The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-30
VICTIM or THE MAF1A.
Fiaocomio Murdered by Band of siciIian
Avengers.

Avengers.
The assassination of Antonio Flaccomio,
which took place in the shadow of the Cooper
union building on Sunday night last, was a
pre- arranged affair and was ordered by the So
ciety OF Scieilian avengers known as "Mafa,"
which has secret branches in this city and New
Orleans.
Flaccomio had been adjudged a traitor to
the organization, of which, at one time he was
prominent member, and il is said that Car
milo Faraeh who was murdered in the Staten
island woods four years ago had been enrolled
in the same society The unjustifable killing
OF FaTach was one of the causes which led to
the removal of FaYaeh Flacconio and the sec
ond one WAS tho recent betrayal OF several of
his oountrymen who were counterfeiters and
brother members of the "Mafia." Flaccomio
was sentenced to death, and two brothers
named Carlo and Vincenzo Qnarrara, were Sc
leete to be his eXecutioners. 1t was
the former that plunged his stilletto into the
unfortunate mans heart.
Ever since the crime, central office detect
ives, guided in their search by Chief Inspector
Byrnes, have been endeavoring to solve the
mystery OF the killing OF Fiaccomio. For de-
tectiye purposes the story was given out that
the murder was doubtless the result of a gamb-
ling quarrel, but at the time it was believed to
be otherwise. This was done TO throw the as
sassinS off the track but the Guarraros were
not to be caught that way. While the police
were endeavoring to establish the Identity OF
their victim, the brace of avengers were
most proabbly fleeing from the city. Satisfied
that the hunt for the murderers would be n
long and tedious one, Inspector Byrnes decid-
ed yesterday to seek the aid of the Herald in
running the rascals down.
A CHARMING CoTERRIE.
The story of Flaecomio is an interesting one
and brings to the notice of the American peo-
pie the existence Of an organization of cut
throats, counterfeiteFs and malefactors of all
sorts. 1t Is known as the "Maiia" and is COM
posed entirely Of Sicilians. The object of the
society is to protect criminals from the author
tiles, settle disputes and punish traitors with
death.
Three men, who have betrayed to Inspector
Byrnes the workings of this desperate band
are today shiyering In the cells OF the Central
police Office, satisfied that death will be the
penalty of their treachery.
They are Francisco Alta, Natalie Sabatino
and Giuseppe GannizZaro. The first two were
the men that lured Flaccomio TO the shady spot
near the Cooper union where the long and
keen double edged blade was driven through
his heart.
Since the assassination of Carmillo Farach,
at Staten island Flaecomio well knew that he
was doomed man. Ramon Farach's threat,
uttered when in my presence in the cabin Of
the Staten Island ferryboat at midnight on
April II, 1884, was still ringing in his ears.
He could not tell when the blow would be
struck, but hoped to use his weapon first. Be-
fore leaving his home on the afternoon OF his
death, tlaecomio suspected trouble and told
his fourteen-year-old son that the grocery at
No. 607 Third avenue was his and if he did not
return to run the business and look
after his sister.
The existence OF the Sicilian bani of mur
derers and criminals called "Maha'' has been
known to Inspector Byrnes for some time.
Chief Drulnmond OF the secret service while
pursuing counterfeiters and Showers Of the
queer" first learned Of this desperate society
and communicated the fact to the Central Of
flee authorities. 1t has no connection with the
Italian band OF assassins and malefactors called
"Camorista." The Sicilians and Italians at
heart are deadly enemies, and it is alleged
that Giuseppa Canizzaro, one Of the witnesses,
was really a spy for the Italian organization at
the headquarters Of the malta"
According to the revelations IN the case al
ter the assassination Of Carnillo Farach sus-
picion got abroad among the Sielians In this
city that FlaccoInio was responsible for the ar
rest OF the counterfeitere. This suspicion SEEM
ed 90 be well founded, one OF Floccomio's
supposed friends, on april Ia, 1881, lured the
traitor TO a dark spot in jersey street, near
Crosby with the intention OF killing him. FLAG
comic, however, expected such an attack, and
shot his wonld-be assailaBt in the wrist. The
two men ran away Immediately after the shot
was fred.
When Flaccomio's conduct was brought to
the notice OF the inner circle of the "Mafa,"
steps were taken to- investigate the chaDges
made against him. The inquiry was Of the
quietest kind and tho hunt for evidence was
FAR reaching, even 70 squeezing the secrets OF
tie suspected member from MIN without his
knowledge. Stefano Bono, a convicted couu-
terfeiter, Is said 70 have been the false
friend who wormed himself into Flacconio's
good graces and procured the evidence Of
treachery for the "Majia." Thon arrange
ments were made for the execution and the
Quarrero brothers we're assigned 10 do the kill
ing. tlaccOiniO was lured 10 the restaurant
know as ia Trinecria," at No. 3 81. Mark s
place, kept by "Mafa," and where the as-
slssins made their headquarters. There were
nine men with Flaccomio The others were
Francisco Alta, Gl6seppa Tereno, Bendetta
Terzo, Graccomiy POiaci, BendcttO CaruizzO,
Nincenzo aHd Carlo Quarrero and Natalie Saba
tinO, the atter'B brother IN law.
Giuseppe CannizzarO, the Cook, exDec-
expected trouble would heial Flacconiio, and
while going for wood slipped the doomed man
the big carving knife. Toward nine o'clock
on the fatal day a mock quarrel was started.
Stbatino and Alta sided with flaccomIO. and
after the quarrel took him 10 the Cooper Union
building. The assassns, Carlo and VincenZO
Quarrero armed to the teeth logged the foot
steps u tho trio.
~ TKuE DRAMATIC STYLE
NinCenzO thirated for fiaccomiO's blood, but