The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-02


awanna and Western company, died at
2.15 o'clock yesterday afternoon at his
home. 1901 Washburn street, after an
Illness of only a few days.
His death was so sudden and unex-
pected that 1t came as a shock to the
entire community, but few people out
side the immediate relatives having
been aware of his illness. Despite his
advanced age. his rugged constitution
and regular habits bespoke for him
many more years of usefulness, but he
succumbed to the dreadful results OF
pneumonia within five days after be-
ing stricken.
Last Wednesday Mr.. Hughes had an
appointment with friend at the West
Side bank and at 10 o'clock went there
to meet him. Shortly after his arrival
he took a chill and was hastily assisted
to his home. where he Immediately took
to his bed and DR.. w. +, Allen, his
physician, was summoned. He pro-
nounced Mr.. Hughes ailment heavy
cold, and was confident of his ultimate
recovery, but pneumonia set in and
| the patient grew worse, until it was
apparent to all in attendance that there
was slight hopes for his recovery.
| everything possible was done to pro-
| long his life, but the end came peace
| fully, and he was conscious almost to
| the last, surrounded by the members of
his family, who had been in constant
attendance upon him. He died as he
| lived, at peace with the world. His
death is a great loss to the entire COM
munty, as he was loved and respected
| l,Ny ,hn
LOSS TO THE CHURCH.
| Probably the most affected people
will be found among the members of
| the First Welsh Baptist church, con-
gregation and Sunday school, where
Mr. Hughes counsel and advice was as
much revered as within the confines of
his home. For over fifty years he had
been the leader of that flock, serving
them constantly in one capacity or
another, including the presidency of
the trustees, deacons and elders, and
for thirty-five years superintended the
Sunday school work in all it's depart
| ments.
1t was not until the first of the pres
ent year that he relinqushed that hon
ored position, feeling that his advanced
age would not permit him to accept
another term, and it was with the
deepest feelings of regret that the
members accepted his resignation. He
continued, however, up to the time of
his oath in the several offices bestowed
upon him by the church.
Mr.. Hughes was born near Bryn
Mawr, Breconshire, South Wales, on
October %, 1924, and came of a family
| wit },
the history of that locality. He was
the son of Daniel and Esther Hughes
the latter of whom died at the age OF
ninety-sever and the former at sixty.
eight. The education of deceased was
limited to the knowledge acquired dur.
ing brief attendance at the pay
schools of his native land. When ter
years old he began to assist his father
in the mine. but afterwards returned
to assist in the management of hi.
fathers business.
In the fall of 1S4S, when twenty fou,
years of age, he left Liverpool, anC
after a voyage of thirty-six days, dur
ing which he had a narrow escape from
drowning, arrived in Philadelphia, anc
afterwards went to Pottsville. Their,
he was employed in mining for tn,
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
company until January, 1850 when h,
came to this region and entered tn
employ of the Scranton Iron and Goa
, company. That position he resigned II
July, 1853 to accept a position with tn
Delaware. Lackawanna and Western
| company in the Diamond mine,
INSIDE FOREMAN.
In 1855 he was appointed inside fore
man of the Diamond, and remained Il
: that position until 1862. when he ac
f cepted a better position at the Luzern
: slope in the North End. While en-
gagged at the last named place, MI
Hughes was selected by the late ].
Albright to conduct a prospecting tou
in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. In thi
: capacity he arranged several leases 70
= | extensive mining interests and whe
: he returned to Scranton at the con
J clusion of his mission was apponte
Superintendent. of the Storrs shat
| operated by the Delaware, Lackawann
and Western company.
= In 1865, Mr.. Hughes was promoted (
= be general mine superintendent unde
. the company, in which capacity j
" served until July !, 1899 when he re
: signed. At the time he became cor
q nected with the company there wer
only five shafts here, but this numbe
has since been Increased to thirty, wit
twenty-one breakers.
During all OF this lengthy period NJ
Hughes was one of the most success
e full mine experts in the anthracite rC
e gion and his advice was CONSTANT
t sought by operators and superintenC
o ents of other mines in cases of diff
: Guilty, where his skill and extensiy
# experience always proved of suprem
j. value. AS an officer of a great COZ
= poration having under his chafg
: thousands of men Mr.. Hughes we
5, singularly successful. While faithful
: adhering to the interests of his en-
ployers, he was ever ready to liste
: to the complaint or application of Il
ID men who were under his care, ar
ID it may be surmised that the numb
d of callers with real and imaginai
r grievances We're sufficient to requi
VI the exercise of more than ordinal
m patience. Nevertheless, Mr.. Hugh
n, was never found without a genial smi
In and kind greeting and listened patien
At ly to all comers and, whether the
l. mission was successful or not, his Wis
e. tors departed with q favorable in
e. preston of a man who was willing
la receive them at all hours.
We In West Scranton the name of Be
l., jamin Hughes was more than the pr
n. verbal household word" lie was g
Of ways loyal to the West Side, its peop
I'd it's interests and institutions, and a
be sisted in a material manner to I
ge marvellous growth of the importa
suburb OF Scranton. Above all 9th