The New York herald., 1878-07-08
SERIOUS CHURCH DIFFICULTY.

OUTBREAK AMONG THE POLISH AND LIrrIsH
CATHOLICS OF scHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa
OPPOSITION TO A NEW PRIEST APPOINTED
OVER THEM RIOT AT THE CHURCH DOOR
AND ARREST OF THE RIOTERS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SHENANDOAH, Pa, July 7, 1878.
Sehuylkil county in general and Shenandoah IN
particular noted for the large humber of Poles who
within the past 1vo or s.x years have swelled the
population II is estimated that there are 6, 900 OF
them in this county at the present time, one
fourth OF whom reside In Sheaandoah While
1t is generally believed by this people that they
all Poles It is nevertheless an error, they
composed Of two distinct factions the 6rst being
Poles proper and the other Lithuan,ans or Littsh
These two classes OF people, It seems speak two dis
tiLct languages aud neither can understand the other
They are all Roman Catholics and three years aeo
succeeded in erecting comparatively handsome
church. Tbs hrst pastor assigned TO the charge Of
this disunited people by Archbishop Wood was Rev.
Androw strupinski, who occupied the position OF
priest among ths,s ior period oil two years. Ho
spoke both languages Polish Llttish with luency
REMOVAL. on rnE PRIEST. .,.. -ane
At the expiration OF twoo years the Arch
bishop saw ht TO suspend srupnski he had proved
himself to De sort OF conJurer sorcerer and had
performed miracles by the score. This contrary
TO sound Catholic doctrine and Rev. Alexander Ian
arkovich, OF st. PaIrick's Church. OF Philadelphia,
was sent amcng his people by the Archbishop lie
speak Polish only, and the friends OF StrupnsK
through his agency, haze given considerable trouble
to tho new pastor and the Archbishop over sinco.
They Claim they cannot understand him, and, after
many petitions sent to the Archbishop Tor his re-
movai without success, this morning they determined
that he slpui not enter the church to celebrate
mass.
CLOSING CHURCH..
Before seven O'Clock q crowd OF about five hundred
OF tho Ltish surrounded the church aud locked the
gates OF tho small picket enca surrounding 1t with
heavy paddock When the sexton came 10 the church
the crowd drove HIM OF and he at snce informed the
priest Of what was going 90. rhe priest, In COM
pany with Chief Burgess whalen, then repaired the
church. and, put the term mildly both
ized to SEQ such largo crowd at such hour. The
priest tried the church gate, but roughly
pushed back by those IN front OF the gate
and insuhed he tricd. as good pastor
should, to demonstrate with them and show them
the evil effect oil their course, but was treaied with
yes OF derison He then informed the Chief Burgess
ho wanted them all placed under arrest and that off,
cai IN a short time had The whole police force
spot.
FIGHT WITH TIE
Some portion OF the congregation in the meantime
had filled their pockets with stones as the police
advanced upon them they gave them volley OF the
dangerous missiles. The police then drew their re-
vovcrs, and the opposing party seeing th:s some OF
them pulled out knives but did hot use them. The
police fired voiley into the air, which
had the effect OF terrifying the rioters About
fifty oil the dsturbers women, who werc quite as
dsmonstrative as the men, and one OF them fought
hard with officers The police succeeded In arrest
ing .hirty-lve OF the men and ten The OF
A~A l.~t-
denscly that OF the aintod with the hcaL
Onehan of the PRISONERS then removed TO Fer.
gusons Hall and strong guard placed around the
building.
STATEMENT RroTER.
During their confinement OF tn party turned
States evidence. His name Is Charles Miller He
stated that meeting held on Saturday evening in
the woods the outskirts OF the town at which
were present some hive hundred Lithuanians from
here, Shamokip, Mount Carmel, GilUer,on and the
surrounding country. A man by the name OF George
Miller, alias George Muscuvitch, acted as chairman
who, win Anarcw Marou.ky and Peter Cutcsvch.
told the meeting they had legal ADVICE the effect
that tnoy could remove the pastor, and II he would
not 90 thcy could mako him 20. Miller denies the
story says he is innocent Ho is, however, under
arrest.
WHAT THE PRIEST SAYS.
Rev Father LaparkovIch say that uler Is fire.
brand, and that he never goes 10 church except TO
destroy the peace aud good will of his people,
and that ho never contributes TO the support Of
tho church and says that he Will punish them ali to
the full extent OF the Law. lie has taken out war;
tor their commitment meters aud viii
have others arrested IN the morning. All those
rested are still IN custody and the greatest
prevails. Large numbers OF their friends In bodies
are paradng the streets TINS evening and In
consequence OF this TACT the whole police force
arc on duty guarding tho prisoners. Tney will be
taken ~ jail unless baied In the morning.
EIRES