Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-21
The Vendetta In New Orleans.
New York Hersld.l

The people OF New Orleans are pass
ing through an experience as novel as 1t
is tragic. The air is filled with righteous
curses, and the hangman will soon have
work on his hands.
The stiletto OF the Sicilian assassin,
The blunderhuss Of the professional ban
dit who has emigrated from the Medl-
terranean and brought with him the Gus
toms OF barbaric age, before courts
could be relied upon to avenge CRIME
the vendetta OF centuries back, when the
relatives OF murdered man made 1t
their business TO carry out the Mosaic
Injunction. "A life for life these are
the anomalies which render the situation
unique.
The story is worth telling. There is q
large COLONY OF Italians in New Orleans
Among the number are many well-to-do,
honorable citizens, men OF culture and
refinement, who deeply feel the dis
grace which has been brought upon the
city. and are anxious 10 have the guilty
brought to Justice. But the bulk OF tins
foreign element is composed OF the nil
raif OF creation-rogues without con-
science, who sell fruit at the street cor
pers in the day time and OF night attend
secret meeting where assassination Is the
subject of debate Their leaders ignore
our language, have nothing in common
with us, left their native land in haste
because the police we're ut their heels,
and now, having escaped the vengeance
OF the home authorities, are pursuing
thar trada of rprtraar hprQ
During tho last few years Italians
have been found in the streets OF New
Orleans either riddled by bullets or
bleeding to death from the gashes OF a
knife. These crimes never II ceived the
punishment due, because even the rela-
tyes OF the victims refused TO speak.
On the witneSs-stand their memories en-
tirely failed them and justice was balk-
ed. Detectives followed trail after trail,
but the mystery was never uncovered
All this blood was the result of feud IN
which the murder OF one person was fol-
lowed by the sudden taking oil OF the
man who committed the deed, and 30 or
until the series OF crimes excited public
attention and alarm.
On NAV 9Th affairs eliminated. 4
wagon. load OF Italians were early in To
morning fred at 10y members OF tn
rival association and several Of then
killed.
Chief Hennessey, man bold to reck
lessness, always armed because he wa
always in danger. determined to uneart
the rascals. With the sure instinct OF
born detective he followed the scent {
crime as a hound the track OF deer
and at last discovered the longed-fc
evidence.
The trial is 10 come of in a few days
and the case OF these rogues locked de,
Perate. Undaunted by fear of the lev
however, their partners in crime met i
secret conclaye, appointed half doze
OF their number to murder Hennessey
and then waited.
On the night OF October 18th, la
"Wednesday, Hennessey returned HON
late. As he was opening the door OF b
house the report OF yolley OF musketr
filed the air. From safe covert III
villains shot the officer. With half
dozen bullets in his body, the brave ma
returned the lire with revolver, the
dropped, and few hours afterward WI
acorpse.
80 long ss these Italians con6ne
their crimes 10 the murder OF their ow
native rivals in the general feud. the az
thorities we're comparatively helples,
But now that they have made war on III
city and declared their intention 10 killsn
one who seeks for criminal evideDc
against them, the people, thorough
reused, are forming themselves into Wig
lance committees and swear that the
will not rest until the leaders OF this gan
ere brought 10 the gallows.
Mayor Shakespeare hiss published tn
fact thst be 10 marked ss the next victim
But With death not far ahead he do
nonuees tho scoundyels 10 vigorous Ian