Jan Haisman
Early Czech Settler In Chicago

p. 1--Lately our countrymen have manifested creditable spirit of enterprise.

We have a whole group of genuine Bohemian enterprises of various kinds, and most of them rest upon good, firm foundations, so that money invested in them is assured suitable profit.

A promising undertaking, guaranteeing safety of investment and considerable clear profit, is the Builders Brick Company, whose product will soon be on the market. This company is deserving of detailed mention for it is a truly Bohemian undertaking.

The idea of its organization originated among Bohemian builders and contractors.

Bohemians are managing it, Bohemian money is invested in the undertaking, and Bohemians will be its main supporters.

A meeting was held last Thursday by the company at which interesting and encouraging reports were made.

The company is capitalized at $75,000 of which almost $46,000 has been subscribed for and paid in.

At the above mentioned meeting it was resolved to forty acres of land in Chicago Heights, Ill.

These grounds embrace an almost inexhaustible deposit of fine brick clay, and trade experts estimate that it will be possible to operate at least thirty years, at a daily production of one hundred and fifty thousand bricks.

The cost of the ground and the furnishing of the factory in which the most modern and practical machinery will be installed is estimated at $75,000. A further outlay of about $25,000 will be needed for wagons, horses, etc. The company will issue bonds to raise the additional sum needed.

Anyone may become a shareholder in the company by purchasing stock which costs $100 per share and which is limited to twenty shares to any individual. Almost all Bohemian builders, contractors and architects are shareholders, so that the company's product is assured a market; and there is no necessity of spending any money on advertising in order to secure business.

The profit on brick at present prices is very great and will be satisfactory even if the price should drop.

About one hundred Bohemian citizens, who have acquired shares of the company, have taken advantage of the benefits offered by the company and all of the shares will surely be subscribed for very soon.

As soon as the business is in operation, the value of the shares will rise.

At the quarterly meeting, sample bricks, made of clay, from the ground which will be bought, were exhibited, and met with the approval of experts in every respect. It should also be mentioned that Chicago Heights and the future Bohemian brickyard are situated conveniently on a railroad, and transportation from there is rapid and at low cost.

As is known, The Chicago Terminal Railroad extends from Chicago Heights through our California and Pilsen, and our builders and contractors can be supplied with brick at low cost.

The board of directors is composed of the following: F. C. Layer, president; T. B. Dibelka, vice-president; Adolf Lonek, secretary; Richard Dusil, treasurer. Members of the board: A. F. Rusy, Frank Sedlak, Frank Novy, John Haisman

p. 1--Lately our countrymen have manifested creditable spirit of enterprise.

We have a whole group of genuine Bohemian enterprises of various kinds, and most of them rest upon good, firm foundations, so that money invested in them is assured suitable profit.

A promising undertaking, guaranteeing safety of investment and considerable clear profit, is the Builders Brick Company, whose product will soon be on the market. This company is deserving of detailed mention for it is a truly Bohemian undertaking.

The idea of its organization originated among Bohemian builders and contractors.

Bohemians are managing it, Bohemian money is invested in the undertaking, and Bohemians will be its main supporters.

A meeting was held last Thursday by the company at which interesting and encouraging reports were made.

The company is capitalized at $75,000 of which almost $46,000 has been subscribed for and paid in.

At the above mentioned meeting it was resolved to forty acres of land in Chicago Heights, Ill.

These grounds embrace an almost inexhaustible deposit of fine brick clay, and trade experts estimate that it will be possible to operate at least thirty years, at a daily production of one hundred and fifty thousand bricks.

The cost of the ground and the furnishing of the factory in which the most modern and practical machinery will be installed is estimated at $75,000. A further outlay of about $25,000 will be needed for wagons, horses, etc. The company will issue bonds to raise the additional sum needed.

Anyone may become a shareholder in the company by purchasing stock which costs $100 per share and which is limited to twenty shares to any individual. Almost all Bohemian builders, contractors and architects are shareholders, so that the company's product is assured a market; and there is no necessity of spending any money on advertising in order to secure business.

