The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-31
0UTRAGES
Alleged to Haye Been
Perpetrated.
OLD MEN STONED.
Hebrews Form Association
to Protect Their Lives.

To find some available means of pro-
tecting themselves from the assaults
and insults the crowds who frequent
the corners of the streets on the east
side, particularly in the district be-
tween Temple street and Vernon
square, she Hebrews Of Worcester, to
the number of 200, have formed what is
called the Hebrew Protective Associa-
ton.
The principal reason for forming the
organization at this special time is be-
cause the ministers of the three syna-
gogues in the city have received of late
numerous reports from the members of
the church, mostly old men, who
claimed that they have been stoned by
young ruff1ans every time they made
their appearance in the district named.
Some of the Hebrews have been I'M
mercifully pounded by the young loaf
ers around the corners for no offense
at all, and when they called upon the
minister Of their church they presented
a pitiful sight.
NAAN iACpACNo WAO nave ICCGINGQ LnGSG
insults and assaults the most are men
whose ages range from go to 20 years,
and their condition, physically, pre-
vents them from resenting the rebukes
OF the young thugs. Not only have the
members individually been made to
contend with the hard usage of the
crowds, but collectively they have also
had to Withstand the nonsense.
While Minister Morris Kaplan of the
plymouth street synagogue was con-
Quoting the services of the church last
wednesday night, there was a con-
tlnual rattle Of missiles of all kinds on
the doors, and in the entry of the church,
and sometimes the missiles, which
proved to be mostly stones, came
through the windows.
The minister Of the Plymouth street
synagogue is not the only complainant
for the ministers of the other two syn
agogues have had their share of the
rowdyism showered upon them and
their congregations.
Two weeks ago an old Hebrew, whose
age is about IS, was passing the corner
OF Harding and Winter streets, when
he was assailed by crowd on the cor
ner. He tried to make his escape, but
stones were thrown at him One of the
stones struck him in the back of the
head infiicting a deep cash. The old
! man did all that ne could In stopping
| the flow of blood and then reported
| the case to Minister Morris Kaplan
| The old man was stricken with such
| fear Of the crowd that he dares not go
through that vicinity when he has the
occasion to, without companionship.
| Other complaints of similar nature
| nave been received until the leaders of
| the faith could stand it no longer, and
then 1t was decided to take up a posi-
| ton against the constant assaults.
The police In that district. the He-
| brews claim are not exacting enough,
and the ruffians have little or no fear
of them. Complaints have been made
to the policemen on the beats, but moth
ing ever came out of any of the COM
plants that were lodged.
Another old man, who is now con-
fined to his home suffering from a cut
in his neck back Of the ear was held
up by crowd that inhabits the corner
of Plymouth and Green streets. He
tried TO make his escape, when one of
the number let fly a large stone, which
came in connection with the old mans
neck.
Minister Kaplan was the first to take
up arms and interest others in the
movement Of forming the protective as
ISOLATION. At his call of a meeting,
which was held last Wednesday night
at the Plymouth street synagogue, the
seating capacity Of the church was
taxed to its utmost, and to the man
present they all vowed to join the or
ganization and take steps to suppress
the insults that have been heaped up
on them. The membership fee was
fixed at 50 a year, and of the number
present half Of them paid their fees.
A discussion which was entered into
by all was a lengthy and heated one,
and it took some time to decide which
would be the better way of bringing
about the remedy they seek. They all
claimed that handing in reports to po-
lice had become monotonous, and there
was never any real good derived from
it. Mr.. Kaplan then proposed that the
way to get at it was to put the whole
matter into the hands of one or two
prominent lawyers and have them sift
case when there was one, and enforce
the law to its full extent of punish
ment.
His proposition was agreed with I'M
animously, and committee consisting
of Abraham Israel, president Of the
Plymouth street synagogue, Bernard
Wolkovitch Of the Providence street
synagogue and Abraham Pimstein,
president of the Gold street synagogue,
was appointed to engage the lawyers
at no matter what cost, as it was a
thing that should be suppressed regard
less Of expense.
AT the next meeting Of the associa-
ton, the date not as yet being set, the
committee will make a report.
WEI Arr TNTgPTPTID THE C,ZAR