TH E é E C I—I ( B O H E MI A N) C O MMUNITY

NE W YO R K

WI TH I NTR O DUC TO R Y R E MA R K S O N TH E CE C H O SL O VA K S IN TH E UNITE D STA TE S

B y TH O MA S CA PE K

' (46 com/émené

life ( mléo m

3 ¢ o S .

' ‘ ’ Pu bhshed b the C ze hos l ak Se i n f A menca s Makin Inc o t o . y c v c o g . NE W Y K 1 2 O R . 9 1

CONTENTS PART I ' TH E CE C H S Chapter Page

I . Old Country Ideology Transplanted to the New 5

II . The Number , Distribution and Occupa h l v k 12 tion of Cec os o a s . 14 I I I . Distribution According to States 16 IV . Distribution According to Cities 20 V . The Cech Community of New York

VI . Occupation . h 3 V II . Economic Strengt 6 V 3 8 I I I . The Press 4 IX . Politics and First Political Demonstration . 3 4 X . The Halls 9 50 XI . The Churches X “ II . The Cech Library 5 1 X 2 I I I . The Neighborhood Houses 5 XIV . Benevolent and Other Organizations . . 53

XV . XVI . The Language School 57 XV I I . The Pioneers 58

PART II TH E SLOVA K S FOREWORD Chapter Page

I . Historical Background and Causes of Emigration 80

11 . Statistical 83

I I I . Occupation 8 5

IV . Fraternal Organizations and Churches . 1 V . The Press 9

VI . The Banks 93 3

PA R T I

TH E CE CH S

CHAPTER I

O L D C OUNTR Y IDE O L O G Y TRANS PLANTED T O TH E NE W

I f we analyze the currents and cross currents of f the national life of the Oechs , we Shall ind that

every great movement in the mother country , has produced repercussion among the nationals in

America , that i t synchronized perfectly wi th like

responsive actions here . A brief survey of their

principal activities proves it .

Slovanska Lipa . A society styling itself the Slovanska Lipa (Slavic Linden) was organized in 1 4 I Prague in 8 8 . t s program was national and political— equal rights before the law for Oechs and

Germans , Slavic reciproci ty , constitutional liberty . The name and the purpose appealed to American Oechs so Strongly that in a dozen years every larger b - settlement boasted of a Lipa . The y laws of the domestic Lipas provided for the fostering of t he

mother tongue , founding of circulating libraries ,

encouraging choral Singing , theatricals , etc . The fi American Lipas fully j usti ed their existence . Later , when the advan tages of personal insurance became more fully appreciated several of the Lipas became

charter members of the C . S . P . S . benevolen t organization . The Sokols . The Sokols had their inception also 1 862 . in Prague, in I t is a mistake to think that the system of physical training as practiced by American Sokols is patterned after that of the

German Turners . Back of the Cech system , as ‘’ ‘’ elaborated by Miroslav Tyr s ( 183 2 and Jindrich F u gner ( 1822 -65) was an idea which aimed higher

than the mere training of the body . The Sokol was required to be like the Samurai of old Japan

courageous , faithful to duty, lover of his country . From Bohemia the Sokol ideology spread to other ‘’ Slavic countries . How accurately Tyrs and F u gner had visualized the future signifi cance of this body was demonstrated in the war j ust ended . The Sokols were at the bottom of every move directed

against the Hapsburg monarchy . i Choral sing ng and amateur theatricals . No national group is more given to amateur acting producing plays in the national tongue— than the

Oechs . So much importance is attributed to these theatricals that local historians are wont to register not only the titles of plays acted in this or that settlement , but likewise the names of the talent impersonating the leading roles . Since the Civil

War, New York was never without a dramatic

— at . society times it had as many as Six Priests , editors , farmers , mechanics , business men , domestics — immigrants and their American -born progeny all were eager to taste the exhilaration and the glory of the footlights . Lately amateur impresarios are compelled to lean more and more on volunteers drawn from the ranks of the native born ; in the choral societies , it is no secret , Americans are already in the majority . A mateur stage folk and fi singers combined , have even invaded the eld of light opera . That the fondness for this sort of amusement 6 has been brought over from old Bohemia goes wi th

out saying . Under the Austrian régime , which kept

a watchful eye over the doings of the Oechs , the

Stage , the amateur Stage and later, when actors had been trained and Cech Stock companies started out ro fes on their itineraries from town to village , the p s ional stage , constituted a strong link in the chain

of national revival .

- — Opposi tion to theocracy . One half according to some authorities more than one-half— O f American

Oechs have given up their inheri ted faith . Some j oined other religious bodies , but the bulk of the

dissenters do not affi liate wi th any church . One fi nds nothing quite like it among other immigrants ,

certainly not among American Slavs . What is the $ cause of this religious abstention Here again , to

understand , we must turn back to the fatherland for

- explanation , read the story of this war scarred

country , study the national characteristics of the

people . - The old time Oechs , historians tell us , were

given to religious meditation , clinging tenaciously

to their beliefs . For faith and country the Hussites in the fi fteenth century faced huge armies of cru “ ” a r s de s sent to crush the heretics . The Church

of Bohemian Brethren , from which the Moravians

in England and the United States claim descent , sprung from a desire of its founders and followers to lead purer lives in strict accord with the precepts of

the scriptures . The emigration from Bohemia after 1620 , following the victory of the Hapsburgs over

the Protestants , was of a religious character . Tens of thousands preferred banishment to the renuncia f tion of their aith . The most merciless persecution on the part of the civil and ecclesiastic authori ties during the era of the restoration of C atholicism 1 62 0 178 1 which extended from to , when the Patent of Tolerance was issued, could not wholly eradicate ” the hidden seed . In past ages every Village boasted o f it s ” is mak p , a wise man , who was versed in the :“ pismo , meaning the Bible and who expounded its lessons to the Villagers . Prior to the B attle of White Mountain the Cechs had been Prot n 1 14 - ix es t a t s . 9 s . By , ninety per cent ( according to Austrian Offi cial fi gures) professed the Catholic

- faith . That such a fundamental religious re making O f a people could not be accomplished without leaving a mark on its character and Without influencing the

- direction of its thought , is self evident . At present Bohemia again fi nds herself in the throes of a religious rebirth . A concerted movement u ln 1918 is on foot (it was inaug rated October , , when Cechos lov akia rid herself of the Hapsburgs) , which “ can be expressed in three words : Away from Rome $” Already hundreds of thousands have severed their connection with the O ld church and have joined the Cechoslov ak National Church . “ ’ - $ The self same propaganda , Away from Rome has been carried on in Cech America for more than 1 half a century . The result S as stated at the outset of this paragraph .

Slavic solidarity . No one in particular propagated here the thought of closer cultural relations with

— - other Slavs Slovaks , Russians , Poles , Serbo Cro at ions— yet the idea of Slavic reciprocity, of close comradeship , was popular from the start . Slavic “ congresses ” had been called and societies had been organized to foster and encourage Slavic fraterniza fi tion . The rst body of men to volunteer from Chicago for service during the Civil War received the name Slavonian Rifle Company . In the sixties , 8 as stated elsewhere , settlemen t after settlement “ planted it s Slovanska Lipa society ; other organi z at ions bore the names of Slavic Union , Slavic fi Reciprocity , Slavic Alliance , etc . The rst news “ ” paper was called Slow an A merikans ky (American

- Slav) . In the preface the publisher editor ( Frank “ K o riz ek) addressed himself to the beloved Slavic

nation , and he deplored the fact that that nation “ ” “ lived so disunited in the New World . By Slavic ” ‘’ K o rizek nation of course meant his countrymen , Cechs the only , because no other Slavs (except a 18 61 handful of Poles) , lived at that time ( ) in the

United States . A farming element in Wisconsin became discon tented with conditions in America— aggravated as these were by the bitterness of civil war— and a plan was conceived to move American Cechs to the

province of Amur in Asiatic Russia . Two men were chosen to go to Russia to work there to the end “ that a foundation might be laid for a new fatherland ” 1 in Slavic Russia . Fortunately, this migration never took place ; one member of the committee of

investigation ( Barta) returned to Wisconsin , dis gusted with the red tape methods of the Czar ’ s ‘ Mracfek government . The other ( ) Stayed in Russia and died there . 18 63 During the Polish rebellion of , the formula of Slavic fraternization was given a practical try — w a f out and s ound wanting . In much the same as Cechs way in Bohemia , the in America were divided in their sympathies on the Russo - Polish struggle . One faction , numerically the stronger ,

Sided wi th the Poles ; there were those , however , who loudly defended the course of the Russians .

“ I Th D m 1 e 18 6 . Slavic , ece ber , 21 Cechs s The attitude of the , let it be said , plea ed

nei ther the Russians nor the Poles . The fraternization between New York Poles and Cechs manifesting itself in invitations to and presence

at balls , picnics and meetings , came to an abrupt end when the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia came to 1 1 18 C h 8 7 77 . ec s America in , and again in The of New York and Chicago sent deputations “ to greet erfi our brother Slav . This act of p dy on the part of the Cechs cut the Poles to the quick ; never after that did they invite the Cechs to their social afi airs nor asked them to take part in anything at

which the Russians were present . With Russians w as left out , Slavic accord , , of course , a nullity ; with co- w as Russians and Poles in , operation out of the question .

- During the Russo Japanese war, the Slavic Alliance of New York made an effort to bring under one roof the leading men and women of Slavic blood . But because the Russians came in , it was a suffi cient reason for the Poles to stay out and they did stay out . Sixty years of fraternization with American

Slavs , Sixty years of inspiring speeches at Slavic banquets— what are the evidences of constructive work Almost none . True , the Sokols have carried the Sokol ideology in the ranks of some of the Slavs

. Occasionally joint public protests had been ar ranged and held . As for instance, when the New

York Slavs met in Carnegie Hall , December “ ’ to protest against Austria-Hungary s unjustifi ed 1n ” t erference with the Balkan Slavs . Ask a New York Cech 1n what part of the City - In the Serbo C ro at io ns live . He does not know . quire of a Pole where the Cech quarter is located 1 0 and the chances are he will have to as k a police man to direct him to it . In Chicago , Poles and Cechs professing the same faith bury their dead in a common cemetery . In several instances these

two worship in the same churches . But the tie

that binds in this case is not racial kinship , but religion .

1 1 CHAPTER II

TH E MB B P O F NU ER , DISTRI UTI ON AND OCCU ATI ON C E C H O S L O V A K S

A s a country of origin Austria fi rst appeared in the United States offi cial census in 1 860 ; Bohemi a 1 h 1 1 in 1 870 . The ( 3 t ) census of 9 0 has ascertained 53 3 2 9 9 . , persons of Bohemian and Moravian stock Precisely how many American Slovaks there are and where they live we shall learn for the fi rst time 1 2 when the results of the 9 0 census are made public . The figures of the previous censuses were not de pendable for the reason that census gatherers in fi many instances classi ed the Slovaks as Hungarians . Private estimates by Slovak publicists and the offi cial Washington returns varied greatly ; private

estimates , as a general rule , being invariably much ln higher . Even the Cechs contended the past that the census man has treated them unfairly ; that at each decennial count he caused thousands of their compatriots to disappear 1n the column set aside for

Austrians . Cechoslovak As a state, Pennsylvania leads in 1920 all , with a population of One can easily guess how much of this total is purely Slovak and

how much the share of the Oechs . According to the 1910 Cechs a census of , the in Pennsylvania g re at ed 1n g g Of this , lived Pittsburgh

(largely in Allegheny) , and in Philadelphia .

Next after Pennsylvania comes Illinois , with

Obviously, this is Chicago and its suburbs , for outside of the city not many are known to reside . 1 2 Chicago is the metropolis of the Cechs and has been 1 i such Since 870 . I t s one of the three leading cities with strong Cech and Slovak cen tres . New York and

Cleveland are the other two . ’ New Jersey s is more than two - thirds

Slovak . ’ ’ On the other hand , Iowa s Kansas Minnesota ’ s Nebraska ’ s Texas ’ ’ is Wisconsin s (except Milwaukee , which mixed , Cech and Slovak) , continue to be preponder l i i ant y Cech . When the census s published in t s entirety we Shall be able to appraise more accurately Cechos lov ak the numerical strength of the stock , both foreign and native born .

1 3

CHAPTER IV

DISTRI B UTI ON ACC ORDIN G TO CITIES

A u str ians in s elected cities 18 60 1

St . Louis New York Chicago Philadelphia

Cincinnati . New Orleans

Baltimore .

Boston . B ohemians ( a nd Mora vians )

Chicago

St . Louis Milwaukee Cleveland 786 Baltimore 766 53 Detroit . 7 Allegheny 3 2 4 184 Newark . Cincinna t i 12 3 Philadelphia 10 1

1 h . m e l t . 18 60 m t Popula ion of the U S in , co piled fro origina h returns of the E ight h U . S census under t e direct ion of the Secre Was hm t n 1 4 t he o 8 6 . tary of Interior , g , 2 h . m t e Ninth U . S census , June Fro Foreign Born population of Fifty Principal Cities according t o Place of Birth

m i t . XX a ong the Principal Fore gn Coun ries Table . As a country m fi t of origin Bohe ia rst appears in his census . 1 6 B ohemians ( and Mora vians ) in s elected cities ‘ 18 80

Chicago . New York Cleveland

St .

