Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-03-20
A REMARKABLE AFFAIR.


home. 1t had been known for long
time that a secret organization of cut
throat Italians, known as the order OF
the Malta. had existed in New Orleans.
ITS members were bound together by
the most fearful oaths, and they stood
nv each other at all times. The as
sassin's knife was ever ready to pro-
tect each one from the consequences
Of their numerous crimes. The Malta
had grown stronger and oolder, ana
finally its numerous murders deter
mined the authorities to decisive &C
ton. Chief Hennessy began work,
and it was not long until he had the
evidence OF many crimes committed
Inv the members of the Malta. He was
warned to desist. but he was brave
msn and he resolved to do his duty
The 18th of October, two days before
some OF these Italians were to be tried
for murder, the assassins TO the num-
Der of a dozen or more lay In walt lor
the officer. They crouched in the
darkness with short guns under their
coats. and when the doomed man APP
peared they filled his body with bull
lets. He died in a few hours. The
public excitement and indignation
was great. Chief Hennessy was
most popular man, and the people re-
allied that bold and INSCRIPTIONS
set of foreign thugs were terrorHing
the town. Public opinion loudly de-
manded justice, and the furious col
leagues of the murdered chief set TO
work with so much earnestness that
in a short time they had nineteen OF
the consplrators in jail. Their trial
commenced the latter part OF Febru-
arv, nine of them being tried togeth-
err. Evidence of the most positive
character was produced, and the
State conducted the prosecution with
great ability, backed up by citizen 5
committee of fifty that rendered all
the assistance possible to bring the
murderers to justice.
The jury rendered its verdict Fri
dav afternoon. 1t fell upon the COM
munity like thunderbolt. In the
face of the most direct evidence, the
jury acquitted six of the villains IN
Guiding Macheca, the chief consplra-
tor. and could not agree as to the
guilt of the other three. a storm OF
indignation swept over the town.
The iurymen were hooted off the
streets. The foreman, man named
Seligman, was Immediately expelled
from the Stock Exchange, the club OF
which he was a member and his own
brother kicked him out OF the busl-
ness in which he was associated with
him. 1t was discovered that the jury
had been bribed, and the fact that
witnesses had been suborned was re-
yealed. The Italians were taken back
to iail until they should be formally
released
Saturday mornings papers con-
tanned a call from the citizens com
mittee for public meeting to assem-
BILE around the statue Of Henry Clay.
Thousands of men met there at III
o'clock in the morning. The Leading
business and professional men OF the
CITY were there. Addresses were
made, and the people were asked II
thew we're ready to right the wrong
that the courts were powerless to
remedy. In a moment the men
faces, led by the foremost lawyer OF
New Orleans, were turned toward the
prison. Only stopping once-at the
arsenal to obtain loaded guns-the
crowd marched to the Jail. The doors
were quickly battered down and
the iailors overpowered. The terror
stricken Italians knew their time had
come. With screams and impreca-
lions and bowls for mercy they sought
to escape. But it was too late. Ma
checa and ten of his fellow-cOnspir-
ators were shot down like wild beasts,
two of them being passed outside the
walls to the furious crowd who quick
Iv hung them from convenient pro-
jections. Eight of the accused men,
about whose guilt there was some
question, were spared. The eleven
were riddled with bullets, and were
instantly killed. When the bloody
work was finished the crowd quietly
returned to the statue and dispersed.
This remarkable affair is without u
parallel in the history of this country.
That band of responsible business
men-not mob of low characters
should in such city, in the openday,
take the law into their own hands
and administer such terrible act of
Justice, is an occurrence unheard
OF. The people of New Orleans de
plore the occasion for such action,
but they are firm in their opinion
that it was justifiab BILE and necessary
In the light Of all the facts, it is i'm,
possible to condemn them. The stu
alton was desperate one, and des-
perate remedy was needed. The
people were court unto themselves,
and no higher tribunal can be named
save that of the Almighty. 1t was a
question whether justice and order or
the Malta should rule. Justice tri'
umphed, and the Malta in New Orleans
has received its deathblow.
The Italian government has asked
for an investigation OF the circum'
stances and will demand reparation il
any of it's subjects have been killed
1t will get little satisfaction. The
Italians in this country are express