90 Years Ago – Fire risk at County Jail slight according to insurance group

Apr. 24--April 24, 1930

Fire risk slight at county jail

Following the horrific state prison fire in Columbus, Ohio, on April 21, Lackawanna County Commissioners asked the Underwriters' Association to assess the fire risk at county jail.

The insurance group found that the Lackawanna County Jail had a slight risk of fire. They found that the 42-year-old building was fireproof and that if there was a fire, prisoners could be evacuated quickly.

The jail was constructed in 1888 by Conrad Schrader at a cost of $116,441. The building was designed by architect E.L. Walter.

The county's other buildings on the insurance policy were the county courthouse, the house of detention and West Mountain sanitarium. The prison fire in Columbus claimed the lives of 317

prisoners and more than 130 were injured.

W. Scranton is

C of C president

Worthington Scranton was sworn in as the new president of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

In his inaugural address, Scranton asked those gathered, especially the banking institutions, that they need work with the chamber "in making the city a more attractive place in which to live."

He also addressed the need to engage with young people to promote the manufacturing industries and make improvements to the management of industrial development.

Following his address, Scranton Police Capt. Art Hichox spoke to the group about the upcoming Traffic Safety Week.

Shopping list

Whole chickens were 38 cents per pound, leg of lamb was 33 cents per pound, standing rib roast was 32 cents per pound, a half pound of American cheese was 20 cents, two cans of corn were 25 cents, two cans of tomatoes were 21 cents, a pound of coffee was 29 cents, three bottles of ginger ale were 25 cents and marshmallow beauties were 27 cents per pound.

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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