Milwaukee . Baltimore

St . Paul

B olzemic ms ( and Mora via ns ) in s elected cities 18 902

Chicago .

Cleveland . New York

St . Omaha Milwaukee

St . Paul Baltimore

B ohemians ( and Mora vians ) in s elected cities 1900 3 Chicago

Cleveland . New York

St . Louis C edar Rapids

Baltimore .

Omaha .

1 . . 1 1 0 T X s w h 8 8 . t e Tenth U S census , June , able I I I , ho ing nat 1v it ies - of foreign born population . 2 E . T X . . 1 XX s 1 8 90 . leventh U S censu , J une , able VI I White persons having both parents born in speci fied countrie s or of mix i ed fore gn parentage . 3Tw . . s s 1 1 900 . elfth U S cen u , J une , White persons having both parents born in speci fied countries or of mi xed foreign parentage . 1 7 Milwaukee

St . Paul . South Omaha Allegheny

Detroit .

La Crosse

B ohemia n ( a nd Mora vian s tock) in s elected cities

Chicago New York Cleveland

St . Louis

Baltimore .

Milwaukee . Omaha

St .

Pittsburgh . Detroit

Cechos lovaks in s elected cities

Chicago Cleveland New York Milwaukee

Omaha .

Minneapolis .

St . Paul

lThir n h m t ee t . . 1 1910 . U S census , June , Leading other t w t t e ongues of the foreign hite st ock of selected cities . Native x stock of foreign or mi ed parentage . 2 Preliminary Press Announcements as shown by t he returns of h D t he t e Fourteenth ( 192 0) U . S . Census . istribution of foreign born w hite population by country of birth . 1 8 Comparing i t to the Irish and the German ,

Cechos lovak immigration is comparatively recent . 1 4 The tide of the Cechs s et in after 8 8 . That of the

Slovaks several decades later . At the time the Cech fi in ltration began , land in Wisconsin , Iowa , Neb Mid raska , Minnesota and the other states in the west could be had for the asking . This determined the character of their occupation ; they became in farmers . When the Slovaks started pouring after 1890— the land in the corn and wheat producing belt was already prohibitive in price . On the other fi Side , the steel mill , the coal mine , the coke eld , fi the machine shop , the re nery in Pennsylvania ,

New Jersey , Ohio , Connecticut , beckoned to work men to come . Skilled and unskilled , all could get a ofTr job . The wages e ed were fair ; measured by old

- country standards , fabulous . I f land ownership as sured independence to the farmer in a distant future , the wage- earner in the mill and the mine could console himself with the thought that his labor yielded him a prompt return , not tomorrow , but today . This actuality again determined the choice of the occupation of the Slovaks . We will not search for the Cechos lovaks in the ranks of the great merchants , employers of labor on a large scale , men of inherited wealth . Among these fi n we will not d them . Humble men from the

— ordinary walks of life they are farmers , mechanics ,

- - Shop keepers , wage earners .

1 9 CHAPTER V

TH E CECH C OMMUNIT Y O F NE W YOR K

The principal settlement is located between Second Avenue and the East River from Sixty-fi ft h - to Seventy eighth streets . Within this area lives a mixture of races : On the extreme north the Germans ; -fi ft h several blocks , (Seventy between First and Second Avenues) are peopled by Italians ; numerous Hungarian restaurants attest the presence of a large body of Magyars ; the negroes obtained a foothold on both sides of Seventy-third Street between Second and Third Avenues ; along Avenue A is a scattering of Greeks . At all points the Slovaks mix h with the Cec s . The Jews (in this instance Magyar - Jews) , predominate as Shop keepers . However, i t is the Cech who gives this quarter of the city an atmosphere all its own . A small group has maintained itself Since the Civil War in the Morrisania s ection of the Bronx B oh mianiz Maraz n ( e ed i ) . There are a few scattered families in Brooklyn . The Dutch Kills enclave of Queens Borough is quite strong economically (most of the residents owning neat cottages) , and active socially . Other more or less known points of con fi centration in the State of New York are Win eld ,

Corona , College Point , Flushing Heights , Whitestone ,

Islip, East Islip , Bay Shore, Sayville, Highland l Falls , Rock and Lake, Tarrytown , Poughkeepsie , ff Bu alo , Schenectady, Binghamton , Yonkers ,

Gloversville , Elmira , Richmond Borough . 2 0 At the time the author arrived in New York his countrymen were massed between

Houston Street on the south , Eighth Street on the th nor (Tompkins Square , their favori te rendezvous , they called the White Garden from the whiteness of the asphalt) , and Avenue A on the west . None lived on the East River front , and but a few were bold enough to penetrate the unknown regions west “ ” of Avenue A , where strangers lived . In the blocks between Third and Fifth Streets the concentration was the densest . Avenue B was called the Cech

Boulevard . Individual families lived in Grand (which in the eighties was a business artery of no mean importance) , in Broome , Delancey, Rivington ,

f . Stanton , Essex , Clinton , Nor olk, Pitt Within a stone ’ s throw from Avenue B were the stores of

Cech bakers , butchers , grocers , and saloon keepers . On the northwest corner of Avenue B and Fourth Street the daily Délnické Listy had i ts business ffi 53 3 t Naro ni o ce . At Eas Fifth S treet Stood the d ’ B u dov a (National Hall) , where the communi ty s dances , theatricals , concerts and meetings of all

- kinds were held . The National Hall was an old time v - fi e story tenement built on an Astor leasehold . I n 18 8 2 , a number of organizations bought out the place and altered i t to sui t their needs . The ground floor in the rear of the saloon was provided wi th a primitive stage and dance hall ; the second floor was

fi tted out as a library and lodge rooms . The upper

floors were rented for tenement purposes . On the

Liliputian stage , amateurs acted the queens and kings of old Bohemia . From i t many a hot invective was hurled at the Hapsburgs ; many an appealing dit ty sung reminding the audience of the oppressed fatherland . 2 1 Between the end of the eighties and the first

years of the nineties the community, except isolated its families , migrated uptown to where present

quarters are . What was the reason of the exodus $ More

sanitary tenements uptown , and nearness to the - . u cigar shops , in which they worked The break p

of the downtown habitat was not a matter of months . The migration persisted for a period of years until

the Fifth Street center was emptied of the last Cech . In the nineties Cech lodges and clubs offi cially ’ im approved of the community s new Site uptown , i it print ng upon a seal of permanency , by building halls , club houses and churches there . The Czechoslovak Consulate General forms an B otivo integral part of the community . Dr . j is Prusik, who at the head of it , is a scholar of recognized merit in his mother country . The Foreign Language Information Service has H rbkova a Czechoslovak Section of which Sarka B . , writer, lecturer and teacher, is the manager .

2 2 t utorship of the Sedlec men butchers , blacksmiths , a ricu l bakers , miners, peasants , college students , g tural laborers and domestics learned to strip tobacco, break bunches and roll them .

Pal a ima 1 . . d es t t ed 8 68 Editor L J that in , when 95 he landed, % of his countrymen were engaged in “ ” in u r d s t . re the tobacco y f Every newcomer, “ lates Palda in his Reminiscences , no matter what his trade or vocation in the old country, ended by becoming a cigar maker, because cigar making paid ” better than any other line of work . An expert textile worker from Europe , Palda himself learned to make cigars in New York . Between 18 80-95 when the industry attained its high water mark the Cechs worked for the following fi rms

151 . Herman Benz , Avenue A 1 1 0 . Bondy Lederer, Attorney Street 1 2 6 . Isidor Jacobi , First Avenue h 2 2 . 3 . 3 6t Kerbs Bro . , E Street 1020 Kerbs Spiess , Second Avenue and East

54th Street . 2 43 Emanuel W . Mendel , Third Street and

15% Bowery . l 4 Moone is 1 3 . Adolph , Avenue D 1 h 75t . 3 8 . Bernhard Newmark, E Street 24 1 6 . 6 Abraham and Isaac Rosenthal , E th and

r . 3 51 E . 73 d Street

3 60 . Emil Seidenberg , Second Avenue

66 . Joseph S . Seidenberg, Reade Street 46 h 0 . t Oz C o . 3 9 Leopold Schwarzkopf , E and 1 2 3 9 Avenue A .

3 6 h . C 340 . t Silv r hau o . . e t M , E Street

1 Wo is ek D Mr . . t Vincent W y , eputy County Clerk , an old ’ New Y s s Pa lda s 75 resident of ork , as ert that average is too high , % h being nearer t e mark . 2 4 4 . C o . 15 . 5 M . Stachelberg , So th Avenue 2 4 2 h 2 03 . 0 . 7 t Straiton Storm , E Street , E

3 3 rd Street and 457 First Avenue .

102 . Morris Prochaska , Attorney Street

8 1 ff 1020 . Wertheim Schi er , Second Avenue Sixty-odd years of cigar making and not one Cech manufacturer has risen from the ranks of $ workers Thousands of privates , not one employer of labor $ A c o operative shop which Cech workmen organized in 1874 went into the receiver ’ s hands

- after a Short lived and stormy existence . Mr e The author asked . Joseph St panek , said to In i s e t be the oldest living cigar maker the c ty , to

down 1n writing his reminiscences . He arrived as a lad of twelve direct from the factory at Sedlec . As -fi ft h has he is now in his eighty year , he been rolling

- smokers seventy three years . The observations of this venerable workman , the author felt , would

be exceedingly illuminative . Mr . Stepanek wrote a modest narrative in which he told of having wi t nes s ed the memorable trial by j ury at Kutna Hora 18 51 H avhcek in , of Charles , the tribune of the 1 65 . 8 50 Cech people In , he walked with other New York Cechs 1n the funeral cort ege of Abraham

Lincoln . He described what keen joy he derived as a member of a New York amateur singing club (he sang tenor) ; concerning his experiences as a cigar a maker he had not a word to s y . That phase of ” “ my life , he explained , was a song wi thout a ” melody . ’ Palda s 95 18 66 % of cigar makers in , does not 1 2 obtain in 9 0 . The American born children of cigar makers will not learn and follow the trade of fi n ffi . d their parents They that the o ce , the store , ’ the mechanic s bench off er greater possibili ties of promotion than a cigar Shop does . 25 How many are Still attached to the tobacco $ 141 ’ industry No . of the Cigar Makers Interna t ionalUnion of America has 952 Cech members (men 62 1 60 and women) , of whom pay cents per week in 2 2 8 40 4 . 0 9 30 . 9 dues , cents , cents Union No has also some Cechs . Workers not belonging to any union are said to number Outside of Greater

New York there are not more than 100 cigar makers . This makes a total of organized and unor l niz ga ed workers .

Pearl button makers . Excellent showing has been made in that other distinctively Cech industry, the pearl button manufacture . Though neither as old as cigar making— it was introduced here by Z workmen from irovnice , in Bohemia , after the ’ passage in Congress of McK inley S protective tariff nor as voluminous (it gives employment to not more than or operatives) , pearl button making has contrived to school not only factory hands but factory bosses as well . 67 The number of Cech manufacturers is , located : ff as follows Connecticut (West Willington , Sta ord 6 Ville , Higganum) , ; New Jersey (North Bergen , ff Secaucus , Little Ferry, Cli side, Guttenberg, New 2 1 40 0 . Durham) , ; Illinois ( Chicago) , Of the plants 19 in Greater New York , are situated in Manhattan ,

12 fi 7 1 1 . in Win eld , in Astoria, in Maspeth , in Islip These 67 concerns represent an investment of from to 12 manu fac t u rers have invested and over ; 15 manu fact u rers have invested to 15 manufacturers have invested to 2 5 manufacturers have invested to Several of the smaller manufacturers do not employ

1 14 1 m . State ent by Joseph Wodicka , Secretary of No of the ’ C igar Makers I nternational Union of America . 26 any outside help , relying solely upon members of

their own families for labor . The number of operatives is In normal

times this figure would be considerably higher . “The volume of business as based on statistics for 192 0 is between and and it Schw an a . . . d represents , says Mr W E , Slightly less than one-half of the total value of ocean pearl

buttons produced in the United States .

Metal workers . In the several branches of the

metal industry, not less than

The needle trade . Of journeymen tailors there

3 00 . are Merchant tailors are surprisingly few, which proves that the Cech is a better workman ’ than a business man . Ladies tailors appear to be ’ more enterprising , for they outnumber by far men s

custom tailors . Apprenticed to their art in European

— fashion centers Vienna , Berlin , Paris , Prague ladies ’ tailors are in demand by all the leading

houses and command high wages .

