Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1906-02-14
FIRE ON CHURCH MOB.:
CHICAGOANS ALMOST SUCCEED IN
CARRYING OUT VENGEANCE,
AGAINST A PRIEST.
DUE TO GRAFT CHARGES
Parish House Is Wrecked and More Than
Score Injured, Including Police
and Rioters.

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Feb. PA factional
fight which for weeks has rent Provi-
dence of God church, Eighteenth and
Union streets. came to climax yester-
day morning, when the congregation sud
denly was transformed into q bowling
mob which demanded the life of priest
Father Edward Stefanow1cz was driv-
en- from the church and in a riot in front
of his house a few minutes later tho
parish residence was wrecked four de-
tectives were severely injured, and more
than a score of the members of the
church met with injury.
Priest Finally Escapes.
After a fight between the police and
mob of nearly 5000 persons which
lasted more than two hours, the street
was cleared and the priest escaped with
his life.
The trouble grew out of charges of
graft in the church formally made by
committee selected by the congregation
six weeks ago to go over the books,
which were in the possession of Father
Stefanowicz. The priest learned that
the parish books had been placed in the
hands Of a saloOnkeeper and he imme-
dlateiy went to the place and took pos
session Of them.
This act led the already suspicious
pensioners TO believe that the priest
was guilty and the storm swept on, gath
erlng strength until it burst i'll all its
torce In the midst of the services.
Woman Slaps Priests Face.
The service almost was concluded and
Father Stefanowicz was taking up the
morning collection when the trouble be-
gan. Somebody shouted "Thiefr' and
hurled a beer bottle at the priest and
Mrs. Katie Machinski slapped his face
Chase him out of the church, Kill
him, we don't want him teaching us the
word of God" cried several voices and
in moment beer bottles and other mis-
slleS were thrown about the church.
Then there was a rush towards the
priest. With the bowling mob at his
heels the priest rushed into Union street
and around the corner in Eighteenth
street to the parish house. Followed by
the janitor, Father Stefanowicz rushed
into the house and locked the doors. He
then telephoned to the police for assist
ance.
Riot Call Brings Police
Before the police arrived, however, the
house was surrounded by mob of 5000
persons, at least half of whom were
women. A rope had been found some
place and preparations were being made
to hang the priest. Nearly all of the men
had armed themselves with heavy gran
lite blocks The first call for police was
followed by q riot call.
Fire in the air. Don't shoot any of
them if you can help it, was his order.
Just then Detective KilgaIlon was
knocked to the ground by blow from d
club Several women sprang toward him
with hatpins and he was struck by flying
stones.
This was too much, and one OF the de-
tectives fired into the mob. Fannilis fell
to the ground, probably fatally injured
Then the mob fell upon the detectives
Riot calls then were sent in to all Of the
west side stations and to the city hall.
Fifteen Arrests Are Made.
The mob was surrounded by the police
men and driven from the streets. Eff
teen of the ringleaders, among whom
was one woman, were arrested.
The charges Of graft" preferred
against the priest are believed to have
been the result of the taking out of the
hands of the congregation the manage
ment of the affairs of the church some
weeks ago. Archbishop Quigley ordered
that the names of five members of each
church be forwarded to him by the
priests in each church and that from this
list he would select two men to act with
each priest as trustees to manage the
churchs affairs. The ten trustees from
this church resented their ''dismissar'
and the charges against the priest fol-
lowed.