Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-08-16
POLISH WOMEN THREW PEPPER.

Fierce Assault on Four Officers at st.
Hedwig's Church-Many Arrests Likely.
While Sergeant James B. Tucker and
Patrolmen John Ford, J. I. Scott and
Maurice Flynn were esoorting the Rev.
John Gulcz into st. Hedwig's Polish
Roman Catholic Church, Linden
street, between jackson and Van Buren,,
of which he is pastor, Sunday morn
ing, they were assaulted by women
with red pepper. In spite of this un-
expected assault, the officers held their
tempers and succeeded 10 their under
taking and arrested three women sup
posed to be ring leaders IN the attack
The defendants, Elsie Smith, jose
phine Ruzenski and Kate Ruzenski,
were admitted to bail. At Monday
session of the City Court, they
failed to answer to their nalnes and
their bonds we're forfeited. An attach
ment was issued in each case.
The trouble at st. Hedwig's has
been in progress for some weeks, one
party being opposed to Pastor Gulcz.
On Sunday week, the priests oppon-
ents prevented the holding of services
and at meeting Friday night deter
mined to prevent services Sunday.
On Saturday, Father Gulcz asked
Chief Of Police Massey for protection
on Sunday, and the chief detailed the
officers mentioned to see TINT he was
able to hold the services unmolested.
They met Father Gulcz at the parochial
residence about O'Clock Sunday
morning and started with him towards
the church. A large crowd, expecting
trouble, had gathered in the neighbor-
hood, and the police found a compact
budy of men and women in the yesti.
bule of the church determined to pre-
vent the priests entrance.
In the front uf the crowd in the
vestibule were the women, and wher
Sergeant Tucker and his men began Il
elbow them aside to permit Father
Gulcz to enter, they threw forth 1
shower OF red pepper at the officers
heads. Protecting their eyes as we'll al
they could, the police continued thei
advance, and were aided by the friend
of the priest when they might hav,
been forced back. They were able t.
make their way to the door and 20
Father Guloz safely inside. Mean
while all the officers had been showeret
with pepper, and it is estimated tina
four pounds of it were used. Sergean
Tucker Was struck in the ear and eyes
} Officer Ford was struck in the eyes
Officer Flynn in the nose and Office
Scott in the head. Not only did tn
, women throw pepper, but they also use
their fists against the police, and wer
! backed uI by the men.
, The officers arrested Elsie Smith an
, Josephine and Katie Ruzenski rs bein
. implicated in throwing the pepper.
> response to request from Sergean
: Tucker, reinforcements headed by Cap
Black, came to the scene 10 the patrt
] wagon, and assisted in clearing th
!. fighting crowd from in front of tn
5 church. In trying to arrest woman
. Officer Ford was set upon by numeror
$ Poles and his helmet was crushed an
: some subppnas and other papers wei
q torn. He was rescued by other officer
, Under the protection of the polio
0 the 7.30 and 0. 80 o'clock masses wei
y conducted by Father Gulcz. Afte
wards the church was closed fer Il
d day, and he was escorted to his res
9 dence.
g The policemen washed the red pepp
from their faces and ayes with milk.
y Father Gulcz says about 81 persoi
|. were implicated in the attack on II
n officers and warrants were sworn OF
II Monday for them. The offenders are
have hearing this morning.