91 - The Kelayres Massacre

The election of 1934 saw Democrats gain headway nationally in the wake of the election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  But Republicans in Kelayres, Pennsylvania, dominated by the Bruno family, weren't going to go down without a fight.

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Opening music from https://filmmusic.io. "Dark Child" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Closing music by Soma.

SOURCES

“2 Commissioners Arrested for Plot in Bruno's Escape.” Reading Times, December 24, 1936.

“14 Year Old Girl of Kelayres Has Flag Recognized.” Hazelton Standard-Speaker, January 15, 1935.

“50 Republican Votes Gained in Kline Twp.” Pottsville Republican-Herald, November 13, 1933.

“A Proclamation.” Hazleton Standard-Speaker, November 8, 1934.

“Bruno Trial to Reach Jury By Next Friday.” Pottsville Republican and Herald, September 17, 1935.

“Contest Kline Twp. Election.” Pottsville Republican, December 6, 1933.

“Dramatic Scene as Woman Shouts Answer to Bruno.” Hazelton Standard-Speaker, January 29, 1935.

“Eye-Witnesses in Kelayres Case Ready to Testify.” Hazelton Standard-Speaker, January 14, 1935.

“Four Bruno Men Hear Murder Writ in County Prison.” Hazleton Standard-Speaker, November 8, 1934.

“Joseph Bruno Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter; Carries Six to Twelve Years.” Shenandoah Evening Herald, February 7, 1935.

“Kline Township Recount Stands.” Hazleton Plain Speaker, November 14, 1933.

“News of the South Side.” Hazleton Plain Speaker, December 30, 1933.

“Mandamus Action in Kline Township.” Hazleton Plain Speaker, August 31, 1933.

“Three Are Dead in Voting Feud.” New Castle News, November 6, 1934.

“Unspeakable Outrage, Declares Gov. Pinchot of Hazleton Slayings.” New Castle News, November 6, 1934.

“Voice in Broken English Vividly Outlined Rat-Tat-Tat of Gunfire.” Hazelton Standard-Speaker, January 18, 1935.

“Witnesses Back in Kelayres Homes.” Hazleton Standard-Speaker, November 8, 1934.

Cerullo, John and Gennaro Delena. “The Kelayres Massacre.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 107:3 (July 1983).

Hoover, Stephanie. The Kelayres Massacre: Politics & Murder in Pennsylvania's Anthracite Coal Country. Xxx

Newsreel Report about the Massacre - (1) 1934 Kelayres Massacre - YouTube The woman interviewed towards the end is, I think, either Irene Condor or Sarah Fiorilla. The scruffy man shown lying in a hospital bed is most likely Edward Vespucci.