The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-08-12
PRIEST FORCED TO
LEAVE NEWARK BY
BLACK HAND NOTES
Father Seryetka Attacked
While Abroad for a Walk
in Adams Street.
rORMENTORS HOUND HIM
THROUGH THREE CITIES
Letters State That Unless lie
Pays $1,000 He Will Be Dealt
with Violently.

Wearing that his life would be taken
BY the Blackhanders. who rave thrice
threatened him, and who have
Swallowed his every move, the Rev.
Michael Servetka, temporary pastor of
the Lithuanian Church of Holy Trinity,
a fed the city. The little frame
shurch and parsonage on the corner of
New York avenue and Adams street, in
the hotbed of the BLACK Hand Belt"
Of the I%ronbound section, is nov with
out . pastor, and the flock will be
without a leade until the return of the
regular pastor, the Rev. Vincent Stach-
niew1c1.
Father Servetka Is about 40 years old
and weighs about 400 pounds. He came
here from Brooklyn about our weeks
ago, and after receiving a letter from
nose who mad previously threatened
his life, he left the parsonage and lived
for a week with friends in Elizabeth
port He was bounded to that place
and 30 he returned to this city and
sought the aid of the police. Last Fri
day night, while out walking, he was
attacked at the corner of Walnut and
Adams streets. Two men approached
and attempted to seize him. He es-
capped by rushing into a drugstore.
Several months ago a saloonkeeper
directly across the street from the
church vas shot and killed by a youth
because he refused to give him money.
The youth was caught after a running
fight. About a year ago seven attempts
pwerc made to burn the house and barns
of an italian living in the neighbor-
hood, who refused to comply with Black
Hand demands for money.
The first threat against the life of
IN priest. according to the story he
told Captain Christie, was made while
he lived in Brooklyn and while he was
pastor of the Lithuanian Church at
Roebling Inc South Fourth streets.
The threatened priest said that the
man came into the study of the church
disguised as a priest n attacked him.
Unsuccessful in this effort, or only
feigning to be bested in the fight, the
priest could not say which, the man
fled. 4f.s
The mex day he received a note say
ing hat his life would be the forfeit if
he didn't meet them and bring 81, 900
with him. He paid nc attention to the
note and a few days later received the
'IOuOWluB leLuer: !
Fat Fellow-You forget about the
house and the man who sent you the
notice. but we forgive you for not send
ing an answer. But you must give
81, 900 at once or you will die"
This letter was dated July II, and
bore no signature: Thoroughly fright
ened, Father Servetka left Brooklyn
and came to this city. He took up his
.@-flA~AA - ~ T-t-.t CI,-4L 49,
sonage. Father Stachniewicz awaited
himself of the opportunity to take a
brief vacation and left the threatened
priest in charge of the parish.
While he was at the parsonage in
Adams street Father Servetka received
an unsigned note reading:
my Dear Friend-You were in a
hurry to leave Brooklyn and go to New
ark. You will get more han in Brook
lyn-"
Saw Strangers Lurking Around.
II saw several strangers prowling
the house at all hours of the
night" Father Servetka told the po-
lice, IAN fearing for my life, I always
kept the windows and doors locked.
Then I went to live with friends in
Elizabethport, thinking I might put
hem off my trail, but they followed
me-"
While visiting in Elizabethport the
priest received the following letter:
you have run away from our hands.
But we know very well where you are
living. We know every step you take.
We know you passed the bridge Mon
day evening. If you don't meet us at
the bridge mex Monday night and bring
81, 1000 with you you might as well say
goodby to your friends, and goodby to
your life. You will die
This letter vas dated August 3, and
was addressed to the priest at pa Ripley
place, Elizabethport, and was mailed
from station J, New York.
Father Servetka appealed to Acting
Captain Burnett, of the Third Precinct,
on Sunday night. n he assigned two
men to guard the priest. The priest,
accompanied by the two plainclothes-
men, went to New York. Nothing has
been heard from the three men.
I'VE expect some disclosures" de-
clared Acting Captain Burnett today.
and for that reason cannot give out all
the information in our possession. I am
willing to say that there will be some
arrests shortly"