18 Mar 1891
Page 1
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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Mar 18, 1891
Page
1
An official report to the grand jury reveals dark secrets about a notorious assassins’ group. The document notes a lynching mood and outlines no clear legal action from the judge, while a related piece describes Italian American confusion and Mafia threats amid murder investigations in New Orleans and Rome.
A city official cites shoemaker ties among Italians and claims Palermo jailers train inmates in shoemaking. George Vandervort recalls Hennessey’s push to crush the Mafia, naming Tony Matrango Jim Caruso Frank Romero and Rocco Gerachi as leading figures. Several alleged mob members died at citizens hands after Hennessey’s death. Romero acted as master at arms, Gerachi as enforcer. The Italian community and local officials debate the murders and vigilance amid civil disorder.
Judge R H Marr instructed the grand jury reciting the tragedy in New Orleans that ended with the death of several persons jailed for complicity in the assassination of David Hennessey, Chief of Police. He warned of further disturbances to follow from time to time.
A long murder trial over Chief Hennessey’s death ended with not guilty verdicts for all but three defendants and a mistrial for those. jurors and witnesses were accused of bribery. A public compulsion followed on Canal Street as nine defendants were executed and two mistrial associates hanged. The judge urges continuing investigation and accountability.
The article recounts claims about Mafia presence and aliases used by criminals in the country, noting statements by Italian Consul Sigeor Corte and authorities like Hennessey. It cites blackmail rumors involving Scaffelo and Provensano, a murder trail, and a donation by John L. Sullivan for a monument to Hennessey.
In Rome on March 17 unrest grows as lower orders threaten retaliation following a tense incident. Authorities report rising anxiety and public unease amid whispered motives and fear of escalation.
About 50 influential Italians in Pittsburg raise funds for expenses of a large gathering at Turner Hall Forbes Street to discuss the New Orleans outrage and decide on a plan of action with Joe Cunen presiding.
An English opinion column notes mixed reactions to mob lynching of Mafia conspirators in New Orleans. The St James Gazette downgrades public lament as sympathy for outcasts, while Marquis di Rudin’s grief is deemed shallow. The Evening Standard urges reform via public opinion, not vigilante killings.
In Rome on March 17 Baron Fara says no holder will be sent until the New Orleans question is settled. United States Minister Porter met with Marquis di Rodini and expressed regret over the incident. He pledged that future protection for Italians in the United States would be strengthened.
New HA TM Potos reports North Washington, eight miles north, was nearly wiped out by fire last night. The damage is estimated at $60,000. Authorities believe arson caused the blaze.
The Anchor Line steamship Utopia with 850 aboard collided with the British ironclad Rodney near Ragged Staff, sank quickly, and over 200 passengers, mainly Sicilian emigrants, are feared dead. Rescue boats from naval units and Swedish freya aided, while survivors rested in government buildings ashore.
A government blue book shows 162 peers own 1599 drink shops. The Marquess of Derby heads the list with 72 outlets, followed by the Duke of Bedford and the Duke of Devonshire, with various counts. Also listed is Bishop Richard Lewis of Llandaff owning two liquor venues.
The action will be defended vigorously to the last. The defense pleads the language charging the plaintiff with cheating was true in substance and fact. Counsel for the defense includes Sir Charles Russell M P Arthur Russell Sir Henry James and Charles Matthews.
An English player who twice broke the Monte Carlo bank yesterday won 40000, claiming ongoing losses and alleging cheating by the casino. Circulating reports attribute the bank’s heavy losses to a syndicate of wealthy Londoners manipulating large stakes and winning most large sums.
A bill passed in Parliament vesting Stratford on Avon as trustees of Shakespeare birth place and memorial sites with power to purchase Anne Hathaway's cottage and Wilmocoe cottage belonging to Shakespeare's mother, preserving heritage for his native town.
London March 17 The Right Hon Joseph Chamberlain MP spoke at an Astor meeting foreshadowing a State aided pension plan for industrial workers. He proposed liberal interest on investments in the post office and banks to fund the scheme.
European brief notes report Marseille demonstrations against a new French tariff. Pare Boulangists cheer a patriotic play Le Hemment as morale flags. An explosion at Cost tides blast furnace near Glasgow kills two workers. nine others scorched. The Brazilian brigantine Rio Grande del Worte lies at Sicily with mutinous crew and a captain landed. Since Crispi removed, factions remain active.
The church favors allowing Catholics to vote and hopes a strong center party could rise like the late Dr Windthorst led, shaping Italian politics in favor of the Church.
In Hastings Gladstone condemns Goschen for fictitious surpluses and hidden expenditures while defending labor candidate support. Hedenounces Parnell’s claims and warns Liberals against divisions, urging unity to back home rule measures. He repeats that Liberals oppose Parnell and criticize revering England differently from Ireland. He also notes Parnell’s lack of Irish-American support and Tory backing.
Reverend A. Putnam announces the MacQueary case verdict to Bishop Leonard. The court recommends suspension with six months to renounce virgin birth and bodily resurrection or be degraded. Suspension ends in six months by degradation or retraction, with anticipated resignation to another denomination.
Captain Catley was deemed ill December 31 and placed on sick list as his company prepared to march. Assistant Surgeon Captain W. D. Spencer testified he believed Catley could not endure severe field operations at that time. Lieutenant Rowell added Catley sought sick leave when ordered into the field despite earlier illness.