Dressmakers ,

Musicians , 1 5 . 5 Bakers Boss bakers , in Manhattan , in 5 ’ 2 Queens . The journeymen bakers union has 2 0 - 2 3 0 50 . members ; non union workers , together m Butchers and bologna makers . Work en and

bosses , not in excess of

1 For this information on pearl button manufacture t he author 15 1 l B h s h nda o f . S wa n ec a t E . wa c da under p obligation o M r . W . Sc s O B New Y t o Son , cean Pearl utton Manufacturers of ork , and Mr h . C ris t t he O B y , Secretary of cean Pearl utton Industry Asso . l i e at on . 2 m s State ent by Jo eph Modr . 3 m State ent by J . Kubik . ‘ m n m k State ent by ba d as et Frank Turek . 5 m s l State ent by Jo eph H u m . 6 S a m s t te ent by Adolph Kona . 27 40 50 Grocers, ; formerly between

2 Dru ls t s 12 gg , and as many registered clerks .

Carpenters , etc . A journeyman cabinet maker,

who knows all the leading shops in the city, estimates - the number of carpenters (union and non union) ,

cabinet makers , joiners and mill hands at

Piano makers . In times of prosperity these were

700 . strong This included cabinet makers , polishers

in warerooms and tuners . Owing to the grave crisis in the piano industry hundreds were laid off or ’ s o - discharged , that to day s total is comparatively

small , according to one computation not more than

Furriers . Firms like Revillon Freres and C . G . Gunther ’ s Sons have had them in their employ for

many years . The cutting of furs was a favorite fi L as s ak K onvalink a vocation from the rst . and fi employed Cech furriers as far back as the fties . There are in the neighborhood of 10 fur dealers and 2 00 operatives ; Slovaks included , the number of operatives may reach fi Marble and stone cutters . Nine rms are partly k “A or wholly in control of Cechoslov a s . S to the

other question , how many marble workers are em

ployed in Greater New York , I wish to state that the information received from the unions indicated 2 50 that there are about marble cutters , setters and 6 helpers and 13 0 polishers and bed rubbers .

1 m l State ent by Joseph Label and Jo s eph H u m . 2 m K r l 11 D e e a P . . State ent by Charles p , 3 l Statement by Charles K naka . 4 m Wodrazka 42 t he m State ent by Jakub , for years in e ploy of

E stey Piano Co . 5 m s State ents by Joseph Kubik and Jo eph Srsen , the latter of

V . . S . and , I nc 6 i l t m B . . S d o V s ka l h Sidl o oe s c o . Sta e ent by W , of , F 2 S — Building trades bricklayers , carpenters , plas t erers— fl which ourish in Chicago and Cleveland , in where every one builds or owns his cottage , are h c onsequential . Cec s may be builders and con in tractors Chicago and elsewhere , but m New York

they are not .

— Saloon keepers not only preceded the bakers ,

the butchers and the grocers , but , before the dry laws put most of them out of business— outnumbered

them . This is quite understandable . The baker and the butcher had to have preliminary training ; like wise a small capital to Start with . The saloon man

required neither . The brewer set him up in business on credit . To draw beer from the spigot and to serve drinks needed no Skill . Anyone could get the knack of it in a few days . If he was content to live from the patronage of his co-nationals he could get

along without the knowledge of English . Singularly

' enough , but few saloon keepers have made money ffi in the liquor tra c , though hundreds have tried it . O n the other hand , many a baker , butcher or grocer ffi was able to retire with a su ciency .

Old New Yorkers recall Albert Karel , who before “ ” 4 the Civil War kept a lokal at 2 6 Broome Street . ’ Ttima The military deserter , nicknamed Columbus , 1 8 50 boasted in a letter to a Prague paper in , that “ w a he s the proprietor of a casino in this city . H u bacek August , whose resort was located at 53 3 5 East th Street , which was subsequen tly pur

chased by Cech societies for a National Hall , was

the uncrowned king of saloon men . Other liquor dealers whose names and the places they kept a cquired local prominence were Anton Cern y , Peter ’ 18 ’ 5 78 3 20 . S tastn y (in , S tastn y had a place at E th S naCek Street , and later uptown on Avenue A) , J . y 618 . 5 fa r k 81 v k Sa i Ce ro s . ( E th Street) , y , etc The 2 9 -in- 1 8 82 last two (brothers law) , operated in , a I country brewery at Maspeth , L . . , but they lost it owing to lack of capital and general incompetence .

Before the war, saloon keepers in Greater New 1 York numbered not less than 00 . Restrictive laws cut this total to Business men other than saloon keepers increased

Slowly . Francis Brodsky could not locate one Cech merchant when he returned to New York in 1 8 54 from a whaling expedition . Some had not the e capital , oth rs lacked skill , or were ignorant of

English . The teaching of the theorists that property is d theft ( according to Prou hon) , and the propaganda carried on most intensively in the radical press be tween 18 8 5-95 against the middleman in business swerved many a waverer from pursuing a business career or investing his money in real estate . “ The advertising page of the Newyorks ké Listy 1878 u s in , will give an idea of the extent and variety of business V b rn 81 . o F y y Son , steamship tickets , forwarding

2 5 . and exchange, Avenue A

Franta Suchy , baker , corner Avenue B and

Fourth Street .

F . Brodsky, steamship tickets , forwarding and 2 6 . foreign exchange, Avenue C 3 49 r K . Sladky, photographer, Bowery, nea

Third Street .

K tikav a 50 . Joseph , wine Shop , Avenue B 1 61 Adolph Hasek, bookbinder, East Fourth

Street . Machovs k 209 i Karel y, undertaker, East Th rd

Street .

13 6 . Karel Svoboda , druggist , Stanton Street

1 Statement by William Vesely . 3 0

1 Since in 8 50 . pay roll mechanics of Cech nationality ‘ The percentage of unskilled labor in New York

is small . Probably less than Unlike other Cechs Slavic groups , do not seek employment in basic industries ; nor are they found among seasonal

and mobile labor . One class of workers must not be overlooked

the domestics , whose qualities as housekeepers are

duly appreciated in numerous New York households . “ ” Y or k 18 . s é 77 Physicians In the New Listy in ,

Clement Cibulka advertised his offi ce at 3 09 E . “ Fourth Street , across the street from the Cech Church The practitioners before Cibulka were : “ R M . Schoen , examining surgeon of the First enevo ’ L and . . . . e lent Society, JE Popper Josef de S w andowski , a Pole by birth , but on the doorplate a “ ’ ’ Cech physician , used to have an extensive clientele .

. son Francis A Brodsky, of Francis Brodsky , the

59 . Steamship agent , began at St Marks Place about 1 E 8 8 5 . He died a young man in Wisconsin . d S k . chevei ward J , who started downtown as a druggist

and later settled uptown , had a large following as a Al S . e druggist and physician For a time Hrdlicka , h t e . noted anthropologist , practiced here Godfrey

R . Pisek , whose sudden death a few months ago S hocked the community, had been a consultant in ’ children s diseases . Doctors who had practiced : n within the last two decades were Rose bluth ,

Breitenfeld, Friedler , Stransky, Moritz , Lacina, M Radda , oravek . At present the profession is represented by

. . l . B ro i . c . d ( ) , J F Bi ak , Francis J , W W Hala Queens

Leopold Hahn , Lilly Jedlicka (Queens) , Vaclav F .

K u biSt a . . . . Kouba, Anna , H R Kutil , J C Luhan , Helen Paul (Queens) , Julius J . Paider, Lillian V . 3 2 P z a . . o én . . c d ( ) , Paider, L J Pla ek , O R Queens ° R 11 2i6ka Alois Renner, (Queens) , D . J. , °

R 11 2i§ka Saxl . Oscar J. ( Kings) , Josef , Francis W T no r . e Sovak , Charles Sowa , I Stein , Joseph py ,

Teno r V e voda . Otakar py , Charles j ch Lawyers . Before the Ce s began buying real estate , prospects were not bright for lawyers . The fi rst lawyer to be admitted to the bar was Frank K onvalinka s on Pisek . John W . , presumably the of K onv alinka 3 6 John , the furrier of Maiden Lane , ’ w as practiced before Pisek s time , but he Cech only ’

S . . s on on his father Side So was John E Brodsky , of a pioneer of that name . Brodsky was a member of the New York Assembly and between the eighties and nineties an influential Tammany politician on K olowra ffi the East Side . Charles t conducted an o ce 1 1 1 K olowra 18 8 5 . t in at Nassau Street Count , a member of an aristocratic family of that name lived about that time in Brooklyn . The author remembers reading an interview in the New York Herald in which Count K olow rat made the admission that he had fled to the United States on account of a duel he had fought with another aristocrat at home . One of the K olow rat s married into the Oxnard family of

Sugar kings . The attorneys in Greater New York are : Thomas e Capek (not practicing) , Francis D dek , Frank H ack nbu r r . . e . Dlouh y , F L g, Albert Hlavac , J, K rbeCek Joseph Hlavac , John Hovorka , Jerome , N k . . e arda Frank Motl , Jr (Queens) , Victor F ,

. ( , Julius J Paider practicing medicine) Frank Pisek , Schw anda Charles Recht, Charles B . (Queens) , W i k o . V . W . yt Se

Teachers . The names of school teachers , who had been licensed to teach in Greater New

York , living and dead , active and inactive , are 33 Marie Anis ( née Franc) , Emily Austera (née ‘’ B art os ek B art oSek Haj ek) , Olga , Sophie , Mary ‘' B e s ovec j ( Kings) , Anna Benesh , Emma Benesh , M A n athilda Benesh , Emil Beyer (deceased) ,

toinette Bohaty , May Bouda, K . Cerny, Marie Dlabola Damm (née Nemecek , New Jersey) , Marie

. Volenec (n e r ) , ol n ( n ) , r nc é St aka A D a ée ‘ F a es Dol ial D chacf k e u e . (Queens) , Charles , Olga A

( . Dudek , Elisa Enos née Fiala) , J Fabrikant (née Fili ec Chudoba) , Olga p , (née Wavra , Queens) ,

Juliette Israel (née Herc) , Emily E . Hansa (née H aéek Pulpit , Richmond) , Anna (née Wavra) ,

’

. u Hladik, Mildred Hrbek, E H bl , Emily Hunt (née ‘’ s Polak) , Jona (née Chudoba) , Rose Jurka, ‘ Cu chal K riak al Bertha Karnik (née ) , Josephine , ‘’ K obilak Schwimbersk Edith (née y) , Mildred Kosar

(née Forst) , Cecilia Koukol ( née Pisek) , Caroline ‘’ Kozlik, Anna Kovarik (née Luther) , John Kral , K r il K rb k h l . t eée Cu c a Anna C , Anna (née ) , Alice K ru lis P . (Queens) , Augusta Kupec , Lucas , ‘’ Marie Lier , Rose Linhart (née Cisar, Belgium) ,

Frances Linke, Harriet Linke , Louda, Betty Minaf ik Luhan , Antoinette Martyny, Josephine , ‘’ ‘’ A n Mary Minarik , Rose Minarik, Mary E . Novy, ‘’ Panu Ska Panu s ka toinette Ouda , , Bertha (née Pau cek Beyer) , George , Emma Peck ( née Koch ‘’ Pet ras ek mann) , Bertha , Anna Pribyl (née Barto Sek Pu letz Pu letz ) , Henry , Martin , Rudolph Charles R ankovich ( Pokorny , Rose ‘ née Emma i Skl nka Sindela . . e Samek, Joseph , , Olga Slavik ers e ( née Hauser, New J Y) , William Slavik (New

Jersey) , Stanley Stadler (died as soldier in France,

. Tes af taught Latin in Stuyvesant H Clara , ma n V v U ce . e oda Frances H . Uher, y, Olga J j , V ocl VotiSek Mary (née Hlavacek) , Anton (deceased , l ecturer in chemistry in Columbia) , Bertha Wald 3 4 r man (née Kode ) , Charles Wirth , Ottilie Wirth ( née Mr Josephine Wolf (née Cepek) . s . Cecilie

Koukol is dean of teachers of Cech nationali ty . Mr Her husband , . A . B . Koukol , lectures in the

Slavonic Department of Columbia University .

