Serbian Beneficial Association of Jerome Arizona - This flag appears to be a stylized, double faced Serbian (Servian) national flag,
charged with a grey (silver/white) double headed eagle holding in its talons a sword and orb; the eagles breast is charged with a fanciful arms; the flag is inscribed in golden yellow letters both above and below the arms in Serbian (Obverse)
and English (reverse); the fly is scalloped and the flag is surrounded on three sides with a golden yellow fringe; the hoist is plain to which has been attached seven rings (actually caf hooks) apparently brass, through which a pole could be inserted.
The flag appears to be in excellent condition, and appears to be made of a satinette silk or rayon. The embroidery appears to be machine Bonnaz embroidery. This is consistent with the 1907 date on the flag as this was the only type of machine embroidery available in this era. Both the fringe type and the embroidery indicate American and not European origins for this flag.
The arms are a combination of Serbian and Balkan symbols that bear no relation to an actual national entity but rather mimic the internal political subdivisions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The white eagle also is a common Serbian attribute, but the sword and orb are Austrian attributes.
The inscriptions identify this as the organizational color of the Czar Dushan chapter of the Servian Benevolent Society, of Jerome Arizona Territory, which was organized 1 July 1904. Czar Stephan Dushan (13081355, king (133146) and czar (134655) of Serbia) is revered as a great hero and leader among the Serbs. Under his rule Serbia attained its greatest extent and glory; his empire lacked unity and fell apart soon after his death. He is a great inspiration for ex-patriot Serbs.
These types of benevolent societies were common among immigrant populations in the United States. The great Serb migrations commenced in 1880 and ended with the outbreak of WWI in 1914. Their principal purposes were mutual assistance in case of sickness; traditional burial of the dead, emigration aid, cultural fellowship and served as a focal point for the emigrant communities. These immigrants were proud of their origins and would often march in local parades in the towns that were their new homes in America, carrying flags and banners such as this.
There was a large Slav-Balkan population in Jerome, AZ at the turn of the century who came primarily to work the rich copper mines of the area while fleeing the turmoil of their native land. The Society probably served all South-Slav emigrants as well including Croats, Slovenians, Austro-Hungarians, Turks, Bulgarians, or Romanians since the United States officials did not distinguish the differences at that time. As an emigrant population the Serbs are rather small when compared to the Italian and Germans.
The flag is a good representative sample of this 2nd wave of emigration to America from Southern Europe in the late 19th Century.
For this little studied and important flag phenomenon that of the clinging to the land of ones birth by using the flag of the departed homeland as the basis for a societal banner. to the United States; and symbolizes both their role and assimilation into the American melting pot. It is similar to several other items in the collection: ZFC0986 Italian Family Society of Buffalo, New York; ZFC0991 Italian Masons also of New York; ZFC0982 & ZFC0983 the German-Austrian War Vets of Buffalo New York.
Companion piece to:
ZFC2394 - flag pole
ZFC2396 - oilcloth storage bag
ZFC2397 - cotton storage bag
ZFC Important Flag
