Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-16
A FATHERS CURSE.
Its Partial FulfiIlment Realized in
the Awful Death of Two of His
Five SOns-The Appeal of
the Survivors.
Superstition Has Many Totaries Yet.

SHAMoKIN, Po.-Raiph Donboskie. aged
II years, and his brother John, two years
older, were mining coal in the Cameron
dolliery, when huge mass of rock and
dirt fell on the unfortunate young men,
killing the former instantly and in uring
the latter SO badly that ne will die.
AS tie bodies were being brought up
the dark shaft a reporter standing at the
top Of the pit heard young man remark
that the dead boys father would hail the
event with joy.
The reporter asked, why? and was
told that four years ago Jacob Don
boskie buried his wife in Warsaw, Poland,
and two months later, in company with
five unmarried sons, sailed for the United
States. Arriving at New York, the father
and three sons wanted to come to this
place, while the others thought the West
the proper place to make their fortunes.
consultation followed, in which it was
decided that the entire party should come
to Shamokin. Arriving mere, the family
signed an agreement that each member
should procure work in the mines and de-
posit $40 month in the savings fund
until enough money should be accumu-
lated to erect two double houses in which
the proprietors should get married and
live.
The contract was strictly observed IN
til last April, when, after the buildings
were erected and paid for, the father
tried to pursuade his sons to sell the fruits
Of their hard-earned labor and return to
Europe. The proposition was refused.
Dor boskie spent a month endeavoring to
alter his sons determination, but it was of
no avail. At the supper-table on the last
night of A pril he told the five assembled
sons that on the next day he would de,
part for New York to take passage to
Pollard, and that they must give him
enough money to square his share of the
property.
This was done, and the following morn
ing the sons accompanied their father to
the depot. When the train was about
starting the youngest boy said: "Good-
bye, father, hope you will have a safe
return"
The father replied "To HI with you
all; I hope every one of my disobedient
children will be killed in the Mines" and
as the Mortified sons begged the enraged
man to back the awful wish the train left
the depot.
As the story was completed the wagon
bearing dozen dusky miners guarding
the dead and injured reached the sur
face. At that moment the three other
brothers came out from an adjoining
slope and FASTENED to the streachers con
tanning the unlucky ones. The grief the
big strong men displayed as they gazed
on the faces of their dead and dying
brothers was heartrending. Then one
thought Of the fathers unnatural wish
and whispered something TO his two
brothers. The stricken boys were placed
in an ambulance and the journey home
| commenced. Within four squares of
the house photograph gallery stands,
| and when the party reached there the
wagon was stopped. A brother ran into
the gallery end minute after came out,
followed by a photographer with his
camera. During this time the remaining
brothers jumped into the ambulance and
!ifeiess brother in his arms and the other
feeling the weakening tips of the dying
boys heart against his own. In this
position the photograph YVES taken, while
in the background scores of wondering
mixers and townspeople formed a
line. Il was learned afterward that a
photograph was taken which was i'm
mediateiy sent on its way to Poland
as protest TO the bitter father,
accompanied by an eloquent letter, beg
g1ng him to take back the curse which
they believe has already worked so much
evil.