Area History: "THE BLOODY FIRST", 1902 Copyright © 1997 by Jay R. Zane. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. JRZane@bigfoot.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. _________________________________________________________________ Schuylkill County, PA. Lithuanians By Jay R. Zane "THE BLOODY FIRST" July 30, 1902 would be the date that the Lithuanian dominated First Ward of Shenandoah, Pa. would earn it's nickname as the Bloody First Ward. It was on that date during the mine strike (which started in May, 1902) that tensions erupted into death and mayhem. Joseph BEDDALL, a local hardware store owner, went to assist his brother who happened to be a county deputy sheriff. Thousands of miners and their supporters were demonstrating near the Railroad station when the angry mob turned on Mr. BEDDALL. He was assaulted, kicked, and beaten "almost to jelly." The Shenandoah police were summoned and desperate fighting ensued...bullets began to fly. In fact, one bullet shot over the head of my great-grandmother, Victoria RASIMAS ALEX(INAS) as she looked out of her saloon window. The newspapers blamed all the trouble on the "foreign" element which had settled in Schuylkill County. The National Guard was called in by the Governor of PA to restore order. The length of the strike led to near starvation conditions for these Lithuanian ancestors. The riot in the ethnic enclave of the First Ward of Shenandoah, PA on July 30, 1902 resulted from labor's demand for an eight-hour work day for the coal miners. Three persons were killed and over 30 were injured. The Pennsylvania National Guard had to be called out by Governor Stone. The streets of Shenandoah were soon after patrolled by soldiers riding on horseback brandishing rifles and boyonets. The town's doctors were kept busy. One physician alone removed 18 bullets from the wounded. The state's Fourth and Eighth regiments were stationed on the streets of the predominently Lithuanian and Polish neighborhood until the end of October, 1902. At first several of the townspeople would throw stones at the troops but the citizens and the soldiers gradually became accustomed to one another and violence was kept at a minimum. The 1,500 soldiers set up camp at Columbia Park. Calvary trooper Stewart CULIN gave a sympathetic view of the situation in Shenandoah. When he arrived with his troops he was impressed by the cleanliness of the population..."The miners were quiet and undemonstrative...the women were barefooted, in calico dresses...the styles and patterns of dress differentiated the Polish from the Lithuanian women...swarms of children played about with absolute freedom...nearly every other house appeared to be a saloon bearing foreign names." The trooper later befriended the pastor of St. George's, Father ABROMAITIS, who explained to him that the Lithuanian spoken in Shenandoah was influenced by Poland, Russia, and Prussia which resulted in 3 major dialects. The August 5th, 1902 edition of the "Miners Journal" covered the large funeral for Joseph BEDDALL, who was beaten to death by the angry mob near the railroad station in the First Ward. It gave little mention of sympathy for the other victims of the riot. The paper referred to it an "another drunken brawl by the foreign element" broken up by troops. The troops considered the southern end of Shenandoah to be the toughest part of town and government officials confessed to the General their inability to cope with the out-and-out insurrection. This required two companies of infantry to be stationed in the southern section of town. A deputy sheriff gave the following version of events during the hearing that followed: "On July 30, 1902 at about 5pm on my way home my attention was directed to crowds collecting and men running in large numbers to the