Invasion of the Scranton Snatchers: Jersey Humbugs (Wilkes-Barre, York: real estate, home)

[TERMINOLOGY]

“It is true, there were then as there are yet, and ever will be, a class of croakers who gathered in bar-room groups and gravely predicted that "the Scrantons must fail."”

Scranton was built from within and with allot of help from the dreaded outsiders.

It has always been a human condition to claim forage rights. This no doubt relates to the very human condition of claiming food in order to maintain an existence.

Often we will witness this condition on this forum in regards to the ownership of Scranton herself. And this sets off spirited conditions of defense for ones motivation, and for ones feelings about weather we are welcome, or are a part in the community.

I would like to offer the following, in the defense of the human condition: (Note: There are further arguments to be made in regard to the current immigration issue.)

In and around the 16th century, Europeans began to claim there right of forage in an area known then as Capoose. An ancient native Indian village located around a water source probably located around where the Holiday Inn in Dunmore sits today. The natives spoke of the new comers as the natives do now.

In and around 1841, George Scranton invaded from the far away lands of New Haven CT. He later brought in his brothers from the far off reaches of Georgia, Connecticut, and oh yes, New Jersey, where Seldon Scranton cut his teeth on leading edge furnace technology with his brother and John Blair, then known as the Oxford Furnace.

Dr. Hollister writes in his history of Scranton, “Many, willing to check any and every advancement toward general prosperity, boldly pronounced "the thing a Jersey humbug!" as they prayed and predicted it would be. Even such skepticism, when the molten stream of iron issued from the furnace into bars, exciting astonishment and pride, vanished into silence; the people acquiesced in the good feeling of the proprietors, whose recompense thus far had been only hope deferred.”

The Scranton’s persevered and with the aid of New York financing turned this City into quite a story. “As the company faltered under the pressure of distrust, and danger menacing it from every side, Col. Scranton never exhibited the elastic and buoyant disposition ever characterizing the man, with such admirable advantage as now.”

“The business of the company, so comprehensive in its character, so beneficial in its influence, made many a valley fireside exult with hopes and smiles. To witness a town spring from a pasture lot with such rapidity into a maze of foundries, furnaces, manufacturing works, and dwellings full of bright expectations, caused astonishment and pride among the inhabitants, unused to such rapid advancement. The rise in real estate along the Lackawanna Valley, as well as Wyoming, since the organization of this company, was at least one hundred per cent., while the relations of the Scrantons with the public were harmonious, and characterized throughout by general good feeling. It is true, there were then as there are yet, and ever will be, a class of croakers who gathered in bar-room groups and gravely predicted that "the Scrantons must fail."”

So when we curse the outsider, let us remember that without them, there would be no Scranton.

[WasPA]

^^^Interesting. But I suspect that without anthracite, more than New Jerseyans or similar folk, there would have been no Wilkes-Barre or Scranton or giant sums of money for outsiders to have taken away from NEPA with them after having seen a great opportunity. Many of the local coal barons also sent money away to the cities including New York, in the same way that guys like A. Carnegie did.....in a display of wealth among peers....so it could be said, within the context of your article, that the 'favor', if any, has been repaid handsomely......

I think back to New York's origins when it was a collection of farms in lower Manhattan, settled by outsiders....then it went on to become the product of a 300 plus year long housing crisis.....

Every settlement has had it outsiders for better or worse. Pennylvanians are generally very welcoming so long as they don't feel overwhelmed by bad habits or intrusive attitudes. They like folks who know how and when to yield, how to be considerate and when to clam up......

[TERMINOLOGY]

[quote=WasPA;2762694]^^^Interesting. But I suspect that without anthracite, more than New Jerseyans or similar folk, there would have been no Wilkes-Barre or Scranton or giant sums of money for outsiders to have taken away from NEPA with them after having seen a great opportunity. Many of the local coal barons also sent money away to the cities including New York, in the same way that guys like A. Carnegie did.....in a display of wealth among peers....so it could be said, within the context of your article, that the 'favor', if any, has been repaid handsomely......

True the Steel, Coal and Rail Road Barons made their fortunes, and spread the wealth throughout the country for many years forward.

But what is interesting about Scranton is the prosperity that more enjoyed. Compare this to the southern regions of the Mammoth Vein, Pottsville, Manach a Chunk, St Clair's.

Scranton has financing, success, a metamorphosis of new technology and business that stems from other forms of technology. Dickson was building locomotives here.

Peace - Scranton created a middle class. My dirt poor immigrant Great Great Grandfather could purchase his own home in 1871. He was only a laborer at the time, and later became a full fledged miner. He worshiped in a church that spoke the same language that he did, because he helped to build it. He was part of this middle class. More firmly entrenched English and Welsh allowed upward mobility as a means towards peace and prosperity. There was no reason for revolution because they were all doing well. They had work, food, built schools, built Churches, and had social lives. Compared to where they had come from, this was paradise (there is food). Their grand kids, and in some cases their kids went to College. There were a couple of marches and strikes, but all and all pretty peaceful. The road to prosperity was shared by more here.

Compare that to the Southern Region of the Mammoth Vein.

Technology and engineering was not as prevalent. Financing is riskier, and for that reason, harder to come by. Failures and accidents are more prevalent. An Irish Immigrant in 1870 can only be a laborer. Can’t be a cop. No church services in a language they can even understand. A struggle to create a middle class. If you dare to be out on the roads in these areas at night, you are more likely to bush whacked. More firmly entrenched English and Welsh had to compete with the lower class Irish for everything. Upward mobility is harder. Less to go around. The Molly McGuire's were strong, and were created to even the score. Many public hangings. Home ownership by a 25 year old Irish immigrant less likely here. You lived in a mine owned row house. More failures by more Steel, Coal and Rail Road Barons in this region. Less prosperity overall.

A better chance for prosperity is what attracted labor to Scranton, and contributed to its overall success and also to that of the nation.

Yes Exxon Mobil earned 41 billion last year. They also contributed 31 billion towards the federal treasury. You don't get the one without the other.