The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-19
THE MALTA IN NEW YORK.
How the Vicious Bandits Strike and
Slash One Another in Null
berry Bend.
Opposition to officers of the Law
the Chief Feature Of the
Society.
Detective Riddle Speaks Of the Hood
thirsty Methods of the society---
They XIII Each other.

S'' WV
thirsty Methods of the Sociefy--
They XIII Each Other.
Especial Correspondence Of THE IspEpENDENr.
NEw YonK, April ia feature of the
Mafin, that famous organization of ban
banditti, which, driven at the bayonet's
point from its birthplace in Sicily, has
established q home in New York, New Or
leans and the other cities of the United
States. Is the determined and unscrupulous
opposition it offers to the officers of the
law.
A counterfelting case tried some time ago
we'll illustrates this popularity. A SiciIian
was arrested for uttering base coin. The
ofhcers OF the government were secretly
warned that the prisoner belonged to the
Malta. and in consequence took every pre-
caution to prevent an escape and to insure
n conviction. The first move by The crimi-
nal was Offering bail. This appeared good
at first sight, but on n careful Investigation
proved to be "of straw" Nothing daunted
by the failure, the friends or colleagues OF
the counterfeiter ATTEMPTED to falsify the
dies and coins which we're to be used in evil
dence. This was also prevented by the Off
GERS of the law.
A third step was an endeavor TO corrupt
the complaining witnesses. This proving
Intellectual they tried intimidation, but with
no greater success. A conspiracy was next
Matched to kill the chief witness. and like
wise turned out abortive. The government
attorney began the trial feeling certain o,
securing Il conviction. and presented ii vsrv
strong case, from which there seemed to be
not a loophole of escape. Upon the defense
witnesses were produced by the accused,
who swore that he was innocent, and that
his daughter, a girl of about twenty. WAS
the real offender. The girl herself con-
hrmed the story, and no contradictory wit
nesses could be obtained by the prosecu-
ton. The jury found the prisoner inno-
cent and convicted the woman, whom neith-
or the judge nor the officers believed TO be
guilty of the crime.
In speaking of this society, George Rid
die, a New York detective, said: "One of
their oldest habits is to settle their own
quarrels without appealing to the courts.
The system they follow is neither the duel
the vendetta nor blood-feud, but altogether
original. recall a case in Mulberry Bend.
A gambler belonging to the Lombard gang
at No. 90, in that street, robbed a member
OF the Franci gang. at No. 35, of a watch,
revolver and considerable cash. The vic
tim was asleep when it occurred, but on
awakening went resolutely to work to find
out who was the thief. In twenty-four
hours he had identified the thief to his own
satisfaction. Getting two friends to Join
hlm, he ambushed the plunderer and. with
his knife at the %latter's throat, recovered
the revolver, but not the watch. AS this
posed of, he took what sen mo us
and valuables his captive had and went
back to his home. The %vanquished
tnle1 swore to have %revenae, and u few
nights afterward, when he found his enemy
alone IN a low dive, attacked and slashed
the latter with a razor. The police ap
peared upon hearing the cutlery accustomed
by the brawl, but the assailant escaped
Inc wounded man was carried to the sta
t,oh mousse where his cuts were treated by
the police surgeon. Though questioned
and threatened by the sergeant he T..
corning the ARRAY. The following
week, when he had recovered his strength,
ne put ms travelling arsenal into good or
der and went with his friends in search of
his foe, The latter had anticipated a re-
tallatory attack and never went anywhere
without a body-guard. On this occasion
the forces were equally matched. They
met at night in a dark allev which was 80
narrow that only two of each side could reach
OAS . NlSiI HGhlOHS, "A Quick
exchange of blows and stabs resulted in the
thlet ana his pal on the one side and one
on the other being severely cut. The noise
drew a crowd. on whose appearance the
combatants separated quickly. The police
appeared IN time and captured two of tho
injured, who were streaming with blood,
They, behaved exactly as had the other
member of the quarrel when he was
arrested. There being no evidence against
them the authorities were compelled to dis.
charge them with a slight fine for disor-
derby conduct and carving concealed
weapons. The thirst FOR blood was still
u~nassua2ed. In the ensuing fortnight tho
two crowds had n third and much more SER
lous encounter, all being injured and two
being almost killed.
During all this time Franci and Lom-
bardl sat still enjoying the tragedy going
on under their eyes. The skill of the
braves, their fortituae, bravery and blood
thlrstincss were discussed and Iauded or
deprecated according to the faction to
which tho critic belonged. After the third
assault there was SO much oinment and
gossip IN the neighborhood as to attract the
attention of both the press and police.
Then, and not till then. did Franci and
lombardi interfere and make peace.
Mutual forgiveness was sworn by the late
enemies and quiet again reigned in the two
cellars where the out-throats live when thew
are not drinking, gambling or committing
robbery"
There Is n comical side to these knaves.
While they are not afraid of the revolver.
and really enjoy a knife or a stiletto. thev
have n holy horror of the human fist and Of
the club. Capt. MoCullagh and Detectives
and Gerow of the Elizabeth street
which includes the low Italian
colony, seldom resort to weapons of any
sort IN governing and furnishing these mis-
creants. On several occasions they have
individuality bested two armed %rufiana by
weli-dlreoted blows from the shoulder.
euch action deserves more than comment on
account of the cool courage required. These
are seldom satisfied with II single
but always go provided with an
armory. The loose pockets of the coat, the
seams of the baggy trousers. and the folds
Of the great belt or sash with which they
',irt the waist, give every opportunity for
me carrying of Il weapon which can be- used
simultaneously. One fellow who was ar
rested III this precinct, capped tho climax
IN this regard. He carried upon his person
not less than two revolvers, two razors, a
'ase knife, hunting knife and a %stiletto.
w. u. FAI.Es.
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