THE  MEMOIRS OF GJURO A. SKRIVANIC, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

OF NAPREDAK, AMERICA'S FIRST CROATIAN NEWSPAPER

 

Richard L. Major

 

Gjuro A. Skrivanic was an influential figure in America's immigrant Croatian community from,1891-1908. At his peak (1905-1908) he owned a bank and travel agency in Allegheny (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania and also edited and published both his original newspaper Napredak (Progress) and the Zajednicar (Fraternalist), the official organ of the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica- (National Croatian Society). He was a member of the Society's Board of Trustees for three terms and was even nominated for president at several conventions.. an honor that he declined in deference to his newspaper and business obligations. But his bank collapsed during the national monetary crisis of 1907-1908 whereupon he fled Allegheny "without a trace" leaving his angry bank customers and the editorship of the Zajednicar in the lurch. Because of this, reference to his positive influence on the history of Croatians in America has been minimized. However, newly discovered archival material tends to cast Skrivanic in a more deserved light.

In 1994, while preparing the history of Seattle Lodge 439 of the Croatian Fraternal Unnion, I was alerted to the long dormant and untapped "Skrivanic collection" in the Manuscripts and Archives Department in the University of Washington's Suzzallo Library in Seattle, Washingt'on. From this material I have translated selected passages dealing with Croatian life in America during the period 1886-1915. These have appeared in the Zajednicar which endures today as the newspaper of the Croatian Fraternal Union. My purposes here are twofold. First, to alertreaders to the existence of the Skrivanic, collection as a source for further study of the history of Croatians in America. Second, to review the life and times, the ups and downs as it were, of Gjuro A. Skrivanic-- buffered now by the passage of time and enhanced by analysis of the new archival material. Unless specifically footnoted, the narrative here is largely from the Skrivanic collection.

 

The Skrivanic Archives

 

Briefly, the highlights of the collection are:

A 615-page manuscript, handwritten by Skrivanic over the 7-year period 1909-1916. The work, laid out in impeccable, grammatically precise Croatian handwriting, is easy to read (Skrivanic, after all, was a polished journalist). The manuscript: Povjest Americkih Hrvata (History of American Croatians) is divided into four time periods:

(A) the discovery of America and subsequently the immigration and immigrant life of Croatians to 1891 with emphasis on the debilitating effects of "Austrianism",

(B) the Croatian awakening of 1891-1901,

(C) the period of progress, 1901-1907 and

D) the divisive pre-World War I years when America's Croatians grappled with socialism, trialism, Yugoslavianism, etc.

 

Skrivanic appended another 63-page section Evropski rat (European war) but this ends abruptly in 1916 indicating perhaps that his health or motivation were declining. Some passages, such as the discovery of America, have been so frequently and so effectively.recorded elsewhere that they are hardly worth spending time on. Other sections, such as the 12 years he spent in Allegheny, are richly rewarding.

 

II. Two notebooks listing the names and addresses of subscribers to Napredak during the newspaper's first few years-- 1891, 1892, etc. Subscribers were widespread, including some in what was still dubbed "Indian Territory."

 

III. Dozens of photographs-- mostly unlabeled. Many obviously show family and friends at home in Croatia. Others deal with the printing of Napredak and Skrivanic"s associatioh with notable Croatian immigrants of the day.

 

IV. A sheaf of correspondence with the Narodna Hrvatska Zajdnica and various Croatian publishing houses wherein Skrivanic tried in vain to negotiate a financial arrangement for the publication of his memoirs.

