The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-26
THE ITALIANS VICTIM.

SAD SCENES IN THE HOME OF THE MURDERED
VIEWED.
All day yesterday there was a considerable commo-
ton around Thompson street in the neighborhood
OF the dwelling of the poor German, Michael Bo-
lender who killed the previous evening by
the italian. francesca Portfolio. The neighborhood
Is thickly populated, and although, unhappily.
police cases there not of infrequent
nothing had ever been known OF startling a
nature as the murder of Of the most respected
and harmless dwellers in the locality Around
the house were gathered all day sympa-
thzing crowds, and to show how utterly
disconnected with national feelings was the
terrible tragedy Italians prominent in
their loudly expressed reputation of their coun-
tryman's deed. Up stairs lay the body, in front
room, with lighted candles around, black drapery
falling over the undertakers box white veil cover
ing the calm features of the murdered man. ourn-
ers on either side At the head of the coffin was
crucihx and at the foot small basket of flowers.
The face was composed. not distorted, and the
brown mustache and imperial. luxurant in their
growth, were the first remarkable features when the
veil removed. The poor widow moved uueasily
from room to another. She had the onsolation
of her children. who chung to her with devotion and
murmured words of consolation from time to time.
"He was good husband" said she. ''and during
our long married life we have always been happy
with each other. My husband camo to this country
twenty-nine years ago, and we have been twenty
years married. am a German myself and he was
born at Weissenburg, in Alsace. Our married life
all happiness. Poor Michael! He only thought
OF his family.
THE STRICKEN FAMILY.
The eldest daughter, who is about sixteen years
of age, said that her father had from time to time
dozen or SO Italians in his employ His children
were four daughters and two boys. She felt as IL
the entire care OF the family had devolved upon her
shoulders. as her poor mother was unncrved by
the shock that she is now incapable of attending
tho family. Even her little sister of three years
the youngest OF the family-fell now to her care.
Her father, as she understood was always in the
confectionery business. He derived his knowledge
OF it from mis- native village OF Weissenburg. He
was frst engaged, she had been told. when he
rived in this country, by Martin Menues, in Leonard
street. whose employ he exchanged for that of
slauson. The deceased was thrifty and careful,
and left his family toleraby comfortable circum-
stances. There insurance his life. Among
the throng oil synpathizns friends were the fellow
workmen of the murdered man. Drawing the natu-
raj prejudice which would exist against their nation
ality on such u sad occasion to be tho
swarthy faces of the sunny LAND of Southern Europe
their detestation OF the deed. One might trace an
imploring expression in their tear stained eyes, Not
thut they were to the casual observer, people of
philanthropic or sympathizing nature; but there
niisaking their sincerity beside the lifeess
form OF their murdered foreman As they stoodawk,
wardly at the door, tSirlins their black hats around
their fingers. the dim light gave them the appear
snce of repentant visitors from the Abruzzi. Yet
the family and their German friends seemed to be
entirely convinced OF tner sincerity.
THE MURDERRRs sULLENNEss
Portfolio is still la the Iombs occupying the cell
In which Chastine Cox placed after his arrival
from Boston, At first sight he calls to mind one OF
those celebrated paintings illustrative OF the Span
1sh or Italian banditt Every effort to draw him into
conversation failed He rose up sulenIy, his busny
eyebrows knitted in logged determination and his
cleaning with that restless light one gen.
orally tnds inside the bars at q menagerie. Adj
dressed III the purest tiHgia 7uscand, he stared
stupidity us when the yerlaauar used and said,
"Me no underestimate lnglese." Yet the few words
OF Italian which he muttered afterward were of a
pa0is corresponding to the flash idioms OF certain
classes in large cities. lie protested ignorance of
city life before coming to this city, saying that his
home was i'll the mountains outside Genoa. He
fused to touch food yesterday.
The inquest OH the body of Michael Bolcnder will
be held by Coroner Wotman at his Office on Mon
day. The jury has been already selected, and yes
terday DIR. CushInan made an examination of tho
body. On Sunday afternoon at three o'clock the
remains of the murdered will be taken to Ever
green's Cemetery. The wife of the murderer was
arrested on Monday night, in company with another
Italian woman named Angostina Umbana, for beg
ging. aud was sent to the Island the charge of
vagrancy. Crowds of people visited the scene of
the tragedy yesterday, and the iron steps OF Tai
colts and on the sidewalk to be traces of
the blood which had poured out freely from tho
victims heart.
AT the Fourteenth precinct station the sergeant at
the desk yesterday said that there had been lots
fighting reported from No. 80 baxter street. The
merly. Mulberry and Mott streets toward the south
quarters. particularly by the low Ita
ians. They are not particularly disorderiy, not so
much the CORES onding nationalities, but they
are terrible when reused. They lower scale
than the Chinese in respect to cleanliness In some
cases twenty Italians will occupy the same ROOM 1t
IL thought that the majority of Italian residents in
that neighborhood are desperadoes, who left their
country its good and who more expert In the
use OF the knife than Is desirable in New York city.