The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-07-18
Murderous italian Organization
Transplanted to California.
ISan Francisco Chronicle. |


A lengthy article, entitled "Ls
Maffia," in last Sundays Chronicle, was
read with a great deal OF public interest
but among our Italian population il
created a profound impression. That
Sicilian brigands had established them
selves in San Francisco and commenced
their deadly work was a revelation to
thousands of people, but the accuracy
and detail of facts left no doubt ON that
point. Some additional facts cleaned in
regard to the society of brigands will be
read with interest. The word " Malta, y
in the argot or slang language of the
criminal classes, signifies misery, SO that
La Malta literally means the Society Of
Misery. ltis still of lower origin than
La Camorra, of which it is an offshoot,
or rather successor. The word /" Ca
mora is Spanish, and signifies q quar-
rel, and those constituting La Camorra
often quarreled among themselves for
the purpose of diverting attention and
plundering the unwary.
Both are secret societies, and the
members are bound together by terrible
oaths, treason to the organizations be-
ing punishable with death. La Camorra
fourished from 1880 to 1859, under the
reign of Ferdinand III. It is believed
to have originated from the brains of
Neapolitan malcontents. In Naples
alone there were no less than twelve CEN
tral stations, and every important city
and town of the Two Sicilies had
thoroug b organizations. Candidates for
admission had to furnish evidence that
they were not spies. and that their wives
and sisters were not in disrepute. A
year of probation was necessary before
candidates could gain any higher degree
that that of mere entrance into the
society. The deeds of the members were
often atrocious and no one knew who
was member of the organization. 1t
is alleged that high dignitaries of state
became members of La Camorra IN order
either to save their lives or wreak ven-
geance upon enemies. The brigands de-
fed the government, but since the uni
fcation of Italy the national authorities
have followed them up with an iron
hand, and succeeded in almost annihi-
lating them. In 1862 Gen. La Marmora
had three hundred of them banished in
one day. There are desperate remnants
left yet, but the power of the organiza-
ton is doomed, owing to the ceaseless
vigilance of the government.
As La Malta is of lower origin than
La Camorra, and is composed of thieves,
outlaws, and assassins, who ask no other
bond Of brotherhood than being sworn
to robbery and murder, the prompt
arrest here of the members of La Malta
and their incarceration has given great
relief to our Italian residents, and es-
pecially to the Sicilians. A Chronicle
representative, who conversed with a
large number of leading Italians, could
| find only one opinion as to where such
villains should be lodged, and it is al
most needless to say that the peniten-
tiary is the location. The gentlemen
conversed with highly praised the police
| authorities for working up the case so
successfully, and gloried IN the courage
of their eountrymen who, being perse-
cuted by the gang representing La Malta,
brought them to bay. 1t is now believed
that the Italian musician who was mys-
teriously murdered some two years ago
at Saucelito fell by the dagger of an as
sassin connected with this secret and in
famous society. Deceased was Sicil-
ian by birth. 1t is said that murder
will out" and it may be that during the
legal investigation of those now in prison
facts may be CLEANED which will leave
no doubt as to the assassin Of the MUIR
dered musician.