Mary Hepler Kehler
This is Frank Mekailek's Saloon on Water street, Mahanoy Plane on Christmas, 1915. Pictured are (from left) Julia Yesalusky, Mrs. Frank Mekailek, Anna M. Wersholsky, an unidentified patron and Frank Slovick.
      (Evening Herald, Frackville Edition, August 23, 1975)  Notice the picture of Mr. Mekailek in his Spanish American Uniform; the sign which reads "Don't treat your friends at my expense", the double lamp standing on the bar, and the china coffee urn, all on the left side of the picture. Fly paper is hanging from the ceiling in the center. Nebo cork tip cigarettes at five cents a pack, Lucky Strike nickel cigars and Caro Pepsin gum were sold in addition to "a shot and a 'beer." Notice the exposed electrical wiring and the single bulb hanging at the ceiling. A sign in the bar reads:

My friend did come, And I did trust him,
I lost my friend, And lost his custom,
To lose my friend it grieves me sore,
So I've resolved to trust no more!

      Frank Mekailek was born September 1877 in Shenandoah, the son of Andrew and Michalina Mekailek. He fought in the Philippines for three years with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the Spanish American War. He served as corporal and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, and the Purple Heart for wounds received. These medals were awarded him at ceremonies held at Philadelphia in 1944. His military papers list the year of his honorable discharge as 1899. He moved to Mahanoy Plane when he returned from the service and worked as fire boss at East Bear Ridge Colliery in addition to owning a saloon on Water street. He moved to Frackville in 1925 and built a home at 107 North Sixth street. He was a member of St. Ann's Church, Charter member of Friendship Fire Company and honorary member of the Frackville American Legion Post 398. Mr. Mekailek, Mr. Bolinsky and Mr. Beecroft were honored at a testimonial dinner at the BVM Hall by the Friendship Fire Company. Each gentleman was presented a Kennedy Rocker at this affair. He died May 28, 1970, while visiting his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wershoski, in Seattle, Washington. Participants in the military rites were the Frackville American Legion and a firing squad detachment from Indiantown Gap.

Go to the William M. Dampman biography or the William M. Sanner biography which were originally printed with this tale (now located in the Old Timers section).