Alfred Tennyson is named honorary member of the World’s Fair organization in Chicago on March 17 and may supply a song for the fair opening despite replying that he cannot promise due to age. The note honored him and sparked belief he may still write the piece.
Assistant Attorney General Taft stated the government will not submit the cases on the constitutionality of the McKinley tariff act without full argument. A Supreme Court ruling yesterday delays the hearing until the second Monday of October.
New York March 17 The steamship Cacher formerly a French transport arrived from Mediterranean ports with 1 555 immigrants in steerage the largest single shipment to the port in years A passenger boy had variola but recovered before arrival The Cadet had previously sailed Rio Janeiro to the Mediterranean and carried 2050 immigrants on its last voyage
In Wilkesharre on March 17 James Pollock and his son were traveling by carriage when a whirlwind struck. The two men and the carriage were lifted bodily, carried some distance, and thrown against trees. Both men, each about 200 pounds, were badly injured with no other damage reported.
In Dobbin West Virginia a mountain romance ends with Aggie Sills eloping with George Montoney after a hurried wedding arranged at the Maryland side. Aggie’s father guards the door with a Winchester as the couple marry and return for a modest wedding supper.
At a Pilot Commissioners meeting J W Hayward showed the Incigraph a new device for ship to ship communication at night. Letters 11 to 12 feet tall appear on a screen up to five miles away and can be emitted in any language or code. It aids stranded ships and coastguards and can project signals on clouds.
A New York telegram from March 17 reports Northwest Minnesota counties face a shortage of women. A letter signed Joshua H. Whight from Otter Tail County asks for matching brides, with Mayor Grant noting city bachelors have formed a council to arrange six marriages and appoint J. H. Wright to write for replies to Robert C. Wright.
Freehold New Jersey March 17 The Jose De Navarro country home known as Doykerhurst near Freehold was sold by sheriff order to satisfy a second mortgage for 10 000 held by the New York Loan and Improvement Company representatives of the firm bought the property for 200 000 They will seek to satisfy the first mortgage for 400 000 held by the Equitable Ge.
An iron in the levee on the right bank three miles above Canal Street ruptured last night causing a crevasse. The 12 foot high levee is now 10 to 12 feet wide and widening as water covers the Texas and Pacific tracks and up to cross ties of the Southern Pacific line.
An explosion at a mine in Ashland, Pennsylvania, on March 17 killed three workers and injured others. Rescue crews worked through the day to reach the affected area and assess the blast site.
Two men were blown to pieces and two others were burned in an accident as they drilled a powder hole. A spark ignited the powder while tamping, causing a violent explosion and serious injuries to one man who may not recover.
A nine story brick and iron building at Bleecker and Green Streets burned late this evening causing two adjacent structures to burn and a rear building to collapse. The Mendel Company owned origin building and Alfred Benjamin & Co. occupied it. Total losses exceed $2,000,000 with extensive stock and property damage across multiple firms. Firefighters battled the blaze from 6:25 PM onward, sustaining injuries among crew but gaining control by 10 PM.
Bust of Elias Young follows 1914 Benton incident where Lt. J Stewart Robinson died after a halt command. Investigators linked the murder to Young as new evidence prompted arrest and remand to city jail.
A second snow slide at the Eureka mine on Treasury Mountain kills Charles Devine J C McQuarrie and Joseph McCullough trapping the entire forest in the mine. Denver dispatch notes Silverton is isolated by 10 to 40 foot snow drifts, while last week Belcher Mountain avalanche buried five, with two survivors.
Post Office Inspector Fitz uncovers that the Louisiana lottery evades the law by a Ciudad Juarez Mexico branch named Mexican International Banking Company under General John Mosby patronage. The firm circulates flyers in major cities and postal authorities cannot seize foreign mail. Agents in many cities are named. prosecutions may occur, but the business likely continues due to lists of players.
New York March 17. Mrs Henry Meese files in Court of Chancery for divorce. She is twenty years older than him and had served as housekeeper for Meese's father who wished to marry her. On deathbed the father vowed the son would wed the housekeeper. After the elder’s death the son married her and they have five children. The suit also cites improper spending on Frankie Gale and a forthcoming hearing.
Sioux Falls reports the first test of the prohibitory law as Alexander Danielson is accused of selling liquor. The defense argues the detective violated the law by buying liquor, making him an accomplice to the saloonkeeper, and the court agrees the testimony is unsupported. If the Supreme Court sides with the decision, convictions under the law may be impossible, suggesting failure of prohibition.
New York judge rules none of Captain John Ericason's legacies in his will are entitled to priority. Executors sued over construction of the will arguing the estate could not pay all legacies in full. A $12,000 trust and individual bequests are examined, but the court finds no clear intent to favor earlier legacies.
Yesterday about 75 cases were disposed of in License Court. Judge White questions applicants while B C Christy protests, occasionally voiced with a caster. Judge Magee offers a softer approach and helps nervous defendants. The session ran from 9 20 a m to nearly 5 p m with 73 cases expected today.
A court session reviews license applications for saloons and restaurants in two cities. Applicants cite cables and street growth as factors, with judges questioning validity, prior refusals, and compliance amid observations of patrons, drunk behavior, and nationality concerns.
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