My compliments and... many thanks! Jacopo Longo, Roma ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Jerin <rjerin@adelphia.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2002 3:49 PM Subject: Re: R: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Frank Kurchina" <frankur@worldnet.att.net> > To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2002 8:25 AM > Subject: Re: R: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > > > > > > > jacopo longo wrote: > > > > > > Hello to everybody; > > > where should I check if I'd like to know something more about the > > > filological roots of the words 'slavonian' / 'schiavone-i' ? > > > and, as I was born in Italy, I'd like also to know why Italians hoped > > > Croatians would not rebel if they were called as 'Slavonians'... > > > Thanks a lot, > > > > > > Jacopo Longo, Italy > > > > > > Ciao > > > > The name Schiavoni appears in both Rome and Venice > > as place names and in Italy as a surname. > > > > Slavonian by definition can even be extended to mean Russian. > > > > http://www.slavism.com/basic.htm > > (I CUT PART OF YOUR MESSAGE JUST NOT TO MAKE IT TOO KiloBYTE-HEAVY J.L.)

----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Kurchina" <frankur@worldnet.att.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2002 8:25 AM Subject: Re: R: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > > jacopo longo wrote: > > > > Hello to everybody; > > where should I check if I'd like to know something more about the > > filological roots of the words 'slavonian' / 'schiavone-i' ? > > and, as I was born in Italy, I'd like also to know why Italians hoped > > Croatians would not rebel if they were called as 'Slavonians'... > > Thanks a lot, > > > > Jacopo Longo, Italy > > > Ciao > > The name Schiavoni appears in both Rome and Venice > as place names and in Italy as a surname. > > Slavonian by definition can even be extended to mean Russian. > > http://www.slavism.com/basic.htm > > After the successful wars against Austria in 1859 and 1866, > Italy sought a new position as a new Great Power. > Italy regarded the Balkans especially Albania as its natural > zone of influence. > Italy competed with Austria for influence in this region. > Italians dreamed of taking the whole Dalmatian sea-coast > away from Austria based on the fact that an Italian minority lived > there. > Italy's ambitions were a threat to Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro and > Greece. > These states also hoped to seize the same areas on the Adriatic > which were the object of Italian ambitions. > Italy was too weak to sieze any of the Balkan territory up to 1878. > > Following the failed Hungarian revolution of 1848-1849, the > Croats (who had fought on the side of the Hapburgs) were The Hungarian "April Laws" ignored Croatian autonomy. In response, Croatian leaders called for a distinct Triune Kingdom, as a separate entity under the Habsburgs. The Habsburgs now sent a new royal Ban to Croatia, Josip Jellacic. He had been a colonel commanding Serbian troops in the military border, and was a known "Illyrian" in sentiment: the Habsburgs correctly hoped that he would be an ally against Budapest. Jellacic refused to accept from the new Hungarian regime, set up his own ruling council, and widened the franchise to elect a new Sabor in May, which endorsed his actons The divisions that hurt the Hungarian regime were based on ethnic differences, not class. The Magyarization program of the April Laws made it impossible for Croats, Serbs, Slovaks and Romanians to support those laws,and this made the minorities into handy allies for the Habsburgs. If anything, this strengthened the forces of Magyar national chauvinism, despite defeat in 1849. The fate of Croatia was more complicated. The Diet worked out a second compromise with the Croatian Diet. This "Nagodba" of 1868 retained Croatia's separate identity, language rights and the Sabor. In practice, the Nagodba left Croatia at the mercy of Hungary. Franz Joseph gave up the right to act in Croatian affairs: the Ban was henceforth appointed in Budapest. The most bitter point of disagreement was the status of the city of Rijeka (or Fiume) on the Adriatic, the best port for both Hungarian and Croatian exports, and claimed by both. When the Hungarian delegates brought the Nagodba to Franz Joseph for signature they adopted a simple solution to the stalemate: in place of a clause meant to explain the dispute, they pasted a scrap of paper with their own text, ending Croatian rule. The Habsburgs chose never to remedy this trick > promised autonomy for Croatia-Slavania together with Dalmacija > (to be called the Triune Kingdom) > The 1860s saw the gradual removal of direct Austrian rule in > Hungary (which ruled Croatia-Slavonia) > But, the promise to incorporate Dalmatia with Croatia and Slavonia into > a Triune Kingdom never happened. > Dalamatia remained an Austrian province. There had been a medieval Croatian kingdom, and Croatian nobles claimed political rights, including election of their kings. When their own dynasty died out in 1102, the Croatian Diet or "Sabor" chose the Hungarian dynasty, trading away full independence for security, stability, and internal autonomy. The "Triune Kingdom of Dalmatia, Croatia and Slavonia" remained a legally distinct constitutional entity. After Mohacs, the "Sabor" separately selected the Habsburg candidate as Croatia's king. Under the Habsburgs, this local diet of nobles made the laws and handled internal administration, with the consent of the king's viceroy, the Ban. Triune Kingdom of Dalmatia, Croatia and Slavonia, 1867 - 1918 http://zeljko-heimer-fame.from.hr/descr/hr-hist.html#hr-189x http://www.vlada.hr/english/docs-constitution.html http://public.srce.hr/hpm/p0256003.htm > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Joe Staugaitis <jjs@qis.net> > > To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 3:33 PM > > Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > > > > At 07:14 AM 5/25/02 -0600, Frank Kurchina wrote: > > > > <cut> > > > > > > > >The majority of the Croatians who emigrated from Dalmacija and Istria > > > >had strong Venetian-Italian influences. The Italians called them > > > >Schiavoni or "Slavonians" rather than Croatians, so that they would not > > > >rebel and join any inland Croatian rebels. <cut> > > > > > > Also perhaps a bit of a play on words; 'schiavoni' can also mean 'slaves'. > > > > > > Joe > > > ----- > > > >

