The city of Pittston is a third-class city, located in the northern section of Luzerne County. Its close proximity to both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton created its reputation as a hub city in Northeastern PA.
    It was a center for the railroad and mining industry in the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its growing population eventually changed its status from a borough to a city.
    When Pittston became a city in 1894, many ordinances remained on the books from its days as a borough. An inspection of its ordinances provide some clues to the way of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the late 19th century.
    Apparently, foul language was of great concern to the borough leaders. Even deceased Pittstonians were protected from “any profane, obscene, or threatening language, or making any disturbing noise in any burial ground in said borough.” Hefty fines awaited those found guilty of such irreverent language.
    As far as protecting the good and decent living people from the barbaric and foul-mouthed blasphemers, “any person or persons who make use of indecent, rude, or wanton language within the hearing of persons passing along the thoroughfares of the borough, shall, upon conviction of the thereof, pay a fine of not less than $2 nor more than $5.” For those who prefer obscene gestures over filthy language, the fines ranged somewhat higher– between a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $25.
    Another topic of great concern to borough leaders was animals. Even man’s best friends were under the scrutiny of the officials and
constables of the borough. “All dogs and bitches owned by any person within the borough limits, shall be taxed in the following manner: one-half dollar for the first dog, and for each and every dog above the first, the sum of one dollar; and for each and every slut or bitch owned by any person, the sum of $2. It seems as if sex discrimination was prevalent even in the animal kingdom in late 19th-century Pittston Borough.
    Pigs did not escape the inspection of borough officials, either. Every person keeping hogs in Pittston had to keep them “securely confined within a pen or sty located as far as possible from the street.” This was to minimize the noxious odors emitted from pigpens. There were also prohibitions on erecting and maintaining a slaughterhouse, producing lard or pig bones.
    Horses, mules, sheep, and goats were also targets. If any of those animals were running through the streets at large, the high constable would confiscate them. Confiscated animals were described in fliers passed throughout the borough and if not claimed were auctioned off to the highest bidder after five days from the posting of the flier.
    There was also a set of laws just for cows, which could not walk or be milked on the sidewalks. Furthermore, cows could not be on the public streets between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
    There were prohibitions and fines against storing gunpowder and other explosives; firing guns and rockets in the borough; carrying concealed weapons that include daggers, pistols, slingshots, or false knuckles; driving speeding horse-drawn wagons in the borough streets; selling diseased meat from anyone’s house; driving an animal or vehicle over a fire hose; cutting down a shade tree; calling in a false fire alarm; making keys to illegally enter any public or private property; making bonfires; setting up cock fight matches; and renting to prostitutes.
    There was little toleration for houses of ill repute. The U.S. Constitution served as no safeguard to protect the rights of privacy for those who entered brothels. An ordinance gave the police the right to enter any such property and arrest every person found therein. The same was true of a house where a fight broke out. Once again, everyone was arrested.
    It is doubtful that a gaming casino would be located in Pittston borough. It seems that the borough fathers had a rather negative view of gambling. Any room in the borough “kept or used for any gambling or gaming purpose, or for the purpose of risking any money or property by any means of gambling, shall be deemed a common nuisance.” A fine of between $10 and $100 would be issued to all those convicted of managing such rooms.
    Profane Pittston pig owners beware. These ordinances have not been repealed. So, we suggest you stay out of the cemeteries with your filthy mouths and your stinking hogs. As far as the rest of you, make sure your cows are home by 8 p.m. sharp.