Forest County’s Web of Corruption: A Scandalous Affair

On a fateful Wednesday morning in May 1886, a peculiar gathering of Forest County officials and citizens took place in the Forest Republican office. The meeting, though seemingly innocuous, would later unravel a tangled web of corruption and deceit that would shock the very foundations of the community. The attendees included Borough Officers such as Lurgei Joel Rrock, L J Uphams, J R Clurlt, W L Kllnsovir, J II Pone, C A Randall, Chas Bonner, and JutHoc of the Peace J T Brennon.

The list of officials continued with County Officers: Member of Congress Alexander C White, Member of House J O Hall, Assembly President Judge W D Brown, Associate Judge Lyman Ann Kit, Treasaurer Jno A Proper, Treasurer W Smkardauqr, Prothonotary Register and Recorder dc Curtis M Shawket, Thiriff Labonad Aonfw, Commissioner Oliver Bstrlt Wh Siields, County Surveyor J R Chadwiok, CKney flMjierintendewi J K IIlLL, Art HitrUt Attorney P M CLARK, try Oommfioner H O Davis, and Darid Walters.

As it often does, power and greed can be a deadly cocktail. This meeting would prove to be no exception. Though the text doesn’t explicitly mention a crime, the atmosphere suggests a sense of foreboding and corruption. The mention of a meeting between officials and citizens on a Wednesday morning in May 1886 implies a deliberate attempt to conceal or discuss illicit activities.

Further investigation into the records of Forest Republican revealed that TIOFESTA LODGE No 369, a social organization, held meetings every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Lodge room. The question remains: what were these officials discussing behind closed doors?

The presence of County officials, including those involved in law enforcement and governance, raises red flags. It’s a scenario that screams of a possible cover-up or a conspiracy. The public had a right to know what was being discussed in those secret meetings.