The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-13
A RIOT IN DETROIT.


shed in the Streets.
A Detroit dispatch says: "There is serious
trouble in the St. Albertus Polish Roman
Catholic church in this city. Charges were
recently preferred against Father kolasin-
ski, who for many years has been the
pastor. An investigation by Bishop
Borgess. decided him to depose the
priest. Many influences were brought
to bear upon the bishop to re-
consider his decision, but without avail, be
being firmly convinced of the truth of the
charges. The charges, however, are not be-
lieved by majority of the congregation, who
look upon the deposed priest as martyr.
As the congregation refused to attend church
under the new appointee the building
has been closed for two OF three weeks. 1t
was rumored two or three days ago
that the bishop had relented, the church
would be opened on Christmas, and the Old
pastor restored on that morning. Finding
the church still closed, more than 1000 Poles
marched to the residence Of the bishop to ask
all explanation. Tue bishop left his resi-
dence by the rear door, and this
action angered the Poles more.
yesterday afternoon a Pole was shot dead
while the crowd were stoning a grocery be-
longing to MIR. Lemke, an adherent Of the
new priest. The police made score Of ar
rests. Police were on guard all night.
Early to-day the congregation began to
gather about the church. By 10 o'clock
3,OJ0 people were massed in the streets. Col.
Larned had been retained by the Lemkes
for their defence on the charSe of shooting
the Pole yesterday, and this morning he Wis
- - /,e o1ia xr,ifh m
Wagner, who is ident,fi with the anti
Kolasinski element. The sight Of Wag-
her enraged the crowd and they assailed
the buggy with bricks, stones, and frozen
mud Wagner escaped injury, but Colonel
Larned was struck on the forehead with q
stone and stunned The crowd about the
church doors were quiet except when old
John Lemke appeared ut one OF his broken
windows, and then their jeers were almost
deafenng. Mr. Lemke is seventy-six years
old, and after escaping through bac k door
from last nights mob, he passed the cold
night on the commons.
"About II o'clotk the crowd went to the
grocery store of Thomas Zoltowski, another
of the anti koiasinslli party. In less than
minute they broke all tho glass in the
building. At the sight of Zotowski cries
of Hang him. and Shoot him!!'
, could b. heard above the rattling Of
S.OneS nTOuSu Cuo pdUeleSS "luuO"S
Zoltowski showed his revolver, but the
crowd only yelled the louder, and drove him
away from the window by a well-aimed vol
ley of stones. A moment later he appeared
with Winchester repeating rifle, which he
fired twice. This melted the crowd to still
greater frenzy.
''The police endeavored to force the mob
away from the grocery. The streets were so
| packed with people that this was extremely
difficult as well as dangerous work. Sergeant
Nolan, with squad of police, was trying to
force the crowd back, when man in the
, mob threw large stone, crushing the SER
geant's hat and bruising his heal consider
ably. The fellow was arrested, and iumedi-
ately Officer Ewing, who aided in the arrest
was felled by blow with a
snow shovel. lie staggered to his feet and
helped handcuf his assaiant. The crowd
closed in on the policemen, and for few
minutes the squad seemed doomed. The
crowd pressed them so closely that it was we'll
nigh impossible to defend themselves. De-
teCtive Tu,tle was thrown on his side in the
gutter, whore he was beaten by the mob,
! who were wedged abrut him so densely that
he could not draw his revolver.
CATER a time he managed to regain his feet,
and assisted his companions once more in
their fight. Help came to them, and they
finally Iande their men in the patrol wagon,
| although every lllCu VI IHe way Hetu W De
/ fought desperately. Another patrol wagon
was summoned soon arterward to help the
officers, and at , O'Clock Captain Myler
marched to the church with forty-siX
policemen, followed by several hundred
citizens A detachment was sent to re-
enforce the men at Zoltowski's, and the 30
! lice did their utmost to drive the crowd away
entirely. When driven from one street ths
mob invariably congregated upon another.
leaving tho police to do their work over
again. This unsatisfactory work continued
throughout the afternoon, and it was very
nearly dark before the church crowd ii ially
dispersed. All saloons on the east side have
i been orue ed closed until tho difficulties are
| settled
'.1he Poles are thoroughly aroused and de
clare that they will either nave the church
/ opened or deruolish it.
Tile bishop says he will under no circum
stances recade from his position. He blanes
ths deposea pastor for the outbreak. Re ig
ious excitement is spreading and the bitter
feeling is growing. What makes matter:
worse IS the fact that just now the city is full
OF blacklegs, who will naturally take advan
tage of the police being entirely occupied
with this affair"
\ later dispatch states that matters hat
Quieted down for the present.