New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-12
A FATAL DUEL WITH KNIVES
TWO ITALIANS FIGHT LONG AND FURE
OUSLY
ONE DIES, But WOULD NOT ACCUSE HIS SLAYER
THEIR coUNTRYMEN CALMLY WATCH
THE BATTLE.

THE BATTLE.
Pas1uae Mansecolo. Of No. 81 Orchard-st.. and
Francoo SIichaeli of No. AZ Ovcr-st., two Italian
laborrs, were acquainted in Italy before coming
to this country. and the friendship continued
here Michael has sister living in Italy, and
il had been arranged between the two men that
when ManecOlo got enough money to pay for her
passage TO this country he was TO marry her.
With this object in view MansecolO worked hard
and saved every penny. After getting through
with their daily toll Mansecolo and Michaeli used
to meet a number of their countrymen in a little
grocery store at No. 90 James-st. kept by Salvador
Dominica. where they played cards. drank beer.
and occasionally varied the amusement with
little side play in which knives or revolvers were
the principal factors.
Mansecolo and Michae went TO Dominico's place
about 0 o'clock Saturday night, and soon after.
ward began playing cards with number Of their
| friends in little room back of the grocery. The
growlcr' was filled with regularity, and soon all
the Italians were more or less intoxicated. They
were merry, sang songs, and kept on playing cards
| until about a. yesterday. The game waa
brought TO a sudden close. Michaeli. when he
| began playing. lost nearly all his money. but his
luck changed and lie began to win. Everybody
| When Mansccolo's last cent passed the
table to his friend, dark scowl settled his face,
and he accused Michael Of cheating and robbing
| him. Michael laughed at his friends accusation,
and so did the other Italians, for Michaeli was
| noted for playing an honest game, and they had
| not seen him do anything wrong. The fact that
| everybody sided with Michaeli only added to the
passion Of MansecoO, and he reiterated the charge
| Of dishonesty and used language that Mlchaeli
vas compelled 10 take notice Of.
Both men drew stilettos and the bright blades
| flashed in air the men jumped around each
other seeking an opportunity to strike fatal
! blow 1t was evidently to be fight TO the
death but no one interfered and the Italians
| who were near the men moved away to give them
| room. After each OF the men had been slightly
wounded, some one shouted that the police were
! coming, and the lights were put out. Everybody
went to the street, and the combatants. finding
! that there were no bluecOats In sight, pulled out
| the knives again and went at each other. They
were both expert with the blade. and fought with
| caution. They knew each others proves, and
they delivered blow for blow and jumped away
| from the vicious thrusts with great skill and
| dexterity They fought in the middle Of the
street and their friends watched them from the
! sidewalk. No one said a word, ald all were anX-
| ously waiting to see the fatal blow given. lilo
! combatants walked round each other. getting In
| n slash now and then, till they got through
| Cherry-st to Rooseyelt-st. Several times they
| got together at short range, and the knives were
! worked III lehtnng-like rapidity on each others
| heads and hOdl
They fell together in the street several times,
| but Jumped up like lash. At one time when
they felt, Mansecolos head struck truck, and
| Michael could have killed him. but he folded his
arms and waited for his enemy 10 get on hls feet.
! The men fought with the ierocity OF wild beasts
| through Rooseyelt-st. 10 Sou'h-st, and AT TINS
time they were bleeding proiasey from wounds;
! They had struck. each other twenty times. ana
/ every wound was deep one. Several OF their
! friends thought that the fight had gone far
enough. and tried 10 stop il. but II was no use
| The combatants were maduen, and nothing but
| death would satisfy them.
Their sipgt b E Mood ne @d tbeS soR Hp: they ,bs
the end was close at hand. They maze desperats
rally and cllnched They piled the knives with
all the strength that they had left. and. II they
! had not been so weak, womb nave Deen aole %
| Give the fatal blow. Ne il was, they fell upon
! The sidewalk close 10 each other and lay painting
and cursing. a., Al.
and came upon the two men when they were
gr,tinr ready TO renew the contest An ambu'
! lance was summoned, and both men were taKen
| in il 70 Chambers Street Hospital They dld nov
lool, nj nor sneak TO each other lnelr races hat
| an eypression OF intense hatred ana scOrn, ana
they would not ELK about the fight. In tact Dot1
~ them denied that there had been hght anu
refused 70 make any complaint lhey salu 'nas
they would arrange their affairs ont OF couIt.
Michael slowly sank after he was taNeh ~
-, to'',ital and died i'm n few hours Mansecold
w Ie n ,ramscrrcd to bellevue Hospital prisoner
He is badly wounded but will probably recover;
The police are of the opinion ina, , ,bs n neS,
motive for the fight lies in the fact that the u.gn
halonSed 70 ,ans of counterfcters and thar me
Itaiian who was killed was suspected OF oelns
about to turn traitor and give the gang oyer ,ntg
| tho hands of the police. The quarrel was orougns
! w for tho EXPRESS purpose of making away
"S' the suspected man, and The. reason the
sht was NOT intcrfered with by the SnlooH HT
VIZ ", Tt ,Lov aid nor care if both men were
killed, 50 long the informers tongue va"