by Laurel | July 17th, 2009
July 17, 1900, page 8
Poles Boycott A Butcher.
Jacob Blackman, a Hebrew meat dealer at 28 Oliver street, has become enveloped in a chain of circumstances which threaten his downfall from business circles. Mr. Blackman has a large patronage from the Poles of the city, and his shop is in the heart of the Polish colony. About a week ago he took into his employ a Pole, Stephen Sudyka, who had formerly been employed with Joseph Frodima. About a month ago Sudyka saw fit to get married, but having had difference with Rev. A. M. Sikorski, pastor of the local Polish congregation, he took his affianced to the Independent Polish church at Chicopee, and was there united in wedlock. After Sudyka had changed his employment and begun work for the Hebrew, Mr. Sikorski denounced before his congregation the actions of Sudyka and Mr. Blackman for employing him, and bade all of his parishioners to forsake Mr. Blackman and to discontinue patronizing him. Accordingly the Poles flocked into the unfortunate butcher’s shop yesterday morning and informed him of the boycott that had been placed upon him. They must bear allegiance to their priest, and hence they came to bid him farewell until he should separate themselves from their unworthy countryman. This Mr. Blackman refuses to do, and he is calmly awaiting the return of his customers. He believes that the two Polish butchers who have shops in the city are in collusion with the priest, and that they are thus avenging themselves for some of the advantages he has heretofore gained over them.
Excerpt from the Springfield Republican.
