Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-12
PRIESTS SURROUNDED
Home Of the Polish Fathers Be-
sieged by a Howling Mob.
POLICEMEN ARE STILL ON GUARD.
The Crowds Leave Only When the Ring
leaders Are Arrested.
AN APPEAL MADE TO CARDINAL GIBBONS

L
was in a state OF turmoil and excitement all
day yesterday over the trouble among the
members of the st. Adelbert Polish Cath
olic Church. The scrap began where it left
off the night before, and at o'clock yester-
day morning a crowd of 200 people gathered
around the house of Father Miskiewicz, op-
posite the church. Every time the priest
would venture from his residence to the
church the crowd would hoot and yell at
him. About o'clock, as he was returning
from the church, mob consisting mainly
of women and boys, had gathered in the
yard surrounding the pastoral residence.
The priest forced his way through and
gained the house, and just as the door closed
behind him stone was thrown and hit the
house. At the same instant two shots we're
fred. The crowd broke and ran in every
direction, but no one appeared to know
who fired the shots or threw the stone.
The emergency squad Of police was called
out early yesterday morning and sent to the
scene. Indications were that riot was to
begin. Angry Poles were gathered in
crowds about the church and the priests
residence, and their language and gestures
betokened trouble.
Scared Away by the Police.
On the arrival of the police, however, the
men dispersed and kept out Of sight as long
as the officers remained. The women were
less obedient. Young Father Pikulski, who
seems to be largely responsible for the pres
ent trouble, is extremely popular among the
women and many of them gathered about
yesterday and refused to leave the street
until threatened with arrest. The police
were called out several times during the
day, but it was not until o'clock last night
that any of the disturbers were arrested.
Officers d. ii. Smith and Michael Wright
with couple of others were detailed to the
scene. Nearly hundred men were in front
of the priests residence shouting and
threatening. The officers took them una
wares and arrested John Kolwiski and
John Suovaski, who appeared to be urging
the mob on to violence. The others took
to their heels. A force of officers were then
placed on guard, but the crowd did not re-
appear.
The trouble in the church will not be
settled until Bishop Phelan takes it in
charge and possibly not until Cardinal Glib
bons investigates it.
Serious Charges Against Father Miskiewicz.
The church has over 1000 members.
There has been dissatisfaction with Father
Miskiewicz for more than year among GER
tain members of the congregation, possibly
one-half of the membership, and according
to the statement of one of the members
named Sczcfczuga, the matter was appealed
to Bishop Phelan last October, before Father
Pikulski came. Afidavits from 20 mem
bers charging Father Miskiewicz with ex-
tortion in his fees for services over the dead
and other ceremonies, together with other
charges that Sczefczuga refuses to state.
Copies of these afidavits were sent to Car
dinal Gibbons also and the kicking element
in the church is daily expecting a reply.
They want Father Miskiewicz deposed and
the leaders don't care whether he is re-
placed by Father Pikulski or some othek
priest. The kickers' committee, Sczefczuga,
John Malka and Mike Cszibatka, called on
Bishap Phelan yesterday but received little
satisfaction.
Father Miskiewicz, in his own defense,
says he has been pastor of the church seven
years, and has made it prosperous He
of the money from his own fortune. Under
rule adopted at the Baltimore Council,
when pastor has held charge three years
he cannot be deposed without good cause.
'I have held this charge seven years." said
Father Miskiewicz, ''and have merits for
the organization of several other churches
in the meantime No, Bishop Phelan will
not depose me, but will leave the settle
ment of this trouble in his hands. 1 will
have little tosay against Father Pikulski.
He has only been curate three months,
and besides being ignorant is not disci-
plined. He has disobeyed me in every
possible way, and by lying to my congrega-
tion has turned many against me "
Father Kolesinski is the Siberian exile
mentioned yesterday. He says he is not
relative to the Kalasinski who was excom-
municated at Detroit. Father Kolesinski
was exiled as politician at the time of the
Polish revolt against the Russian Govern
ment in 1868. He remained in Siberia 25
years, enduring extreme hardship, living
much of the time on fish caught and eaten
while yet alive, and having only one suit of
skin clothing all the time he was there.
SFCTIRE Desirable boarders and dodgers