 

Skrivanic's Early Life In Europe

 

Gjuro A. Skrivanic was born in Dubrovnik March 4,1861. He finished grade school in Korcula and high school in Dubrovnik. In the Bosnia-Hercegovinian uprising of 1876, he served with the guerillas of Don Miho Music until falling ill to exhaustion and returning home. In 1877 he set sail as an apprentice seaman aboard the vessel Sesti Dubrovacki and on September 5 that year set foot on American soil for the first time. During the long voyage he visited all major ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and those in England, France and Russia as well. After 2 years at sea he returned to Dubrovnik and finished high school. In 1881 he was accepted into the military academy in Vienna where he graduated 3 years later as a second lieutenant. He served with the 67th Regiment in Galicia until he had a falling out with an Austrian superior who was antagonistic toward all Slavs. Stripped of his rank, he was assigned to serve out his enlistment as an ordinary soldier in Celje, (Slovenia). It was from Celje that he set out for America December 15, 1886.

 

Chaos, Darkness and Ignorance

 

Until 1891 America’s Croatians basically had nothing to identify them as such. Ivan F. Lupis-Vukic, recalled for example, that when he arrived in America in1891, there was not a newspaper nor a significant organization bearing the Croatian name to be found. Anything that existed at all bore the name Slavonian, Illyrian or, worse yet, Austrian or Hungarian. This was a great disappointment to him and other youths who were imbued with the principles of Starcevic's Croatianism and detested the Austrian's for the execution of Croatian noblemen Zrinski and Frankopan and the Hungarians for the subjugation of Croatia/Slavonia.

Lupis-Vukic went on to  say that at that time (1891) chaos, darkness and ignorance prevailed among the Croatian people in America. Croatians were in almost every state thousands..in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Louisiana and California), in every heavy industry, contributing their sweat and blood to the building of America. But no one knew of them as Croatians and they themselves often succumbed to the designations: Austrian,Hungarian, Slavonian, Dalmatian "Naski" (our own), etc. But rarely Croatian! An awakening, a renaissance was needed, Lupis-Vukic recalled, but who would lead it?

 

Enter the Croatian Language Newspapers

 

The newspapers Napredak, Chicago and Danica (Morning Star) played a monumental role in raising the consciousness of America's Croatians. Napredak, edited and published by Skrivanic in Hoboken, New Jersey, was first issued November 21, 1891 with the stated program "to awaken Croatian national consciousness and encourage brotherly harmony among Croats and Serbs in the United States." The congratulations began to roll in immediately. Nikola Barovic, for example, telegraphed from San Jose, California: "I'm old, but I'll die happy being that I have read the first Croatian newspaper in America." And, after the third issue, Nikola Polic wrote from Chicago "....why wouldn't a sober thinking worker support this first Croatian newspaper of ours, a newspaper dedicated to improving the lot of the working man and the reawakening of the national consciousness that we need in this distant foreign land." Notably, within a year (October 22, 1892) Polic was to produce his own Croatian newspaper Chicago, later (1897 to become Chicago Sloboda (Chicago-Freedom).

 

The Croatian Renaissance

 

In 1893, in the 22nd edition of Napredak, Skrivanic issued a visionary call. Under the caption "A Proposal" he wrote: "It's already been more than 30 years since particularly-those from Dalmatia and the Croatian Littoral Region began to emigrate to this distant but free land in search of--- if not riches, at least the decent living that they weren't able to earn in our oppressed homeland. But they exist here without any unifying means of identity-often living in the same city or passing one another on the street without recognition as --countrymen. Some have tried to remedy this with'the formation of various clubs, etc., but these efforts are modest and beset with problems. For example, there are some 37 or more such organizations in America, some identified as Croatian, but others as Slavic, Slavonian, Illyrian and even Austrian. We are recommending that all these groups throughout the United States unite in one organization known as Zajednica (union or society). This Zajednica would assist us. in time of need-- in times of sickness and death. This is our recommendation. Now let the presidents of these various associations step forward to take action."

