Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. január-június (23. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1940-03-14 / 11. szám
DON'T IGNORE THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY WHICH YERHOVAY OFFERS YOU On February 1st the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association opened its new Membership Contest. This, Contest is different. Its prizes are to be shared “at home” in our own United States. It is quite obvious to all that this change has been brought about because of Europe’s latest affair with Mars. Otherwise the awards would have been trips to Hungary, as in the previous years. Of course the Verhovay could have repeated the Hungary visits as its awards year after year, and still have lost not even a whit of the thrill and joy which are part of any visit to Europe, especially beautiful Hungary. Perhaps the prizes to be awarded at the end of the new Contest will not quite contain the spiritual and mental satisfaction intrinsically associated with visiting Hungary, but most certainly the material gain will be much greater, more personal and concrete. In the contest of previous years the winners had no choice. Then- award was a visit to Hungary with no alternative. But the lucky ones in this new and grandest of Verhovay Membership Contest are to receive good American cash for their successful efforts, with the exception of the recipients of the secondary awards, who will receive instead five popular American motor cars. The forty-four winners of the cash awards will, because of the pecuniary nature of their prizes, be able to convert their winnings into whatever they wish. In the case of the five automobile winners, who, of course, will have no other choice, there is an apparently ungracious restriction. This restriction, however, is positive rather than negative, since there is hardly any one in our country who does not “love” America’s favorite mode of transportation, the automobile, or who not owning a car does not eagerly await the day when he will be able to ride his own “taxi”. The motor car is necessarily a feature of the American way of life and the American spirit, because it is in America where it has received its greatest development and is available to the greatest number of the people. The automobile winners will have almost as much, if not as great, satisfaction out of their awards as the high cash award winners. Every one of the forty-nine Contest winners will be amply awarded. Contestants really have something worth the while to work for, and their chances of being victorious are excellent. for the prizes to be awarded are not in the units period, but in the tens. In a sense even the losers will be winners, for they will have gained invaluable experience and social contacts, which in the future they may utilize to their own advantage. No Verhoyay member who can possibly enter the Contest shoud fail to do so. It’ll be his gain and Verhovay’s gain. To fliir CoBilribiitors AH articles and contributions intended for the March 28th issue must be in before or on March 21st. All material received after that date will not be published in particular issue. Plan to Honor Memory of First Hungarian Settler in Bethlehem Anton Schmidt, Who Came to America in 1746, Was Associated With Count Zinzendorf, and Aided in Building the First Moravian Settlement in What Is Now Bethlehem- Helped Rescue Moravian Missionaries During Indian Uprisings By GEORGE KOCSIS Glancing at the pages of the history of Bethlehem, particularly of the colonization period when men and women of various nationalities and faith, with daring spirit crossed the ocean in search for a new land, freedom and happiness, not thinking of the danger and hardships that would meet them on this continent — we find among others who came from the old world and settled in Bethlehem, a young man of 21, born in Hungary and who settled in the newly-founded Moravian colony, (now Bethlehem) in the year of 1746, the first Hungarian settler in the Lehigh Valley. His name was Anton Schmidt. CAME HERE IN 174G According to the Nisky-Hill cemetery records, of which a book was written by Dr. Augustus Schultze, D. D.. “Anton Schmidt was horn near Pressburg, Hun gary, February 23, 1725, (Pressburg then being the temporary capital of Hungary and officially known as "Pozsony”). “His parents emigrated with him for conscience sake to Amer ica. He came to Bethlehem in 1746; was married first to A. C. Reidt, who bore him three sons, and then to Beata Ysselsteyn. with whom he had six children. Departed March 15, 1793.” Thus, we find Anton Schmidt, who spent 47 years of his life working with the Moravian pioneers, cutting down trees in the forests, building, homes and helping to establish the com. m unity, which was founded by Count Nicholas Ludwig Zinzendorf in 1741 and later named by him as the City of Bethlehem. Count Zinzendorf, being a German religious leader, was the founder of the society of United Brethren, and he established the first missions among the Indian tribes. Zinzendorf was known among the Indians by his clan name, “Tgarihontie”, which means “messenger.” Joseph Mortimer Le vering, Bishop of the Moravian church, in his book, “History of Bethlehem,” in the footnote on page 292, gave an explanation of the fact that those who were com municating with the Indians “were given names because their names being foreign, the Indians could not remember them.” Bishop Spangenberg was named. “Tgirhitontie”, (row of trees). Zeisberger, “Ganoss&raeheri,” (on the pumpkin). John Joseph Bull was named “Shabosh” (running water), and Anton Schmidt. “Raehwistoni,” the meaning of which was not known to the historian. WARNED OF INDIAN UPRISING During the Indian uprising in the fall of 1755, which was in stigated by the French, Henry Frey and Anton Schmidt wept sent out from Bethlehem to warn the brethren in Lynn township, Shamokin, .Sunbury and Mahoning. They rescued the missionaries from these Moravian stations and saved their brethren, both the whites and the Christian Indians According to the historian. Marcus Kiefer and Anton Schmidt became veterans in facing the dangers of savage surroundings. They were dispUchcd to the Gnadenhuetten by Justice Hors field, to the militia gathered t*i that point (which was known as Fort Allen, located on the east side of the Lehigh river, now the site of Weissport) to find out how things stood there and stating that provisions would be sen them if needed. Returning to Mahoning oh Nov. 27. Anton Schmidt, according to the records, came upon a place where Indians raided the settle ment and burned tire home o* Fabricius and killed him with others and burned their bodies. The only living friend found by Schmidt was a dog, watching over the bodies. Schmidt hastily made a coffin, in which he placed there charred remains as he could collect them, and buried them in the corner of the garden, which is now known as “The Little Cemetery.” HELP MOVE CONTINENTAL HOSPITAL Years later when Antou Schmidt was up in age, we find his name recorded in the account vouchers, showing the items of expense in connection with the removal of the Continental hospital from Bethlehem, which under the direction of Gen. Lachho McIntosh, took place during April. 1778r The account bill was presented for collection to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on Oct. 23, 1779. Among other workers, Anton Schmidt was listed as a locksmith. (This historical account is compiled from the pages of the “History of Bethlehem”—giving all the authentic particulars which can be found by examining the following pages: 292, 306, 314, 315, 318 and 482). The Hungarian churches and civic organizations located iu Eethlehem and its vicinity, hope to participate in the commemorating celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the city of Bethlehém, thus honoring the pioneers who -through much difficulty, years of battle and torture withstood the greatest test of manhood, many dying the deaths of martyrs in doing heroic deeds in behalf of these communities, and for the country. What they have suffered and what they have achieved is written on the pages of American History, Qreetings The English Section of the Verhovay Journal wishes all its readers, contributors and members A JOYOUS EASTER HOLIDAY
