The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-03-29
PRIEST AND THREE
OTHERS TARRED BY
MOB AS DISL0YAL

Four men, including Catholic
priest, were tarred and feathered by
a mob of 300 men and boys at Chris
topher, ILL.,, last night for remarks
that offended the Americans of the
town. Christopher is town of about
5000 population, 100 miles south of
st. Louis.
The priest vino was tarred was
Rev. John Kovalsky, pastor of Pol
ish church. He was given a trial in
the main street Of the town, found
guilty, tarred, made to wave and kiss
the American flag, and assert his 10y
atty.
When the mob had finished Father
Kovalsky mounted barrel and de-
clared "You have given me just
what needed. had no business say
ing the things did"
Father Kovalsky had eluded the
mob until 1915 a. m. He was not at
home when the mob visited his home
earlier in the night, having hidden
elsewhere when he completed the SER
vices in his church.
When the mob returned he had arm
ed himself with shotgun. A 16-
year-old boy gained entrance to the
house, sneakcd up behind the priest,
who was sitting in a chair with the
gun across his knees, and disarmed
him. The boy then threw open the
door to the mob.
Father Kovalsky was taken to the
main street and there witnesses told
of remarks they had heard him make
against the government and President
Wilson. Meanwhile, members of the
mob were relocating the tar that had
been used on the other three men,
earlier in the night, and which had
grown Geld.
When the mob pronounced Father
Kovalsky guilty, after giving him OPP
portunity to deny the statements of
witnesses, the priest was led to an al
ley about forty feet off the main
street.
His shirt was stripped from his
back. Tar was applied to the upper
portion of his body with paddles, and
a pillow case full of feathers shaken
over him. He then was made to pa
rade up and down the main street at
the head of the mob, and carrying an
American flag.
The tarring party was the out
growth of citizens Indignation at the
light fine assessed against grocer
at his trial on charge of making
disloyal remarks. The. trial took
place during the afternoon.
Theodore Hunger, the grocer, who
had been placed in Jail in default of
payment of his 500 fine, was taken
from the Jail and tarred. The crowd
sawed lock from the rear door Of
the Jail and one from the cell in which
Hunger was confined.
Kunger's arrest followed remarks
in his store when woman complained
at having to buy wheat substitutes
with wheat -four. Hunger said to
her, she said: "Don't blame me, blame
that - Wilson"
Hunger was led from the Jail to
the heated tar, and tarred and feath-
cred. He then was compelled to head
the procession, shouting his allegiance
and carrying flag which he had been
made 10 kiss.
Hunger was placed back in Jail by
the mob. Early today he paid his
fine and costs, amounting to SHOPS,
and was released.
1t was said today that Mrs. Hunger
stood by and watched her husband
tarred, without making protest.
W. R. Jones, lawyer of Benton,
ILL.,, seven miles from Christopher,
who had defended Hunger at his trial,
had heard the murmurs and departed
for home. He was overtaken a few
miles from Christopher and brought
back and made to parade with the
mob and perform acts Of loyalty. He
was not tarred
The crowd next sought Henry Ten
brook and Herman Weller and learn
ed they were in clubroom downtown.
Tenbrook and Weller fled to the roof
of the building in which the clubroom
was, and hid behind chimney. A
member of the mob pointed his finger
at them and they came from their
hiding places. They were given a
coat of tar and feathers and made to
walk in the same fashion as Hunger.
They were made to shout, "Hurrah
for Wilson, to hell with the Kaiser"