 

Although Skrivanic and Polic wrote systematically during the rest of 1893 about establishing a Zajednica for Croatians in America, this lofty idea, momentarily at least, appeared to fall on deaf ears. But not for long. In December, 1893 Zdravko V. Muzina, a young journalist who had been helping Polic publish Chicago, moved to the 1arge Croatian community in Allegheny. He immediately teamed with community stalwarts Petar Pavlinac and Franjo Sepic, started the newspaper Danica and used it to rekindle and pursue the idea of a nationwide union. After some polemic exchanges between Danica and Napredak  and Chicago. (the latter two feared that Muzina was advancing the idea of a Zajednica for personal gain), harmony was restored and the idea reached fruition on September 2, 1894. Five Croatian organizations from western Pennsylvania and one from adjacent West Virginia heeded Muzina's call, assembled a convention and formed the Hrvatska Zajednica. Although Muzina was rightfully recorded as the founder of the Hrvatska Zajednica, he was quick to credit Skrivanic for spawning the original idea. On September 6, 1894 (4 days after the-founding of the, Hrvatska          Zajednica.) he acknowledged that the concept had been first advanced in Napredak and, in fact, reprinted Skrivanic's original "Proposal" verbatim on the front page of Danica.

 

Skrivanic’s 12 Years as Editor for (Narodna) Hrvatska Zajednica.

 

Danica, as expected, was unanimously selected as the official voice of the newly organized Hrvatska Zajednica. Unfortunately, however, the honeymoon with Muzina and Danica did not last. Increasingly upset with the content of the paper, the irregularity of its publication and with Muzina himself, the Zelegates to the Third Convention (July 12-17, 1896) named Napredak as the new official organ. At month's end Skrivanic moved his printing operation from Hoboken to Allegheny where he also soon opened a bank and travel agency.

Napredak, a monthly publication, was used as the organization’s official mouthpiece from August, 1896 through November, 1904. At that time the Supreme Board of Directors, following a decree of Eighth Convention (September 26-October 5, 1904) inaugurated the organization's own newspaper, the monthly Zajednicar. From the first issue (December 10, 1904) to February, 1905 the new paper was edited by Josip Marohnic, the organization's accountant. But then, for unexplained reasons, Skrivanic replaced Marohnic as editor. Although he was still publishing Napredak as a private venture and was serving his second term as a member of the Society's Board of Trustees, Skrivanic readily-accepted his multiple role. He would continue to publish both papers through August, 1908. Setting aside Marohnic's 3-month temporary assignment then, it can be asserted that Skrivanic served 12 years'as editor of (Narodna) Hrvatska Zajednica's official organ-- first with Napredak; then with the Zajednicar. Similarly, he can be recorded, as the first editor of the Zajednicar, albeit on a monthly basis. Don Niko Grskovic became the first editor of the weekly Zajednicar in November, 1909.

The Skrivanic/Napredak tenure was often precarious, particularly during Napredak's 1896-1904 reign as the official organ. There were several quality Croatian language newspapers during that era, each with their supporters in the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica. At each of the five conventions during this period there was vigorous competition for the honor of representing the organization as its official organ. Skrivanic not only survived, but  did the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica. well-- serving three terms on the Board of Trustees, founding several new lodges, speaking at banquets, representing the Society at the funeral of President McKinley, etc. He was also very active in the Allegheny Croatian community, particularly in the affairs of St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Parish-- the first of its kind in America.

 

 

Accolades Abound

 

Skrivanic's crowning moments were the 10th and 15th anniversaries of Napredak, especially the 10th anniversary in 1901 when Napredak was still the official organ of the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica. Napredak marked the occasion(November 21, 1901) with a splendid 30-page special edition that was filled with testimonials, photographs and feature articles about prominent Croatians here and in the homeland. The first page of the special edition featured a large photograph of J.J. Strossmayer, the venerable bishop of Djakovo, Croatia, and a congratulatory letter from the esteemed cleric. Also on the first page were poems specially written for the occasion by the notable Croatian poet Ivan (vitez) Trnski, and by Ivan Lupis-Vukic. The poems expressed deep Croatian patriotism and praise for Napredak. Narrative contributions featured "The Illyrian movement in America" by Lupis-Vukic (referring to the Croatian-American renaissance) and "Herceg-Bosna" by Father Bosiliko Bekavac. Significantly, there were warm congratulatory messages from the prominent Croatian news papermen in America: Zdravko Muzina, Nikola Polic, Vjekoslav Piskulic, A.C. Jankovic, Franjo Zotti and Jurai Mamek-- all competitors of Napredak. Two post-event communications to Napredak were indicative of the high esteem that Skrivanic commanded at the time. One was from Jurai Mamek, editor of the Chicago newspaper Branik (Rampart); the other from Bishop Strossmayer. Mamek noted that the immigration of Croatians to America had increased sharply in 1833. Within years there were literally thousands here. Scattered to the four corners of this immense land, and not having any cohesive theme to hold them together, they were in serious danger of losing their national identity and of being absorbed forever into Anglo-Saxon America.