jacopo longo wrote: > > Hello to everybody; > where should I check if I'd like to know something more about the > filological roots of the words 'slavonian' / 'schiavone-i' ? > and, as I was born in Italy, I'd like also to know why Italians hoped > Croatians would not rebel if they were called as 'Slavonians'... > Thanks a lot, > > Jacopo Longo, Italy Ciao The name Schiavoni appears in both Rome and Venice as place names and in Italy as a surname. Slavonian by definition can even be extended to mean Russian. http://www.slavism.com/basic.htm After the successful wars against Austria in 1859 and 1866, Italy sought a new position as a new Great Power. Italy regarded the Balkans especially Albania as its natural zone of influence. Italy competed with Austria for influence in this region. Italians dreamed of taking the whole Dalmatian sea-coast away from Austria based on the fact that an Italian minority lived there. Italy's ambitions were a threat to Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro and Greece. These states also hoped to seize the same areas on the Adriatic which were the object of Italian ambitions. Italy was too weak to sieze any of the Balkan territory up to 1878. Following the failed Hungarian revolution of 1848-1849, the Croats (who had fought on the side of the Hapburgs) were promised autonomy for Croatia-Slavania together with Dalmacija (to be called the Triune Kingdom) The 1860s saw the gradual removal of direct Austrian rule in Hungary (which ruled Croatia-Slavonia) But, the promise to incorporate Dalmatia with Croatia and Slavonia into a Triune Kingdom never happened. Dalamatia remained an Austrian province. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Joe Staugaitis <jjs@qis.net> > To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 3:33 PM > Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > > At 07:14 AM 5/25/02 -0600, Frank Kurchina wrote: > > > <cut> > > > > > >The majority of the Croatians who emigrated from Dalmacija and Istria > > >had strong Venetian-Italian influences. The Italians called them > > >Schiavoni or "Slavonians" rather than Croatians, so that they would not > > >rebel and join any inland Croatian rebels. <cut> > > > > Also perhaps a bit of a play on words; 'schiavoni' can also mean 'slaves'. > > > > Joe > > ----- > >

