The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-06-01
MANY ALIENS NAIURAlIzFD:
Two SALOONKtEPtRS IN BAD
SeveDy-five Aliens Examined and
Made Citizens Out of sc
Cases Heard
PERJURY CHARGES POSSIBLE

Houghton county today has 20 more
American citizens than when the sun
came up yesterday morning, that
many out OF class of s6 being adj
mitted to citizenship i'm the circuit
court. OF the 81 men whose petitions
were filed and who were examined but
failed 20 pass two, both Hancock
saloon men. face the possibility OF be-
ing forced 10 answer 10 charges OF
perjury I'm connection with either their
applications for citizenship papers or
their applications for saloon licenses.
The first one Of these 10 find himself
ain bad" is Frank Isolombi, who wa,
found TO be in the saloon business,
although the new state law makes il
imperative that man be a citizen OF
the United States in order TO be
granted a license. In order to set the
liquor license the applicant must take
oath that he is a citizen and it is the
contention of some that Isolombi IA
taking that oath, perjured himself.
His application for citizenship papers
was continued and the judge ordered
an investigation 10 be made BY the
sheriff and the prosecuting attorney.
The other man who finds himself In
something Of the same prediCament
Is Gust Divecchio. This man has been
conducting a saloon in Hancock foI
several years and a year ago last Fec
ruary he filed an application for citi-
zenship and. when his case was called
for examination by the naturalization
expert, a year ago, he admitted that
he had twice been arrested, convicted
and fined for violation Of the liquor
laws. on account OF this his applica-
ton at that time was refused. This
application was refused on February
% OF last year and he filed his new
application February S. 1910. in orCer
that it might be heard at this term
OF court. When Divecchio appeared
for examination yesterday. he was
closely questioned by Examiner H. l.
Roethe. as were the two citizens VINO
signed his application. Bert Milano and
Leonard Nicola.
License in Nicolas Name.
In answer TO question put 10 him by
the naturalization expert Divecchio
told the court that he is a clerk" i'm
the employ OF Leonard Nicola and said
that Nicola has the license for the
place formerly run by himself. Elk
pert Roethe said TO the judge. 1T il
quite apparent 20 me that no sale was
ever made. and don't think the appI-
cant is any better fitted for citizenship
than he was a year ago." He then
turned his attention TO the two men
who had signed affidavits for Divec-
chic and asked them many questions
as TO the character and general fit
ness Of the applicant for naturaliza-
tion. The judge agreed that Divecchio
was not ready TO have conferred upon
him the blessings Of citizenship ana
continued his case for six months. IN
vestigations Of the records in the Office
OF the county treasurer show that
Divecchio filed a bond for a liquor
license but never took out the license.
whereas a license was granted to
Nicola, who is credited with the pay
ment OF the fee.
Another interesting thing was
brought to light when it was discovered |
that John Funkey, one OF the leading /
citizens and businessmen OF Hancock |
and a member of the Houghton county /
board of supervisors from his ward in |
Hancock, is not citizen Of the United |
States. This was brought TO light by /
Mr. Funkey appearing as a witness for |
a friend who was to be naturalized |
The naturalization expert had looked /
up in the records the supposed natur-
alization Of Mr.. Funkey's father IN |
Wayne county years ago, and had |
found that the older Funkey had taken
out only his first papers. like many
other old residents and voters, as on.
could vote on his first papers i'm those
days. Of course, the application Of
Mr.. Funkey's friend was refused and
he was advised 10 file a new applica-
ton, as was also Mr. Turnkey. Mr..
Funkey was very sad man when he
left the court room, as he has been