Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-04-15
DELIVERS SERMON,
IS THEN SHOT DEAD
EDITOR OF BELGIUM PUBLlcA-
TioN SLAIN BY RELIGIOUS
RUSSIAN FANATIC AFTER
SERVICES.
ELDER GETS THREE BULLETS
officer of Mission Lies in Hospital
and Can Scarcely Recover, While
Assassin, Who Holds Back
Crowd, Makes Good
His Escape.

Pittsburg, Pa.-Editor Frank Skala
of the Christian Journal, Bel
gian publication, after preaching
sermon in the Second Presbyterian
church mission of Woods Run, North
Side, was shot dead as he stepped
from the church by Michael Rewdicz,
religious Russian fanatic, who also
tried to kill Elder John Gay of the
church mission. Gay is in hospital
with three bullets in his body and can
scarcely recover, while the murderer
Of Skala has escaped.
Takes Exception to Remarks.
Skala has been considered the lead
er of his people in western Pennsyl-
vania. The little mission church was
crowded. Rewdicz, who is understood
to belong to many Russian societies,
attended the services. He took ex-
ception to some remarks made by
Skala in his sermon and rising, de-
manded in a loud tone that he be
heard
II will answer your questions after
church and outside the church," said
Skala.
This seemed to satisfy Rewdicz for
he sat down. 1t is now recalled that
all the time he was speaking with
Skala he kept his hand in his pocket,
the same one from which he drew a
revolver later. Skala appeared to for
get all about the incident for when
church was over he quickly left the
building with Elder Gay. They were
forcing their way through about $50
members of the congregation who had
stopped to chat outside the doors of
the church when Rewdicz confronted
| them.
What can l do for you, my good
| friend?" said Mr.. Skala attempting to
seize RewdicZ by the hand.
The Russian was much excited
however, and continued to gesticulate
and finally planting himself in front
| of Mr.. Skala he pulled a revolver
from his pocket and shot him through
the breast. Mr.. Skala dropped dead
in his tracks and as Gay started to
run he was shot through the back by
the frenzied man.
Slayer Keeps Crowd at Bay.
Many people were trampled upon
in their haste to get away when the
crazed man began shooting. There
were a few who remained near and
some threw stones at RewdicZ, who
still had some charges left in his re-
volver. He waved the weapon
threateningly as he backed up the
steps into the little mission church
A crowd of 500 soon collected, but the
murderer held them all at safe dis
tance with his revolver for about 90
minutes and at the same time he pre-
vented the body of Skala being lifted
from where it fell and also prevented
the giving of assistance to Gay, who
showed some signs of life. The con
gregation and some outsiders threw
stones, breaking most of the windows
of the church, in their effort to ge
RewdicZ. After half an hour the muir
derer with a revolver in each hand
stepped out Of the church door, drove
the crowd up and down the street
and then started a foot race for
street car line at the top of hill
The crowd chased him but a few
blocks when he turned and fired sev
eral shots at his pursuers. At tn,
top of the hill he came up with a sub
urban farmer named Case who had
buggy, and making him alight he tool
the vehicle and fed into the country