struc-
ture. The house is situated on the
northern side of Jackson street, be-
tween Lincoln and Rebecca avenues.
1t has quite history and the tale was
unfolded to a Tribune reporter last
night by Mrs. Frank w Mott, who sur
wives her husband at the age of So
years.
Mrs Mott now lives on North Hyde
Park avenue. She left the old home-
stead in 1892, at which time the pres
ent owner took charge. Mrs. Mott Is a
daughter CT James Kilmer, one of the
original settlers in this valley who lin
the beginning" titled a farm on the
land now covered by several blocks be-
tween Jackson street and the northern
limit to Hyde Park. On this farm. I'm
1929 when MI. Kilmer came here. was
the customary old farm house. This
house is the Dram homestead on the
corner of Jackson street and Sumner
avenue, blocks distance from the
house now being torn down. How long
this farm house existed prior to %
Mrs. Mott could not say She was horn
there in 1Sig, and in 1860 her father. Mr..
Kilmer, sold the farm. 120 acres in all.
to Pancoast & Price. Of New York city.
who was represented in the transaction
by Or. b. II. Throop the well known
Scranton pioneer.
The New York firm bought the land
for the wealth of coal under it. When
he sold the farm Mr.. Kilmer reserved
three acres of sacred ground. There
the family cemetery was located and
on this plot the Mott" homestead was
built during the winter Of '54-'55. Up to
few years ago the mouldering tomb
stones of the sturdy pioneers could be
seen staring from the foliage of the
Mott garden.
In the spring of 1860 Mr.. Kilmer NOV
ed West and settled near Jaynesville
In Rock township, Michigan. His
daughter. Harriet G. Mrs. Motif. about
that time met ana married +. W. Mott
and since that time until few years.
ago shey have taken care of the old
home. This is why the house is called
the Mott homestead by tho present gem
Grafton. II is venerable structure.
Though suffering in years, when COM
pared to its aged mother homestead
doNl tut Stittl, Stl lHc .holl
looks ancient and picturesque. The
stories are two in number and in the
upper there are three little peep holes,
called in those days windows. The in
terror arrangement is Of pleasing sim
plicity. There is the customary spa
cious vestibule leading to the rooms of
the first floor. Every apartment is
square and the stairs are narrow and
quaint. But the porch Is the best of all.
1t is small affair with fou: support
ing pillars Of Colonial style. Add to
the features the clinsing vines and sur
rounding shrubbery and we have quite
a pleasing dwelling of ''ye olden time"
In tearing down the house the work
men found the timber to he in fairly
good condition. In the rear garret an
old spinning Wheel was discovered.
This tells story I'm itself 1t is a regu
lar old timer.
Mrs. Mott chatted at length about the
early days Of Hyde Park. She remem-
bers when only eleven houses could be
counted between the old White hotel
on Main avenue to the back road.
There We're several farms but the coal
craze ate them as the years advanced.
People who wish to witness the pass
ing of she 'ye" have only a few days
left; the Dram house is being repaired
and the Mott homestead is cringing
under the feet of Progress.
Speaking of the development of Hyde
Park Mrs. Mott says that in G0-'62 three
brick buildings were erected here. They
We're the Potter and Mears homes and
Fairchild's hotel. 1t was after the war
that Hyde Park took good leap for
ward and for the past ten years the
advance. says Mrs. Mott, has been
greater than all