Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-20
The Boston Tragedy.


HOW JOSEPH FRYE WAS MURDERED BY THREE
MEN-oNE OF TIE AssAssINs cONFESsEs THE
CRIME.
Two BARRIERS, Antonio Ardito, Greek. aged
%, and Nicolo Infantino, Sicilian, aged l6,
were arrested in Boston yesterday, charged with
the murder OF Jos. F. Frye, the leather dealer
on haG nga9 last the police from the
tanned among the Italians, owing to Frye's
familiarity with Nicolo, or "Nick," as he was
called, and pursued their Investigations accord
in this country only two months, had fled from
Italy In consequence OF murder be had COM
mted there and since nc Has,o his arrival had
been e working IN Boston some two years
frequently shaved him at his shop 10 Hanover
meek looking fellow enough, but known
to possess an ugly disposition. He frequently
played billiards with the old man and
paftook of his hospitality otherwise. He thus
became thoroughly acquainted with him. and
was somewhat vain OF his familiarity with one
whom he considered so important and SO rich.
Chewaro, but known as "Larry ONeal," who
was employed with the Greek, Ardito, at No. l2
Fleet street. and who has the reputation OF be-
officers Wood and Howard went to the Fleet
street barber shop yesterday and entered into
conversation with the Greek, who exhibited
carelessly walked out, his Identity at the mo-
ment not being known to them. Ardlt0 con-
ttnuing to grow more nervous was finally taken
INT a fer was soon 6as aier nan
success. Late last night Nicolo confessed, CIV
ing the details OF
ONE OF THE MOST COLD-BLOODED MURDERS
ever committed In the state. 1t appears that
between NicOlO, Ardito and "Larry'i 1t was ar
ranged to rob In order to get possession of the
money he was supposed to carry In his pocket
It was proposed that Nick should fix it SO that
be should be invited to the house, and to be al
lowed to take friend with him in the person OF
the Greek who had but recently arrived from
Europe. and who was real nice fellow. Nicolo
his friend up on Thursday night and
have game or so Of billiards. OF which
amusement the unfortunate man was
Greek and Larry were soon notified OF the fact.
The final plans for the crime were then soon
perfected, and 1t was arranged that the three
O'Clock that evening. All were on hand at the
appointed time, NicOlo being armed with q
large pair OF shears that he was In the habit Of
using In cutting hair at the Causeway street
Tons0r1ai palace. Larry came armed with q
revolver, which now turns out to be the identt-
cal weapon with which the bloody deed ives
committed. During the evening OF the murder
billiards In the upper room, while the Greek,
Ardito, amused himself by playing on the
piano, and, at intervals all three would have
70 eleven and
from the Greek, urged Mr.. Frye to visit various
parts Of the house for the purpose OF showing It
10 them Ihls request the old gentleman did
not at first seem willing to grant, but after con-
siderable persuasion he finally consented, and
the trio started down stairs to the basement.
MI. Frye, all unconscious Of
THE TERRIBLE FATR IN WAITING FOR HIM.
It had previously been arranged between them
that II he was induced to 60 down into the Gel
lar they would take away what money he had,
In pursuance Of this agreement, as soon as the
old gentleman reached the bottom of the cellar
stairs, ne having been preceded by the Greek.
the ths latter r. turned @ and grabbed him with the
cutting him with the scissors In his possession.
The doomed man, although taken by surprise,
and while being stabbed to death by his brutal
assailants. tried to shake hands with the boy
N1colo, asking him In the most piteous manner
TO spare his life. At this 1uncture, and even
while the poor man was pleading for his life,
that If he did not shoot he (the Creek would
shoot him. Terrified by the threats thus
made, the boy fired the fatal shot, and the
victim iel ,,, On bis 81 face, gttertng single
dered man andA taking from him his gold
watch, chain, seal and keys, they left
the body where 1t had fallen, and
they could find worth stealing. The marble
slab, which has been spoken Of as being on toe
OF the SAFE. was first taken of, the Greek taking
hold on one side, and Nicolo on the other
the idea that By removing it they could thea5
more easily get at the contents of the safe.
Failing In getting at the property by that means
they next opened the safe doors and took the
silver spoken OF. Both men deny that Mr.. Frye
was struck at all during the struggle, and say
that the bruises on his head were probably
caused by his head coming in contact with the
fOOr where he fell after being shot. After rIfling
the safe they left the house, leaving the doors
10 just the condition they were found by the
leiler. carrier next morning. Friday morning
the prop erty was put together and divided
NICK and the Greek took equal parts OF the
silver and Larry received the watch chain and
man, a Swede, who was party to the crime
He was the owner Of the pistol, and he had fed
to New York, where he will doubtless be cap
tured by the police, who have been notified.