The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-17
1t Will Be Sensational Feature of
the Grand Jury's
Report.
Why the Scared Sicilian Was not
Put on the Witness
Stand.
Statement as Made to tho Prosecuting At
torney and His Counsel-Dread
of the Malta.

euJ Ok tle ot. LOUIS HJlODe-DemOcrhI wires
that paper as follows: The grand jury, in
its forthcoming report upon the Hennessy
murder, the subsequent miscarriage Of JUS
tice and wreaking of popular vengeance
upon the Italian suspects in the parish
prison, will for the first time give to the
public the confession of Manuel PolitZ.
Politz was one of the most interesting stud
les in the case. OF medium height, sen-
der, but wonderfully strong, swarthy, with
ferocity, passion and dread making strong
lines in his face, he was calm and stormy,
| cool and nervous, reasonable and raging in
such quick and inexplicable succession that
| the city wondered at what manner of man
he was. Sometimes he seemed to linger on
the very border of insanity. But however
that be, he was quicker than any of the
Others to see the rising tide of popular in
dignation, and feeling that its demand
| of blood for blood would prove irresistible.
Early in the case he evidently made up his
mind to turn traitor to his comrades and
earn some clemency by betraying them.
He held aloof from them in prision ard in
court, brooded much in solitude, and soon
after the trial began clamorin9 wildly for
he privilege of unbosoming himself of the
secret which weighed upon him. The state
ment he made never reached the jury. The
state claimed that while Politz incriminat-
ed Others he protested his own innocence,
and besides, there were contradictions in
his confession which would destroy its
value. There was strong evidence against
PolitZ and it WAS preferred to hold him
prisoner.
Notwithstanding his seeming lack of rea-
son, the Sicilian understood this we'll, and
another terror grew upon him. fear great
I er than that of the law. it was the dread
Of the strong and hidden murderous arm
of the Malta. He knew its methods and its
power we'll, and when the bronze and Grim
son checked little countrywoman whom he
called his wife by right of possession, came
to him and denounced him for having gone
back on his countrymen, he would no
longer eat the food she brought. He drew
further away from his fellow suspects and
| did not even feel safe under the prison roof
with them. The dread which haunted him
doubtless preyed on his mind until his
condition was very close upon insanity.
The swift punishment meted out to him by
| an indignant populace must have appeared
to him as relief, and he could hardly have
| regretted that the fever called living was
over at last.
Politz's confession was made to the dis
trict attorney, About the same story was
told to his attorney, and portions of it were
told at various times to those who came in
contact with him. He said:
II had joined a secret society of my
countrymen, the president of whom was
Chas Matranga. This society SUPP osed
was formed tor the benefit of my country
men. Macheca, Matranga and others were
prominent members.
VT, Go4,, rlp,x ,f<,t,t
of the society at which Matranga, Macheea
and others were present. 1t was there
stated that the purpose of the meeting was
to decide who were to do Chief Hennessy.
The names of the members were placed in
a box by numbers and ten were drawn
| tn erefrom. These ten men were notified to
meet and arrange the manner and
means of carrying out the work
allotted to them The men met in room
over place owned by Duffee. The money
was then distributed among six men, each
one receiving about $500. l was asked to
to the house of the shoemaker. Monasterio,
on Girod, near Basin. l refused to do SO,
not knowing at the time why the guns were
to be taken there. Matranga was there,
and said he would carry the sack. Two
later meetings were held near the Poydras
market. am not sure whether the money
was distributed at these meetings or at
Duffee's. The plan agreed upon was that
on the night of Oct. 15 everyone was to
meet at Monasterio's place. Marohesi's
boy was instructed to be on the look out
and watch the approach of Chief Hen
messy. He was to wait on Rampant street,
and when he had made sure that the chief
was coming he was to pass Hennessy and
run rapidly out Girod street, and when op-
posite Monasterio's was to give the peculiar
Italian whistle.
"when the whistle was given by the boy
on the night of the 18th of October Monas-
terio opened the door and said to the
others, The Chief, The Chief The rest
then stepped through the side door of Mon
asterso's shanty and through tho large gate
into the street, immediately opening fire
upon the man on the opposite side. who
| was quietly walking along. Scstfedi, Mar
chest, Bagnetti and Monasterlo killed the
chief.
II was not there and did not know any
Sunday morning. l heard of HeInessy's
sho oting for the first time on that Sunday
morning when my landlord. John, was
reading the paper"
In answe OR to n question how no could
know any of thes things If he was not pres.
ent, he replied that Monasterio told him
all about it.
II took no part in the shooting" he said.
"and did not know that there was any in
tention on the part of anybody to kill MIR.
Hennessy. On Sunday morning l arose
and did not go any place i'll particular, re-
naming around the house nll day, | could
not work, becauseI had sore arm. ! am
innocent, and my conscience is rs whito rs
the wall"
About the time of Mr. Theard's appoint
ment rs counsel the great change in Politz
had commenced, and he was suspicious of
everybody, and particularly of the defend
ants and their counsel. who had laughed at