Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-02-06
FATHER FRANCIS sOyIEsKI
a CORRESPONDENT TAKES SIDES WITH
HIM.

said, and quite controversy entered
into between some Of our citizens con-
corning stranger who lectured here
in this city some time since on the
subject of Americanism, Father Fran
els l.. Sovieski. an ex-priest, and that
| have been interviewed a number Of
times about this man. feel licensed
to talk. / beg to say as preliminary
that Soyieski is not now nor has he at
any time lectured or worked under
the auspices of the order known as
the American Protective Association.
Sovieski, better known as Father Fran
els, had credentials from one certain
w. A. McKillop, pastor Of the South
Milwaukee church. and said creden-
tails have been published in the col
umns of the Teller.
/ heard Sovieski lecture at the Bap-
list church in this city several times
and knew him by reputation before.
Now | wish to say that | believe it to
be simply malicious lie that he ever
said he was a member Of the !. o. O. +.
or of the X. OF r., but he did say and
reputable citizens Of my acquaintance
viii certify to this that he was mem
Der of the Masonic Fraternity and the
Eastern Star. On the eigth OF Janu-
airy, wrote to +. G. True. Sec'y OF
State Council American Protective
Association, Milwaukee, Wis. inquir-
ing if he knew anything OF this man,
and the following is an extract from
True's letter:
"Sovieski is a member OF Council no 50 Of
this city and his wife is member % the W.
A. p A.. No one among the Catholics here
attempt to deny that he was al one time
priest at st Francis and that his Wife was
also at that time an inmate 81 the same III
Stitution. he has relative who is priest
on the South Side here now
Then following this, pursuant to
the request Of friends here, again
made inquiry Of my FREUD True. who
wrote me the following:
MILWAUKEE. WIS. Jan. n, 1915
DEAR SIR AND FRIEND Yours of the 18th
came to hand this morning Invent over on
the South Side to see Rev. Mcktllop about
the matter He told me a lot about SoVieski
but discouraged the idea of going into any
controversy about him with ahtdavtts, say
ing that the opposition can go us one better
on that kind of deal at any time. as they
can get them made 70 order 70 suit their
convenience. He said that he has had him
preach in his pulpit and he also has filled The
pulpit for Dr. White. that upon one occa-
sion there were several priests in the audi
ence when he spoke here, and that they ala
not dare TO deny any OF the charges made
lie saws = has anunCle or ,s cousin who is a
priest in one Of the Polish churches on the
South side. They do not attempt 70 deny
church in Inc capacities which they claim
He further SAYS the man is uot too simple
minded to make up what he SAYS ne is
sometimes given 70 maklNE tNsfaFaEant
statements wbe excited hn Is usually
consistent The hole history Of IA, career
appe lred la the Chicago papers some Years
ago and NOT part OF it MAS ever denied by
the Catholics. Tie IN without doubt living
continual terror 81 The vengeance ot the
church. which tends 10 MAKE h}m % say The
least appear eccentric. ack Hop told me
he had written Mr.. Miles. the man with
whom Soveski stopped while IN your sec
ton concerning NM ifatefnaiiy 19uIS
Now lot Of tstuiI' has been given
publication in the Teller over the
signature OF J NJ. Hurley | do not
question whether John Hurley wrote
these articles or not. that is immater-
ial however. would suggest that
Mr. Hurley should keep his money
for more needful purpose, for just
as Mckillop says in the matter Of atli-
dayits. they (the Catholies) can 90 us
one better on that sort of thing every
time. as they can get them made to
order to suit their convenience. And
the public would not he interested in
this sort Of controversy. 80 we will
not 70 into ii
When Sovieski left this city he went
over to the east side ri the county
lecturing at Arthur and Platteviile,
and was at the latter place when he
was suddenly called TO 20 east To at
tend the sick bed Of his child. How
ever he himself was taken suddenly
Ill and was compelled Ia stop IN Chi
cago for time, since then going east
aud again becoming ILL., was compel
led to enter the hospital ut Kile, Mer-
Ger Co. Penn, where he is at present.
only state this at length because the
Teller nan would have the people
suppose :hat he became alarmed and
took final leave
| sincerely believe that Soyieski is
lover of truth and true American
ism. and that he speaks from the bot
tom of his heart.
This controversy was pushed from
she ether side Of the fence and our
quill is picked up in defense Should
this argument continue will endeav-
or to speak more at length next time
And would suggest that We worthy
editor OF the "only Teller will seek
dissolution nj his earliest convenience.
ANOTHER ONE or ruEM.
From another correspondent
EDITOR HERALp; In last weeks Teller IN,
old man uncorked ana matte an endeavor I,