From The Dubois County Daily Herald
Monday, July 1, 1957

Croatian Group Plans Special Thurs. Program

Because one of Jasper’s early pioneer leaders was a countryman of theirs, members of the Croatian Catholic Union of America are planning to participate in Pioneer German Days as well as in the more formal observance of the anniversary of that pioneer’s death which is set for December.

The leader was Father Joseph Kundek, a Croatian by birth who founded a string of German-speaking communities in southern Indiana and who was one of Jasper’s outstanding early civic leaders as well as serving with distinction as a religious leader.

Father Kundek’s accomplishments are recognized by the Croatians in this country who regard him as one of the outstanding native sons of the land.

The Croatian population in the Chicago area numbers around 40,000 and it is from this section that the groups coming to Jasper will come.

Because the group became aware of the July celebration at a late date, officials of the C.C.U. were unable to determine at presstime whether or not they would be able to take an active part in the program.   Tentative plans call for an exhibition of native Croatian music and dancing in Kundek Hall Thursday night and representation in the July Fourth parade Thursday afternoon.