The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-03
DESPERATE AND BLOODY.
AN ITALIAN SALOON THE SCENE OF
TERRIBLE FIGHT.
One Man Has His Nose and Upper Lip
Severed in Twain-Another His Head
and Neck Fearfully Gashe d-A Huge
Meat Knife the Weapon.

lower NO. IL Beale street. lnere are TWO
Nos. - In close proximity on the street,
and the scene of-the tragic broil was at the
corner Of Clinton and the above, the street
next to the bluff.
On the corner stands a two-story brick
store, which is occupied by T.. Castagnino
as a saloon and clearinghouse, the dining
room being in the rear and opening into
the saloon.
Among the boarders at the place are A..
Walter, German carpenter, forty-one
years of age, and unmarried, and Victor
Spostinn aged thirty-three years, fireman
on coal tug
As matter Of course, there are two sides
to the case, and the story of the proprietor
and one Of the actors in it is given first.
lie states that just before night Walter
came in from work and was sitting in the
saloon part Of the house by a table. Castig-
nino was sitting in the dining room, having
his shoes blackened, when Spostinni en-
tered and walked TO the rear or rather Just at
the partition between the two apartments Of
the house and jocularly said TO him: What
are you having your shoes shined for2n
Looking up, he replied, "Oh, I'm going to
play dude" At the same time he said:
walter get up and walk behind the coun-
ter He paid no attention TO this, as the
bOarders are accustomed TO such q privilege
Almost an instant later he saw Walter strik-
ing down on Spostininis head with
what he thought TO be small
stick but as Spostinini doding his head
sprang from under the blow, he faced about,
and as he did so Walter dealt him power
ful blow in the face, and he retrcated across
the room. Castagnino was still sitting, 50
quick had been the action, and rs lac rose
from his seat the Infatuated man turned
upon him, sinking the blade Of n long knife
into his head, cutting n cash several inches
In length, and rs he sprang up another slash
struck him ON the back OF the neck, cutting
0 severe wound. Instantly he saw that the
mailman was using the long meat knife
which he had picked up from the counter
when he lad started into the room.
Castngnino seized the man and ms lac did 80
his wife rushed to his assistance, and as she
snatched at the hand which held the knife
she was struck with its keen edge and her
arm laid open from the wrist to the elbow.
Castagnino succeeded In throwing the
knifc-user 10 the floor, and with the assist
ancc Of another boardcr took the weapon
from him and then, II seems, they turned
him loose, according TO CastagniuO's story.
The blood was streaming from Spostinini's
faco and wild with rage, lac turned up-
on his adversary. What he struck
him with, or whether lac was aided
by the others In the house. is not known
but when the fight was interrupted Walter
was almost beaten 10 death. His face Is a
mass Of deep, frightful gashes both eyes are
black and almost entirely closed, while in
the back Of his head are two deep, CHASTITY
holes an inch or more In length, laying the
hcsh bare TO the skull.
No one knew how terribly Spostinini had
been wounded until the fight was over and
hc had been taken back into the house.
Then IL was seen that the keen blade Of the
Knife had clipped the end Of his nose entirely
)h and cut The upper lip aud side Of the face
In two, 80 that Il Topped down over his
mouth.
II WIS most horrible sight. and the blood
nowcd IN wide stream from Il into his
18th and down his neck. With hand
Eqthici tile severed flesh was pressed 10 IL.
place until physician could be summoned,
who scwcd II back. II took dozen or more
stitches, the wound being fully five inches
In length and nj every stitch the wounded
man screamed with the most agonizing pain
Officer Scott WIS some distance away, but
hurried 10 the scene. All was confusion and
blood Walter lay out In the street bleeding
from half dozen wounds Spostinini aud
Clstagnino sat IN chairs while two or three
women held handkcrchcfs aud towels 10 the
wounds on their heads and faces from which
the blood gushed while Mn. Casiagnino ran
up and down the store holding her bleeding
arm, and screaming that she had been cut To
death.
After the physician had dressed all the
wounds, aud officer Scott saw that n1no Of
the bcllgcrcnts were fatally injured, he
took them IL the station house, where Walter
was locked up ON the charge Of malicious
cutting. with Intent 10 kill. aud Castagnino
aud Spusiinini, charged with assault and bat
terry with intent 10 Kill. The latter, how.
ever put 80 forfeit each and were released.
A short time afterward Walter was seen In
his cell by an ArrEAL reporter. The poor
fellow looked more dead than alive. lie Is
truly piiablc sight, and certainly got none
the best Of the fight
lie talks very poor English, but as well ~
the reporter could understand him, he had
been w this country about I've years. The
most " the past four years be had spent In
this city, and had never boarded anywhere
In the city except nj Casiagnino's. About n
week ago. he said. he had some angry word,
with his landlord, who struck him on the
arm. but he did not resent it
Yesterday afternoon he, Castagnlno, Spos'
tinini aud one or two Others had been
and he had won three games. lie had
turned away from the counter when he
wa surprised with a blow on the head
with some heavy instrument. Blow fol
lowed blow until he was knocked bleed
ing aud sonsclcas out Of the store and into
lie street. lie strcnuously denied that h,
had used a knife at any time Of III,
melee. nor could he tell how the cutting wa,
done or who did H. Walters wounds wc,'
~ very serious that a physician had 10 b
sent cor 20 dnss them. The fact i, lac j. u
worse physical condition than either OF hii
adycrahcs.
Later In the evening the reporter called n
Casiagnino's place. lie found that stalwar
son uf sunny Italy sitting out In front Of hi
store, surrounded by his wife, children an,
about dozen Others of his race, discussinl
the affair. Back in the dining room, with
bundle ui wet cloths over his mouth, "a
Spistinini in a chair unable 10 speak, o
rather the physician forbids him TO tall
at al.
IIcisln critical condition, and II vii
take him some time IN recover All Of ihl
parties NJ the place insist that Castagnino'
account u the affair II strictly correct an'
that Walter had no proyocation whaleyc
for his murdcruus action.
one boardcr recalled the fact that at break
fast that morning Water had remarked q
him. "l'll get four Of them tonight aud the
IN ~ home" lie paid no attention 10 th
remark nt the time. but Is now Of the opin
ion that even then Walter had formed pic
o. murder Castagnino and others.
All NJ the parties agree that Walter wa
not drunk NJ The time, and he did not appea
very much under the influence Of liquo
when sen NJ the station .housc.
II was bloody affair and will take clos
A.. -