The profit on brick at present prices is very great and will be satisfactory even if the price should drop.

About one hundred Bohemian citizens, who have acquired shares of the company, have taken advantage of the benefits offered by the company and all of the shares will surely be subscribed for very soon.

As soon as the business is in operation, the value of the shares will rise.

At the quarterly meeting, sample bricks, made of clay, from the ground which will be bought, were exhibited, and met with the approval of experts in every respect. It should also be mentioned that Chicago Heights and the future Bohemian brickyard are situated conveniently on a railroad, and transportation from there is rapid and at low cost.

As is known, The Chicago Terminal Railroad extends from Chicago Heights through our California and Pilsen, and our builders and contractors can be supplied with brick at low cost.

The board of directors is composed of the following: F. C. Layer, president; T. B. Dibelka, vice-president; Adolf Lonek, secretary; Richard Dusil, treasurer. Members of the board: A. F. Rusy, Frank Sedlak, Frank Novy, John Haisman and John Rus.

Old settlers whose services to the Czech community in Chicago have been invaluable, like to remember former times when they had to work hard and unrelentingly, not only to found an existence for themselves, but also to prepare and insure a better future for those who came after them to the land of liberty, to continue the work which they had begun. All of Czech Chicago gladly joins with them in their reminiscences, which are revived in annual gatherings, at which congenial conversation and pleasant, plain entertainment are offered.

One such gathering took place yesterday, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Czech Old Settlers' Association. This gave the picnic a special luster, and made it one of the most successful in years. It was held in the Pilsen Brewery Park, the usual place for these affairs. Innumerable Czech settlers are members of the Association, including many who left town years ago. Even young people belong, thus symbolizing the future, while the older people form the background, representing the past and the present. These annual celebrations reflect the peaceful, harmonious, sociable life in the settlement, as the old settlers knew it.

Nevertheless, yesterday's picnic reflected the grave import of the present time. A patriotic air pervaded the festival. Aged men and women frankly expressed the wish that "the man with the scythe" might wait for awhile, until the war ended with a victory for the United States, so that the old people could rejoice in the liberation of the world, and, last but not least, in the rescue of Czechoslovakian territory from subjugation.

The festive picnic opened, as always, at 11 A. M., and soon groups of people, most of whom were members of the Association, were seen in lively conversation, for many had not met for a whole year. There was a parade with a markedly patriotic aspect. It was led by John Sokol, head of the Scouts. He wore a mask, and was dressed as "Uncle Sam". Girls from the Red Cross marched, followed by members of the Association.

A new flag was raised over the park pavilion, after which "Uncle Sam" recited the oath of allegiance in English. It was repeated by the audience in the Czech language. This was a solemn moment.

Mr. Anton Pregler enthusiastically outlined the activities of the Association. "My esteemed fellow citizens, fellow members of the Czech Old Settlers' Association," he began. "I wish to say only a few sincere words to you....We are celebrating the memory of July 14, 1898, when our Association was founded.....Conforming with our statutes, the Association is managed by a directorate of six men and six women.....

"Sixteen men have addressed former gatherings at various times, usually after the main ceremonies were over. Among those speakers were Charles Vopicka, V. Kaspar, Robert Pitte, Judge J. Z. Uhlir, J. Kostner, Joseph Cermak, and Judge Kickham Scanlan of the County Court. Mrs. Marie Steiskal, who was a member of the directorate twenty years ago, and Mrs. Margaret Stuchlik, also spoke on various occasions.

"At each picnic a gold medal was given to the oldest settlers. The first gold medal was awarded to Mrs. Marie Pecha, who was at that time a ward of the Institute for the Blind, 19th Street and Douglas Park Avenue (sic). She came to America in 1853. Mr. John Haisman one of the recipients of the medal, came to this country in 1848.

