The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-02
From the New York Star.

ner history, STIR reporter yesterday made
a tour among the prominent Italian resi-
dents of the city, and established without
doubt the fact OF the existence OF
branches of the band in New York. A
great deal Of information was also cleaned
concerning the methods and secrets OF the
order.
The Italian consul, Signor Ratio, was
found in his Office on State street, and
expressed himself as ignorant of the ex-
istence OF La Malta in this city. lie adj
mitted that he had never inquired into
the matter, and would not be likely to
know Of 1t unless such inquiry was made.
81 do know, however, OF the existence
Of the order which ut present, with its
various branches, completely honeycombs
Italy," said the consul. 81 think the first
that was really known OF tho existence OF
the order was ut the beginning OF the
| present century, in the town OF Sartin,
Sicily, where d family OF nine, named
Giavanni, OF considerable social position,
were murdered in as many weeks.
"The father went first, his dead body
being found at his very doorstep. Seven
days later the mother followed. Her dead
body was found in almost the same loca-
| ton and position MS that oil her husband.
| The authorities were unsuccessful in trac-
ing the murderer or murderers, and seven
| DAYS afterward the bodies of the two eld-
est children were found dead in bed. The
others followed in regular order, until the
f0mily was completely annihilated.
"a tough character OF the town named
Spoil was arrested on suspicion and con.
! fesscd. lie revealed the existence OF the
order, and said that Giavanni and his fam
ily had incurred the anger Of the band by
betraying n criminal who was Malta TO
the authorities. Spoil had been instructed
among others to commit the murder. lie
was tried, and, although the best counsel
were employed TO defend him on plea OF
insanity by the Malta, was convicted and
put In prison for life. Several witnesses
Tor the prosecution were aiterward muir
dercd by the Malta.
1.-THE government, becoming aware Of
the lawlcss nature OF the organization, nj
once took measures TO have IL suppressed,
but the efforts put forth were followed by
very poorpcsults. la Malta continued 10
grow, aud for aught know is still grow
ing in numbers. II was organized fol
criminal purposes and is now u menace e
Italy. II remained for police officer in
Milan in 1868 TO discover mark by which
n member OF Ia Malta could be known
1t consisted OF small scar Immediately
under the ear caused by burning.
"In this way great numbers OF criminals
were aitcrward run down and brought e
Justice. Tho society then gave up IN,
mark. and the police officer one year alter
ward was found dead, stabbed TO th'
heart
Marctti, the well-known rcstaurateur
when questioned about the Malta, ap
q pgarcd rather rcticent, but admitted thai
. lac was Of the opinion that there were AM
, number Of the Malta in this city. .
/ "rhoy are well known and dreaded nj
over Italy. / have known n number o
people" he said, "who have suffered n
the hands oi the Malta. They do not al
/, ways deal in murder, however, but max,
, use Of the protection Of the society for th
commission OF crime Of every description
Countoriciting Is the principal Occupation
81 the active members Of the order, un,
hundreds OF experts are turned out uvsrl
, year. Highway robbery Is also a hyort,
occupation. The organization Is growin
every year.
The Star reporter spent some timc II
, Mulberry street and learned many adj
= tional facts concerning the dreaded order
p,trucc.o pcvillo, the leading Italian
, liquor dealer OF Mulberry stuot whol
u seen. showed very little hcslaucy In Cx
pressing the opinion that there were no
= only hundreds, but thousands OF MAZDA II
- this city today.
"Why." said pcvillo. "nearly an m
cNpcr, rUunicriciting In metal that Is boinl
, done IN this country today is done b.
' Italians who are members Oi the Malta
. # o q j.
y the United States i hero iu this city, hay
ing been removed recently from New Or
leans Thort Is not q professional Italian
criminal IN this country Of any class win
| b. not member ol the Malta. However
; there are Tango numbers OF respectable
. mrmhgr,.'
care you a mcmbcr2' the rcportc
= asked.
Y "Wcll, no; not cxarlly--that II, yol
p know, dou't take any active part IN Il.
ln urthcr conversation 10 YVES gathcrnD
from pcNillo that the headquarters OF th
uTlgrin tlI.s city ore established Ou Green
street.
Eusiauntcur Munllo. beside stating TIA
hp knew oi the existence OF the Malta II
4 Italy, declined 10 be- interviewed. Nam
4 Mail. the well known West broadway bar
Der. talked llurntly Of Ia Malta. while h
b rubbed pomaic into the hair and ear OF
customer.
, ia Malta commo New YORK, " said b
earnestly, "scila hannan ouna the street
!. biHcka the boots, sclla chestnut, apple
u grape. Had m0nnn. lie lisu the cat sli
az Ho, 10" and Mia made o stealth
/, movement, Wilha cleaning razor IN Ia
!. hand.
4 number Of other Italian resident
, were sven, and an who would talk CAV
y evidence of the existence ul lhe band j
thIa city, The police are still Of the opir
lon that thc laccomio murder was IA
work OF the Malta, and astounding dove
opmouis are looked for wilhiua very shot
time.