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75 Years Ago - Area's last Civil War veteran laid to rest in Dalton

Times-Tribune - 12/23/2018

Dec. 23--Dec. 23, 1943

Funeral held for Civil War vet

Family and friends gathered to say goodbye to Commander Joseph Chapman of Delaware Street, the area's last Civil War veteran. Chapman, who had celebrated his 100th birthday in August, died Dec. 20.

A military graveside service was held at the Dalton Cemetery by members of Gen. J.P.S. Gobin Camp 41, Spanish-American War Veterans. Members of Koch-Conley Post 121 were also in attendance.

Chapman served with Company B of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, guarding the southern border of Pennsylvania. He also fought at Gettysburg. After the war, he worked as a telegraph key operator and later a dispatcher for the Lackawanna, the Lehigh Valley and the Delaware & Hudson railroads.

Police spread holiday cheer

The state police at the Blakely barracks spread holiday cheer to children at area orphanages. The officers delivered gifts of oranges, apples, popcorn and hard candy to the 324 children who lived at the orphanages in Lackawanna and Wayne counties.

When the officers arrived at St. Patrick's Orphanage in West Scranton, the children swarmed them with questions about being a police officer, their equipment and uniforms.

The other orphanages were Home for the Friendless and St. Joseph's in Scranton, St, Nicholas' Orphanage and St. Mary's Villa in Elmhurst Twp., and St. Tikhon's Orphanage in South Canaan Twp.

Shopping list

Roasting chickens were 45 cents per pound; smoked hams, 35 cents per pound; leg of lamb, 31 cents per pound; 1-pound fruit cake, 32 cents; a dozen eggs, 55 cents; a dozen oranges, 39 cents; 2 pounds of yams, 19 cents; 1 pound of mixed nuts, 43 cents; 2 pounds of coffee, 51 cents; a carton of cigarettes, $1.50; and three large bottles of ginger ale or club soda, 23 cents.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees

The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history.

Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com

or 570-348-9140.

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