V vo a w a Dentists . The late Emil ej d s the

pioneer dentist . Dentists authorized to practice are

Wm . B elsky , A . B . Jurka (Queens) , Charles S h v ik c e é . Jurka , Edith Jurka (née ) , Arthur ‘ J K rb éek H au r M e at t e . . , Charles , Chas R otak , Frank M Nemecek , Josephine E . Luhan , Robert antler, R br . u iciu s Frank I , Thomas Prach , Charles Urban ,

Henry Urban , Homer Ursini , Wm . Wagner (Queens) . CHAPTER VII

EC ON OMIC STREN GTH

A conservative estimate by an observant resident , who is himself a real estate holder 1 places the number of flats and tenements in the upper east Side district (comprised in the old Nineteenth Ward) , owned by private individuals and corporations at

400 . Computing the equities at apiece, which is not an excessive average , considering the increased valuation by the city, we get a total of

invested . This , however, takes into

account Manhattan and Bronx only . In Queens

Borough , particularly in the Astoria part of i t there are hundreds of cottage owners and speculators in

a small way in unimproved realty . Some of the corporations owning real estate are C o . American Bohemian Realty , American Sla

vonian C o . Realty , Anchor Bohemian Real Estate - A S Association , Bohemian Moravian Real Estate

sociation , Bohemian Real Estate Association Bee , ‘’ B orivo Bohemian Catholic Benevolent Society, j

C o . C o . Realty , Freeport Land and Improvement , Ziika Jan Hus Real Estate Association , Jan Real B C 0 . 0 Estate Association , Land and Mortgage C b o . emia , Olive Realty , Progress Construction

C o . . . . , H C D Realty Corporation , Slavic Realty C o . Corporation , Reliable Building , Star Bohemian Z v no V eslu b C o . a Real Estate Association , Realty ,

C o . . vec Real Estate , Steinway Avenue Theatre, Inc The Reliable Building Company ( Michael Pilna

m D e E e . l . Vac av Ne ecek , ir ctor of the Bank of urope 3 6 Eek 3 0 , president) , built in Long Island City apart ments , dwellings , and a moving picture theatre at a cost of The downtown banks which take care of their savings are the Dry Dock, Bowery ( these two enjoy the patronage of old settlers) , Emigrant , U . S . Sav ings , Central ( the old German Savings) , Citizens

Savings .

The Bank of Europe, the chief business deposi Cechoslovaks 192 1 tary of the had deposits in June, , in excess of

3 7 CHAPTER VI II

TH E PRESS

’ New York s fi rst newspap er was called the L u ” cerna (Lantern) . I t was written by hand and but one issue was published .

Lev J . Palda narrates how the Lucerna - originated . I t was during the Franco Prussian war . The sympathies o f the American Cechs were all on the side of the French , and far more keenly than the settlers in the Midwest the New Yorkers felt the need of a paper in which they could give vent to “ their feelings on the issues involved in the war . A ” “ mass meeting , relates Palda , was held in Cooper 19 18 70 Union on , I think , November , , under the auspices of the International Workmen ’ s Union of

New York , to protest against the further prosecution of the war by Germany . The Cech societies of New York expressed willingness to help with money and not to take part in the demonstration ; the meeting, withstanding threats o f violence by those Siding ~ with Germany, was a big success . The attendance of h e the Cec s alone was estimated at 500 . Speeches wer made in English , German , Cech and French . I came from Chicago as the invited Speaker of the New l andu s York societies . I t was agreed between J and myself that I Should not return to Chicago , but should in partnership with him , open a book and stationery store in New York and publish a news paper . Of the paper only one number c ame out ;

1 m andu s C was t m n Willia J , living in leveland , at that i e a reside t N w Y of e ork . 38 and headstrong— gave his men to understand that there was nothing to arbitrate, they set out to pub lish a paper of their own . Skarda was a capitalist , $ K ochmann therefore , down with him Led by , the strikers addressed a ringing appeal to the public ’ claiming that a workmen s paper , read by workmen ,

Should be owned by workmen . In October of th at year the paper of the striking printers made its ap “ ” pearance under the heading Délnik A mericky

American Workman . “ The Délnické Listy did not long survive the strike . Utterly ruined , broken down in health ,

- Skarda left New York and repairing to La Grange, “ Texas , he died there in proud poverty . “ Delnik Americk After some years , the y con ” Y orkské cluded that the name, New Listy was one worthy to be preserved and so , discarding its own , it “ k k ” assumed that of the New Y or s é Listy . Other newspapers with a reputation or a well fi : de ned .policy were “ ” The Patriot . I t combated the rising tide of radicalism and internationalism which refugee s o i li t 1 8 8 c a s s . 3 advocated Coming out in August , , 1 8 84 . it suspended in January, The publishers were B r k . a t oSe . John V Capek , Thomas Capek, Frank ‘’ ” The Proletar (Proletarian) , a weekly, organ of the left wing of social democrats , was established in

1 hm . H la k a e . 8 84 K oc ann . v é May , , by Leo and F J This journal was the spokesman of radicals who opposed the program of moderate socialists , grouped “ k A k ” 18 8 6 Délni meric . around the y In , the “ ” Prolet af discontinued publication and K o chmann “ ” and his followers launched the Hlas Lidu (Voice “ ” of the People) . The Hlas Lidu was made the heir of the policies of the Leo K ochmann remained at the head of it from the day it came out, 40 18 8 6 19 18 July, , till , when he retired , owing to a nervous breakdown . “ Volné The Listy , a weekly , from the outset proclaimed itself the organ of the anarchists . 1890 fi Founded in , it suspended in the rst months of the war . “ Délnické The Listy ( third of the name) , was the outgrowth of a quarrel between Leo K o chmann H lav k and F . J . aée . Set up by the latter and his 1 893 as associates in November, , an opposition to “ ” the Hlas Lidu , it catered to a small , though extremely noisy group of readers . When the “ ” ‘ Délnické Listy lost Hlavacek (who removed to

Chicago) , i t lost its principal asset . Even tually filibu s t erin this g Sheet removed to Cleveland , where i t went down in 18 89 . “ ” SV ét The Cesky ( Cech World) , was an illus t rat ed weekly backed by the New York Tract So i c t . e y and ably edited by the Rev . J . W . Dobias The paper existed only two years ( 1905 “ ” R ozu mu The Vek (Age of Reason) , appearing here some ten years ago , was the organ of the Free ’ I t ffi thought Federation . s home o ce is now in

Chicago . Cechoslovak The , a weekly, survived barely a year ( 1919 yet disciplined readers will long remember it as one of the best managed journals published in New York . I ts editor , Joseph Mach , is on the Staff of the Cechoslov ak Press Bureau in Washington . 3 5 For the last years , the New York reading Y o rs ké public has had two dailies , the New Listy “ ” 192 1 and the Hlas Lidu ; Since July , , i t has but “ one . The Hlas Lidu suspended voluntarily . The “ Y ors ké editors of the New Listy, the paper which 41 remains , are J . J . Novy , Karel Leitner, Joseph ‘’

K robos t .

O brana The (Defense) , a weekly, is the organ

. . . i . of the social democratic party Editor, J J Karn k The parish of the Church of Our Lady of Per “ pet u alHelp publishes the Tydenni Z pravy (Weekly

Tidings) . The parish of the Jan Hus Presbyterian Church “ ”

( . publishes a monthly, the Radost Joy)

42 CHAPTER IX PO LITICS AND FIRST PO LITICAL D EMO NSTRATI O N A memorable even t in the history of the com 9 18 64 munity occurred September , , when the flag of the Cech Slavic Benevolent Society was unfurled

in the City Hall Park , in the presence of the Mayor

(George Updyke) , and a number of the military . O n this great day , Cech and Polish societies marched

to the City Hall Park . There a review and a recep t ion took place ; bands played martial and patriotic airs ; the Mayor responded to the speaker of the day ;

soldiers fi red a salute in honor of the flag ; R . J .

Jaworowski , editor of a Polish newspaper delivered an address on behalf of the Cech and Polish residents

of New York . so So awed , and at the same time , proud was the c ommunity that the historian of the day in a letter “ to a St . Louis paper declared that for the first time in the history of this country the Cechs had been as t recognized a distinct nation , and that from tha ” great day on Americans will regard them as such . We reprint verbatim the account of the celebra tion as it appeared in the “ New York Herald of ’ 12 18 4 w w ki w as 6 . a oro s s September , J address , no

doubt , magniloquent and temperamental . But , c ould one expect anything else from a Polish patriot A year before his people had revolted against Rus

Sian tyranny, and the revolution had been ruthlessly c — — — rushed . Blood tyranny revolution liberty

1 S t . Pozo r m B o Louis , Septe ber Frank r dsky is named in t he letter as president of t he society ; Josef K rikava as t h fl e Meru nka l . g odfather of ag and J . as f ag bearer 43 — martyrdom were his themes . In the United States , we were passing through the turmoil of a civil war . ’ Jaworowski S was the fi rst voice that had been raised 1n this country on behalf of the downtrodden Cechs 1 , and for that reason his speech and the nci dents under which i t had been made deserves to be preserved : “ The Union of Poles and Bohemians . Procession of Slavonic families through the City . Inauguration of the Bohemian flag . Address to and response of Bda or the y . “ A large company, composed of the two Slavonic families , celebrated on Friday last , in an imposing manner the inauguration of the Bohemian flag and ’

1 1 a . h . m t e of the Slavonic Union At o clock . , procession arrived in front of the City Hall and was there received by the Mayor . Mr . R . J . Jaworowski , on behalf of the Slavonian brothers , addressed that gentleman as follows : “ : Mr . Mayor I t is with feeling of deep satisfaction that I come here in the name of Slavonian brothers , t o Bohemians , and my fellow countrymen Poles , s ir present to you , , the tribute of our respect and our consideration . Here you have before you two flags i of two oppressed nat ons , both of Slavonic origin , i both vict ms of aggression of their neighbors , both after rivers of blood Spilled in their defense by their - faithful sons , to day without a country or a father land, come to this land of the brave and the free, asking protection and the privileges of liberty

for their expatriated and persecuted sons . The flag fi on the right , the rst that ever presented its graceful

folds to the breeze on this continent , is the one we

- inaugurate to day . The nation which it represents ,

brave and intelligent , for centuries past enjoyed its - h independence and self government , advancing wit 44 a rapid step in the path of progress and civilization 1620 until , when , at the Battle of Biala Gora , it

fell a victim to the superior forces of the Hapsburgs ,

- which keep till to day an oppressive yoke over them . Two hundred and fi fty years ago they lost their

liberty, their name and their independence, but they did not lose their nationality, nor will they ever lose fi their hope or faith in the nal victory of j ustice , if

there be justice on earth . This nation , full of brotherly feelings towards their fellow Slavonian fi brothers in other countries , rst propagated the

principle of Slavonic Union , which is at present l i known under the technical term of Pans av s m.

The Czar of Moscow , the very representative of

despotism and oppression , found this idea serving his u p rpose for aggressive policy , and placed himself

at the head of the Slavonic Union in prospect . But the claws of a wolf have soon been discovered under

the sheepskin cover , and the very same originators

of this great idea turned their faces away with scorn , for it was not under the Mongolian despotism that

they ever hoped for this union . I t was on the solid

basis of liberty for themselves , liberty for all Slavonic

families , nay, liberty for the whole world . The other is flag, drooping , mourning to the ground , the flag of

Sobieski , Copernicus , Kosciusko and Pulaski , who ,

alas , too soon for humanity Shed his blood and paid

with his life the victory of your own independence .

This flag IS the flag o f ou r martyred Poland . A century . approaches Since it was torn to pieces and its brave 1n sons scattered all climes and countries . Glorious

in its history of the past , bloody and painful of the

present , but brilliant in the future . Our tyrants u S and our oppressors have vanquished us , deprived

of the very shadow of national liberty, banished our fi fathers , our mothers , our sisters to Siberia , cruci ed 45 our heroes , but never, never can they reach our fi re— hearts , to extinguish there the sacred the love

of liberty and the love of our country . From every

drop of blood will spring up an avenger, from every fi bone a new hero , and nally liberty must triumph

over despotism , and Poland Shall be free . We love our Slavonian brothers ; we pity those who serve as tools in the hands O f our oppressors ; we pardon them

all their cruelties , but we make alliance with those , and this who , like our sons , aspire to freedom ; very day we unite into one Slavonic family to attain the — 1s same obj ect that , to throw the heavy yoke of b 1n i oppression and to enj oy li erty our nat ve lands .

