The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-04-23
A Double Execution.
CARMINE SANTORE AND RAFFAELE CAPONE
EXECUTED AT THOMASTON, APRIL 18th.


RAFFAELE CAPONE.
On Friday last Carmine Santore and Ratfaele
Capone. two Italians. paid the penalty of muir
der with their lives. The last previous eXecu-
ton in this state was in June. 1879, when John
L. Gordon, the Thorndike murderer, and Wag-
ner, the Isle of Shoals murderer, We're hanged
at Thomaston. There were many parallels be-
tween the two executions. Both were dual
hangings and the first date appointed for each
fell on Good F iday and the men were repriev-
ed for time. shortly after the execution in
1870 the death penalty in Maine was abolished
by an act of the legislature, but subsequently,
murders were so frequent as to arouse the peo-
pie and at the session Of 1882 the legislature re-
stored the death penalty for murder i'll the first
degree. An attempt was made at the late SEES
sion to again abolish the death penalty, but pub
lie sentiment was 50 strong in favor Of the
present law that the bill was killed in commit
tee The execution last week was the first to
take place since the re-establi>hmeDt of the
death penalty.
HISTORY OF THE MURDER.
hN Niiiilt ltI w uitu tut TWO lldlldHs were
executed was IA most revolving one. For the
sum of SG3 they killed fellow aborer an Ial-
ian, and the Godfather of the Younger of the
two men. In 1888, a gang OF Italian aborers
employed on the extension of the Maine Cen
trial railroad from Bangor to Mt. Desert. were
al work in Brewer, near Bangor. September
lth Pa>quaie Coscia was paid off and intended
to send Inc money to his family in Italy. The
next morning bis dead body was found in the
Burr woods about two miles from Bangor.
Circumstances pointed so strongly towards
Santore and Capone as the guilty parties, they
were arrested. Both men confessed but each
charged the other with being the principal.
THE MEMS STATEMENTS.
Santore told an interpreter that about 4
O'Clock on the afternoon of Sept. :, 1888. he
was out taking a walk, when he met Capone
and Pa>quae Co>cia (the man subsequently,
murdered.) A the same time three other Ital-
ianS came up. and while the six stood together
Capone said to Santore. Go to Francesca
Flores and get letter which is there for YOU. :
Immediately Santore left the company to 90
after the letter. When he was about three
quarters of a mile on the way, he heard him
self called and at the same time he heard the
report of pistol. Turning his head round be
saw Capone signalling with his hand for him
to stop. Santore waited for him till he came
up. when Capone said to him. "Do not 90 to
Franci>c" Flores for Il letter for there is none
for YOU. But we must kill PasquaIe Coscia for
he has got money and we must get it away
from him." Santore refused, saying, Il will
not do that While they We're discussing the
subject, Santore saw Pasquale Coscia approach
ing them and when he came up, Capone left
the company and went into the woods for
about ten minutes. When he came out they
proceeded on their way, Pa>quale Co>cia being
between them. Santore was smoking his pipe.
At once Capone stepped back, pulled out a re-
volver and shot at Pa>quae Coscia's back.
Pa>quale ran forward, stopping, however. TO
say to Capone, "How. godfather. YOU betray
me-. Capone threw the revolver down and
picking up stick ran after Coscia at the same
time telling Santore 10 pick up the revolver and
shoot at him. shoot at him. shoot at him, for
II he escapes us both of us will be arrested
in the air, for the purpose of calling the atten-
lion of the people. Coscia ran to 4 fence but
could not get over and turned back Meeting
Capone with IA stick he tried to dodge him, but
Capone struck him and pursued him back TO
the place where he was first shot. Here Coscia
fell from one of the blows. Capone seized him
by the throat, unbuttoned his vest and took out
L,.,I
>antore was, about eight PAGES, and told San
tore to give him the revolver. Santore gave it
to him. Capone went back to the diving man
and shot him once in thu side of his face. He
then dropped the revolver, picked up the stick
and struck him on his head twice more. He
then returned to Santore and said. II split his
head in two, he is dead, let us 90 quick" When
they were about thirty PAGES away. Capone
gave $50 to Santore telling him not to say any
thing. They then went to IA rum shop in the
village, and drank bottle of beer each. They
afterwards went to another shop and bought
some pastry and Santore passed out a $50 bill
to pay for it. Capone tried to push it back, but
the suorekeeper took it and gave Santore the
change. They went TO another bar room with
boy whom they met. and drank two bottles of
beer each and gave some TO the boy. They
then started home, throwing the revolver in the
river from the bridge.
Capone said: Pasquale Coscia called Capone
up from his bed to 90 and take walk with
him. On the way they saw Santore behind
them. While they were talking together San
tore passed by them. While they were in the
woods they came toget er and, Capone says
Sant0re shot Co>cia twice, and after he killed
bim he put the pistol at Capones ear and
obliged him TO take money from Cosca's peck
Ell. Then Santore gave Capone thirty-three
dollars. the whole amount being sixty-tiye dol
lars. Capone says he and Santore had not
talked together about the deed at all before it
took place.