Stockton, Pennsylvania

The only thing that distinquishes Stockton from most of the rest of coal region patchtowns was the mine cave-in that occurred in 1869 that swallowed a few houses and most of the families in them. As described by Bradsbury in the History of Luzerne County.

Stockton bears with considerable dignity the name of Commodore Stockton. A mine was opened here in 1851 by Packer, Carter & Co. The place attracts your attention by the long line of "cave in" running parallel with the railroad track. December 18, 1869, occurred here a "squeeze"—caused by "robbing the pillars," and in this was carried down the house occupied by the Rough and Swank families. None of the bodies were ever recovered, and the spot where the house stood has been filled and a marble slab tells the story of the victims as follows:

"Elizabeth Rough, May 18, 1796; Margaret Rough, January 18, 1837; Isaac Rough, January 22, 1839; Elizabeth Rough, March, 1869; George Swank, 1819; William Swank, 1850. December 18, 1869."

People Killed

• Elizabeth Frease Rough Isaac's Mother
• Margaret Rough was Isaac's wife,I haven't determined her maiden name.
• Isaac Rough
• ElizabethRough Swank Isaac's sister
• George Swank
• William Swank

Newspaper Articles

• transcibed accounts from various papers,credit Luzerne Co Genweb

Sources

• Bradsby, Henry C. "History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania: With Biographical Selections, Volume 1," Chicago: S.B. Nelson & Co., 1893. google books
• The Pennsylvania Rambler