Before , however , this blessed day comes , before these flags are Victoriously planted on the walls of Prague and Warsaw , Sir, our purpose and intentions are to serve as peaceful and useful citizens of this republic , where we ask the protection and the privileges of enjoying liberty, denied to us in our native lands . oc We ask for protection , for we have already had casion to deplore the rendition of one ofour country in men who , believing the Stars and Stripes , left the hateful and oppressive yoke of Russia , joined your army , fought your battles , and on the demand of that Power w as returned by the government of the

United States , and long before now has expiated the crime of having loved liberty . We ask now, on the day of the inauguration of this flag and on the day of the homogeneous union of all Slavonic families , with full confi dence of endorsement of one hundred thousand members , faithful to these two flags and scattered over this continent , hospitality and pro t ection until liberty and the calls of our countries fi res ides summon us back to our homes and o‘ur , when we will unanimously exlaim: Hurrah for ’ liberty ; hurrah for the United States . 46

su reme o One , only one incident , marred the p j y of all . A Mrs . Frances Klein , who manufactured

the flag placed the colors wrong . Notwithstanding this unfortunate blunder the flag continued to be the obj ect of unbounded admiration . What of the achievements in ward and assembly $ politics This is a brief and unedifying chapter . 1906 One alderman (Joseph Krulish , and two 1 . . 905 6 . . assemblymen (M J Machacek , and F L H k nb r 1 2 — 1 ac e u 9 0 8 . g, ) that the end of the chapter

The late John E . Brodsky a Tammany politician (member of assembly) was of Cech descent on his ’ father S side . “ The Cechs have never had the right kind of a pull with the district leaders — this IS the way a wise New York citizen explains the ill -success in the political arena of his countrymen . CHAPTER X

TH E HA LLS

Narodni B u dova 3 3 5-3 7 The (National Hall) , at East 73 rd Street is the property of a number of 18 6 . 9 benevolent organizations Erected in , i t cost to date including the moving picture house facing 74t h Street . The mortgage is The same year The Gymnastic Association Sokol built at 42 4-2 6 East 7 ls t Street a club house and gymnasium valued at Mortgage , ’ The Cech American Workingmen s Sokol put up several years later at an expenditure of a combination club house and apartment in East 72 md Street in the block between Avenue A and the

East River . Mortgage , The Socialist Party in 1919 came into possession of the former Delaware Club at 32 0 East 7 ls t Street . The price is The Astoria Community has Since 19 1 1 a Domov (Home) valued at Before the old Naro dni B u dov a in Fifth Street had been acquired , societies held their more elaborate functions in German -owned halls such as the New 66 4th York Turn Hall , E . Street ; Harmonie Rooms , 141 2 9 1 Essex Street ; Germania Assembly Rooms , 3 0 Bowery ; Concordia Assembly Rooms , Avenue A ; 46 2 63 Germania , Avenue A ; Assembly Rooms ,

Bowery . Twenty or thirty years ago the Central 2 6 h 07 . 7 t Opera House, E Street was occasionally hired for concerts or amateur theatricals . For several seasons the Sokols made u s e of the Grand Central

Palace , their own club houses not being spacious enough to accommodate the crowds on such red letter days as the annual masquerade balls , etc . CHAPTER XI

TH E CHURCHES The Catholics attend the Church of Our Lady of 2 l 3 . 6 t 3 s . Perpetual Help , E Street , and the St John ’ 2 2 4 . m 5 7 d . the Martyr s , E Street The congregations m1x - in both churches are ed ( Cech Irish) . They fi rst organized in the basement of the Ger S man t . Nikolaus Kirche in 12 1 875 . . On December , , the Rev W Quinn , then - vicar general , consecrated for their use a small church which they had built (or rather which they m 4t h had adapted from a fra e dwelling) , in East

Street , between Avenues C and D . This church they named after the Slavic apostles , Cyril and Method . 18 8 6 Since , the Redemptorists have had exclusive charge of Catholic work among them . Father Anton Krasny is thought to have been the pioneer priest in New York . Responding to a 1 8 57 . call from Cleveland , he removed to that city in The Protestants worship in the Jan Hus (Pres h b t erian 3 49 74t . y ) Church , East Street This is the recognized centre of evangelical endeavor in the east . For a time the Bohemian Brethren conducted serv in ices Morrisania ( Bronx) ; however, this work was given up . Instead , a chapel was opened recently in

Long Island City . The Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church on

73 rd Street has a strong following of Cechs . One half of the children attending the Sunday school are said to be of Cech parentage . The mother church of the Catholics was estab 18 54 lis hed in St . Louis in ; that of the Protestants

fi . a t . Ely, Ia , fteen years later

l i nd n St A ndenken an das Goldene Ju b la u m der G ru u g der . - New Y 18 3 3 18 8 3 . Nikolaus Kirche . ork 50 CHAPTER XII

TH E CECH LI B RAR Y as the Webster Branch of the Public Library on 77 t h 78 t h Avenue A , between and Streets is most widely known , had on its shelves books when it 1 24 906 . was thrown open to the public October ,

At present i t has volumes , which makes i t the largest library of Cech books in the land . The godfather of the library is Edwin W . Gaillard , former librarian of the Webster Branch . A dis t ingu is hed visitor from abroad said the library was “ the brightest spot in the Cech quarter . Under M Z the watchful eye of the head librarian , iss aidee ffi Gri n , this pride of the communi ty has grown in popularity and Size from year to year . In the art rooms of the Public Library ( Fifth Avenue and Forty-Second Street) are old Cech

Bibles and a painting by the renowned Cech artist , “ B roiik Vaclav , Rudolph II in the Laboratory of his Alchemist . The Metropolitan Museum of ’ “ ’ ” Arts owns B roiik s Grandmother s Names day and “ Columbus before the Court of Ferdinand and ” Isabella . The subject of the last named canvas was reproduced on stamps issued by the Government ’ during the Chicago World s Fair . CHAPTER XIII

TH E NEI GH B ORH O OD H OUS ES

in close touch with the community are : The - m Lenox Hill , Seventy Sixth Street Settle ent and

Jan Hus Neighborhood House . The last named adj oins on the west the Jan Hus Presbyterian

Church .

52 CHAPTER XIV

B ENE VO LENT AND OTHER ORGANIZ ATI ONS Fraternal organizations paying sick and death

benefi t are an American institution . The immigrant knew nothing of this kind of insurance on the other ins u r Side . The Standard policy calls for a ” ance . In the past , all being brothers and sisters , all paid like dues ; this inequitable and obsolete system gave way later to dues graded according to

age . The total membership of brotherhoods and sisterhoods in the United States is in this fi gure, however , are not included Cech lodges of

Odd Fellows , Foresters , Masons , Woodmen of the

World , Elks . The Strongest and oldest ( founded in 1 8 54) or anizat ion is - g the Cech Slavic Benevolent Society, SPS C . known by the initial letters members) . The Western Cech Fraternal Union has mem B enev bers , Union of Cech women Sisterhood

olent , Union Central Union of Women in S the U . . , Cech Roman Catholic First Central

Union in the U . S . etc . Meetings are con ducted and records kept in the national tongue ; but there are lodges composed of younger members who

use English exclusively, being no longer able to

transact business in the language of their fathers . The parent organization in New York was the E Cech Society ( the precise name is in doubt) . s t ablis hed 18 50 it s w as in , primary obj ect to give ” - advice and succor to incoming fellow countrymen .

The Cech Society existed but a short time . The 53 next society in New York to take root was the 1 1 a 86 . Slovansk Lipa of Like the other Lipas , the New York Lipa had been essentially a social and educational club . Among the things it did was to open the fi rst language school in New York ; found a “ circulating library ; publish a newspaper ( the New Y orks ké A faction of dissatisfi ed members 4 1863 broke away from the Lipa , and on March , , organized the Cech-Slavic Sick Benevolent Society This latter was the forerunner in New York of the many brotherhoods and sisterhoods which insure members against Sickness and death . S S The C P . Grand Lodge exercises j urisdiction in New York State over 19 subordinate lodges (in

Greater New York, Rockland Lake, Bohemia , Islip,

Schenectady, Gloversville) , with a membership of

men and women .

The CSB PJ. lodges have 500 members in Greater

New York .

The JCD. (Union of Cech Women) has members in New York State .

The membership of the IOOF . is 500 . The four courts of Foresters ( in New York) number The Cech Roman Catholic First Central Union

450 4 . in the U . S . has enrolled members in lodges The Central Union of Catholic Women in the 1 S 1 1 3 . U . . , members in chapters DS The CSP . ( Cech Slavic Benevolent Sister hood) numbers members . DV The J . (The Union of the Daughters of the

Land) 8 5 members . A picturesque body are the Sokols— popularly known as Blue Sokols and Red Sokols from the color

of the uniforms worn by them . Each club , Blue and

Red , owns its gymnastic hall and each maintains 54

CH APTER XV

’ TH E ARTI STS C O L ONY

br : . a o Painters and illustrators A . V F y ( Sl vak) , ’ Harrison Fisher ( Cech on his father s Side) , Rose K racikova Ma t u lka , Joseph Lenhard , Jan , Rudolph Mencel , Joseph Mrazek ( peasant art) , Emanuel V . Nadherny ( for years on the art staff of the New R i k fi i é a . . York Rudolph (etcher) , J C ‘’ Sindelar . M ikov : . K rac a Sculptors J ario Korbel , Rose ,

Joseph M . Kratina . : abr Musicians Anica F y (Slovak , soprano) , Marie Dvotak (piano) , Rudolf Friml (pianist and com K ‘k . ovaii poser) , Joseph (viola) , Marie Mikova J ‘ M kr ( . o e s piano) , John J j (pianist and composer) , s Marie Novotny (piano) , Karel Leitner (piani t) , Pan rac Milan Lusk (violinist) , Francis g ( tenor) , -Pan rac E mil Anna Fuka g (organist and composer) ,

J . Polak (piano accompanist) , Teresa Prochazka ° ‘’ - 11 s (mezzo soprano) , Rudolf Pr a (pianist) , Alois Reiser

(Violoncello and orchestra director) , Wenzel A . R aboch (organist) , Ludvik Schwab (pianist) , Josef

Stransky (director of the Philharmonic) , Frank

Trnka (violinist) , Ladislav Urban (pianist and B edtich composer) , Vaska (Violoncello) , Karel Vohnou t t V olav (violinist) , Margare y (piano) , - Ludmila V oj aéek Wet ché (piano) . The New York a O tokar fi Qu rtet consists of Cadek, rst violin , ‘ Sié kovsk Jaroslav y, second violin , Ludvik Schwab , B t h V k ed ic aS a . piano , , Viola O t okar t Blanche Yurka , actress ; Bartik, balle master and teacher of dancing . 56 CHAPTER XVI

TH E LAN GUAGE SCH O O L

The liberal organizations maintain the so- called

Cech Free School , where instruction is given to chil dren in the language of the parents . Classes are held

s . after Public School hours , Saturdays and Sunday - Six Instruction is non sectarian . There are classes and the number of children attending the school i 600 s .

5 7 CHAPTER XVI I

TH E PI ONEERS

The fi rst arrivals to New York were soldiers who had run away in 1847 from the Mainz Fort in Ger

many, garrisoned j ointly with Prussians and Aus i t r ans . Political refugees , who had taken an active 1848 -49 part in the revolutionary movement of , 18 50 came next . After , immigration became general . The within register of the pioneers who made New York their home in the ten years between 1847-57 was compiled by the author from reminis

cences of old settlers , private letters and unpublished

manuscripts . The author does not claim that the

register is complete ; or, that the life stories of the ac argonauts , given in brief, are in all particulars

curate . The persons concerned are dead and gone , even the surnames of many of them have been for

gotten . Their children who perhaps could supply the missing particulars are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the country or live out of touch with the nationals of their foreign-born fathers

and grandfathers . fi The outstanding occupations of the rst settlers ,

the reader will notice , were those of cabinet making,

tailoring, j ewelry, watch making . Many are put

down as being saloon keepers ; it is safe to assume, s o though , that not one of the men designated was com a trained inn keeper from home . Music was a v mon ocation . This will not surprise one who knows

the inherited bent of the people for music . I t is impossible to state how many were professionals and 58 how many were amateurs who resorted to music as

- a . side line , because of the extra revenue it yielded

That cigar making is an old trade , as old as the immigration itself ( as was made clear in another

chapter) , is proved by the fact that Korbel , Mracek and Ju ranek were engaged in it years before the

Sedlec men had been heard from . By reason of their superior education and be fi ’ cause , too , of personal sacri ces for their country s fi ve freedom , or Six of the pioneers were looked up K Fikav a Na r t ek . s to as leaders Joseph , Voj ta p , u ranek Thomas J , Frank Korbel , Emanuel Denk , k b . one of the younger H u aCe s and F . R Mracek were the men who stood head and Shoulders above others . The fi rst members of the Slovanska Lipa ( or anized s et g , as forth elsewhere , were all old settlers though the year of their arrival is not fi recorded . The members whose names one nds in the minutes of that society were : Franta B em ( s ee “ reference to him in the Cechs ( Bohemians) in Drahorad America , Frank Bilek , John , William andu s an C k GOrn r e e . e J , Joseph J , B , Vincent Havlin , H law at s ch Eman Hermes , John Herold , Leo , Anton H Fib k e . il , Frank Kafka , Anton Kohler , Theo K cha , Vaclav Linke ( according to last accounts lives in Meru nka Brooklyn) , Anton , Eman Netolicky , Joseph

Novak , Joseph Novotny .

18 50 . Frank Bartos , j eweler, arrived Went

west gold prospecting ; did not return .

B aian Joseph t .

Benedikt , baker, lived in Bohemia Village .

B l ha e t . Franta ( Blecha) , cabine maket Member

Slovanska Lipa . Wife made arti ficial flowers . City 18 52 -53 1 Directory registers him 05 Eldridge Street . 59 B k Jose ph orovié a . Palda mentions him as hav - ing a well stocked library of good books . B rabenec Anton , j eweler, one term president of

Slovanska Lipa . His wife Anna practiced midwifery .

John Brodsky, of Beroun , stave maker, arrived 184 18 52 106 9 . Worked at Norfolk Street , lived 2 14 5 . th Street Married a German . John E . B Brodsky and Frederick . , lawyers , were his sons .