Hello to everybody; where should I check if I'd like to know something more about the filological roots of the words 'slavonian' / 'schiavone-i' ? and, as I was born in Italy, I'd like also to know why Italians hoped Croatians would not rebel if they were called as 'Slavonians'... Thanks a lot, Jacopo Longo, Italy ----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Staugaitis <jjs@qis.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 3:33 PM Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > At 07:14 AM 5/25/02 -0600, Frank Kurchina wrote: > > <cut> > > > >The majority of the Croatians who emigrated from Dalmacija and Istria > >had strong Venetian-Italian influences. The Italians called them > >Schiavoni or "Slavonians" rather than Croatians, so that they would not > >rebel and join any inland Croatian rebels. <cut> > > Also perhaps a bit of a play on words; 'schiavoni' can also mean 'slaves'. > > Joe > ----- >

thank you sooooo much!! My mother, just today, told me she wasn't sure if I'd found the right man. After all, it was her grandfather. I'll check this one out! Thanks again, margie

I believe his birth place was Dovcice? Does this help?

At 07:14 AM 5/25/02 -0600, Frank Kurchina wrote: > <cut> > >The majority of the Croatians who emigrated from Dalmacija and Istria >had strong Venetian-Italian influences. The Italians called them >Schiavoni or "Slavonians" rather than Croatians, so that they would not >rebel and join any inland Croatian rebels. <cut> Also perhaps a bit of a play on words; 'schiavoni' can also mean 'slaves'. Joe -----

Especially God! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Staugaitis" <jjs@qis.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 1:57 AM Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > At 07:40 PM 5/20/02 -0700, D. A. 'Dutch' Martinich wrote: > > <cut> A local term in the Santa Clara Valley was > >'Jebentibogas'. I'll let Robert or Frank translate that if they are > >up to it. <grin> > >D. > > Close enough to the real words. Be very careful to whom you say this... > > Joe > ----- >

Robert Jerin wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Frank Kurchina" <frankur@worldnet.att.net> > To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 2:01 PM > Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > "D. A. 'Dutch' Martinich" wrote: > > > > In California, the common term for both Croats and Serbs was > > 'Slavonian'. A local term in the Santa Clara Valley was > > 'Jebentibogas'. I'll let Robert or Frank translate that if they are > > up to it. <grin> > > D. > > Slavonia (E) > Slavonija (C) > Szalvónia (H) > Slavonia region as in Croatia-Slavonia. > > http://www.demog.berkeley.edu/~gene/hammel_1-fmt.html Slavonia correction : The majority of the Croatians who emigrated from Dalmacija and Istria had strong Venetian-Italian influences. The Italians called them Schiavoni or "Slavonians" rather than Croatians, so that they would not rebel and join any inland Croatian rebels. In many cases "Slavonian" was used in the American West and Southern states and so became an Americanism which had no relationship to the Croatia-Slavonia region. > BTW > It is not important, but Pittsburg PA was spelled Pittsburgh. > The place in CA had no letter h. > I was born in Pittsburgh. > > > > > >I have heard of Croatians referred to as Bull-hunks, etc. > > >Dave > > > > > > > > >______________________________ > > > > --

Robert Jerin wrote: > > Especially God! http://www.christusrex.org/www1/pater/JPN-croatian.html > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joe Staugaitis" <jjs@qis.net> > To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 1:57 AM > Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? > > > At 07:40 PM 5/20/02 -0700, D. A. 'Dutch' Martinich wrote: > > > <cut> A local term in the Santa Clara Valley was > > >'Jebentibogas'. I'll let Robert or Frank translate that if they are > > >up to it. <grin> > > >D. > > > > Close enough to the real words. Be very careful to whom you say this... > > > > Joe > > ----- > >

At 07:40 PM 5/20/02 -0700, D. A. 'Dutch' Martinich wrote: > <cut> A local term in the Santa Clara Valley was >'Jebentibogas'. I'll let Robert or Frank translate that if they are >up to it. <grin> >D. Close enough to the real words. Be very careful to whom you say this... Joe -----

