PORT HUME CITY POLICE — WITNESS STATEMENT File: Jarzembek, W. — 14 Oct 1923. Case closed 18 Oct 1923. Witness: Paweł Korzeniowski, proprietor, Korzeniowski's Meat Market, 41 Halicka St. Interviewer: Det. H. Ostermann. Taken: 16 October 1923, 7:15 a.m., at the shop (before opening).
Q. Mr. Korzeniowski, I'm told you were at St. Casimir's rectory on the afternoon of the fourteenth.
A. Yes. I was there at about three in the afternoon. I had our usual business — the parish's weekly meat order — and I brought it myself because my boy was sick that day.
Q. How long were you there.
A. Twenty minutes, perhaps. Father and I spoke of the weekly account. I left by the side door. I went back to the shop.
Q. Did you return to the rectory later that evening.
A. No, Detective. I did not. I was in my shop until six, when I closed. I went home for supper. My wife will tell you this. My daughter will tell you this. My neighbor Mrs. Polewska across the street, who came to our parlor at seven to hear the wireless with us, will also tell you this. I did not go out again that evening.
Q. Did anyone at the rectory seem to you, on the afternoon of the fourteenth, to be troubled or agitated.
A. Father Jarzembek was quiet that afternoon. He is — he was — a quiet man. I do not think he was more quiet than usual.
Q. Was there any business between you and Father Jarzembek, other than the meat account, that has been on your minds in recent weeks.
A. (pause) I lent him a little money, Detective, some weeks ago. A private matter. A small kindness from one parishioner to his pastor. I do not wish to speak of it publicly.
Q. The amount.
A. A hundred and thirty dollars.
Q. For what purpose.
A. He did not say, and I did not ask. He would have repaid me. I did not require the money. He was my pastor.
Q. You will understand, Mr. Korzeniowski, that the fact of an outstanding debt — even a small one — between the deceased and yourself is a fact that will, if it enters the record, prompt speculation.
A. I understand that. I had thought of that. The money is of no consequence to me. The speculation is of consequence to my family. I am telling you the truth, Detective, because you are a fair man and because lying to you would be worse for my conscience than the speculation will be for my reputation. I did not go to the rectory that evening. I was at my own supper table from six-thirty onwards. I would rather be the man whose name is mentioned and whose supper table is confirmed, than the man whose silence is mentioned and whose silence is not confirmed.
Q. Thank you. I have no further questions. I will ask my colleagues to verify the supper arrangements, with no offense meant.
A. No offense taken, Detective.
Witnessed and signed, Paweł Korzeniowski [interviewer's signature] H. Ostermann, Det.
[pencil, Ostermann's hand, at foot:]
"Verified: wife, daughter, Mrs. Polewska, all confirm. Korzeniowski's supper was what he said it was. The loan of $130 is the only outstanding matter. I believe him on that point also. I do not believe that the loan was a simple kindness, and I do not believe that Mr. K. does not know why Father wanted the money. But what he will not tell me he will not tell me, and on the other matter — the matter of being at the rectory that evening — his account holds."