east of me towards the Lehigh & Reading R.R.. I went over towards them and heard a number of men yelling "scab." I asked assistance of the citizens to persuade the men to disperse. I passed on up towards Emerick Street and the crowd followed. My attention was then drawn to 3 men who followed me up the railroad to the depot. The crowd kept repeating "Scab," and other offensive words. I turned and saw 3 men who I did not know. They proved to be Mr. GOOD, Mr. HENNER, and Mr. VAUGHN who worked for the railroad. Mr. Good told the crowd that they were not scabs but the crowd surged forward. A member of the crowd tore open a bundle from oneof the men and revealed a dinner pail and overalls. Immediately the 3 men were pounced upon and knocked down. Stones were thrown at them, beaten and kicked violently. I immediately revealed that I was a deputy and began to read them the riot act. I heard someone yell out "To hell with the sheriff....we must kill the scabs." I then drew my revolver and fired twice in the air over their heads. The crowd did not fall back but continued to press in and beat the 3 men. I then began firing again and the crowd retreated. I and the three men hurried to the railroad depot. The crowd continued to throw stones and the numbers increased to the thousands. They howled and yelled like fiends and threw rocks through the windows. I held the crowd at bay until the police arrived. With their assistance we got into the train and departed town under a hail of rocks and bullets. Two hours later I learned that my brother, Joseph BEDDALL, a hardware store owner, was beaten to death coming to my assistance." This is the conclusion of the history of the Bloody First Ward riot of 1902 in Shenandoah, PA which involved many of our ancestors. Comments or additional information appreciated. Jay Zane Chartered in 1916 the undersigned members of the Lithuanian Independent Beneficial Club, the Lithuanian Sons Society, Spindulys Szvieses, The Great Lithuanian Duk Vytautas Citizens Society, all citizens of Minersville, Schuylkill County, PA formed to operate a public cemetery. ------------------------------------------------------------- John ALABURDA, J. ALISAUSKAS, Frank BALCIUS, Joseph BAZDONAS, J. CIUDINIS, William CHUDEN, John COUSER, Antanas DELTUNA, Francis GALETZ, George GUDELUNAS, William GUOBAILIS, Andrew HERBERT, John KAVELSKY, Lewis KLEVINSKY, A. LEONAS, Anthony LEVONAS, Martin MARTULIS, J. MEDELIS, John PUODZUNAS, Joseph RAMONAUSKAS, George SABUBUCKAS, J. SAVUKYNAS, Charles SHILKATIS, K. SILKAS, Joseph A. SHUPPAS Jr., J. M. SPUDIS, P. STRAVINSKAS, William SZMUIDIS, Frank J. TOMPOSKI, J. VITKAUSKAS, J. ZEIKUS. St. Vincent de Paul, Girardville, PA Lithuanians organized themselves into a parish in 1904. ------------------------------------------------------------- Sylvester BIELANKAS, Mr. CHAPLEY, John GREBLICK, Rev. A.M. MILUKAS, Walter MARCINCAVAGE, Frank SHIMULAITIS. Lithuanian Political Club of Shenandoah filed a charter on October 2, 1911. ------------------------------------------------------------- John CATLENAS, Joseph DEGUNAS, Dennis O'NEILL, Rollin MATULEWICZ, Anthony METCUFSKIE, Enoch METCUFSKIE, A.C. NOWAKOSKI, Alex WALUKONIS, Enoch WOLACONIS. The National Lithuanian Union charter was filed in Schuylkill County, Pa on October 31, 1887 and the following were the founding members. ------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph ANDREWSKY, Mateoszius ANDRINKYTIS, Peter BIAZGEL, John BOBBEL,Matthias CZMEROFSKE, Stanislaus MACZINSKAS, Jonas MIELDAZIS, Andirus MILAUCYAS, George NAUJUNAS , John ROGERS, George SACOLISKI, Juozas SZABRINSKAS, Charles ZUNCS. People who had dealings with Dr. Jonas Sliupas. ------------------------------------------------------------- Matthew ANDRUKAITIS, Anthony ALEX, George BINTKUS, Rev. Vladislovas