Middletown transcript., 1891-09-03
BOHEMIAN MANOR.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE TOMB OF AU-
GUsIINE HERMEN IN CECIL
~ COUNTY. MD.


GUsIINE HERMEN IN CECIL
COUNTY, MD.
The Bohemians made their annual
pilgrimage to the tomb of Augustine
Hermen yesterday to celebrate the two
hundred and thirtieth anniversary oi
the founding of Bohemian Manor.
Early in the afternoon the pilgrims
steamed up Bohemia river on the Ches
ter and landed safely short distance
below the spot where the remains Of
Augustine Hermen repose. Forming
in marching order. they went to the
tomb, and, with uncovered heads, lis
tened to the orations of the day.
The opening address was made in
the Bohemian language by John Hojda
who gave an historic oil account of the
Bohemians as a people and their pro-
gress in industries since their settle
ment in this country. Mr.. Thoma:
w. Morse, president Of the First
Branch City Council, was next intro.
duced by Mr.. V. J. Shimek, secretary
of the Bohemian Association of Bal.
timore, under the auspices of which
the excursion was arranged. Mr..
Morse referred to the manor as the Boz
hemian Mecca of America.
Mr.. v. j. Shimek delivered an ad-
dress in the Bohemian language, stat
ing the enthusiasm which has been
manifested since the last pilgrimage to
the tomb Of Hermen, and the effect
which this growing feeling Of inter est
has produced among Bohemians. He
referred to the neglected condition of
the vault where the remains lie, and
said that movement is being made to
place in a prominent position on the
manor Scotch granite monument in
Of the noble deeds Of
Augustine Hermen. Continuing, he
said :. Hermen never denied in act or
deed that he was Bohemian. When
he came into this country and settled,
prosperity crowned his labors, and
when he became noted among the col
onists he still clung tenderly in love to
his native land and never attempted to
disown his nationally. This brings his
close to the heart of every
Bohemian-American citizen, and being
prominent among the first settlers of
his memory should be COM
memOrated by a fitting memorial of
our esteem, that the generations which
follow us may also be benefited by the
memory of his industrial enterprise
and noble Deeds" During the inter-
vals between the speeches Bohemian
ind American selections were rem.
lered by a band of music which ac-
the excursion.
Bohemia Manor is in Cecil county,
IN the Bohemia river, a short distance
rom its confluence with the Elk. The |
manor slopes gently to the waters
dge, and in position where beauti-
ul view is obtained stands a farm
louse, on the site, it is said. where
TODD the original house built by An
Justine Hermen. The Hermen vault
s in a neglected condition. The roof
az caved in and nothing now marks
be spot but the excavation, IN which
he weeds grow. The exact spot where
he remains lie is told, it is said, by
he shadow cast by large walnut tree
bout O'Clock in the afternoon. This
hadow is said to fall Immediately
yer the spot in the excavation where
be remains were placed.
The marble slab which has for a
,ng time been used to commemorate
[ermen has been placed near the
,utheastern angle of the dwelling
ouse to the Notwithstanding. The
wer part of the slab is cracked clear
cross and the upper left-hand corner
also broken. In these open seams
le moss clings and the lettering is
cry much worn and disfgured, but
i'll legible, and bears the record
Augustine Hermen, 1861" The
lme is often spelled Herman. The
flowing committee has charge of the /
rangements for obtaining suitable Z
.e and the erection of monument /: j
ouls Benick, V. j. Shimex, Joseph =
okorny, Antonio, Kostelak, FIR. 4
rbek, Jan. Moravec, Jan. c. Hojda,
. E. Hirsauer, Karel Masopust. A t
smber of the committee said the
onument would be ready for unveil-
g July 6, 1892.
Among visitors from Cecil county
10 were present at the ceremonies
IRE Thos. Pierce, William Jones,
ss Dasia Jones, Caynt Reaston, Miss
one Beaston, Miss Florence Bolden,
Id Manlove, Miss Mary Manlove,
bert Shelton, Miss Nettie Bolden.
fferson Ferguson and Miss Eva
nnett.
With the Bohemian and American
ys flying, the homeward trip was ,
de in social Bohemian style, and at /
eryals between the band music the
ing ladies of the Bohemian Gymnas- !
Association, who wore blue flannel
forms, with white blouse waists
wide-brimmed. dark blue felt hats, 4
g Bohemian selections, led by :
ster Joseph Benick, young cornet v
oist. The following young ladies g
the Bohemian Association took
t 10 the memorial services Miss
rie Hranicka, president Miss =
llie Pokorny, secretary Miss Marie q
tejka, Miss Barbara Klecka, Miss
rie Resek, Miss TIME Janata, Miss 8
'ie Matika, Miss Teresa Michael, B,
IS Marie Svitak, Miss Bohumila
'b, Miss Frances Potz, Miss Ella =
Ia, Miss Louisa Sima, Miss Jose.