Forest City - The First National Bank will open for business on or about Aug. 1. Truman A. Surdam, of Scranton, has been elected cashier and has removed to Forest City.

Jackson - R. A. Sparks of Gibson has purchased the Geary hotel property now conducted by C. C. Walker and will take possession Nov. 1.

Montrose - The condition of the grass on the parapet about the soldiers' monument is positively shocking and it should, we think, receive the immediate attention of the Village Improvement society. And, speaking of the monument, when, O when, if ever, is the work of placing the tablets within the parapet enclosure to be completed? It is nearly a quarter of a century since the monument was unveiled, and yet these tablets, an original and important feature of the design, are still far from being complete. It was, we believe, the plan to have each township furnish a tablet bearing the names of its sons who fell in the war of the Rebellion. This plan has never been carried out and there is no visible promise that it ever will be. If the townships will not act, why can't the G.A.R. Posts, the S.O.V. Camps, or the Veteran Association, one or all of these organizations take hold of this matter and carry it to successful and speedy conclusion? We believe they can, and we hope they will. Let some action be taken at once.

Hallstead - William E. Barnes is indeed a sorely afflicted man, and the heartfelt sympathy of the people of this county goes out to him in his affliction. Last week he buried his son, Harold, who died from lock-jaw caused by a wound received from a toy pistol. He was eleven years old and one of the brightest and best of boys. He was a favorite in the community and always gentlemanly and cheerful. Within two or three years Mr. Barnes has lost by death his father, brother, wife and saw his little daughter came near drowning before his very eyes and a brother was terribly injured in a railroad accident.

Hopbottom - July 11, at the Universalist church, Oley Pratt and Miss Libbie Lord were united in marriage by Rev. James Herrick of Gibson. The bride looked handsome in a pale green organdie and carried white roses; the groom wore the conventional black. Miss Lottie Byram was bridesmaid and her gown was old rose organdie; Earl Yeomans was best man. The ushers, Miss Lizzie Birch and Miss Marian Titus wore very pretty gowns. The church was tastefully decorated with ferns, rhododendron, gloxinias and potted plants. A wedding supper was served at the home of the groom, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Gavitt's. The happy couple took the evening train for a week's tour of Port Morris, NJ.

Susquehanna - The Forest City-Susquehanna Telephone is setting poles through the streets of this boro. Mrs. Wm. Kasson, of Broad St., objected to having a pole set in front of her premises and when the hole was dug Friday evening, she stepped into it, wrapped a bedquilt about her and remained for three hours, reading a newspaper while daylight lasted. Some hoodlums threw firecrackers in close proximity to Mrs. Kasson's person and she was compelled to vacate the hole when the workmen in the employ of the company quickly erected the pole. The unusual sight attracted hundreds of people. Mrs. Kasson will commence legal proceedings to maintain her rights. AND - The house of Jeremiah Buckley, with its contents, was destroyed by fire about 6 o'clock Thursday morning. Mrs. Buckley and her daughter, Mrs. John Maroney, who were obliged to leave the burning building in their night clothes, were unable to save only part of their household effects or wearing apparel. Mrs. Maroney was painfully burned about the face.

Great Bend - The 4th was spent by our citizens in a very quiet way–but little firing of cannon or fire-crackers. The Hallstead band came over and for a little time marched up and down Main Street, playing stirring and inspiring music. AND - Great Bend's tannery was permanently closed Monday. The trust can make leather cheaper elsewhere.

Lake View - Clyde, the little son of Roy and Lulu Barrett was run over by a loaded wagon and his legs were severely injured.

Harford - Mrs. George Peck has received her pension granted on account of the death of her son, Smith, who lost his life at the battle of Santiago. The back pay was $200 and $12 per month.

Rush/Lawton - The ladies of Rush gave an ice cream festival Saturday evening for the benefit of the India sufferers. A nice sum was realized.

Ararat - Most of our young people spent the 4th at Lanesboro, but the older and more sensible ones went to Thomson where they found everything quite up to date in a modern celebration, especially the dinner, which was grand.

Nicholson - Lightning struck the old Bacon house last Friday. This probably is the oldest house in that borough, if not in the township. It was built by Nathan Bacon, who for many years used it as a hotel. It being on the old Montrose and Providence turnpike and on the road leading from Harford to Tunkhannock, it was an important point. It was for many years the polling place for Nicholson twp, which, prior to the setting off Wyoming County from Luzerne, included Clinton, Benton and Greenfield townships, and was the scene of many warm political gatherings. It was also the scene of many notable social gatherings. Prior to the advent of the railroad the principle store for this section was carried on in this building. After the coming of the railroad and the building of the station where it is now, custom left the old stand and soon it ceased to be a public house; but elections here held there up to 1870.

Dundaff - After nearly three-quarters of a century as a separate and distinct municipality Dundaff is to lose its individual entity and be merged into Clifford township. The years have brought many changes to the old town and it will be with regret that many will hear of the contemplated move which seems a necessity. The little group of men from Philadelphia, who settled there early in the century, had both the ability, energy and means to make it a business center. It was also situated at a junction of two of the great arteries of travel in this section and soon leaped into a prominence second to none in northeastern Pennsylvania. A half dozen factories sprung up there, many business places were opened and the country for miles round was tributary to Dundaff. Then came the beginning of mining in the Lackawanna valley, a few miles away. There was a demand for labor and the wealth which was being opened up attracted many. A railroad to Carbondale, made the bringing of freight to this section easy and sounded the death knell of the Milford & Owego turnpike for other than local purposes. Dundaff was incorporated as a borough in 1828 and at that time had about 400 inhabitants. The rapid growth of Carbondale soon sapped its vitality and a decline was noticed. It has always remained a pretty place but its prospects to attain to the size and importance of a city have sunk till its population is now given at about 100 souls and the burdens of keeping up a separate government have become so heavy that the taxpayers have decided to surrender their charter and will place the matter before the legislature at its next session.

SNAKE STORIES - B. E. Smith, who lives on the Holt farm between New Milford and Great Bend, killed a rattlesnake that had crawled into the house and was discovered on its way to the kitchen. AND - Curtis Empet, of Jackson, heard a rattlesnake under his bedroom window and killed it. It measured four and one-half feet in length and had ten rattles. AND - In Jackson, a few days since, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Corey killed a very large rattlesnake. The snake crop isn't a failure this season.