The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-17
A Victim Selected, Asked to Dinner
and Then Put Out of
the Way.
London Papers Deprecate the KILL
ing but Concede That It
Was Justiflable.
Italians at Home and Abroad Greatly Ex.
cited-Harrison Sends Regrets to
King Humbert.

| New ORLEANS. March 1G.-fn Father
Manorita's statement yesterday he said he
was sure the letter no received was from
the Provenzano section of the Malta. This
statement Joseph Provenzano this morning
most emphatically deines. He said his
flrst impulse was to have Father Manorita
arrested and he consulted Chief GasIerin
regarding the matter and was advised In
maze pubilc MS statement concerning the
matter, as he Thought that would do more
Rood. frovenzano says he has not been
connected with the Malta in any manner.
On the contrary, he had been an object OF
their enmity.
About flve years ago." says Provenzano.
tine Maf1a sent me several letters threat
eninR to kill me and my brothers unless Va
gave the society $1,000. We did not re-
spond and Jim Caruso shortly after-
wards came to me and said be
belonged to the society and
that We had better give the money. Ha
said could do 80 by going to the old lake
ana bandaRing my head in red handker-
chlef and leaving the money ON a stump in
the swamp near by. was then to 90 about
my business and they to get the money. I
.nen went to some of my friends-Juno
Davis, Pat Meally and Ralph Morgan be-.
ing among the number-and they said not
TO pay 1t; that they would go with me in a
wagon to see who was there to receive -
Jim Caruso, who was along, said this would
not do; II you 90 with the crowd no one
VIII appear. l then dropped the matter
and told Caruso to have nothing to do with
the society; to give up his fruit stand ia tha
Frencn market and come on the levee and
we would make him a free man. He said
he would do so, as he was tired Of the
Mana, having recently been selected on a
committee to kill some one."
Piovenzane added that Caruso went to
the Italian church and took an oath to ouit
tno Mana. he SAID that Charlie MatranQa
was chief of the Malta gang and that ,ta
object was to kill those who we're against
~. When victim was selected he was in.
vlted to dinner, after which he was done
up. Proyenzane thinks one Di Carlo gave
rathef Manorltta an idea that he was con-
PACK TO Matrsnga because Of Intimidation
py the gang. 1t is believed here that the
better element of Italians are glad a saluta-
~ lesson has been administered to the Ma
na' az they have for years been in dread OF
it.. 1t is stated that when the verdict vas
returned Friday two men belonging to the
mana went to the ievee fiaq-pole where one
OF them put his foot on the American fln1
ana holsted an Italian flag. The America,,
nag was then hoisted under it. A number
oa,, oa a.aians a ,n VINO were standing about when
they were afraid to interfere.
IT Is reported that the Politz confession
10 tne state's attorney, while largely dis
connected one, yet gave many important
ahnn. deaaures regarding Malta doings. He told
aDout meeting at which it was decided
that Hennessy should die. In order to set
tie who should kill him, ten slips Of paper.
numbered were placed in hat with a lot
OF blanks. Who ever drew the numbered
slip was assigned to the Hennessv
nar murder: Italian Consul Corte, being
asked to-day If it was true he had ex-
pressed approval of the doings of the citi-
zens Saturday. said he had stated that he
hoped Justice would be meted out to the
murderers of Hennessy. He was positive
some OF the slain were innocent. AS to the
others he would not express himself. Last
december Mr.. Corte received letter signed
by the Malta threatening him with dire
consequence if he did not work in their in
terests and for the release of the accused.
Governor Nicholl has been earnestly con
siderlng the matter, but will not make pub
Tic his reply to Secretary Blaine.