Evening journal., 1894-05-28
RIOTING AT A CHURCH.
Police Fired on Poles Who At
tackled Priest.
FOUR MEN HIT BY THE BULLETS

fractional Fight Began at the Doors Of
Catholic Church In Freeland, Pa, and
There Was Shooting For Half an Hour.
Father Maszotas Injured.
HAzLRroN, Pa, May %. During a riot
at St Casimir's Polish church at Free
land, Victor Tipnoky and Peter Yosmosl,i
were fatally shot, James TravinslSi and
Joseph Dutch were less seriously injured
by the weapons Of the police, and Chief
Of Police James Gallagher and officer
Jones of the police force were cut and in
iured by stones thrown by the crowd. A
factional fight has been waged for year
In the church, and Sunday the enemies of
the pastor, Father Maszotas attempted 70
prevent him from entering the church.
His police escort was attacked by the mob,
and the officers fired upon them.
Father Maszotas left his house for the
church at the accustomed hour under po-
lice protection. As ne mounted the steps
leading to the sacristy he was confronted
by six Poles, who rudely pushed him to
the ground and declined TO permit him TO
enter
Knocked Down the Priest.
Tho priest decided TO get in through the
front door and proceeded in that direction
He had not reached the platform when he
was again knocked to the ground, and o
volley Of missiles hurled In his direction.
A large stone struck Officer Jones square
I'm the face, smashing his nose and blind
ing him for the moment. Chief Gallagher
rushed to his assistance but as he did 80
he was felled by blow from a club, split
ting his head open.
Burgess Mclaughlin then escorted the
/ priest back 20 his house Seeing that the
force of officers was entirely inadequate tc
control the mob he began drafting citizcns
to act as deputies. The friends Of the priest
began arriving in large numbers
The crowd of Poles stood back with an
ominous silence and ready FOR the signal
| The eruption which was gradually up
preaching suddenly burst forth, and the
few officers were carried along with th'
surging mass. To protect themselves th'
officers were at length Obliged TO fire.
The first shot was fired ssyward and in
tended 10 simply terrorize the mob, bu
unfortunately the bullet, as IL sped up
ward, hit Victor TipnolSy, who was stand
ing on the platform, and as he tumblol
forward howl Of rage went up from tn
mob.
Firing Kept Up Half an Hour.
The Poles were heavily armed, and 70
half an hour firing was kept up incessant
ly. The noise Of the firearms and shout
Of frenzied men, together with screams q
terrorized women, created pAndemonium
Wounded men 10y here and there, Will
the place was thickly strewn with Oh
clubs and stones which had been used a
weapons All OF those who were able
fed to escape arrest, and many of thos
who could not were carried away by thei
friends before the officers recovered froT
their demoralizcd condition.
Tho entire police force was SO badly use
up that It took some time for them 10 rail-
and attempt making an arrest. Even the
the few struggling belligerents were e
much for the officers, and Il was only ar
er the greatest difficulty that four me
were locked up They are John kamosi
XII, Frank Wanski, Stanislaus Tomply.a az
r Joseph Crcsnoskey.
During the progress OF the riot the C.
tire town became alarmed. Persons rus
cd from their homes crOwding the stree
and adding 20 the excitement which reig
ed The streets were thronged all the al
srnoon with excited Poles and Lithu
uians, and another outbreak is feared.
Tho deputies sworn In by the burge
ere still on duty and their presence
: present is the only thing which keeps O
der For the bloodshod the Poles have O
ready sworn vengeance, and unless sun
mary measures are taken TO bring the lea
ers Of the outrage 20 justice another ri
will surely follow