The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-08-20
PLUNDERING nuRDERERs.
The Details Of the Frye Murder-TWo OF
the MurdeFeFs Arrested.

| AuG Uttttth VI thC NESg AAuEANF-ANU "
the MurdeFers Arrested.
BoSroS, August lo.-Antonie Ardito, 4
Greek, an d Nicolo Fantum, u siCilian,
have been ARRESTED as the murderers oi
Joseph F, Frye. The property stolen ID
reported recovered.
Ardito Is % years Of age and NiColo l6,
the former Is two months in the country
and fled from home TO escape the con.
sequences Of murder committed there.
The latter Is two years here. Another
Slcilian is involved, one Larry O'Neal.
Late last night Nicolo gave the officers in.
formation which led to them becoming
possessed ofall the facts tthe murder. It
appears that Nlcolo, commonly called
"Nick" by friends, was well acquainted
with old man Frye and his habits and be-
tween him Ardito and Larry Il was or.
ranged 10 rob the house and murder the
old man In order to get money he was sup.
posed to carry In his pocket. 1t was be-
lieved by all there that the old man was
exceedingly wealthy and that there was
chance OF his carrying arms. During the
evening Of the murder "Nick" said the
murder Of the old man was frequently dis.
cussed. Nicolo at first OBJ bjeCted, but through
the arguments OF the rest consented.
1t was claimed by Ardito and Larry that
NiCk's acquaintance with the old man
would be sufficient to arrange for an easy
entry to the house, and It was proposed
that. Nicolo should Hx II, so he should be
invited TO the. house and be allowed to
take friend (Ardito) with him, who had
but recently arrived from Europe, and
who was nice fellow. Nicolo was &C.
cordingly invited byFryeto bring his friend
up on Thursday night and have game OF
billiards, OF which amusement Frye was
passionately fond. Nicolo soon informed
the Greek and Larry, and the plans were
perfected. 1twas arranged that the three
asslSsins should meet on the common at
8 o'clock that evening. All were on hand
at the appointed time. Nicolo was armed |
with a large pair Of shears that he was in |
the habit OF using in cutting hair at Cause.
way Street Tonsorial Palace. Larry came
with the revolver that Frye was shot with.
In Frye's house, while the Greek Ardito
amused himself playing on the piano, and |
at intervals all three would have some. |
thing to drink.
Between II and l9 lexaCt time not
knownl, Nick, acting under instructions
from Arlito, urged Frye to visit various
parts Of the house, showing it to them.
This request the old gentleman did not
seem willing to grant, but after Considera-
bic persuasion he consented and the three
started down stairs 10 the basement. It
had been previously arranged il Frye was
induced to go down to the cellar, that they
would take away what money he had and
then rob the house. AS soon as the old
gentleman reached the bottom Of the ce,-
lar stairs, preceded by the Greek, the lat.
ter turned and grabbed him with the
lerocity OF tiger and with hair scissors
inflicted tho wounds found on the hody.
Frye made desperate resistance, and
while being stabbed tried to shake hands
with the boy Nick, asking him in piteous
manner TO spare his life. Arlito ordered
Nick TO shoot him, telling him II he did
not shoot he lLhe Creek would shoot
Nick. Terrified by threats the boy fired
and Frye fell on his face, utteriug a single
cry.
After riGing the pockets OF the murder
ed man and taking from him his gold
watch, chain, seal and keys they left the
body where 1t had fallen and went up
stairs to see what they could find worth
stealing. The marble slab which has been
spoken of as being on the top of the safe
was first taken of, the Greek taking hold on
one side and Nick on the other, thinking
they could thus more easily get at the
contents Of the safe. Failing, however,
they opened the safe door and took the sill.
yer ware. The murderers deny that Frye
was struck at all during the struggle, and
say the bruises on his head were probably
caused by his head coming in contact with
the floor where he fell after being shot,
After rifing the safe they left the house,
leaving the doors in the condition they
were found by the letter CarriOr the next
When the Greek and Nick came out OF
Fryes house Larry, who had remained
outside, had got frightened and was of.
The three came together on Hanover
street, and together went 10 a barber shop
on Green street. The barber at first re.
fused to receive the property, but finally
took the bundle and hid l. in chimney.
The Greek kept part in his pocket, and il
was aiterward found on Fleet street. Fri
day morning all three met in North
street place, when the property was all
put together again and redivided. Nick
and the Greek took equal shares OF silver,
and Larry received tho watch, chain and
seal. Nick left his share OF the plunder
where it was, and the Greek took his TO
No. IL Fleet street, barber shop kept by
Joseph Donata. Donata, who Is the
Greeks employer as well as an intimate
friend OF the Green street barber and
Nick, pulled a board off Of one Of the
walls OF his shop, near the floor, and de.
posting the silverin the hole and replaced
the board.
Saturday morning the watch and chain
were brought 10 Green street barber who
hid them on shelf behind the gas metre.
All the property remained in this disposi.
ton till this morning, when il was taken
possession OF by Officers Wood and
Howard. Nicolo was in the habit OF
shaving Frye and thus came TO visit him
at his house and place OF business. The
real name OF Larry 0'Seal is Sari Chey.
varro. He is IS years old, sallow com.
plexion, about 8 feet I or 8 inches high,
about l30 pounds weight. lie was present
when the officers made one arrest, but not
being known then was permitted to escape.
4 Swede who owned the pistol used has
fled to New York. The police OF til at city
are looking for him.