Polish Government Gives Pension to Aged Jew Who Predicted Restoration

‘Red Headed Tinsmith’ Foretold Polish Republic 30 Years Ago (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

For his belief in the resurrection of Poland and his willingness to jeopardize his life to aid the Polish patriots who plotted against the Czaristic yoke, an aged Jewish tinsmith was granted a monthly pension from the Government.

The tinsmith, a resident of Kobryn, will be the guest of honor at a banquet being arranged by Polish patriots who were active in the revolutionary movement thirty years ago. A fund to aid him is being raised by several Polish noblemen who remembered his loyalty during the revolutionary struggle. A street in his native town will be named after him.

The story which is holding interest here goes that the services of the aged Jewish tinsmith were recalled recently by the Polish estate owner, Ostromecki, when he was going over the records of the Polish revolutionary struggles. He recalled that once a secret meeting of the Polish patriots, who formed a so-called secret Polish government, held at Ostromecki’s estate near Kobryn, decided to test the responsiveness of the population to the Polish patriotic cause by calling in the “red headed tinsmith” who worked on Ostromecki’s estate. When asked by the secret group members. “Will we ever have a Polish state”, the Jewish tinsmith replied: “Poland will come back to life again and the Jews will regain Palestine.” In saying this the tinsmith offered his loyal services. The patriots were so elated over the prediction that they entered his statement in the protocols of the meeting.

After finding this record. Ostromecki, together with several of his comrades, sought out the “red headed tinsmith,” who is a popular figure in Kobryn. They found him living in poverty, and instituted an action with the authorities to secure him a pension.