Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-16
SQUABBLE FOR PLACE
Winds Up in Three Parades
Instead of One.
HIBERNIANS DISAGREED.
Old Scores Revived Between Ameri-
can and Erin Boards.
THE DIVISIONS BADLY MIXED


Joseph Rosinski Chief Marshal of yes
terday mornings St. Agnes parade, had one
OF those difficult matters to adjust which
occur in the lite of every great military
ehieftain, from Scipio Africanus to Secre-
tary Thompson, formerly of the United
States Navy. The question of precedence
arose. There were three bodies, and each
claimed the right of the line, and proposed
to fight it out on that line if it took until
New Years. The unhappy result was that
three parades in place Of one followed what
Skglock called the "wry necked hfes,
although modern ffes do not seem to get it
in the neck that way.
The question opened between the Board of
Erin and the American Board of the A. U.
h, and each urged its claims 70 precedence,
the ,ne on score of seniority, and the other
on a purely patriotic basis. Both organi-
cations have companies of Hibernian Rifles
attached so that the military etiquette of
giving armed bodies the right of the line in
procession was set at naught, and Marshal
Rosinski, who, as Pole, was certainly i'm
partial, at one time gave the advance to one
organization and then to the other.
This made an attraction on Grant street
not often witnessed. either from a military
ora civil standpoint. When the order to
march was given, Colonel Felix Mcknight
coollv assumed the head of the procession,
and with the Board of Erin led the grand
march, notwithstanding the protests of the
grand marshal He, however, seeing his
efforts to have his authority respected dis
regarded, on reaching Van Braam street in
the route already published, wheeled his
column to tie right and down to Forbes
street. which be marched out in the follow
ing order:
THE FORBES CONTINGENT.
Chief Marshal Rosinski and Staff of Eight
Horsemep
Major E. A. Montooth Band. 30 Pieces.
Hibernian Rifles Major John Coyne Com
manding. $50 Men.
Allegheny tSGge; GSgg@aadiSS A ~ 90 5 MeD 0nn D0nns
No. Il, A. o. H, James Laughlin Commanding,
100 Men.
ST. Albert's Band, "a Pieces.
St Stanislaus Society Polish Hussars, August
Rosinski Commanding, 76 Men.
ST. Michaers Society, 200 Men.
10 Carriages
The Board of Erin contingent, like the
bow in the class in which there were only
TWO. EIlll skaNGu az luG anu
out Fifth avenue, coming in first on the
church ground, and capturing the position
of honor by short cut. The following was
the order of procession:
Al. Haner Band, q Pieces.
Hlbernian Rifles. Board of Erin, Colonel Felix
Mcknight Commanding. 800 Men.
Division No. ]. A. o. H. William Kelly Com
Division No. 2 Patrick McMOrrow Command
ing. 100 Men.
Division No. 8 P. Rice Commanding. 70 Men.
The second division, under Marshal Nc
Guire, having lost lis head, and in fact not
understanding the tale, became somewhat
demoralized, and concluded that the inde-
pendent and soldierly course would be to
make its own parade, which it did, being
between the two fires. 1t was headed by
the Cathedral Band of "a pieces, with the
St. Agnes E B. A. Society OF 100 men, in
command o. John Boyle.
CABLE CARS DELAYED.
This skirmish drill, which was not con-
teaplated in the original programme, had
the,effect of delaying the cable cars disap-
pointing many who expected to see the
whole procession pass, surprising Others who
did not expect to see any procession, and
delaying the proceedings at the church for
Dearly an hour to the great discontinue of
the clergy who were to ofhciate, and the
lalIN VINO sD6CLdlOTSs
Mr. Joseph Ro inski, Chief Marshal of the
st. Agnes parade, was seen yesterday about
the disturbance which occurred between the
two factions of the Hibernians. He
said:
81 was elected to the Office of Grand Mar
shal of the parade. 1 assigned the Ameri-
can Hibernians to lead the order. Felix
Mcknight waited on me and asked me to
countermand the order had issued, and
give the right of the line 10 the Board of
Erin. 1 complied. The order was coun-
termanded.
Immediately Major Coyne, of the Ameri-
can Board, called upon me and requested
me to change the order to its original
shape. 1 acceded to the Majors request,
and no further alteration was made in the
orders. This caused the rumpus.
Tell the Pittsburg public that am
Pole, and that think the way the societies
fight among themselves is disgracetul.
They belong to one creed and one nation
and ought to agree.
M'KNIGHT's STATEMENT.
Colonel Felix Mcknight, W ho commanded
the Board oi Erin, A. o. II. rifles was seen
at his residence on Second avenue last night.
In giving his account of the affair to DIS
PATCH reporter, he said:
1--WE were first given the right of line BY
Chief Marshal Rosinski several weeks ago.
Upon picking mp a paper this morning 1
noticed that the American Board had been
given the position of honor, and were to
march in front of US. I said nothing to my
men, who were furious, but marched them
into the city with the intention of asserting
nv rights. 1 rode up to the Chief Marshal,
at the Court House, and asked him if he
had issued the countermanding order plac-
ing us behind the seceders Mr.. Rosinski
told me that he had not issued the order, and
ordered me to take the position be had
originally assigned the Board of Erin. I
was then determined to have the place that
rIehtfully belonged 10 me, and commuui-
Gated this to my command. I had about 800
men out, and they were prepared not to be
forced into q back seat.
"About $50 o'clock this morning 1
wheeled my men into position at the corner
of Fifth avenue and Grant street. We
formed on Grant street, right resting on
Fifth avenue, and marched up the latter
street. At the corner of Wylie avenue we
met Major Coyne at the head of the
American Board. His command was pre-
ceded by the Montooth Band, and they had
been ordered to march into line ahead of us.
WOULD DIE FIRST.
"When they attempted to cross our line
rode up to Major Coyne, and pulling nv
sworn. said: You can't go ahead here. This
is our position, and I'll die right here
before Til let you ahead Edward Moran,
the Captain Of Company A OF the Ameri-
can Board, came rushing up and tried to
swing his men into our line / shouted to
him, I dare you to cross. If you do, it will
be at your peril Ny men did not need to
be rallied, and were prepared to stand by
their Colonel. In brandishing my sword /
bent il on my horse while urging him ior-
ward. There was no time to lose, and 1
dashed inrn the inraders. The band scat