DEMBSKIS, Joseph KEISER, Joe KUPCZUNKAS, Joseph KUTNUSKUI, Joseph & Peter LUTWENUS, Ludvika MALINAUSKAS, John MEILDAZIS, George NANJUNAS, John PETRIKA, Charles RADZIEWICZ, John ROGERS, George SHEMANSKY, Anthony SHUKOSKI, Aldona SLIUPAS, Kestutis SLIUPAS, Rev. SLIUPAVICIUS. Basketball team from Sacred Heart Parish, New Philadelphia, PA in early 1930's. ------------------------------------------------------------- John BENDER, Andrew GALASKY, Daniel LAURINAITIS, Vincent POPLOSKY, John SAVITSKY, Joseph SHATUS, John SHELESKY, Stiney SOCKS. (GIRLS TEAM): Helen DAUCHUS, Anna KEMINSKY, Mary PIERCE, Helen POPLOSKY, Helen SHELAVAGE, Julia ZUBRIS. St. Johns Church, Coaldale, PA. ------------------------------------------------------------- Adam ADAMAITIS, Frank BUGERAVAGE, Rev. CAROLUS, Rev. DURITSKAS, Rev. GUDITIS, Rev. KLEVENCE, Rev. Rev. MOCKUS, Rev. POTENUS, Rev. TISHKUS. Chartered in 1910 the Lithuanian Citizens Beneficial Club of St. Clair, PA Original members ------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph BUTCAVAGE, Andre KLEINOT, Thomas SENCIK, Alex SKROBIEL, Peter MISONIS, William WHITKUNAS. Girardville Lithuanian Band, chartered in 1915. ------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony BANN, John BANN, John BERNOTAS, Joseph BRADULAS, Charles BULESKIE, Joseph BULESKIE, John CUTHY, Anthony GLINSKAS, James GOMASKI, James KASAKITIS, Albert KRICK, Edward KRICK, George KRICK, Alex LAPINIS, Joseph LAPINIS Jr., Charles A. MACHEASE, Stiney OFFSHANY, Anthony POJKENIS, Peter POLOKITIS, Frank POMPLIS, Edward SHERMAN, John SHERMAN, Joseph SPANIAL, Stephen SUBUSKIE, Joseph SURKITIS, Michael J. SUSCAVAGE, Joseph WHITCAVAGE, Paul ZELLIS, Joseph ZUBY Sr., Joseph ZUBY Jr., Anthony ZUTULAS, Joseph ZUTULAS. Austras Bromu Lanelas Szwencziousos of Girardville, PA chartered June 15, 1908. ------------------------------------------------------------- Tuoras AWANAWIZE, Walter CAIHINAHIE, Walter CUTSAVAGE, Stiney CZEPUKAITIS, John CZERNESKY, Anthony LAUCONIS, Charles LUGOSKIE, Frank SHALVIS, George SIMANAVAGE, Calis SOWIGLE, Tonas SURDOKAS. The first Lithuanian Band in the U.S. was started in 1884 in Shenandoah, PA. Charter members were: ------------------------------------------------------------- Peter ALYTA, John BASKEFIELD, Nicholas CAMINSKY, W. CURTIN, Charles DADURKA, John KARPAITIS, Mike MARCIENKIERWICZ, Harry MCDONALD, John MIELDAZIS, Charles NORK, Simon NORK, Aug POSCAVAGE, Joseph POSCAVAGE, Adam ROWAROFSKI, William STROLLIS, Mathias WALENTINOVICZE. St. George's Lithuanian Catholic Beneficial Society formed December 19, 1891 in Shenandoah, PA. Charter Members: ------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony ACKERMAN, Anthony ALEX, Lewis AMBROSE, George AMCENEWEICZ, Mathias ANDZA, Anthony BERGENOY, Wm. D. CHIMELBUSKI, Adolph FABOR (or TABOR), Anthony GRIMIES, Wlady KAMINSKI, Andy KARPOWSKY, Peter KAZAKIEWICZ, Joseph KEPCHUSKI, Anthony KIGOLIS, John KRITISLCKAS, Anthni MALZESKI, Andrew MELUSKY, John MIELDASIS, Michael PODELESKI, William RACZKUS, John ROGERS, Jos. ROYTKIEWICZ, Anthony R. SPRODES, Joseph STRAEMECK, Frank SHOBRINSKI, Andrius WAITKIEWIZCY, Mathias WALENTYNIVICZ. The Lithuanian American Fraternity was chartered in 1916 by the following: ------------------------------------------------------------- Adam ADOMAITIS, Martin BERNATONIS, Bernard BRAZINSKAS, Konstan GRIGAS, Adomas JURKONIS, Martin LAUZAUNIKAS, John LENNICK, Matt LITWINAWICZ, Anthony MORKUNAS, John POULIUKONIS, Anthony SABALIAUCKAS, George SHAUDIS, Adolphas WASILIAUCKAS. The Lithuanian Citizens' Independent Club of Brownsville, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, PA was chartered in 1915 by the following: ------------------------------------------------------------- John ALEKNOVAGE, John BALKUS, Joseph CHERNESKY, Joseph LAWSON, Stiney