[Webmaster's note-- the media was certainly less "politically
correct" in 1886. An article like the following today would be universally
renounced.]
From the Streator Daily Free Press, June 28, 1886:
A CRUEL MURDER
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JOHN MARYNSHECK BRAINED BY A FELLOW COUNTRYMAN
------
A Wild Night Among the Hungarians at No. 3-- Carl Grahofski, the Murderer,
Landed in Jail-- But for the Police Officers a "Lynching Bee" would have
Followed.
About 11 o'clock Saturday night a couple
of Hungarians came to the police court and informed Assistant Marshal Rynn
that a terrible row among a number of Hungarians had taken place but a
short time previous, and one man was fatally injured-- possibly dead.
Officer Rynn started down the railroad track for the scene of Hungarian
warfare, and Marshal Smith went down Bloomington bent on the same destination.
Officer Rynn arrived a few minutes before Marshal Smith and just in time
to get mixed up in the center of the affray, but before the arrival of
the other posse the riot was quelled and the ringleaders under arrest,
Marshal Smith knew very little of the affair at the time but nevertheless
slapped the handcuffs onto Carl Grahofski, the murderer. He looks
to be a man of infinite strength, is fully six feet tall and has a ferocious
cast of countenance. Andrew Liptag, another Hungarian, was also arrested,
but it is not believed he had a hand in the murder. The two prisoners
were brought to this city and landed in jail, but the crime having taken
place in Livingston County, they were taken to the county jail at Pontiac
this morning.
When arrested, both Grahofski and Liptag
were in bed and feigned sleep. They did not intend to go without
one effort for their freedom, and in the melee that followed chairs, stoves
and beds were overturned, but after a frantic attempt at escape which proved
unsuccessful, the men were nabbed by the officers. A number of Hungarians
stuck to the murderer as brothers and during the time Smith was handcuffing
his prisoner one of them attempted to annihilate the marshal, but failed.
As far as can be learned the facts in
the case are as follows: More or less drinking had been indulged
in during the day and evening among the Hungarians, Grahofski and Marynsheck
indulging also. About ten o'clock they separated, Grahofski and Liptag
going to bed. Shortly after retiring a stick was thrown through a
window in Grahofski's house, striking his wife in the mouth. Grahofski
immediately jumped out of bed and went outside the house the (sic) ascertain
from whence the stick came. It was discovered that Marynsheck had
thrown the stick, probably in a fit of madness on account of something
which had occurred some hours before. A wicked fight between Marynsheck
and Grahofski followed. Volley after volley of oaths were hurled
at each other. Revolvers were discharged and the noise was deafening.
Finally Grahofski's frenzy overpowered him, and with an ax he struck Marynsheck
on the head felling him to the ground and scattering his brains far and
wide. Death was no doubt instantaneous. During the row a woman
who lived near ran over and attempted to separate the contestants, but
received a very severe blow on the arm which was sufficient to fracture
that member.
After sifting down the numerous stories
told by the outside Hungarians, we believe the above to be the true state
of affairs. The murderer is sullen and morose and refuses to talk
of the crime, so no information could be gained of him. Justice Jones,
of Smithdale, was made aware of the murder, and in absence of the coroner,
he empaneled a jury of six men living in the neighborhood and had everything
in readiness for the coming of the county coroner this morning. Yesterday
afternoon Justice Jones ordered the arrest of the following Hungarians
who are supposed to be accessories in the affair: John Liptag, Jos. Lesko,
Ludwick Kaller, Johann Krumpiscky, Johan Kirfonda, and Charles Kagir.
They were all confined in the county jail to await the actions of the coroner's
jury.
Officers Smith and Rynn deserve great
credit for their bravery, as they were liable at any time to be shot by
sympathizing friends of the murderer. The murdered man was married
and leaves a wife and two children.
Last evening about 200 Painter's addition
and No. 3 Hungarians assembled at No. 3 and dire threats of lynching the
murderer were indulged in, but upon the advice of a number of cooler headed
"Huns" they were prevailed upon to desist and allow the law to take its
course. Not a Hungarian in that neighborhood is at work today, all
are drinking more or less and it will be strange if another row is not
stirred up. The coroner of Livingston county and the state's attorney
of the same county arrived at 8 o'clock this morning, and at ten o'clock
repaired to No. 3 shaft, the scene of the murder, for the purpose of holding
the inquest. The eight Hungarians who were arrested yesterday afternoon
were taken from the jail and marched down to No. 3, where, through an interpreter,
their evidence was given. All were more or less mixed up in the affair,
but the crime was fastened upon the two men arrested. Liptag used
a club and Grihofski the ax, and it is understood that either of the two
blows were sufficient to cause death. The neighborhood is greatly
excited, even to the women and children. The murderers have a number
of friends who will do anything to save them from the gallows. During
the inquest, which was held in the No. 3 school house, a person could scarcely
hear anything from the babble of excited Hungarian tongues.
For those not familiar with Streator and environs-- the
part of town south of 12th St. near the Vermillion River lies in Livingston
County and is technically not part of the city of Streator. Officially
it's South Streator, but to Streatorites that portion of town is
called "No. 3" after the Peabody #3 mine that once operated there.
As can be seen by the above account, that part of town was once considered
somewhat wild and lawless. |