 

“Something was needed," wrote Mamek, "to kindle self-confidence and pride in their being Croatian. Something was needed to unify them, but they knew nothing about unification. It has now been 10 years since Napredak stepped forward to fill the void. Like every beginning, this one was very difficult. But with good will, perseverance and sacrifice, success has been achieved-there has been a renaissance of Croatian awareness in America.        We have the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica with hundreds of lodges scattered to the four corners, we have several newspapers, we have enlightement and progress. This is attributable largely to Napredak and G.A. Skrivanic."

Bishop Strossmayer wrote: "My dear sirs! My dear friends! I received the magnificent commemorative issue of Napredak. Your newspaper not only serves great purpose in America, but is a source of inspiration to us readers in Croatia. I'm am pleased that Croatiaris in America, the land of freedom, are progressing under the banner of harmony and brotherhood and that they, however far away, continue to think about their sorrowing motherland Croatia, which has not yet seen the light of freedom. Thank you for the devotion that you continue to show to me personally. Rest assured that I remain devoted heart and, soul to all honorable and worthy Croatians in America and that there is nothing that I desire more than freedom for the unified Croatian nation. For this I have lived; for this I will die. I remain your friend always." (Signed) Josip Jurai Strossmayer, Bishop. Djakovo 28 XII 1901.

 

The Dark Days

 

In 1907 the U.S. economy slowed measurably-- with layoffs, factory closures and finally a stock market slump that triggered financial panic across the country. Businessmen, including Croatian bankers like Skrivanic, blamed the situation on President Theodore, Roosevelt and his "trust busting" program. Most historians, however, eventually came to believe that speculation and inefficient business practices actually caused the panic. Any hopes that the financial crisis would be short-lived were quickly dashed. Reports poured in to the Croatian newspapers from all corners of the nation that Croatian workers were being laid off en masse and that those who remained working were doing so at reduced pay and under deteriorating working conditions. Train stations everywhere were filled with people travelinq to the Atlantic seaports for return to Croatia. It is estimated that nearly half of America's Croatians returned home during this period.

But the worst was yet to come. In early 1908 the money supply began to dry up. Even businessmen who had previously been successful could not get loans. One by one large businesses began to fail and eventually many banks, including several Croatian banks, fell when the withdrawal demands of the panicked depositors overwhelmed the banks' ability to pay. Biggest losses in this regard were sustained by the customers of Franio Zotti's Croatian bank in New York City (variously estimated at $-600,000 to $750,000). Other Croatian banks that failed in 1908 were those of Bozo Gojsevic in Johnstown, Pennsylvania ($20,000), Ivan Ubojcic in New York City ($5,000), Skrivanic's bank in Allegheny ($13,000) and several others whose losses totaled $50,000. By 1912 even more bank failures had devastated Croatian depositors: the Jankovic bank in Chicago, the (Slovak) Rovinianek bank in Allegheny and; the (Slovenian) Sakser bank in New York City. Some estimates put the losses to Croatian depositors as high as four million dollars. Skrivanic contended, however, that the Croatian newspapers (often owned and published by failed bankers themselves) inflated the losses suffered by their rivals so as to make their own failures look relatively modest. These exaggerations failed to take into account the money that had been returned to depositors early in the crisis and therefore inflated the estimated losses by as much as three-fold.