Franta Brodsky, rope maker from Beroun , ’ 18 51 1920 (John s younger brother) , arrived , died ,

Mt . Vernon . After Civil War established steam ffi 26 o ce . . ship ticket , Avenue C Son a physician

- - co . President and founder Cech Slavic Ben Soc . , 1 and of Bohemian Building Association No . . ffi Prominent in lodge activities . Sold o ce to his

nephews , Frank Brodsky Jr . and Frank A . Sovak ,

who in turn sold it to Bank Bohemia in Prague . Rehé éek Sailed on the same steamer with Joseph , of St a er Roudnice , and Nikodem Tabor and j g Domaili of ce .

Dr . Philip Bruckmann , born in Pilsen , had Bo h 1848 -4 emain clientele in the fi fties . In 9 lived at R Mraéek 184 Essex Street . Marie epa ( ) who lived in the doctor ’ s house said that already in 1852

Dr . B . was classed as an old settler . The whole

family spoke English well . 18 58 Kaspar Bubele , carver, City Directory, ,

registers him from 2 97 Houston Street .

B u chaEek . Thomas , tailor Descendants owned

a popular roadhouse at Sayville . B u nzman , j eweler, amateur Singer and

1850 . musician . Arrived in Friend of Anthony

Fiala . B u r thal Charles g , called by patrons Colonel , 14 hotel and saloon keeper, City Hall Place, a gather ing place of p ioneers . His wife was a Cech . 60 J . Cej ka . Left for Chicago . Celins k Cilins k - Joseph y ( y) , j eweler, vice presi

dent Cech Society, supposed writer of letter to ” rai k V 1 4 P s eCerni 10 8 9 . y Listy, April , Arrived

before Naprs t ek . 1848 Franc V . Cerveny, was sent to America in to create a market here for the musical instruments

manufactured by the Cerveny family . Sailed with

rs t ek . Na , whose intimate friend he was Treasurer “ ‘ ”

a . of ech Society, promoter of Flug Bl tter City 18 51-52 Directory , registers him as maker of musical 1 instruments at 6 John Street . Taught music at 1 18 58 18 5 6 Eldridge Street . Left New York or 9 6 1907 for Milwaukee , where he died February , , 1 8 . H u b k aged Married a é ée . Ciiek Joseph , ( City Directory shoemaker, 2 O r 1 1 2 2 1 . Shop Grand , house Stanton Street ganizer with his brothers of social activities ; member

Cech Society . CiZek 18 55 C ezik John , tailor , ( City Directory , 58 ff lived Sheri Street) , active in lodge life . Member

Cech Society, member Slovanska Lipa ; at one time

its librarian . With two other brothers arrived with N r k é p s t e . C1 zek Franta , cabinet maker , member Cech

Society . Brother of Joseph and John . C hras til Franta , librarian Slovanska Lipa , suc ceedin g Werther , who entered army . C hw at al 1848 Anton of Hostomice , arrived , one of

the founders Cech Society, journeyman miller,

. 1 8 56 musician City Directory , registers him from 8 2 Delancey Street .

Emanuel Denk , from Pilsen , removed to St .

Louis . Died in Missouri shortly after Civil War . B orecky describes him as the best educated Cech

. 1 4 . 8 7 in St Louis Arrived . 61 m 1 5 Do orazek 1849 8 0 . , potter , came or K oSet ice Josef Dont , born at , in the Caslav dis t ri 2 ct 18 8 . , Gardener from home , he learned house ’

K h . painting in o ou t s shop . Member Cech Society 184 7 . Arrived on same vessel with E . Denk and V 1 8 Pohl . After years left New York , sojourned in d Terre Haute , Chicago , West Point settle 1 06 . . 9 permanently in Santa Rosa , Cal , where he died D u choslav Domailice . John , cabinet maker from

Went to Manitowoc , Wis . , later removed to Chicago , 1 where he died in 870 . ‘’ Du s enes Du chenes 1 83 6 Jakub ( ) , born , Prague , 18 57 ’ arrived , served in Sickels Excelsior Brigade ; ’ at Gettysburg lost a leg . Died in Soldier s Home . (Almanac A merikan ‘

Dvof ak 18 59 . Joseph , settled in , Bohemia Village D m dla . y , cabinet maker

Anthony Fiala , according to N . Y . Sun , 2 7 1897 648 January , , died Fulton Street , Brooklyn ,

59 . Served in Civil War ; Lieutenant Cavalry . r Father of the polar traveler of that name . Jewele 1 V k 8 50 lée . by trade , arrived with , his uncle Ex plorer An thony Fiala was born in Jersey City Heights in a cottage owned by F . Brodsky . His mother was h . S e Anna Kohout , sister of Mrs Brodsky ; died when ’ 1 s the boy was 5 months old . After his mother death young Fiala was brought up by the daughter h of Franta Kohout ( toy maker) . Up to his eight year he knew no other language but Cech . (State ment Mrs . Brodsky) . 1849 Joseph Fiser, from Turnov, baker, arrived 1 8 52 or , went to Chicago ; became a grocer , then a saloon keeper . ‘’

s . Matthew Fi er, resident of Bohemia Village Firt s ch John Fire ( ) from Strakonice , arrived

1 M . 8 50 . with parents , ade cigars Brother Ferdi 62

u 18 50 51 Aven e, Ci ty Directory, . The oldest of the brothers (John $) was a s exton in a Methodis t

u . m s t 18 s a Ch rch Re oved to Roche er, where he id to a u a ru t f m h ve introd ced p ne ree, imported ro

a . u t Bohemi Des cendants live In Rochester . A gu s

H . was the owner of a widely known saloon In Fifth i Street, which Cech soc eties purchased, converting

it into a National Hall . No male descendants are

known to reside in New York .

Hvezda , alias Stern , used to have a cabinet ’ m 1n 4 aker s Shop East th Street . a Jaeger, tailor and musician of Kutn

1 2 . 8 5 . Hora , arrived His son , John Nepomuk J (baptismal name Charles) was a concert violinist,

before he entered a seminary . He rose to be Abbot

of the St . Prokop Abbey, Lisle, Ill . The Rev .

1865 . Jaeger removed to Chicago in Ci ty Directory, - 1849 50 58 . , mentions John Jaeger, tailor, Avenue C

annick 239 Frank A . J y, piano maker, lived East h - t 1 . 9 . 8 58 59 Street City Directory,

edliéka 1833 K . Joseph J , born , in utna Hora 1 8 52 . Arrived Roomed in Eldridge Street , with H u b k B l h t ace e a. , Cerveny and Boarded a Kost ’ ‘’ liv y s . s with J Fi er, baker, and with Kanak and

18 57 . Kohout . In moved to Bohemia Village Mem

bers of his family own a plumber shop at Sayville . Jedlicka prepared a careful list of pioneers who lived In New York prior to his arrival . (Almanac A m rik n e a ,

Jirsa .

u ranek Thomas J , apostate priest , as he de 1 4 8 9 . scribed himself, arrived Worked as cigar maker . Settled in Wisconsin , where he died (in ’ 1 u r n k 5 890 . a e s Cooperstown) March , (J life Story is s et forth in detail in the Cechs in 64 ‘’ K aderabek New , worked on a farm in

Jersey .

Frank Kalal , established a residence in Chicago . ’ K k li ka aiia ed é s . John , baker , Joseph J friend K aS ar Vaclav (William) p , native of Holice , ar

3 18 53 . rived November , Worked as laborer in

. in brickyard at Haverstraw, then as baker Served

Civil War ; wounded at the battle of Port Hudson .

Removing to Chicago he became grocer, agent , fi notary, and nally partner in the banking house of ‘’ Ka s par 81 Karel . Is president of the Kaspar State

Bank, the largest Cech controlled institution in the ‘’ s country . Ka par knew in New York shoemaker B k K aéerovs k ezdé . Wild, y and War ended , he went west , to Chicago . 42 6 Albert Karel , proprietor of a saloon , Broome 18 8 - 5 59 . Street , City Directory, - Peter Kohlbeck , German Bohemian from Neu Domailic 1 e 8 50 . markt , in the district , arrived 2 2 Proprietor of photograph gallery at 9 Bowery . ‘’ First Bohemian photographer ; Joseph K rik ava learned the art from him . a Franta Kohout of Nov Kdyn e, ran away from 1 the Mainz Fort either in 847 or 1848 . House painter and toy maker . Active in lodge circles .

Died in Greenpoint , Brooklyn . ’ Frant a s Joseph Kohout , ( younger brother) ,

Shoemaker . One daughter married Franta Brodsky , B ai n a t . s on the other Joseph A , Joseph , worked for the Mosler Safe Co . t Joseph Kola , reckoned as an old settler of

Chicago . K onv alinka fi rm John H . , member of the Kon v alinka 81 K o nvalink a , furriers in Maiden Lane , was 2 08 born in Bohemia , died Park Place , Brooklyn , 1 “ ” 896 75 . . . June , , aged years (Obi tuary , N Y Sun , 65 5 1849 fi June , Arrived and rst worked at his trade in Division Street . Employed Cech

fi rm . furriers . The still exists Descendants live in Brooklyn and New York .

B ech ii 183 0 Frank Korbel , born y , , died Prague,

1919 . As an undergraduate of the Technical School in Prague , took part in political activities . Crossed the frontier disguised as a woman . Came to New 4 1 8 9 . York , Learned to make cigars ; one of the 2 promoters of t he cigar trade in N . Y . About 186 went to San Francisco . There he manufactured cigar boxes , acquired large redwood timber interests in Humboldt County , vineyards in Sonoma . Pub “ lished the San Francisco Wasp . Had the reputa tion of being the richest Cech in country . For a

- time served as Austro Hungarian Consul . Retiring from business , he removed to Prague , where he died 1 n in 19 9 . Died childless and relatives are contesti g

( at the time of wri ting) his will . The other New York

Korbels are said not to be related . 17 Ernest Korbel , blacksmith , Rivington Street , 1 2 - 8 5 53 . City Directory,

98 Direc Henry Korbel , tailor, Pitt Street , City

- 18 52 53 . tory,

2 6 r 5 . 3 d Thomas Korbel , cabinet maker, E 1 2 - 8 5 53 . Street , City Directory, 1848 Kosek, musician , arrived . Boarded at one time with the Cerveny family .

‘’ K o t ré on , native of Pelhrimov, performer the zither . Arrived before F . Brodsky . 182 7 u . John Koula , born , Mnichovice , near Prag e C o- 18 54 h founder in , with his cousin John , Josep

C v1 er . g , John Vavra, John Kratochvil , Mat Kumba 66 lek and Frank V afiek of Bohemia . Cabinet maker and musician . After three years removed to Boston , Al being the fi rst Cech immigrant in that city . ( rik n manac A me a ,

PFeSt ice John Koula , stave maker , from , cousin of the founder of Bohemia Village . Went west with

k 1 8 54 . H u baée . Arrived

K ov anda . , Bohemia Village

Anton Krasny , Catholic priest , was incarcerated in a military prison from 1849 to 18 57 . Arrived in New York the year he received his pardon

Removed to Cleveland . In New York Krasny performed the marriage ceremony of his friend and

- k Mraée . fellow prisoner from Prague , F . R .

O ndte ov John Kratochvil of j , arrived toward the - 18 54 C o . end of . founder of Bohemia

K recht ler Wenceslaus , cigar store proprietor , 18 8 1 57 5 . Canal Street , City Directory ,

K Fikav a K rikaw a Joseph , (relatives spell it ) , 2 5 182 1 O u bo é born March , , at , near Nova Kdyn e ,

Student Prague Polytechnic . Participated in the 1 4 184 M revolution of 8 8 . Arrived 9 . ember Cech e Society . Work d as a laborer on a farm ; proprietor 57 ambro t in ambrotypes , Avenue B ; learned yp g in ’ K ohlbeck s Studio ; on the advice of his friend Korbel opened a wine Shop at 50 Avenue B . His place was patronized by the best people in town , who called “ the patriarchal looking proprietor Grandfather . M a 19 18 8 8 . Died y , , unmarried His younger brother

Karel , had been a renowned singer in Germany M (Helden tenor) ; artin , still another brother, a saloon and boarding house keeper .

lB o hemia New Y m in Suffolk County , ork , has a nu be r of m B m T e : o m G Te x . m m na sakes ohe ia , reen , ; Bohe ia , Teha a , Cal B m m E m . m m ohe ia , sca bia , Fla ; Bohe ia , Plaque ines , Fla Bohe ia , B r m . O e . Lane , ; ohe ia , Pike , Pa 67 3 57 John Kubin (Gubin) , j eweler, Houston 184 . 8 . Street Arrived November, Fellow passenger k of Andrew H u baCe . ’ Kucera , furrier , native of employed L a ak for some time by s s . ‘’ K u haf 2 s . c 7 Kri tof J , bookkeeper, Bowery . 1 1- 2 8 5 5 . City Directory, 18 52 Kulda , Shoemaker, arrived about .