----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Kurchina" <frankur@worldnet.att.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 1:07 PM Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Petar Jovanovich/Peter Jovanovic > > > Margiefogleman@aol.com wrote: > > > > Petar Jovanovich is my great-grandfather. I found his registration from > > Ellis Island that says he entered this country at the age of 19, in 1906. > > His ethnicity is listed as Montenegrean, but I've always been told he was > > Croatian. He was born in 1887, and died in St. Louis, MO in 1941. > > > > Any information about his parents is appreciated. Thank You! > > > Petar's Last Residence, not birth place, was Bjilopavlice ? > The image copy of the ship manifest would not let me view Petar's > place of birth ? > > Bjilo looks like Bijel or Bjelo = white. > There is a Bjelopavlici plain (agricultural region) located in > Montenegro (Crna gora) > > The surname Jovanovic does appear in both Serbia and Montenegro > (Crna gora) > > http://www.montenegro.org/ Surname JOVANOVIC also appears in Croatia. Croatian phone book has 1,490 listings Robert Jerin >

Are you certain you have the correct Petar JOVANOVICH? There are also listings for Petar JOVANOVIC (sounds like jovanovich). The later would be a Croatian sp. whereas the former would be a Montenegren sp.. There is Petar JOVANOVIC arr 1905 age 17 destination to Paval JOVANOVIC (cousin) St. Louis MO. Robert Jerin Croatian Heritage Museum Cleveland, Ohio ----- Original Message ----- From: <Margiefogleman@aol.com> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 11:14 PM Subject: [CROATIA-L] Petar Jovanovich/Peter Jovanovic > Petar Jovanovich is my great-grandfather. I found his registration from > Ellis Island that says he entered this country at the age of 19, in 1906. > His ethnicity is listed as Montenegrean, but I've always been told he was > Croatian. He was born in 1887, and died in St. Louis, MO in 1941. > > Any information about his parents is appreciated. Thank You! >

The Z in Bozo sounds like the S in the word treasure. Robert ----- Original Message ----- From: <SJKatelin@aol.com> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 5:00 PM Subject: [CROATIA-L] Re: CROATIA-D Digest V02 #112 > In a message dated 5/21/2002 1:01:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, > CROATIA-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > > > > > > X-Message: #11 > > Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 06:16:42 -0400 > > From: Michelle Robinson <apeakeinmygenes@comcast.net> > > To: CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com > > Message-id: <3CEA1E8A.19444AE@comcast.net> > > Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Declaration of Intent Records? > > > Thanks Michelle for the reply regarding "BOZO". I had presumed that it was > pronounced BOZHO from studying the Croatian alphabet but wasn't sure. > Thanks for the first hand knowledge! I appreciate the help as I don't have > any living Croatian relatives to ask about such things. >

----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Kurchina" <frankur@worldnet.att.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 2:01 PM Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? "D. A. 'Dutch' Martinich" wrote: > > In California, the common term for both Croats and Serbs was > 'Slavonian'. A local term in the Santa Clara Valley was > 'Jebentibogas'. I'll let Robert or Frank translate that if they are > up to it. <grin> > D. Slavonia (E) Slavonija (C) Szalvónia (H) Slavonia region as in Croatia-Slavonia. http://www.demog.berkeley.edu/~gene/hammel_1-fmt.html Am more familiar with modern slang 'Jebi se', pron. yebi say. Reflexive verb dependent on context; myself, yourself, themselves. BTW It is not important, but Pittsburg PA was spelled Pittsburgh. The place in CA had no letter h. I was born in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh was not always spelled with an H at the end, as indicated by many Ellis Island ship manifests. Pittsburgh has been spelled with an h officially and historically since its founding in 1758--except for the period between 1890 and 1911. I should know as I am a DP, that is a displaced Pennsylvanian! Robert > > >I have heard of Croatians referred to as Bull-hunks, etc. > >Dave > > > > > >______________________________ > > --

----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Kurchina" <frankur@worldnet.att.net> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 2:01 PM Subject: Re: [CROATIA-L] Pittsburg and St. Louis industries? "D. A. 'Dutch' Martinich" wrote: > > In California, the common term for both Croats and Serbs was > 'Slavonian'. A local term in the Santa Clara Valley was > 'Jebentibogas'. I'll let Robert or Frank translate that if they are > up to it. <grin> > D. Slavonia (E) Slavonija (C) Szalvónia (H) Slavonia region as in Croatia-Slavonia. http://www.demog.berkeley.edu/~gene/hammel_1-fmt.html Am more familiar with modern slang 'Jebi se', pron. yebi say. Reflexive verb dependent on context; myself, yourself, themselves. BTW It is not important, but Pittsburg PA was spelled Pittsburgh. The place in CA had no letter h. I was born in Pittsburgh. > > >I have heard of Croatians referred to as Bull-hunks, etc. > >Dave > > > > > >______________________________ > > --