 

None of this rationalizing helped Skrivanic, however, and by September, 1908 he had closed his bank and travel agency, ceased publishing the papers Napredak and Zajednicar and disappeared from Allegheny.

 

The following minutes of a special meeting of the Society's Board of Trustees, September 16,1908, deal with Skrivanic's disappearance and the future editorship of the monthly Zajednicar: "Following the opening of the meeting, Board president Franio Sepic took the floor and stated that he had called the special meeting today to deal with the editorship of the Society's official organ, the Zajednicar because, as the Board members are certainly aware, the editor of the Zalgdnicar, G.A. Skrivanic, has disappeared without a trace and, inorder that the paper come out on time, we must select a new editor."

Skrivanic well, he turned up in Seattle, Washington which is about as far away from Pittsburgh (and Skrivanic's angry Croatian bank customers) as he could get. He resided there until his death in 1922, during which time he wrote his memoirs and struggled in vain to get them published.

There was, of course, resistance to such an arrangement from the "Pittsburgh establishment" being that so many Croatians there were still bitter about the collapse of, the Skrivanic bank and his abdication as editor of the    Zajednicar. So desperate was Skrivanic to have the history published that on the eve on the 1915 Cleveland Convention he practically divested himself of any potential

financial gain by suggesting that his proposed fee be, divided as follows: "$10,000 to sick, disabled and aged members of the Narodna & Hrvatska Zajednica, $5,000 to the Croatian Red Cross, $5,000 to the Serbian-Montenegrin Red Cross and $12,000 to those who suffered financial loss at my collapse in 1908. Skrivankic would retain only enough money to cover his costs. Apparently, this offer was also rejected, for the correspondence shows that the quest for publication was continued until 1931, first by Skrivanic's widow and finally by his son, Andrew. Thereafter the entire collection-- manuscript, photos, etc. must have remained in the hands of the Skrivanic family until it was purchased by the University of Washington in 1968.

 

1. In his memoirs, handwritten in Croatian, Skrivanic used the variants Giuro and Juraj interchangeably but was consistent in using Skrivanic rather than Skrivanic, the surname attributed to him by many subsequent authors.

 

2. The Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica.(National Croatian Society) began as the Hrvatska Zajednica (Croatian Society) in 1894, added the word Narodna (National) in 1897 and  joined          with three other Croatian societies to become the Hrvatska Bratska Zajednica (Croatian Fraternal Union) in1926.        In this article reference to the organization will be appropriate to the time period involved.

 

3. Napredak November 21, 1991.,

 

4. Ivan F. Lupis-Vukic, was born in Viganj, on the Peljesac Peninsula-just north of Dubrovnik in 1876. A fervent anti-Austrian, he first came to America in 1891 and remained until 1898 when he returned home the first time. An effective writer, he played an important role in the Croatian renaissance of the 1890s. After being imprisoned by Austrian authorities as a "suspected person" from 1914-16, he returned to America in 1920. He published the newspaper Hrvatski Glasnik (Croatian Herald) in Chicago from 1921-26 before returning home for good in 1927.

 

5. Napredak November 21, 1901.

 

6. Kratki Pogled Hrvatske Bratske Zajednice (Short History of the Croatian Fraternal Union), 1949.

 

7. Ivan Cizmic, History of the Croatian Fraternal Union (Zagreb: Golden Marketing 1994).

 

8. World Book Encyclopedia.

 

 

Possible photo captions

 

The G.A. Skrivanic bank and travel agency in Allegheny is seen here as it probably looked at the time of its business collapse in 1908. The unidentified gentleman is not Skrivanic. Photo from the Skrivanic collection at the University of Washington.

 

In the foreground of this photo is "Folk Songs of Bosnia and Hercegovina." The 350-page book was reprinted page by page on a hand press in 1896 in the Napredak shop in Hoboken, New Jersey. In the background is the August, 1896

 

Napredak, the first issue of the paper after it was moved from Hoboken to become the official organ of the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica. The photo is from the Skrivanic collection at the University of Washington.