Rudolf Kysela , shoemaker, native of Humpolec , 1 18 52 8 50 . . arrived In went to St Louis , opening a 18 6 . 6 saloon there Farmed for a time , in returned

18 8 8 ; Z to New York . Died ealous amateur actor ; his two daughters in their time were stars of the k . anaée amateur stage The elder married Joseph J , a “ ” Délnické typesetter on the Listy, later notary and steamship agent , who settled in Humboldt ff County, Cal . The younger (born in Bu alo) , mar W inf r h e u t . ried Mr . , a New York club steward Her second husband was Major Z aruba (of the ’ K la . s e s Austrian Army) in Pilsen y brother, a

Justice of the Peace in Cleveland (lately deceased) , had also been a stage enthusiast . L as s ak Francis W . (Vlasak) , furrier , started at 3 76 Broome Street ; later owned a shop at 19 John

Street . City Directory registers him as early as 1 837 . Did not associate with his countrymen in a social way . Wealthiest New York Cech in his time . L au ko t a 5 John , piano maker, Mercer Street , 1 1- 2 8 5 5 . City Directory, Vacs lav L eStina M , deserter from the ainz Fort, 1 4 1 4 arrived either 8 7 or 8 8 . One of the founders of the Slovanska Lipa .

J . Link (Linke or Linka) , member of Cech H u baéek Society . According to j oined the settle ment in St . Louis .

L ivora . Frank , shoemaker 68 MraEek Jan Lucek , uncle of Marie , arrived with 1 the Repa family in 8 53 . Mare tzek Max , an impresario of note in his 18 58 day, who in introduced Adelina Patti , was born Mr é k . a e in Brno , Moravia Mrs . met him a number ’ B ru kman c s . of times in Dr . house The author has M r k had correspondence with a etze . Immigrated in 1 848 . Mat t es check Mat e éek 66 Anthony j ( j ) , tailor, 18 56 . Avenue A , City Directory , Mat t escheck Mat é éek William j ( j ) , tailor , Avenue 18 56 . A , City Directory, Mat hu s check 3 4 Fred , paino maker, Third 1 Mat hu hek 8 56 . s Avenue , City Directory, The

Piano takes its name after him . Me cholu p, plumber and tinsmith in Grand li ka Street . Joseph Jed é of Sayville worked for him A merikan upon his arrival . (Almanac ,

Melichar, teacher of piano . Vaclav Pohl mentions him as having been in New York before him . R os t islav Mraéek 1 82 8 Franta , born , in Nena 18 54 konice , Moravia , arrived in the Spring of , “ ” 1 1 N n . 86 arod i went to St Louis , , to edit Noviny

3 18 6 . . 9 there Died Odessa , Russia , February ,

Attended Prague Technical School . For political agitation sentenced to 2 0 years to Kufstein prison . 5 Served almost years ; amnestied , came to New L k . . e to vs York With J Barta y traveled to Russia , to found there a New Bohemia . The plan mis carried . In New York , where he learned to make M R cigars , he married arie epa , a highly intelligent

. as girl Served volunteer in Civil War , enlisting at

St . Louis . Mraéek R 1840 H oraZ Marie , née epa , born , in dov ice of excellen t family , believed to be still living 69 k . Mraée in Odessa Married to Frank in New York , 18 57 , by Father Krasny . Witnesses to marriage were Frank Korbel and Anthony Fiala father of the

arctic traveler . Received a widow s pension from

the U . S . Government . Knew personally every

pioneer of note in her time . Na rs t ek Voj ta p , law Student , arrived in De cember 1848 , , as political refugee , remaining in New

York two years . Organizer and librarian of the “ ” a Cech Society, editor of Flug Bl tter in Milwaukee, fi sponsor of rst Cech newspaper in U . S . Returned

to the old country after eight years . Founder with his wife in Prague of the Naprs t ek Industrial Mu

. 1 894 . seum Died in Prague , Ne edl V elvav j y, of y, watch maker , lived 1 in Clinton Street . Arrived 8 50 . Nicknamed the

Old Honest . N h v o a ec . John , a settler of Bohemia Village

avec , a settler of Bohemia Village .

94 . William Nowak , shoemaker , Forsyth Street N ow at s chek 68 . Fred , tailor , Norfolk Street O soba , weaver, military deserter from

1847 1848 . Mainz , arrived or Kept a saloon at 2 3 7 E . 5th Street ; at other time cigar store in Pitt

Street . V W - 4 ozab ozab O z ab 18 53 5 . Joseph ( , ) , arrived

133 . Kept White Lion Inn , Essex Street fi John Pechan , tailor, rst treasurer Slovanska - - in edliéka . Lipa, brother law, Joseph J of Sayville ’ John Plocek , Korbel s intimate . Member Cech

Society . Removing to Chicago , he furthered ’ ’ a r k N p s t e s plan for Cech paper . 1849 fi Vaclav Pohl , arrived , rst president Cech

18 52 . Society . Remained in New York till Changed occupations and residences ; expert cabinet maker a from home, he was milkm n , grocer, saloon keeper , 70 his Shop Vodwarka of New London learned that B trade . Lived in New York before rodsky . 494 Mary Schadek, millinery, Eighth Avenue . - 4 M 18 53 5 . raéek City Directory, Marie clerked in her establishment . f z Schlesinger, butcher rom Doma lice, “ ” popularly known as tata ( father) . Schwimbers k Svimbersk Franta y ( y ) , cabinet

18 50 51 . maker, arrived Two sons and daughters f immigrated Shortly a ter .

Joseph Sedlak ( also Sedlacek) , organ player, z teacher of music , from Doma lice, member Cech

Society, removed to Portland . According to one report went back to Bohemia, dying there . Schi ek Joseph p ( Sipek) , cabinet maker, became i prom nent in St . Louis , as lodge organizer . Vod “ a 1 w rka mentions another S pek , Frank , who , when ffi K os su t ht own he saved su cient money removed to , ” Wis . buying a farm there . kliba fi . S F , member Cech Society, rst member to die .

John Smid (Smith , Schmidt) from Strakonice, - arrived 18 50 51 . His wife kept a boarding house in F k a . iSer edlié Essex Street Brodsky , , J , boarded C o- there . founder of Cech Society . Organized a strike of fellow-countrymen working in Brooklyn brickyards . Removed to Michigan (Traverse

City where he is said to have done well . i Voj ta Spaleny , lived for a t me in Bohemia Vil lage .

Joseph Stipek, cabinet maker, mother was a ’ K im miller s widow from ou f . Daughter Lena mar Z r hal ried Karel J . d a . Brother Frank was in the same trade .

Suda, member Cech Society . k Svéra . Joseph , amateur actor 72 - l co . e Nikodem Tabor, founder Cech Society F

18 51 . low passenger with Brodsky . Arrived

Tancer , tailor . H oraidovice Tolar , tailor from , removed in 1 8 57 to St . Louis . His oldest daughter married one of the Click brothers . Tvrd Twid Wenzel y (descendants spell i t y) ,

1847 1848 . tailor or furrier of Roudnice , arrived or 18 51 - 52 9 1 City Directory , registers him from Wil s on im let Street . His , born the same year he fi o f migrated , was the rst American baby Cech ” parents . Descendants live in Westchester County .

° ‘’ T 11ma (Tou zimsky jocularly called

Cech Columbus , an allusion to his early landing , wrote to a Prague paper he was the proprietor of a casino in New York . Deserted from the Mainz Fort , 4 18 7 . Learned to roll cigars . Disappeared from public notice . 2 2 Wenzel Turba , druggist , Avenue C . City 1 - 8 56 57 . Directory,

Tu zar - , liquor dealer, non commissioned ffi ’ o cer in the Austrian Army .

Joseph Urban , maker musical instruments from 18 50 Kralove Hradec , musician , arrived Kor ’

1860 . . bel s friend , went to California Died there 18 19 K ou iim dis John Vavra (Wavra) , born in t rict O ndte , John Kratochvil and John Koula , from 18 54 co- jov, arrived in , were founders of Bohemia , I

. A ri I . me kan L (Almanac ,

1 h t o t e m C . . Writing author fro Traverse ity , Mich , Mrs Mary “ R u t ne r : w it w t o w m , says I onder if ould interest you kno that a ong t he mm who m t he m w va i igrants ca e on sa e transport ith John vra , w s John Koula and John Kratochvil , ere Frank Kratochvil (cou in of s m him John) , Jo eph , Anton and John Wilhel (see ) , Anton Svoboda , Sho lda Pohora l s va Joseph , Frank , Ky elka , Lada , Novotny , clav B t a i w a t k and Joseph K n zek . They ith their families settled either in Travers e City or on farms near here ; their grandchildren are s s t s m s t a s m Mr . a s . s doctor , chool eacher , u ic e cher , erchant M ry 73 Charles Vinicky , brewer from Kladruby, born 1 0 1 8 . 3 . 8 53 . , settled in N Y Had six children . Caro line ( born Johanna Eman u el John Stanislav The oldest s on was a

map maker downtown , singer, the moving spirit

of the Slovanska Lipa . Frank Vinicky in his youth - 18 57 a well known Sokol , was born in New York , ff ’ and married the daughter of Ti any s foreman ,

Lindauer . V 1 s k e . Wishek ( ) , musician Vléek , goldsmith , uncle of Anthony Fiala . Arrived 18 50 ; believed to have returned to the old

country . V o w k d ar a . i Joseph F . Window shutter maker, s

living in New London , Conn . Arrived September, 2 1 1 2 . 8 5 . 83 . Z . Born at amrsky , First Lieut Co C , l s t Reg . Missouri Vol . R . C . (more than half were h Cec s) .

Weininger, cabinet maker, arrived about

18 54 .

Wenzlik 3 Rudolph , furrier, Vandewater Street ,

' - 18 54 55 . City Directory, enthu s ias Frederick Werther, by birth a Slovak , fi i tic lodge worker, rst librar an and charter member

Slovanska Lipa , Civil War veteran . At the time he volunteer ed he sold his saloon to H u baéek ; upon - returning he re opened in Rivington Street . Having gone west , all trace of him was lost .

John Wild and Anton Wild , members Slovanska

Lipa .

K nize k K nizek m w Buck , daughter of Joseph , beca e a riter of no m m w t y . A r d r “ ean abilit fter he eath he poe s ere published en itled

am w . is Songs of the Northland , and , as far as I a are , Mrs Buck t he who m of m w t E n t o only Cech has a volu e poe s rit en in glish , her B r M n s t a credit . Mrs . Mathilda a t ak Mc a u (daugh er of V clav m B at t ak) t eaches music in a normal school . E manuel Wilhel ’ now in t t m t . (Anton s son) is our presen pos as er Frank Kyselka , $

m o . Montana , is superintendent of a govern ent Indian Scho l 74 ’ Wilhelm , pro tem . sec y , Slovanska Lipa ,

1 8 61 . . Settled in Traverse City, Mich Z a iéek fi John j , rst secretary Slovanska Lipa ,

newspaper correspondent , veteran Civil War , saloon

keeper . Z it ek John , at one time president of Slovanska M t . . . Lipa . Living in Vernon , N Y Z rahal . d Karel J , saddler , leather strap maker , 1 18 5 . a rrived about Died in San Francisco .

TH E SL O V A K S IN A ME R IC A

CA PE K R M , T, A .

TH E RE V LUDE VIT E G E . R A . N L R E V O RB H . C . L . AC CLE M E NT IH RISK IF Assisting

A ' h e h n f meri Mak n Inc . Publis hed b t e C z os l ak Se t io o a s i , y c ov c c g . NE W Y R K 192 1 O .

CHAPTER I

HISTORICAL BAC K GROUND AND CAUSES O F EMI GRATI ON

The Slovaks , a branch of the Slav family, num

bering over people , have a past which is

veiled with obscurity . I t is supposed that they migrated to their cou nt ry at the base of the Car pat hian Mountains toward the end of the 5th 8 63 century . In they embraced Christianity the fi rst of the Slavs to do so— from the hands of the

apostles Cyril and Method . What is known in history as the Great Moravian Kingdom had its capital in the town of Nitra nestled beneath the n Tatra Mountains , for it was Slovakia which the

formed the nucleus of this powerful kingdom . Two centuries later, when Moravia passed under Magyar rule and merged into the Hungarian Crown , the political existence of the Slovaks disappeared . From that time on they struggle to preserve their national consciousness , while on the other hand , the Hungarian Government attempted to Magyarize its various races . In the fall of the House of Haps - burg the Slovaks and their blood brothers , the h Cec s . , consummate their triumph So nearly related are the Slovaks to the Cechs G o ra hi that they may be said to be one people . e g p cally, they are contiguous ; the history of their ff oppression is similar . There may be di erence of opinion on the closeness of their respective languages .