MARCINKEWICZ, Anthony WESCHILLA, William WYLANTIS. Lietuvos Yannumienics Beneficial Society of Minersville, PA formed in 1915 by the following: ------------------------------------------------------------- Stiney ALISOWSKY, Mike BORASKI, Joseph BUBNIS, Anthony GALISAVICZAS, George GUDELUNAS, John POMERAITIS, Mat STRACHINSI, Vincent VRUBLESKY. The Lithuanian Argirdo Citizens' Society of Gilberton, PA chartered 1893 by: ------------------------------------------------------------- William BUBBLE, Joseph GREEN, William RICE, James SEDRO, Joseph MOCKAITIS, Joseph MULOWSKY, Thomas WILKITUS. The Lithuanian Roosevelt Club of Shenandoah, PA founded 1909by: ------------------------------------------------------------- John BERNATONIS, George DAGILUS, Joseph GLEBUS, Michael GRISHA, A.K. KLIMAS, Walter KLIMAS, Anthony NORKIEWICZ. St. Casimere's Church, McAdoo, PA 1904 early members: ------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. ANILOSKY, Frank BARONOSKY, A. DUGEL, John JUCK, Jacob LAWSON, Mr. SHUNSKY. Lithuanian Citizens Association D.K.L. Alguidas of Shenandoah, PA formed in 1889 by: ------------------------------------------------------------- Peter BYREZTONAS, John BYRISZTONAS, Pius BYRISZTONAS, Michael GLOWCAS, Matius JOHNS, Mattias KIELUS, John LAZAUCKAS, Sebastian MACKAITIS, Stanley MACZINSKAS, Alexander SICIUNAS, George SYMAUSKIS, Vincent VALENTA, Michael VALIZEWITZ. Sacred Heart Catholic Club Class B football champions of 1930 located in New Philadelphia, PA: ------------------------------------------------------------- Coach Alfred URBAN, John SHELESKY mgr., Alexis BERNITSKY, Michael CARBOSKY, Anthony DAUCHUS, Andrew DEVINE, Charles GRIGATIAS, Adam GUSTIS, Red JONES, Michael KEREK, "Ringer" KOVICH, Joseph "Lester" LASKUS, Daniel LAURINITUS, Ralph LAURINITUS, Frank LUTSKY, Albert MANISKY, Michael MATALAVAGE, "Red" McDONALD, John SAVITSKY, Stiney SOCKS, Charles SPOKAS, Joseph STONE, Paul STONIUS. St. George's Parish Clergy, Shenandoah, PA: ------------------------------------------------------------- Peter ABROMAITIS, Alex ALAUSKAS, C. BATUTIS, P. CESNA, Andrew DEGUTIS, George DEGUTIS, J. DOMCIUS, Albin KAMINSKAS, Juozas KARALIUS, Casimir KLEVENCE, Joseph KUTAS, Peter LAUMAKIS, Vencislaus MATULAITIS, V. MARTUSEVICIUS, Anthony MILUKAS, D. MIKSYS, John MICKUN, S. MOZURAS, Joseph NEVERAUSKAS, S. NORBUTAS, Simon PAUTIENIUS, A. SMULKSTYS, T. TASKUNAS. Early Mine accidents in Schuylkill County: ------------------------------------------------------------- Annie BUSCAVAGE, Mrs. August BERBONIS, Joshua BUSTUSKI, Charles GUSTAI, John JUKA, James JUNAS, John KUSCHKO, Paul KUSKNISKI, Wendie KROVISKI, James LASHINSKI, Peter MOKITIS, Martin MOLOCHIS, Peter MOSTOFSKY, William PASSESSKIE, Anthony PITCAVAGE, Adam SAVAGE, Peter SEMMENISKE, Charles SHARIS, Enoch TONCUS, William TONCUS, Joseph WITNOWSKI, Walter WITNOWSKI, Martin WYCHULIS. World War II Memorial, St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Minersville, PA. ------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph ADAMONIS, John ALISAUKSKAS, Joseph BELUNAS, John BOKAN, George DROSKINAS, Albert GOBA, Victor GOBER, Albert KUCHINSKAS, Joseph KUSHLICK, Winfield LEVONAS, Elmer MATULIS, Frank MILAUSKAS, Victor PADELSKIS, Herbert PUKAS, Edward ZURAUSKY. LITHUANIANS IN SHENANDOAH The Lithuanians came to Shenandoah from Danville, PA in 1869. Among the first families were those of: ------------------------------------------------------------- ANDRIUKAITIS, Anthony BAGDANAVICIUS, Vincent BAGDONAS, John BRADUNAS, John BOBINAS (BOBBIN), Vincent CIZAUSKAS (LAWSON), John JAKUBAUSKAS, Matthew KARALIUS, Peter KAZAKEVICIUS, Matthew MATULEVICIUS, Anthony MICKEVICIUS, Stanley MILIAUSKAS, John RACKUS, Margaret SAULINSKAS, John SKRITULSKAS, John SLAVICKAS, Casimer STANYNAS, Brother Augustine ZAICA.