Here is a link to an excellent article about Croatians in Louisiana. http://www.crt.state.la.us/folklife/main_misc_croatians_s_la.html Robert Jerin ----- Original Message ----- From: <PJohn27974@aol.com> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 10:47 AM Subject: [CROATIA-L] Croatians in La. > I read a great book on Croatrians in Louisana. I believe the author was Adam > Eterovich. It said that many in Plaquemine Parish, south of New Orleans such > as Matulich, Curelich, Juretich, Petrovich,Ban and others would sell their > oysters to their fellow countrymen in New Orleans. When one Slav met another > in Louisana, his greeting ws "Kako ste". The amused French called them > "Kakostes". Eventually, the word became "Tocko." French mothers would > frighten their children with, "You behave, all of you, or I'll get a tocko > with a big mustache to get you." > It was a great book. > Phyllis >

The name Bozo is not pronounced like the clowns name! The Z sounds like the S in the word treasure. Robert Jerin ----- Original Message ----- From: <SJKatelin@aol.com> To: <CROATIA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 4:08 AM Subject: [CROATIA-L] Declaration of Intent Records? > Thanks to everyone who answered my question about the name "BOZO". I just > assumed that he changed his name to CHRIS because it was a common American > name....now I know better!! The Ellis Island index has him listed as Bozo > Sentovie-but when I used Stephen Morse's site I was able to find it and on > the actual manifest it clearly looks like SENTOVIC' to me. Until then I had > never heard of the name "BOZO" before. (well, except for the clown). I have > found him in the 1920 census in S.D., and am now searching the 1910 Census as > Ashley suggested. Was wondering if someone could tell me how to go about > looking for Declaration of Intent Records? Thanks again! >

I and a few friends have been trying to find our Matkovic/Matcovic/Matkovich connections. My father John Matkovic (we spell it Mothkovich now) was born in 1910, and about 1919/1920 his father and mother somehow separated. We still aren't certain what caused the separation, - death or divorce. Anyhow, John and his brother Daniel were placed with foster families in 1920, and his mother Ana Bakic-Matkovic was sent for treatment of TB in Iowa City, IA. In December of 1921, she left against doctors orders traveling to Sunnyslope Hospital in Ottumwa, IA. I have a couple theories about that. #1. that she was trying to find a place close to family to locate a relative to raise her son's (Since Rathbun is close to Ottumwa, and there are Matkovic there), or # 2. she went there to find a man she claimed was her husband if Josip/Josef/Joseph Matkovic was dead or divorced. Her death certificate of 1923 lists her as Ana Gutteries, and as a widow. Elias Gutteries had been a family friend according to my father. Who knows for certain but; I suspect there is somehow a family relationship with the Croatian commutiy in Rathbun. I have not found any Vuksic or Bakic in that area, only Matkovic. Would like to know more about the area.. Keep in touch Dave Mothkovich <Matkovic> On Fri, 24 May 2002 20:55:18 EDT TodeyL@aol.com writes: > Along with my research I received page photocopied which has name > Matkovic. > Page is from the Official Directory of Mercer County, Illinois 1935 > Directory > of Farmers, Breeders, Business Firms, Town and Village Residents, > Schools, > Churches, Lodges and Officials. > Matkovic, John (Anna Adams); Children Ganna, Marvin, John > > Recently there was mention of Matkovic in the town of Rathbun, Iowa > > There is a Rathbun Reunion scheduled for Saturday, June 22 for all > former > residents of the town. > > An article in the Des Moines Register May 30, 1943, stated: > "Rathbun is one > of the Midwest’s oldest Croatian communities—a coal mining > settlement of 350 > inhabitants. Rathbun’s white and gray stucco cottages are built on > some of > the greenest hills of Appanoose County. Somehow the bleak grime of > the > typical mining camp has missed this village." > Of course, most of the coal miners are gone, but those of us who are > > descendants will be going to the reunion. My grandfather, John > Todey, was one > of the early settlers in Rathbun. > A little more from the article quotes my grandfather. Rathbun was > > established as a coal mining town in the early 90’s. John Todey, > 70, one of > the first settlers, saw the town grow to more than 600 in > population, then > shrink to almost half that size. He spent his years in the mines and > raised a > family of 12 children, 11 of whom are living. He now is a mine > weight checker. > “I got here before they built the railroad station,” he said. > “they have > torn it down and I’m still here. This is a good country and I > appreciate it. > “In the old country we had to do what we were told to do. And we > didn’t > have much to say about it. > “I worked on the railroad there, 11 hours a day for 80 cents a > day. When I > came here, they were paying 16 1/2 cents an hour in the mines and > the men > d 10 hours a day. Now they are paying 89 cents an hour for seven > hours, > inside the mines,” Todey said. > “I have two sons in the army. We know what this country means > and we want > to help preserve the liberties we have here.” > In ancient times, the Croatians established a tradition as being > fearless > warriors, fighting under command of the zupani, or tribal chiefs. On > the > battlefield the Croatians ARE PRESERVING that tradition; in America > they has > established communities which are among the most peaceful and > resourceful." > > You could imagine that I was pretty excited to find that article. > Would any > one know what the name of the railroad would have been? He was born > in > Fuzine, Croatia, but maybe he had to leave home to get the work? He > immigrated in 1892. > > Back to the reunion there was mention that all former residents of > Rathbun > could not be located - if you know of anyone who did not receive an > invitation to the reunion I can give details. > > Louise > > > > > >