Here , as often is the case , arguments have been influenced by religious and political considerations. 80 I t cannot be denied , however, that they both under stand and read the other ’ s language with equal

facility . The Slovak tongue itself may be divided ‘’ Safarik into three dialects . , the authority on Slavic

antiquities distinguishes pure Slovak , from that

tinged with Polish or Moravian expressions . Dur

ing the past half century , there has been a movement to develop Slovak as a distinct language and liter

ature . The Slovaks are found in what was formerly as known the Hungarian uplands , south of the

Carpathians . I t is a mountainous country, little ff as exploited , and o ering boundless possibilities to

natural resources . For their livelihood , the peasants

depend mainly on farming and herding , out of which ,

as a rule , they seldom eke out more than a mere

existence . For a long time the little town of Tur éians k Sv w a y . Martin s the cultural center of the

national movement . I t was there that the leading journal was published and literature and art col l ect ed in a National Museum . Independence

achieved , the interest of the Slovaks is now centered in the commercial town of Bratislava (Pressburg) it s o f 70 000 wi th population , advantageously Si tuated on the north bank of the Danube some 3 4 miles

southeast of Vienna . What brought the Slovak to America $ Hungary has always been a country of large

landed estates . The peasant very often too poor to his possess a farm of his own , had to work that of M agyar overlord . The rewards of a farm laborer

were meagre , the idle winters long , and opportuni ties

for bettermen t small . America became his hope ;

here he could better his material condition , found a

home , and earn a decent living for his family . Although the majori ty of t he emigrants left their 8 1 country on account of adverse economic reasons,

there is still another cause to be considered . The a dominant r ce , the Magyars , have always exercised

a narrow and belligerent race pride . This took active

form in Magyarization . Our Slovak had a more or less conscious sense of feeling that he was being

regarded as an inferior, and this made even his own

country unattractive to him . In America he would be welcomed as one coming to strengthen and build up .

8 2 CHAPTER II

STATISTICA L

The year 1 873 gives us the fi rst record of any considerable number of Slovaks coming to

America . The peak of their immigration was in 1 1 14 i 905 . 9 t e , when were admitted By , f ll off in to The war, of course , caused an t erru tion 1920 p until it was again revived in , when

came to our Shores . During the period of 12 1899-1910 years , , immigration records Show that

were admitted . One must be on guard in comparing these fi gu res with those of the Census of 1 1 9 0 . The discrepancy arises out of the fact that the immigrants were migratory . In the Eastern

States , their destination , they entered our basic industries :

Pennsylvania . New York New Jersey

Illinois . fi Generally, the men left their villages rst and in when they had acquired enough money America , they returned for their families . The maj ority of them gave their occupation as laborers . They did the heavy work fundamental to our industrial life . They faced u nflinchingly the hot blasts of the coke furnace and the dark depths of the mines . The census of 19 10 has ascertained Slovaks and their American born children in this country . Of this total , were foreign born , 83 and of foreign or mixed parentage . Private estimates have put the figures higher than the ffi o cial count . The Census authorities themselves admit that enumerators acted contrary to in s tru ct ions in tabulating the groups described as ‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’ Slav, Slavic , and Slavonian . Among them there are no doubt many who should have been ” reported as Slovak or Slovenian . The states having the greatest number in 1910 were Pennsylv ani

Ohio . New Jersey New York Illinois Connecticut

Unlike many of our foreign groups , they have not concentrated in the large cities as may be seen from the following table taken from the Census of 1910 Chicago

Cleveland . New York Bridgeport

Pittsburgh . One rather expects to fi nd them living near the place of their occupation , in the towns of the coal regions of Pennsylvania , and along the Monongahela

River, where the steel mills are located . CHAPTER III

OCCU PATI ON Every nationality in this country Shows prefer ence for certain occupations which for that reason are looked upon as the distinctive callings of certain racial groups . In New York City , the I talians are Cechs barbers , fruit peddlers and cobblers , the make cigars and pearl buttons , the Jews go in the n eedle trade , the Greeks are florists , the Danes in the Middle West engage in dairying and agriculture .

What , if any, is the distinctive occupation of the Slovaks $ Large bodies of them work in the coal mines ( anthracite and bituminous) , in the iron and steel mills and in various manufacturing industries , fi mainly in Pennsylvania , in the oil re neries of New

Jersey (Elizabethport , Bayonne, Perth Amboy) , in the Shoe factories and tanneries and textile mills of

Massachusetts . No metallurgical industry in Cleve land , Pittsburgh , Bridgeport and Gary, is without its quota of Slovak labor , skilled and unskilled . Of the workers in the iron and steel industry investigated 1 . . 909 by the U S Immigration Commission in , 1 some 0% were Slovaks .

The trade the Slovaks favor most , with which they are thoroughly familiar from home and in which they have achieved the best results both as workmen and employers , is wire and tin manufacture . From this to tinsmithing and plumbing is the next step . In New York they operate about thirty Shops where they turn out wire and tin household utensils , guards ffi for windows , o ce partitions , chandeliers , etc . 8 5 1880 - Before , English speaking people made up the bulk of the workers in the Pennsylvania coal

mines . But with startling suddenness came the Slav invasion of the coal fi elds and the consequent

withdrawal of the Irish and English miners . The Slovaks formed a considerable percentage of these

newcomers ; hardship is not new to them , and i t will be conceded that they aided generously In the u n precedented development of various industries which

took place during the following two decades .

In their motherland they were farmers , in their

adopted land they entered the mills or the mines . $ What is the cause of this change of occupation Perhaps the most important reason is that they came bu land comparatively, poor and could not y for farm fi ing . Their rst obj ect was to make enough money

to enable them to bring their families to America . Before a farm will yield a good return takes several

seasons . Rather the work in the mills with fairly good wages assured . We must remember that the

immigration is one of recent date , and by the time

the bulk had settled here and saved a little capital , land prices had increased s o as to make purchase prohibitive . There are consequently no large settle fi nd Cechs ments of farmers such as we among the , but this does not mean that Slovaks do not engage in agriculture . The Middle West is the home of many prosperous land tillers of Slovak birth or descent . Of the Eastern States , Connecticut . Two interesting agricultural communities were estab k fi Slova town . lis hed . by them The rst is at , Arkansas A Pittsburgh colonization company influenced a number of families to leave the mining districts of Pennsylvania for the healthier work of farming i and a fair success has been made of the commun ty . More important is the colony located near Peters 8 6

CHAPTER IV

FR A TE R NA L ORGANIZ ATI ONS AND CHURCHES Their social life is much the same as that of the h Cec s . They have their Sokol , singing and amateur

theatrical societies . The membership in fraternal fi organizations which pay Sick and death bene ts ,

is astonishingly large . But one should bear in mind that the work in the mines and the mills 1s

hazardous , the toll of death and bodily inj ury in i them , heavy . And these benevolent societ es take

the place of life insurance companies . The death benefi ts they pay or — is often the sole reliance and support of the wife or the children of

the insured . The First Catholic Slovak Union 4 . 9 680 (I . Katolicka Slovenska Jednota) , members The National Slovak Society (Na rodny Slovensky members The Catholic Slovak Women Union ( Katolicka Slovenska Zenska Jednota) members The Gymnastic Slovak Union Sokol (Télocviéna Slovenska Jednota Sokol) members The Roman and Greek Catholic Gymnastic Slovak Union Sokol (Rimsko a G recko Katolicka Slovenska Jednota Sokol) members The Slovak Evangelical Union ( E vangelicka Slovenska Jednota) members 88 The Slovak Evangelical Women Union ( Slovenska E vangelicka Z enska Jednota) . members The Zivena (The NatiOhalSlovak

Women Union) . members The Pennsylvania Roman and Greek Catholic Slovak Union (Penn s ylvans ka Rimsko a G recko K a l k t o ic a Slovenska Jednota) . members The Pennsylvania Roman and Greek Catholic Slovak Women Union (Penns ylvans kaRimsko a Grecko Z Katolicka enska Jednota) . members The Independen t National Slovak Society (Neodvisly Narodny Slo ven k S olok s y p ) . members The First Slovak Wreath of the Free Slo Eagle in the U . S . of A . ( I . vensky Ven ce Slobodného Orla

v S . S . A ) . members Total membership A The National Slovak Society of the U . S . of . , is the most influential , though not the strongest of 1890 the fraternal bodies . Organized in , i t has 2 members in 56 assemblies . I ts past record is very honorable . Besides giving many

volunteers to the Army, i t invested a substantial s u m in Liberty Bonds and furthered war activities . I ts contribution to the Czechoslovak movement for independence was no less generous . The Gymnastic Slovak Union Sokol dates to 1 894 . The membership is The Sokols are in a potent factor for the uplift of the immigrant , as mu ch as they aim to make a better citizen of him not only physically, but also culturally . The best equipped Sokol halls are at Bridgeport , Conn . , New 89 In Kensington , Homestead and Ford City, all Penn sylvania . Besides gymnastics , much attention is I I given to choral S ng ng and to dramatics . Most of the Slovak fighting men in American and Czechoslovak

Armies were recruited from the Sokol organizations . 1 1 1 Fu r k 9 . de Established in , by the Rev Stephen the First Catholic Slovak Union is numerically the “ Strongest organization . I t publishes a paper ( Jed

of which copies are printed . The

Pa . orphan asylum at Middletown , , is one of the institutions founded and supported by it . The Slovak Evangelical Union was established 1 1893 . I t has members in 99 assemblies dis : Penns l tributed , according to States , as follows y 97 3 1 1 1 14 vania , ; Ohio , ; Illinois , ; New York , ; New 8 5 5 5 Jersey, ; Connecticut , ; Michigan , ; Indiana, ; 4 3 3 Missouri , ; Montana, ; Minnesota , ; Wisconsin , 3 3 2 2 ; Iowa , ; West Virginia, ; Washington , ; Massa h 1 1 1 c u s et t s . , ; California , ; Canada , The Young ’ Folks Slovak Evangelical Union has members . The Slovak Evangelical Women ’ s Union has

members in 76 assemblies . 1 The Roman Catholics have 76 churches . Dis t ribu tion according to states is as follows : Penn 103 16 1 1 sylvania , ; Ohio , ; New Jersey, ; Illinois , 10 9 5 4 ; New York, ; Wisconsin , ; Connecticut , ; 4 2 Indiana, ; and each in Minnesota, Montana , 1 Missouri and Massachusetts , each in Maine,

Michigan , Kansas, West Virginia , Colorado and

Alabama . The Protestants of the Augsburg Confession 16 1 1 8 have in Pennsylvania ; Ohio, ; Illinois , ; Con necticu t 8 7 7 , ; New York , ; Wisconsin , ; New Jersey, 3 3 3 2 2 ; Missouri , ; Virginia , ; Iowa , ; Indiana , ; Min nesot a 2 M M , ; and Texas , ichigan and assachusetts 1 30 in each . Other Protestant churches number . 90 CHAPTER V

TH E PRESS That culturally the American Slovak stands on a higher plane than his brother at home is , we believe ,

’ generally admi tted . American environment , better economic conditions , are mainly responsible for bringing about this happy result . As an educator , has the newspaper aided greatly .

Da ilies

Y orsk Dennik New y (The New York Daily) ,

New York . Dennik Slov aka v A merike (The Slovak in

America Daily) , New York .

Denny Hlas (The Daily Voice) , Cleveland . Narodn Dennik y (The National Daily) , Pitts burgh . Weeklies and Fraternal Orga ns

Narodné Noviny (The National Slovak News) ,

Pittsburgh . Mladei Slovenska (The Slovak Youth) , Pitts burgh .

Nové Slovensko (The New Slovakia) , Pittsburgh . H las nik Slovensky (The Slovak Herald) , Pit ts burgh . na O bra . (The Defense) , Scranton Y ou ngs towns ké Slovenske Noviny (The Youngs town Slovak News) , Youngstown . M Jednota (The Union) , iddletown , Pa . Z ’ enska Jednota (The Women s Union) , Middle

to vs 11 . , Pa 91 - Bratstvo (The Brotherhood) , Wilkes Barre, Pa .

Slovensky Sokol (The Slovak Sokol) , Perth

Amboy, N . J . K at olick y Sokol (The Catholic Sokol) , Passaic,

N . J .

Nové Casy (The New Times) , Chicago . ’ St u dent ské Li sty (The Students Gazette) , Lisle,

Amerikansko Slovenske Noviny (The American

Slovak News) , Pittsburgh . Pokrok Slovensky (The Slovak Progress) , New

York . ’ Priat el Diet ek Pas (The Young Folks Friend) , saic , N . J . Telegram , Bridgeport , Conn . R ovnos t Ludu (The Equality of the People) ,

Chicago .

92 CHAPTER VI

TH E BAN K S

Nine years ago the fi rst bank was established . Today the Slovaks control nine Strong and prosper ous money institutions , seven of which do business in

Pennsylvania . Foremost among Slovak bankers is

Michael Bosak of Scranton , who is a heavy Stock holder in several of them . Surplus and O r Paid up Undivided gamzed C apital Profits Deposits

Bosak State Bank , Scranton , Slavonic Deposit Bank

Pa . . Wilkes Barre , U Slovak State Bank , nion w to n , Pa A merican Bank and Trust H z C o . , a elton , Pa The American State Bank

Pittsburgh , Pa

The First National Bank ,

O . lyphant , Pa R Reading Liberty Bank , ead 19 19 Pa . . . ing , ov Batik Papanek K ac ,

Chicago , Ill A merican Trust and Savings B 192 0 ank , Whiting , Ind