Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-26
A GYPSlES FEUD.
California Clan Causes Kansas City
Leaders, Arrest.

Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. 25.-The
trouble of band of gypsies, which has
been camped in the West bottoms, is
one Of the most peculiar and compli-
Gated that have been brought to the
attention Of the police for several years.
The band came during the latter part
Of November, and the men have appar-
entity been hard working and honest.
Repeated requests have been made by
the police of San Francisco, on COM
plant of the head of another branch of
tribe there, for the arrest of Louis
Mitchell, the chief of this branch.
November II, warrants were issued in
California court for the arrest of
Mitchell, and were received here, yes
terday. Mitchell was arrested and
taken before Justice Hicks but was re-
leased under $500 bond to insure his
appearance before the court at any
time. The charge against Michel is
that he stole $4,000 from John Joe, the
head of a clan of gypsies now in San
Francisco.
There are about 20 gypsies in the
tribe here, and they live in one house,
OF 1441 Wyoming street. Mitchell is the
only one who speaks English at all, and
he converses only so brokenly that it
has taken the police several days at
different times to get the trend of his
story. Captain Weber has been work.
ing on the case for some time, and has
been able to get some facts in regard
to their history and their troubles.
Until last summer three tribes of
gypsies lived peaceably together in San
Francisco. Louis Mitchell, whose
gypsy name is Groffo Zerka, was the
head of one tribe, and John Joe the
head Of another. There was one other
division, which does not figure in the
trouble.
All Of the members of the tribe are
wealthy. 1t is said that Zerka has
SIS, 900 in gold in his possession, and
his wives and children also large sums.
In California the members of the tribes
lived in tents, and Joe claims that last
summer Zerka entered his tent and stole
from him $4,000 in American gold coins
and $1,000 in French and Spanish coins.
The police believe that Joe lost $4,000.
but with them there is some doubt as
to whether Zerka took it. The charge
Of theft broke up the tribes completely.
One clan went to Chicago and is there
now. The other, of which Zerka is
chief came to Kansas City. John Joe's
branch remained in San Francisco.
Zerka had been here but a few days
when he learned that he had been follow
ed by John Joe and his two brothers,
Nicholine and George. The three broth
ers did not go into the Zerka camp for
some time, but apparently prowled about,
watching Zerka and his people from a
distance. Finally the three brothers Ven-
tured into the camp in Kansas City and
made friends with the members. After
they had been there several days they
took $3.50 from Zerka by stealth and were
arrested on the following day. When
taken before Judge Hicks the three Joe
brothers admitted the theft and offered
to refund the money This was done and
Zerka refused to prosecute. Zerka then
feared he was in danger of bodily harm
at the hands of the Joe brothers and
asked police protection. The Joe brothers
went to Denver soon after and there made
attempts to get warrants to have Zerka
arrested. From there they went back to
San Francisco and there succeeded in get
ting out warrants for Zerka.
Two Americans were arrested on the
charge of having robbed John Joe, but
the case was not a good one and they
were released. The police have sent for
the California officials, who know more
of the case and will be here to look after
the case of Zerka.
The head of each clan Is the absolute
ruler over it's members. Zerka has sew
eral wives. His children and his sons,
with their wives and children, are in real
ity subjects of his.
The Gypsies are skilled coppersmiths.
Their speciality is repairing copper kettles
used in candy kitchens and in hotels: A
copper kettle such as is used in these
places costs from $40 to $100 When the
bottom is burned through it is generally
considered useless and beyond repair. The
Gypsies, however, for one-sixth of the
original price of the kettle are able to
make it as good as new. They have been
at work in Kansas City for over month
now and it is said. are making from $40
to $50 a day. When the kettles of one
town have all been repaired the Gypsies
go on to another town.
1t is by the practice of their craft and
by their thrift that they have been able
to save a small fortune The cost of liv-
ing for the entire tribe Is probably not
more than it costs the ordinary family to
live. They have a long, fiat copper stove
of this they keep their only cooking uten-
sill, large copper Stewpan. In this all
the food is cooked and the members Of
the tribe sit around this and together par
take of the mixture cooked in it.
Zerka declares he Is innocent of the
charge and has been to the police time
and again begging for protection. A cor
respondence has been kept up continually
between the Kansas City and San Fran
cisco police, but the authorities in Cali
as the head of the tribe which Joe declar-
ed robbed him until Joe himself made
visit here.