The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-07-08
TROUBLE IN
POLISH CHURCH

| After quiet for several months. fric-
| has again broken out among some mem
bers Of the congregation of st. Hedwig's $
Polish Roman Catholic Church. 1t will
be remembered by persons who can re-
call the redpepper throwing episode in
which some members of the congrega-
tion figured about year ago that these
people adopt more vigorous means Of
combat than most church going people.
1t is claimed by Theodore Sikorshi, a
former member of the congregation, that
the pastor, Father John $. Gulcz, sland.
cred him in his sermon yesterday morn
ing and herein lies the greater part of the
trouble, for Mr.. Sikorski resents the al
legged imprecatons of the priest.
| But it is said there are other troubles.
The talk among the Polish people is that
harmony does not exist among the MEM
| bers of society of women of the church,
and the mutterings of weeks past cumin-
| ated in an exchange Of hot words at a
meeting yesterday.
| Theodore Skorski who claims he was.
slandercd is the proprietor of the Gen
| eral Pulaski House, No. 61S West Front
| street. He declared last night that he
would engage a lawyer today and would
endeavor to make Father Gucz take
back certain remarks made at 10 o'clock
mass in st. Hedwig's Church yesterday.
1t appears that on last Wednesday
afternoon Michael Masoilk who boarded
with Sikorski, was suddenly taken i'll
while lying on lounge in the dining
room. He was carried into the yard so
t1x1a ~.
fore a physician could be summoned.
Masolk had been a member Of st.
Hedwig's Church but since the trouble
there had been going to the Sacred Heart
Church and priest from that church,
who had been summoned, arrived after
the man was dead.
The funeral took place Saturday from
the Sacred Heart Church.
Father Guicz at 10 o'clock mass yes
terday referred to the death of Masoilk
and it il claimed by Sikorski that he
declared Masoilk died in that slop house
on Front street and that they, the people
there, were laughing while he was dying.
Mr.. Sikorski since the trouble at st.
Hedwig's Church has left the church and
now attends the Sacred Heart Church
hut his wife and children still go to
st. Hedwig's. His son, John Sikorski,
and his hired girl, Annie Rokoski, were
at mass and heard the remarks made by
the priest and were greatly shocked
thereby.
Mr. Sikorski said last night that Mas
olk had been employed by Pennock &
Go. andl had boarded with him for three
years. He died suddenly of heart dis
ease. Sikorski says he paid due respects
to the deceased and had his place closed
for three days. He saw that he had a
decent burial. Masoilk was SO years OF
age and unmarried.
1t is said that meeting of the society
Of women spoken of was held yesterday
afternoon for reorganization. Father
Gulrz was present. Some thought the
present secretary and treasurer had held
the position long enough and opposed
their reelection. Others favored their
continuance in office and the trouble
began.
Words flew thick and fast so the re-
port goes, and there was general uproar
for time. There were r,lmors that red.
pepper mixed up in the air with the (
words but this was denied by people |
who were asked about the matter last
night.