Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-05

Nahum 1e1r Schatkowttz 9uccumhs to
Cancer.
| Nahum Msir 9chaikowits. known to the
Yfddish readers Of two continents a. the
most popular Jewish novelist and play
wright OF the time, died last Friday
morning at O'Clock at the Beth Israel
Hospital. Jefferson and Cherry streets.
New York. after having suffered for
some time from protracted Illness, the
cause of which was q cancer in the stom-
ach.
Mr. Schaikowitz was popularity known
| by his nom de plume name .Shomer." and
his numerous novels and stories ore
known and read In all parts OF the world
Mr. Schaikowftx was one of the pioneers
of the Yiddish literature in Russia and
was one of the first opponents of the cul-
ture movement. His death will be felt as
great loss by his friends and his numer-
Gus admirers. Immediately upon learn
\ Ing the death of Mr.. Schaikowitz the
leading Jewish writers and journalists of
New York assembled at the Educational
| Alliance to take action on his death and
make arrangements for his funeral.
Nahum Meir Schaikowitz was born at
Nesvlzh, government OF Minsk, December
| ID, 1S49. Schaikowitz distinguished himself
! as clever story teller even as boy. His
nrst literary efforts took the form of short
stories in Hebrew for ''Ha-M elizr In this
way he became acquainted with such
writer's as Zebi Hirsch Scherschewski, Dob
sewage and others. Later he became bust
ness =, manager in wilma. and ,,, spent some n,
came under the influence Of the Jewish
theater and resolved to become dramatic
author. He then settled in Odessa, where
wright. His play Der Rewizer" tOdessa.
1888. an adaptation from Gogels "Revizor,"
proved very successful, and showed Schaik-
owttzs talent a writer. After the Jew
In II
owitz went to New York 1SSS), where he
edited Der Menchenfreund and Der Judi
scher Puck, two Judeo-German weekiies.
Scbaikowitz Is the author of several
Hebrew novels, all representing Jewish life
in Russian towns. Among these were
"Mumar le-Hakis" WARSAW, 1870; Kew,
''Ha NIddahat." He wrote also "Kayin."
a novel on Jewish life in Portugal. But
Schaikowitz is especially known as
writer of Judeo- German. taking as model.
and finally excelling Isaac Melr Dick. He
has written over two hundred novels In
Judeo-German, partly historical, partly re-
fecting Jewish life in the small towns and
villages of Russia in the middle of the
nineteenth century. AS his language is
simple, just az 1t Is spoken by the Jewish
masses in Lithuania his novels had the
effect OF greatly decreasing the fanaticism
which prevailed in the small rural and
urban communities. Among his more pop
ular novels are Der Katorzhntc," Der
Blutiger Adieu" and Der Frumer Merder."
the Judeo-German daflies.
Over thirty of Schaikowitz's plays have
been produced, first in Russia, then IN New
York. among them being one entitled "Tizla
Eslar," on the subject Of the blood accu-
sation brought In the Hungarian town Of
that name. He was the subject of violent
attacks by s. Rabinoyitz, who directed
against his "Shomer's Mispat," reproaching
him for his literary deficiencies. Schaik-
owitz successfully defended himself In
pamphlet entitled ''Yehi Or showing that
his literary problem was to satisfy every
plane aof intelligence, from the householder
to the servant girl, who could not under
stand the works of the later Judeo-German
writers.
Mr. Schaikowitz Is survived by widow.
three daughters and a son, Abraham s.
Shomer, lawyer. who is well known on
the east side Of New York. At the funeral
Of the Yiddsh novelist, which took place
last Sunday. his great popularity was evil
denced by the fact that about 100000 peo-
pie turned up to honor his remains as he
passed through the streets of the east Side.
It was the largest funeral procession ever
seen in the Jewish quarter. Services were
held at the Educational Alliance. and eulo-
giles were delivered by number Of we'll
known Yiddish writer's and leaders of
thought in the community. The novelist
was buried at Union Hills cemetery In
Queens