Reverend J.M. Trunk - Kansas 1912

Copyright © 1996, 1997, Slovenian Genealogy Society International, all rights reseved

These Rev. J. M. Trunk texts were published originally in 1912. Part 8, History of Slovene Communities, contains significant genealogical information about Slovenian immigrants, the places they lived, the organizations they formed, and the churches they attended.

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Kansas

Carona, Columbus, Crowburg, Curranville: In these communities there are coal mines where many Slovenes work. However, there are not too many permanent residents.

Fleming: It is a friendly community where about 40 Slovenes live. But about one-half of the houses are vacant. When the coal mines closed, the Slovenes left the community. Franklin. It is a rather large picturesque community in the middle of farm land. There are about ten Slovene families who work in the coal mines.

Frontenac: The first Slovenes came here in 1866 from Lower Carniola (Dolenjska) and Styria (Stajerska). Many of them worked in the mines in Westfalia, Germany, prior to their emigration to America. Most of them found work in the mines. In the city there are some Slovene businessmen. An Austrian sick benefit society has a hall here. Besides some benefit societies, the Slovenes founded a reading room (citalnica) Naprednost, (Progress) and the singing society Eagle over Triglav (Orel nad Triglavom). The Slovenes are interested din politics. Mr. J. Skupic is alderman in the 2nd Ward. There are over 1,000 Slovenes and many have their own homes. There is a Catholic church in the city, but I could not find out any more information about religious conditions. The Lodges of St. Rochus #132 KSKJ and St. Barbara (Forest City, Pennsylvania) have over 500 members.

Kansas City: As early as 1903 there were 60 families and about 100 single men who came from Dolenjska (Lower Carniola). They work in the large stock yards. I was told there are more Slovene emigrants living here, but I could not find out what the exact number is. Years ago the Slovenes and Croatians were saving money to building the Church of St. John the Baptist, but the Croatians did not recognize any rights of the Slovenes so the Slovenes started to worship in the Church of St. Anthony which is a German church. Occasionally a Slovene missionary would visit them until the Slovenes built their own church, the Church of the Holy Family. Next to it is he Slovene school. The priest is the Rev. Keeovec.

On 21 September 1909, the following Sisters left Maribor, Slovenia: S. Bonaventura Kunst, Mother Klotilda Strnad (who is in Joliet now), Mother Aurelia Planker and S. Pulheria Zovko. One 12 August 1912, the above-mentioned Sisters were joined by Mother Sabina Rebolj, Sister Bozema Loncar and Sister Emilia Curin. The Sisters are teaching at the Slovene and Croatian parish schools.

The following lodges have been established: St. Peter and Paul #38 KSKJ, St. Veronica #115 JSKJ and the Knights of St. George #49.

Neodesha There are seven Slovene farmers in this area.

Olpe: Ten Slovene farmers have large farms and raise cattle. They worship in a German church.

Pittsburgh: It is the seat of numerous mining camps. Many Slovenes work in the coal mines and most of them can be found in Yale. There are farms in the vicinity. In Mineral there is St. Joseph's Lodge #53 JSKJ with 70 members. In Breezy Hill, Daisy Hill (P. O. Weir) the Slovene population prevails. Slovenes are also found in Skidmore, Radley, Franklin, Chicoppee, Cherokee, Jacksonville and in Mulberry, but I did not get any report.

Stone City Mr. V. Berlizg mentioned that there are about 70 Slovenes here among which are 30 families. They started coming around 1900 when the coal mine opened. Among the first settlers were L. Podbevsek, L. Mandelj, L. Kovac and others. All of them work in the mines. In the vicinity of the mines some Slovenes purchased lots and built their homes. It is the community which got the name Trbovlje (Slovene mining town). Mr. Berlizg has two farms, each of which comprises 80 acres. 

Many Slovenes have also purchased farms in the states of Mississippi and Florida. The report mentioned that the religious situation is a bad one, only two families worship in the church. Most of the emigrants are Socialists and Freethinkers. The closets church is two miles away in East Mineral. There are some benefit societies here. Emigrants from Stone City together with emigrants from East and West Mineral belong to the different societies. East Mineral founded a Socialist Club with a reading room.