Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-05-28


Take Hand and Several Promoters
of the Riot Get Shot.
The factonal dispute which has been
waged with vigor for the past few
months in the congregation of St. Kasi-
mer's Polish Catholic church on Ridge
street broke out fiercely yesterday morn
ing, and as result there are several of
belligerents lying today with bullets in
their bodies. The congregation is COM
posed of Poles and Lithuanians, and,
like in many other parts of the country,
there has been a bitter fight between
the two parties for long time to see
which nationality would control the
church here. The pastor, Rev Joseph
Maszotas, is a Lithuanian, and upon him
the Poles haye endeavored to wreak
their vengeance. Several applications
have been made to Bishop O'Hara to
have him removed, but as the charges
made against the priest were not proven
by his prosecutors he has been allowed
to remain
Baflled in their attempts to oust him,
the Poles determined to try more radical
measures, and for several weeks past an
outbreak was expected during some of
the services. About four weeks ago
trouble did take place over the organist
of the church, and several of the Poles
were them placed under bail to keep
the peace.
Bishop O'Hara had promised the Poles
that he would make an investigation of
the finances and other affairs of the con-
gregation, but illness prevented him
from doing so. Last week he gave them
permission to hold services in the church
yesterday morning at 8 o'clock with
Rev. Ligday, of st. Johns Slayish
church, as priest, but owing to libelious
article which appeared on Thursday in
Polish paper this order was on Saturday
rescinded by the bishop. The article
reflected on the character and ability of
Rev. Mazasotas, and was signed by A.
Rudewick, of South Heberton, and
others who have since been arrested
upon the charge of criminal libel and
placed under bail.
Upon learning that Rev. Ligday would
not be permitted to hold the services for
them while Rev. Maszotas was at Halle
ton, the Poles decided upon preventing
services of any kind from being held
there. A compromise, however, was eff
fected early yesterday morning, and all
parties agreed to refrain from creating
trouble until an investigation could be
made. This agreement, however, was
made apparently for the purpose of
throwing the priest and his followers off
their guard, as the subsequent results
proved.
When Rev. Maszotas arrived yester-
day morning from Hazeton, where he
had read mass for his congregation
there, he found large crowd about the
church. The Poles were very demon
strative and had the church barred to
keep out the priest. Rumors that trou-
bic would take place spread through
town and several hundred people were
gathered in front of the church by II
O'Clock, the time for services to begin.
Rev. Maszotas, however, had taken
the precaution to inform Constable
Pundy, of Foster township, in whose
tarritory the church stands, to be ready
to protect him, and the constable had
the entire police force of the borough
sworn in as specials.
At II o'clock the priest left his resi-
dence, which is built south of the church
a short distance, and walked through
the yard to the rear door of the church,
intending to enter the vestryroom. AT
the steps he was met by an angry crowd,
armed with clubs and stones, and vo-
lently pushed about. Seeing that it was
impossible to gain admittance there, he
went to the front door, where he was
again met by the leaders of his OPP
ponents and threatened if he attempted
to enter.
Finding that an attempt to get into the
church would precipitate struggle, the
priest returned to the residence, intend
ing to wait until the excitement would
cool off and then go in, using force if
necessary. The action of the priest,
however, was construed as victory by
the Poles, and they gathered about the
house cheering wildly and using threats
against all who sympathized with the
pastor.
Up to this time Constable Pundy and
his deputies had taken no active part in
the affair except to see that the priest
was not harmed. They now received
word from him that he was going into
the church, and the force Immediately
prepared for action. Burgess McLaugh-
lin was on the ground and advised the
borough officers to do nothing radical
unless all other means of preventing
trouble should fail. Instructions were
alco u;yan u, orract anU pprcnn xbo l.,