Katalikas (Lithuanian Newspaper), Chicago, July 26, 1915

Katalikas, Volume 17, Number 174, 26 July 1915. One of the many Lithuanian language newspapers in Chicago that covered the Eastland Disaster.

The story of how the Eastland Disaster impacted Chicago’s Lithuanian community was featured in Eastland Waters: Melody, Verse, and Lithuanian Legacy in Chicago, published on Dec. 2, 2023 (Flower in the River Podcast).

AI Translation of Katalikas article

***News from Chicago***

More than 1,000 dead.

(Continuation from page 1)

Fear of Fever

The river is dirty. It contains a lot of sewage and various impurities. It harbors many sources of disease. Therefore, there is a fear that those rescued might fall ill with various diseases, especially doctors say that those who ended up in the river and ingested the water might contract fever.

Moving Pictures Removed

When the disaster happened, moving pictures were taken. The newspaper "The Tribune" took care of this. The pictures were taken from various locations. If censorship allows, these pictures will be shown in Chicago. All net profits will go to the families of the victims. Afterwards, these pictures will be shown in other cities of the United States and Canada, and all net profits will go to help the families of the victims. Thus, the affected families will receive significant assistance.

Warnings Were Given Long Ago

Two years ago, an expert engineer reported to federal inspectors that the Eastland was in poor condition. If not repaired, it could lead to a major disaster. The inspectors did not respond to this letter and did not order any repairs. The Eastland continued to be used without repairs and ultimately reached its end.

Such a warning was given on August 3, 1913. But even earlier, in July 1903, when the steamer belonged to the Michigan Steamship Company, it was already warned that the steamer had deficiencies.

Ship Architect York Says

York says that the Eastland should not have received any certification. It could not be allowed to operate, not even in a mill pond.

Eastland Now Belongs to St. Joseph and Chicago Steamship Company

This company was formed with the goal of purchasing the steamer and transporting Chicago picnickers to St. Joseph to boost that town, and most of St. Joseph's residents belong to this company. This company purchased the unfit steamer Eastland. Now, without a doubt, St. Joseph will decline as a summer resort.

The Fallen Member

The Cicero Vyčiai chapter, gripped by grief, has lost its active member Petronelė Laurinavičiūtė, who perished with the Eastland. She was born and raised here but was a true Lithuanian. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday morning. It is necessary for all Chicago Vyčiai chapters to contribute to giving the last respects to the fallen member.

Additionally, among the deceased known from Cicero’s Lithuanian community are:

• Kotryna Kaspariūtė, 18 years old

• Boleslovas Šivickis, 38 years old, who left behind a wife and children in Lithuania.

How Many Lithuanians Died?

How many Lithuanians died with the Eastland, how many were rescued, and how many are missing - it is difficult to determine because Lithuanians always use distorted surnames, with Polish or other suffixes. Among the lists of the dead, rescued, and missing, not a single person with a true Lithuanian surname can be found. This Lithuanian habit of distorting their surnames mostly affects themselves when any disaster occurs.

Here are the deceased. Perhaps they are Lithuanians:

• Morta Adamkevicz, 1850 W. Superior St.

• Mary Adamkevicz, 1850 W. Superior St.

• Clara Alvinski, 1714 Brigham St.

• Emma Belsky, 1714 Ruble St.

• Emily Baubas, 1442 S. Kedzie Ave.

• George Buczkovski

• Annie Barskovski, 5005 W. 31 St.

• Ignatz Takubinski, 4039 S. Lincoln St.

• Rose Katavsky, 2437 S. Central Park Ave.

• Lucy Klucinsky, 3042 S. Kolin Ave.

• Nellie Kesper, 17 years old, 4817 S. Wood St.

• John Mankovsky, 4858 S. Winchester Ave.

• Stanley Mendrisky, 931 W. 31 St.

• John Maurausky, 2748 Hillock Ave.

• Josephine Marcosky, 2258 S. Sacramento Ave.

• Morta Ostrovaski, 5330 S. Hermitage Ave.

• Amelia Pickas, 2085 S. Springfield Ave.

• Josephine Rachinski (Rašinskiute), 3227 Auburn Ave.

• Roman Slovisky, 30 years old, 4850 S. Racine Ave.

• Josephine Seimanski, 17 years old, Cicero, IL.

• Morta Tuwas, 4118 W. 25 St.

• Auna Temski, 20 years old, 1929 W. Ohio St.

• Signmnd Urban, 2229 N. Oakley Ave.

• Frank Yalsonsky, 2944 S. 48 Ct.

Missing, who are probably still inside the ship:

• Helen Buschiewitz, Auburn Park.

• Helen Duszkewicz, 21 years old, 3444 W. 72 St.

• John Bobelius.

• Stan Dobkovski, 5050 32 St., Cicero.

• Jennie Kotovsky, 2437 S. Central Park Ave.

• John Kirkalski, 2415 Kirkland Ave.

• Julia Kovalski.

• May Miscievicz, 3029 S. Troy St.

• Louis Mavianeine, 013 S. May St.

• Walter Rokowski, 4923 W. 28 Place.

• F. W. Rakowski.

• Sivikis, 49 Ave and 10 St.

• Joseph Shorski, 29 St., Morton Park.

• Frances Slovinski, 1949 W. 20 St.

• Morta Šiliukas, Cicero Ave.

• Yladislau Rakovski, 4923 W. 28 Place.

• J. Alozaitis, 320 S. 48 Ct.

• Magdalena Kacinski, 1423 49 Ave., Cicero.

• Eleonora Kacinski, 1423 49 Ave.

Among the rescued and saved, there are also many Polish-Lithuanian surnames, which are not mentioned here.

***END OF ARTICLE***

LINK TO ORIGINAL: Katalikas 26 July 1915 — Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections