The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-27

upon street railroads and the second
city in the world to use the electric
motor upon street car The trial
trips of the electric cars were made
on Adams avenue, on what Is known
as the Green Ridge suburban line, on
the last day of November 1856, and In
less than two years from that time the
last car horse had disappeared from
the clty's thoroughfares, and Scranton
became known as the Electric City,"
Scrantons geographical position has
done much toward furthering her in
terests. Situated LAG miles from New
York and 167 miles from Philadelphia,
and 3l7 from Plttsburg, it is easy to
see that it Is in no danger OF being
checked in its growth through compe-
ttiOn in the way Of large enterprises
in these thriving cities OF the coun-
try AS ascertained by the United
States geodetic and coast survey of
1885. Scranton is in latitude of Al de-
grees, q minutes and 20 seconds north,
and longitude rs degrees. 80 minutes
and a seconds west of Greenwich; and
is 745 feet above the level of the sea.
IT is within a zone of humidity, though
the rain falls are not too frequent for
good health. The climate is mild and
salubrious, with sufficient bracing
weather to impart tonic and vigor.
NEIGHBoRING GROWTH.
With the remarkable development Of
the past half century that has marked
the career Of Scranton, the surround
ing towns have to a certain extent kept
pace, ard in localities where the early
residents pursued game through the
tangled thicket, nourishins towns have
sprung up in a twinkling, and the
pathways Of the deer and fox have In
many instances become the busy ave-
nues of thriving towns and cities. The
system of rapid transit. which has so
materially aided these hamletS in their
strides toward citYhood, as heretofore
remarked, has been among the great
est boOr5 to progress in this direction.
Up and down the valley the towns and
borOughs ere gradually increasing and
moving their limits nearer the great
center which in time must gather her
offspring together under one grand
municipality. Some OF the most thriv-
ing of these borouGhs are situated in
what was originally the township Of
Blakely. This township which. accord
ing TO the eminent historian. DR.. Hol-
lister, received its name from Captain
Johnston Blakely, who commanded the
United States sloop Of war, the Wasp,
was erected out of Providence in 1878.
1t included Carbondale, Olyphant,
PeckVille, Winton, Archibald, Throop
and many other hustllng villages Of the
valley. Archibald was a bowling will
derness until 1874, and was a favorite
hunting ground for the sportsmen OF
this vicinity. At this time Mr.. James
Archibald. for whom the place was
named, in company with others, opened
mines in that locality. From small
beginning in the way OF a settlement,
which consisted of a blacksmith shop
and a few humble dwellings, a thriving
city of 5000 inhabitants has grown in
q few years. In addition to mining in
dustries, which are at present largely
controlled by the Delaware and Hud-
son Railroad company, the city has
many manufacturing interests which
fu 'nish employment for a large num-
ber of women and girls. The town of
Winton, which is situated a short dis
tance down the valley owes it's exist
ence to the coal operations OF w. w.
Winton. and was founded in 1874. Peck
VILE, the next town in the line, which
IS now almost continuous from Carbon
dale to Greater Scranton" is noted
principally for its lumber industry,
though some Of the most important
mining interests of Mr.. w. II. Smith
and other Scranton operators are situ-
ated in this vicinity. Peckville and its
thriving suburb Jessup, are among the
most cnterprisng hamlets of the
Moosic region Peckville has good
churches, schools, stores and a class of
inhabitants noted for their sobriety
and general thrift.
OTHER THRIVING TOWNS.
Until 1855 Olphant was indicated on
the surface Of the earth by a saw mill
and a couple of log houses. About this
time the late Lewis Pughe and Edward
Jones secured leases Of the coal lands
in the place. and the village began tc
develop and the progress has been
rapid and steady, and the town of Oily
phant, with its various enterprises has
come TO be recognized as among the
most important of the valley. Jermyn.
Mayfeld. Dickson, Throop, Priceburg,
Taylor, Lackawanna and NIoosic are
among the other thriving towns that
are in fact part and parcel of Great
er Scranton"
The brough of Dunmore which will
probably be the first to become por-
tion of Greater Scranton" was first
known to the business world in 1920.
when a store was opened at the
Corners" 1t was known in those days
by the unpoetical title of "Bucktown."
This little village which consisted of a
tavern and a few houses remained as a
rounding up place for lumbermen Of
that region until the operations of the
Pennsylvania Coal company began
when a change came over the place
ard the influx was composed of a
better class OF inhabitants. Schools
and churches soon became institu-
tions Of "Bucktown" and in a few
years the inhabitants began to feel
themselv above the homely name
and the present title of Dunmore was
adopted. Indeed 1t may truly be said
that the Pennsylvania Coal company
is the parent Of Dunmore, and also
that much OF the prosperity of the
borough is due to the enterprise and
public spirit Of the late efficient head Of
the company, the lamented John b.
Smith and his worthy successor and
son, Mr.. George B. Smith, who is at
present in control Of the interests OF
the company, which extend from Pitts
ton to HawleY along the line of The
Erie and Wyoming Valley railroad.
A CHANGE OF SCENE.
In mentioning the busy towns that
should be included in the great mu-
ncipallty, which is the dream of all
public-spirited citizens, the beautiful
hamlets on the lire Of the reads run
ming north and south should not be
forgotten. The bird-eye view of the
stretch of country seen through the