"Charity has been the guiding spirit of the Association. The members have not paid any dues during the entire twenty years, yet over 5,000 membership emblems have been given away, various expenses have been paid, and annual picnics have been arranged with free admission. Over 10,000 albums have been given away. About $3,000 was contributed to the maintenance of various charitable institutions, such as the Bohemian Old People's Home and Orphan Asylum, the institute at Lisle, Illinois, and the Catholic Orphanage, where an extra room, a memorial to the Association, is maintained for sick children. The Association sent 500 crowns for the sufferers from the flood in Bohemia in 1902. That money was distributed by Mr. F. Korbel. The Association donated $500 to the Czech Hospital in Chicago, and $50 to the immigrant home at Baltimore, Ohio. The Matice Vyssiho Vzdelani (Central Organization for Higher Education), and the American Red Cross have also received contributions. The Association became a member of the Red Cross under the special sponsorship of President Wilson. Our Association has contributed on many other occasions, and can well be proud of its record. As chairman of the board of directors, I wish to thank everybody for their co-operation.....Let us remember the members who have died....." Mr. Pregler closed with a wish that the silver jubliee of the Association might be celebrated.

Mr. Otto Fuerst Followed. During and after his address, there were tears in the eyes of almost everybody present. His words went to the hearts of the old people; they were the very echo of their innermost desires.

These moments of emotion did not however, last very long because the majority of the picnickers gradually congregated about the kitchen, and at the spots where delicious drinks were being served.

The dance of the oldest couple was an important feature. Mr. Joseph Sramek, 83, and Mrs. Therese Doskocil, 81, in spite of their age, gave an excellent account of themselves because they pranced about with youthful vigor, and chatted gaily. They were each presented with a large mug designed in true Bohemian style.

One cannot imagine a Czech Old Settlers' picnic without some funny entertainment being offered at it. There was plenty of fun at this one. The main attraction was the appearance upon the floor of a strange man whom everyone would have guessed to be at least one hundred years old. He hopped about as if he were a boy, and danced with seventy-two-year-old Mrs. Catharine Nemrava until she was breathless. Other dancers, and those looking on, soon began to express doubt about the man's real age. Though unmasked and revealed as Mr. Belohlavek, Jr., he still stuck to his "old age," and continued to romp about as a "centenarian," until the picnic closed at 11 P. M.

Yesterday the association which has for its aim to provide for the building of the Old People's Home and the Orphanage met in the lower hall of the Bohemian English Liberal School on Eighteenth Street. The meeting was well attended, and its results were really satisfactory. It is evident that in this last year much effective work has been done to advance the undertaking, and it cannot be denied because of these activities the goal is almost attained. This must surely please every sincerely charitable Bohemian.

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Frydl, the chairman of the Association. As has been said above, there was a large attendance of the delegates [of the societies which form the Association]. After the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting by the secretary, Mr. Karel Musil, communications received were read. In these communications the names were announced of the newly elected delegates. We observed that the lodges and the corporations had selected intelligent and capable representatives, who will be able to do much for the good of the Association.

Mr. Suchy, secretary of the executive committee, read the notes of the executive committee's meeting held last Sunday. The meeting then proceeded with the election of officers. Mr. Jan Pech was unanimously chosen president. Mrs. Liskova was unanimously elected vice-president. The election of a secretary was a bit more difficult because many of those nominated hesitated to accept this thankless office. However, Mr. R. Svacha finally did accept the nomination and was unanimously elected. Mr. O. Stybr was elected financial secretary, and Mr. Antonin Zahrobsky treasurer. The managing committee of five members was chosen as follows: Messrs. Psenka, Tokstein, Charvat, and Haisman and Mrs. Pech. Messrs. Novak, Musil, and Tucek were elected to the auditing committee. The entertainment committee will be named at the next meeting by the newly elected president.

The Association can only congratulate itself upon the result of this election. There is no doubt that the general public will also be pleased with the results and will show its approval by generous gifts to the Home and the Orphanage. Several proposals for the good of the Association were offered after the election of officers had been completed. Those which were recognized as beneficial to the Association were accepted.

Receipts of the evening amounted to the substantial sum of $1,059.10; disbursements, none. [After this had been announced], the meeting was adjourned.