Along with my research I received page photocopied which has name Matkovic. Page is from the Official Directory of Mercer County, Illinois 1935 Directory of Farmers, Breeders, Business Firms, Town and Village Residents, Schools, Churches, Lodges and Officials. Matkovic, John (Anna Adams); Children Ganna, Marvin, John Recently there was mention of Matkovic in the town of Rathbun, Iowa There is a Rathbun Reunion scheduled for Saturday, June 22 for all former residents of the town. An article in the Des Moines Register May 30, 1943, stated: "Rathbun is one of the Midwest’s oldest Croatian communities—a coal mining settlement of 350 inhabitants. Rathbun’s white and gray stucco cottages are built on some of the greenest hills of Appanoose County. Somehow the bleak grime of the typical mining camp has missed this village." Of course, most of the coal miners are gone, but those of us who are descendants will be going to the reunion. My grandfather, John Todey, was one of the early settlers in Rathbun. A little more from the article quotes my grandfather. Rathbun was established as a coal mining town in the early 90’s. John Todey, 70, one of the first settlers, saw the town grow to more than 600 in population, then shrink to almost half that size. He spent his years in the mines and raised a family of 12 children, 11 of whom are living. He now is a mine weight checker. “I got here before they built the railroad station,” he said. “they have torn it down and I’m still here. This is a good country and I appreciate it. “In the old country we had to do what we were told to do. And we didn’t have much to say about it. “I worked on the railroad there, 11 hours a day for 80 cents a day. When I came here, they were paying 16 1/2 cents an hour in the mines and the men worked 10 hours a day. Now they are paying 89 cents an hour for seven hours, inside the mines,” Todey said. “I have two sons in the army. We know what this country means and we want to help preserve the liberties we have here.” In ancient times, the Croatians established a tradition as being fearless warriors, fighting under command of the zupani, or tribal chiefs. On the battlefield the Croatians ARE PRESERVING that tradition; in America they has established communities which are among the most peaceful and resourceful." You could imagine that I was pretty excited to find that article. Would any one know what the name of the railroad would have been? He was born in Fuzine, Croatia, but maybe he had to leave home to get the work? He immigrated in 1892. Back to the reunion there was mention that all former residents of Rathbun could not be located - if you know of anyone who did not receive an invitation to the reunion I can give details. Louise