The Jersey City news., 1899-12-16

business men, who have become thor
oughly Ameticanized and have the high
est regard for all our American institu-
tions, especially our public schools. In
shenandoah, mining center, many OF
the children who stand at the head in the
schools are the offspring of these FIRST
comers.
But the big wages which the miners
formerly earned attracted the lawless of
the old world, who soon realized that in
the coal regions they could give free rein
to their lawless natures and escape the
penalties. So steadily, so quietly, did
this element pour into the coal6elds Of
eastern Pennsylvania that the law abid-
ing took no note of it.
But surely has the awakening come,
and today, as in the days of the Afollie
Mcguire, people are asking where it will
end
This foreign element contains many
who fled from the land of their birth to
escape punishment for crime. Once here,
they continue as lawbreakers until the
stern hand of the law grips them or they
meet death through mishaps in the mines.
The factional animosities of the old
world are here, but accentuated, and to-
day we have in SchuylkiH two powerful
factions. which stop only. at murder to
accomplish the desired ends.
Strange names these Lithuanian peo-
pie have for their factions too. One is
known as the ''Zukas" and the other as
the ''Proprenokas people of one state,
but of distinct provinces, bearing ha-
tired for each other which violence alone
can appease. The existence of these two
factions and their murderous designs up
on each other have, however, but recent
ly come to light Mysterious deaths have
been Of frequent occurrence within the
last two years in SchuylkiH county, but
as these foreigners care naught for the
dead they made not the slightest en-
deavor to assist the officials in investigat-
ing the oft recurring crimes. They rather
threw every obstacle in the way of such
investigations.
Many mysterious deaths remain still
unsolved. Men, beaten into insensibility,
were thrown upon railroad tracks to
make it appear as though they had been
struck by trains; others were left lying
unconscious along the public highways,
and when found by Americans not for
eigner would claim the injured or give
the battered body shelter But murder
committed Sept. "A last, on a Sunday
patch near Shenandoah, has resulted in
throwing much light upon the methods Of
the Zukas and the Proprenokas factions.
The latter are apparently the stronger
faction of the two, and at William Penn
and also at Minersville have well organ
lied societies, through which they pro-
tect one another when in trouble. BY
system of regular dues q fund is created
used in hiring the services OF lawyers
when they are run down by officers or in
assisting the escape Of the accused.
They have no regard whatever for law
and order Sunday is the day for ca
ronsa!s and drinking. and the speak
easy fourishes among thcn. The man
who conducts the .speak easy" can al
WAYS be sure Of having scores of witness
es ia swear he has not violated the law
Few 90 unarfue5. bat the revolver is not
their farorite weapon. a knife Of pecul-
lar shape, With blade about eight inch
es long and handle which well fits the
hand and which has a stout spring hold
fng the blade open. is the weapon which
rev are without, ana II is useu upon
slightest provocation.
Sunday is always a day of jolliication
and a day Of ehristenings or wedding eel
cbrations, with plenty of beer and other
drinks, and the Sunday that does not wit
ness a cutting ARRAY at such functions
is indeed a rarity in SchuyikiII county.
It IS this class that furnishes so per
cent of the business for the criminal
courts Id the mining regions, and nearly
all such business is scheduled under the
head Of assaults with intent TO Kill. The
participants ID these orgies cannot talk
Eu3lssh asl5 FeaniFe Interpreters. and this