The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-12-11

hC-uib VI NOEOAHtrp IN0tlt1-L tF n L.
bernia Yesterday.
Those who have never been in Hi
bernia, the mining village located
some four miles north of Rockaway,
this county, need never want to 20
there. Inhabited largely by foreign
miners of various nationalities, when
booze commences to flow riot is
rife. There are many good people
living there, and there is also a large
number who are not near as good.
Upper Hibernia is divided into three
portions or settlements, closely join
ing each other, and ia one of these
settlements the Hungarians are
located, while in another the Poles
have gathered unto themselves. There
is always trouble there, and more
especially after payday.
A year ago or more Hebrew ped
dler named Cohen and Hungarian
met their deaths in a grove near the
village, and coroner's inquest failed
to elueidate the exact manner in
which they were killed. The Hum
garian may have been accidentally
killed. Cohen was certainly murdered,
not for booty, but to ayenge the death
of Hun
"Polinky,' mixture of beer and
whiskey, is the favorite tipple in that
vicinity, and pistols are as plentiful as
blackberries, and with that half
savage population are frequently
brought in play.
On Saturday evening Frank Betsa,
a Russian Pole, employed in one of
the iron mines there, got loaded with
whiskey and then went to his board
ing-house and engaged in a quarrel
with Kaziski his landlord Kaziski
cauldn't quiet him, and he sent for
Daniel Rooth, mining boss, who
lived next door, to see what be could
do with Betsa. Rooth was followed by
his wife and daughter Minnie. child
of about 10 years of age.
After some trouble the men got
Betsa to his room, and it was supposed
that he had gone to bed. A few min
utes later while the two families were
talking over the matter, they were
startled by three pistol shots and
the breaking of the window glass, and
then saw Minnie reel and fall to the
floor She was quickly picked up and
it was seen that she had been wounded
in the forehead by one the bullets.
This was about 8 O'Clock. She was
taken to her home and DIR. Foster
summoned. He could do nothing to
save her life and she died at about 5
O'Clock next morning.
Search was Immediately made for
the assassin. Kaziski went at once to
Betsa s room, but he was not there.
Sheriff Ryerson was telephoned for
he and Jailor Calhoun Orr started for
the scene The authorities at Rock
away were also notified, and Consta-
BILE Dobbins, who knows the ins and
outs of Hibernia took back road for
that place On his way he met Besta,
whom he did not know. Thinking
that he might be the man he arrested
him and took him to the Rockaway
lookup. BetSa was arraigned before
Justice Saunders Rooth and Kaziski
were on hand and identified Betsa and
he was committed to the county jail
in MorriStown.
Coroner Surnburger went to Hi
bernia on Sunday viewed the body;
impaneled jury, secured as much
evidence as he was able to collect, and
announced the inquest for Thursday
Minnie Rooth was the only child
left of seven, her brothers and sisters
having died during the diphtheria
epidemic of two years ago, when north
ern Morris was severely scourged.
Betsa has been in this country five
or six years, yet he speaks little En-
glish. He is about 28 years old, and
heretofore has borne the reputation
of quiet man and hard worker.
Betsa does not deny the shooting,
but asserts that he does not remember
anything of it, and if he did kin the
girl it was unintentional Lawyers
John M. Mills and David f. Barkman
have been retained to defend him.
The pistol used in the shooting has
not yet been found, but this is not
an unusual thing in shooting cases
where the Slavonic races are concerned,
as they are possessed of the idea that
if the weapon of assault cannot be
found their chance of escape is bet
tered.
The inquest was held yesterday at
the home of the child's parents. Prose-
cutor Rathbun was present and con-
Quoted the inquiry on the part OF the
State. Messrs. John M. Mills and
David F. Barkman appeared IN be-
half of the prisoner Betsa.
DIR. Lumsden, who reached the
house within few minutes after the
shooting, testified that the bullet
caused her death.
DR.. Foster, who made the autopsy,
exhibited skull and showed the jury
the course taken by the fatal bullet
Daniel Rooth, father Of the dead
girl, told of Besta's action at the
Kaziski house; Of the various threats
accused had made against John Ka-
ziski, his wife, and Augustus Muns0n;
of the efforts made to get him TO bed
Betsa had knife, which was taken
from him. The pistol must have been
overlooked perhaps he had it m his
room. When the first shot was tiFed
witness exclaimed, For Gods sake,