Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-01
TW0ITALIANS KILLED
And a Number of Others Wounded in
a Fierce Fight Near ShOusetOWn.
A REFUGE FOR GALLEY SLAVES,
Where Riots Ending in Double Murders Can
be flushed Up for Weeks.
ALL ARRESTS DESPERATELY RESISTED

The fact that community of 1, 300 peo-
pie exists within few miles of this city
where double murder can take place, a
riot be instigated, shots and blows exchanged
and the authorities know nothing of the
matter is quoted by the police authorities as
pointer for the Immigration Supervisors.
An Italian colony, with dash of Hun
garians as a flavor, is working on the
double-track excavation of the Pittsburg
and Lake Erie road at Stoop's Ferry, about
mile and half this side of Shousetown.
This crowd Of laborers seems to legislate for
itself on subjects of life and death, with other
more trivial matters such as exchange and
barter, without the intervention of any JUS
tice or other acknowledged legal authority.
On Sunday, March 16, Michael Bell,
aged 81, was standing upon the porch at
boarding house kept by his son, Antonio
Bell close to the ravine where the excava-
tion is being made. This is said to be the
best boarding house on the works, and enter
tains 20 guests. 1t is also supplied with
pump. though what use the average Italian
laborer makes of water is not apparent upon
the surface.
A WAR FOR WATER.
A rival boarding house on the opposite
side of the ravine was not supplied with
water in any shape, and the residents are in
the habit of crossing to refresh themselves
internally, at least. at the Bell pump. To this
an objection was filed on the Sunday in ques-
tion. by Bell senior. and crowd of Irate
Italians assembled upon the hill above the
house and commenced to stone the premises.
Antonio Repsa. relative of the Bells. was
struck in the back OF the head by piece of
rock, crushing III the back of the skull. and
when the conflict became hand-to-hand Michael
Bell was severely slashed with dirk in the
stomach, side and back.
The riot lasted all Sunday afternoon and was
renewed on last Sunday. when it is the general
impression that several others were killed.
Now comes the strancest part of the story:
The men who were injured on March 16 were
sent to Plttsburg on Lake Erie train. Sunday
night. and received by Mrs. Zoeguin, of n
Webster avenue, who made Antonio Repsa
walk to her residence, and Bell walk to house
on Grant street, near Water, where he died
yesterday morning.
Becoming frightened at the condition of
Repsa, to whose fractured skull she had applied
4 faxseed poultice she notified the Coroner's
office yesterday morning of the state of affairs,
Miller and Constable P ]. Murphy. OF Judge
Gripp's office, repaired to the scene of action at
once.
HARD TO GET NEWS.
They found the whole settlement in q fer
ment over the news. and met with the most
dogged resistance to imparting any informa-
tion on the riot question. Enough was cleaned |
to furnish the above facts, and young Bell |
gave the principal information which led to |
the capture of Pietro Carnoni, the man who |
struck Repsa with the rock; Pasquale Pelice, |
who is said To be mixed up in the cutting and |
Josefo Natalie, who is said to have carved |
Bell.
There was considerable resistance TO the ar. !
rest. and Constable Murphy felt in a worse box
he tha or
and had to shoot to take his man. The Coro-
ner's Deputy, Grant Miller, had the first man
with haDdcutf on, and with some difficulty
Joined Murphy and buckled both men to-
gether, while the third man was glad to get
refuge in the custody of the officers.
The three prisoners were rushed to the train
by the officers, and placed IN the county ial
last evening. The officers will return to
Stoop's Ferry to-day, to get others implicated
In the different riots.
Constable Murphy said that there was no
doubt many other deaths had occurred. but he
added: wi hat can you do in a colony like that
where so men could be killed, tlrown in the
river, or buried in the excavations, and no one
would know anything about it except the
Italians, not one of whom dare speak of mat
ters of this kind, under penalty of death! There
are hundreds there, probably, who have the
brand of the galley slave upon their backs and |
they are reckless of their own lives as much as
hose of others. 1t is desperate undertaking
10 go among them under any circumstances |
md tonight when took the prisoners away
who swore they would burn young Bells house
1own for giving the information which led to
he capture"
The body of Michael Bell was removed to the
norgue last night. There were no external
evidences of any very serious slashng on the
body. but several very serious bruises were
plainly discernible.
CANNOT SURVIVE.
Repsa was taken to the Homeopathic Hos
,ital. where DR.. Blair said last night it was inn
possible for him to survive until morning. He
aid that neither man had received any medi-
al or surgical care since their injuries and
'nly the crudest efforts had been made
o preserve their lives. evidently with the
Intention of keeping the matter a secret. Had
urgical aid been invoked in time one or both
ives could have been probably saved. Repsa.
lie said, was now In SO low condition that no
n8sthetic could be administered. and the
peration of trephining was an impossibiIity.
Several other arrests will be made this after
oon.
COMING BACK AT HIM.