New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
4 NEW GYPSY Of ZEN.
THE COMING CORONATION OF MOLLY
FRYER
FRY Err.


Topeka correspondence OF The Kansas City star
new queen will be crowned by the Romany
gypsy band on May - next at Topeka. This
will be the second gypsy coronation ever held
in the United states. on this occasion eight
bundled gypsic. OF the ROmany tribe will
s,n.ble at Topeka and hold elaborate cere-
monies. Sixty OF the gypsies have already ar
rived in Topeka and are making arrangements
for the coronation. The queen-tO-be. Molly
Fryer who learned only n week ago that she
had fallen heir to the gypsy throne by the death
of her mother IT. Austria. is in Topeka now and
Is AZ the gypsy camp north of the city. Her
mother Sophia Fryer. died several weeks ago IN
Austria having ruled the Romany band for
sixty-two years. Molly Fryer. being the next in
line Of succession was chosen 10 be queen
A. queen must Toe twenty years of age the
coronation will take place May -. which is her
birthday.
There are 200 members % the Romany band
in the United States and between 500 and LODI
will arrive in Topeka during the winter and take
part IN the coronation. II will be an elaborate
feast The coronation ceremony viii be per
formed by Father MctrovitCh. who is the high
priest Of the taGd. The crown which was worn
by the aged gypsy queen for 50 long IS now
being rcmodeed for its new posseSsor, ana Il
cousin Minnie YounCs. will bear il from Aus
tra TO Topeka ana will formally place it on
the young queens head.
1t is composed Of Bohemian garnets and solid
gold and is said 20 be beautiful When remod-
ellcd i. will contain several sparkling diamonds
Three months ago Molly Fryer was married at
RelVidere. ILL.,. 10 Gustav StackOVtch, a young
Australian. who is member Of the band. The
English OF his name Is Stanley. He and his
brother Louis and the lattcr's wifi" travel TO-
gether and camp some little distance from the
main body Of the band. They have better tents
wagons and furnishings. and live in better
style. The Stanley brothers speak English
fiucnuy.
Molly Fryer is typical gypsy. Her skin is
dark her eyes brilliant black. her figure grace
full aHh her manner easy. she speaks thirteen
languages. but has not learned English well.
Louis and Gustav Stanley are now making
the arrangements for the coronation OF Molly
Fryer large field will be procured where he
whole band will camp. In the midst OF the
camp a large tent will be erected. where the
ceremonies will TAX place Father MetroEtch'
who lives IN Chicago. will come TO Topeka early
in May and will have full charge of the cere-
monies The Romany band now has adopted the
Catholic faith. but they never attend services
in regular Catholic churches. When a gypsy
couple is 10 be married and the distance IS TOO
far for High Priest Mrtrovitch ne sends word
to IA Catholic priest near To where the band -
located and the ceremony is performed in the
The Romany band dates its lineage back to
the Pharaohs. For several hundred years the
headquarters Of tn, tribe have been ia austria.
Eight months ago Molly Fryer came To me
United States and joined the band with which
she now travels
when the news came to Louis Stanley that
Queen Sophia Of the gypsy band had died ne
set about notifying all the bands in the United
States. \ conference was held and Topeka was
selected the place at which the coronation
should be held. All the members Of the ROmany
tribe of gypsies have now been notified OF the
coronation and most OF them are on their way
overland to Topeka. The coronation or queen
among this people is the grandest event known
to them. The exercises viii extend through
week and the occasion will be "A round or pleas
ure and JOY. At this time also the gypsy banu
will formulate new rules Qucen-eect Molly
Fryer has already begun the making or her
coronation dress. 1t will be a gaudy aHair or
Oriental style and made Of rich material Also
she will wear many beads and necklaces when
will be brought by the various bands. ana She
will be a queen charming to the Romany tribe.