The sun., 1891-04-13
POLITZ HAD CONFESSED.
READY TO REVEAL TIE MAFIA CON-
sPIRACY, BUT TERROR STOPPED HIN

It's forthcoming report upon the Hennessy
murder and the deaths Of the italian suspects
In the parish prison will probably give to the
public the confession OF Manuel Polite, who
was one OF the men killed. He was hanged
outside the Jail. He was an interesting man.
He was Of medium height slender but strong.
and had firm lines In his face. He was calm
and stormy. cool and nervous. reasonable and
raging in such quick succession that the city
wondered what manner Of man he wae.
Sometimes he seemed to BE- on the border OF
He was quicker. however, than any
OF the others to SEQ the rising tide OF
Feeling that It's demand OF
blood for blood would prove irresistible. early
in the case he made up his mind to turn traitor
to his comrades. end earn clemency By
betraying them. He held aloof from
them in prison and in court. brooded
much In solitude. and soon after the trial
began. clamored wildly for the privilege Of toll
ing the secret which weighed upon him.
The statement he made never reached the
jury. Tho State claimed that while Politz in
criminated others he protested his own inno-
cence; and. besides, there were contradictions
in his confession which would destroy its
value. There was strong evidence against
Politz. and It was decided to hold him .
prisoner.
Notwithstanding his seeming lack OF reason.
tho Sicilisn understood this we'll and another
terror grew upon him. q fear greater than that
OF the law. It was the dread Of the Malta.
Politz's confession was made to tho District
Attorney. He said: "Ihad joined . certain
society Of my countrymsn. the President OF
which was Charles Marranga
This society. I supposed. was formed for
the benefit Of my countrymen. Macheca, Ma
tranRa, and others were prominent members.
On Saturday night was at meeting Of
tho society at which Matranea. Macheca.
and others were present It was there stated
that the purpose OF the meeting was to decide
names of the members were placed In box By
numbers. and ten were drawn there
from. These ten men were notified
to m cot and arrange the manner and means
OF carrying out tho work allotted to them.
The men met in room over place owned by
Duflee. The money was then distribu-
ted among six mon. each receiving
about 5000. was asked to carry
sack OF guns from the meeting
room to the house OF the shoemaker, Monas-
te1io. ON Glrod. near Basin. I 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
whether the money was distributed at these
meetings or at Dufee's.
The plan agreed upon was that on the night
Of Oct. Is every one WIS to meet at Monsste-
rios place Marchesi's boy was instructed to
be on tho lookout and watch the approach OF
Chief Heunessy.
He was to wait on Rampant street. and
when he made sure that tho Chief was coming
he was to pass Hennessy and run RAPIDLY up
Girod street. and when opposite Monasterio's
was to give the peculiar Italian whis-
tie. When the whistle was given by
the boy Monasterio oreped the door and
said to the others: Tho CHIEF. the chief I!
The rest stepped out through the side door Of
Monasterios shanty and through the largo
gate into the street. Immediately opening fire
upon the man on the opposite side who Was
quietly walking along. Scaffedi. Marchesi.
Bagnetto. and Monasterio killed the chief.
L was not there and did not know anything
about the killing until tho following Sunday
morning heard Of Henneseys shooting for
the first time on Sunday morning when my
landlord John was reading tho paper"
In answer to q question how he could know
any of those thinns II he was not present
Politz replied that Monasterno told him all
about 1t.
II took no part in the shooting" he said
and did not know that there was any intention
on the part OF anybody to kill Mr. Hennessy.
On Sunday morning l arose and did
not to 60 any place in particular. remaining
around the house all day. l could not work
because had sore arm. am innocent. and
my conscience is IS white Is the wall"
About the time OF Mr.. Theard's appointment
as counsel the great change In Politz bad
begun. and he was suspicious OF every body.
and particularly Of the defendants aud their
counsel. who had laughed at his confession.
Mr. Heard did not not escape Politzs dis
trust and when no sat down among the other
counsel for the defense Politz was convinced
in his narrow mind that Mr.. Heard was
against him.
PolitZs actions resulted in Mr.. Heard's with
drawal and tho appointment of John Q. Flynn.
6 young criminal lawyer. Mr. Flynn had con-
siderable knowledge OF Italians OF Politz's
class, and set about obtaining his clients good
will.
After trying In several ways to impress his
friendly Intentions upon Politz he adopted q
characteristic Italian method TO test his faith.
When alone with the prisoner Mr.. Flynn
handed him glass OF water to drink.
Politz. still suspicious. declined unless Mr..
Flynn first tasted the liquor. Mr.. Flynn re-
fused saying: IL you have confidence iu me
drink Poltz hesitated q moment. his look
showed surprise ana then No 6lzeQ Inc glass
and drained its contents.
After that Palitz trusted his lawyer moro
than he had any person. During that day there
were many private interviews between Mr.
Flynn and the Judge Rud District Attorney.
Tho reporters puzzled themselves as to the
object of these consultations until 1t appeared
that Mr.. Flynn urged and obtained the sspara-
,ion Of Poitz from the other accused and even
from the prison walls.
That night Pol.rs slept In the sherins offics.
In the Criminal Court building In charge OF
Deputy sherfIs Jones and Nelson.
About $3.50 In the evening Mr.. Flynn was
seen 10 enter the building and he did not leave
His object. from the best information at
hand. was to prepare Polltz for the witness
stand in the morning Tho result was evil
IDENTIFY not sat isfactory.
Mr. Flynn looked worried. and spent the
greater portion OF the morning In q hunt
around the lonely Girod street cemetery for
Poltz's brother The latter WAS probably re-
quired to assist In placing him In the mood to
tell mis- complete story to the court
Politzs brother was never found. Had he
created a 8 nsation and the State would have
deemed him q ROY olaiion to strengthen its case.
It is said that there was close resemblance
between the brothers, except that the missing
Politz had a small black moustache. while