Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-28

car passed, and the mule kicked the dash
board, and concluded that that was what
I had heard previously. had hardly
gotten into bed when the first precinct
patrol wagon drove up and called for me. I
was told by the driver that the chief had
been shot by Italians.
went to the Charity Hospital, where
saw my chief and friend under the influence
of opiates, and being operated upon by the
surgeons. 1t was necessary for quick actions
and active measures TO be taken at once. In
company with Mayor Shakespeare, I drove
to the Central station, issued some orders,
and hurried to the scene ofthe ASSASSINATION,
Girod and Basin streets. The investigation
showed that D. G. Hennessv, Superintendent
of Police, had left his Office, at the corner of
Basin and Common streets, in company with
Captain Corners Of the Boylan Agency, and
going up Rampant parted at the corner of
Rampant and Girod.
The Attack Upon the Chief Of Police.
Hennessy struck out at rapid pace for
home, block and quarter away. As he
hurried on boy ran by him, whistled and
disappeared. Then from the Peterson shed
and shanty, 27c Girod street, poured the
murderous volley of slugs, bullets and shot.
The brave chief of police was riddled.
Bleeding, wounded to death, he drew his
revolver and fought them back. One bolder
than the rest jumped into the street, fred
and ran. As Hennessy endeavored to reach
the corner they followed along the opposite
sidewalk, firing at him with their sawed-off
guns. Fortunately, though mortally
wounded, he was on his feet battling for life
against terrible odds. The time thus occu-
pied was providential, for it brought specta-
tors to the scene. Windows were hoisted,
doors thrown open, excited people were
rushing to the spot from all directions. God
had sent witnesses to view the most afro
cious crime of the century.
Who was Hennessy; what was the motive
for the crime; and what the characteristics
of the band of assassins? are the principal
problems of this murder. D. G. Hennessy
was native OF this city, the son Of David
Union army, and afterward a member of the
police folce of this city.
The First Hennessy Assassination.
One day in the year 1871 he was invited
by Arthur Guerin, notorious character, to
take drink. They went into little bar
room known as the "Court" on St. Ann, be-
tween Chartres and Royal. As Hennessy
was taking his drink, Guerin, without a
word of warning, shot him down. This was
the first assassination in the Hennessy fam
lily, all of the prominent members of which
have suffered the same fate. 1t was then
that Mrs. Hennessy took her boy, Dave.
to General A. S. Badger, who was Chief of
Police, and asked him to give the youth en-
plovment He was made messenger to the
Chief He had fallen by fate into the pro-
fession of his natural adaptability. Such
was his activity, intelligence and attention
to duty that his promotion was out of pro-
portion to his years. He was soon detec-
tive, then aid to the Chief. The investiga-
tion of all important cases fell to him, and
he finally became the best posted man in
this section of the country as to local and
visiting criminals.
During his career he had studied the
Italian habits and knew many of that class
intimately. He was better acquainted with
their ways, their crimes, their personal his
tories than any other American in the
United States. In the early part of July,
1881, Dave Hennessy, then an aid to Chief
OF Police Thomas II. Boylan, arrested at
the Decatur street entrance of jackson
sqaarelthe celebrated Italian banditEsposlto.
Notorious Italian Bandit
He was a notorious murderer and black
mailer from Palermo. He was terror from
Iyhood and matured into mountain robber.
He was finally captured after q desperate
battle-in which his band was destroyed
but managed to escape from the soldiers
and sought refuge in this country. The
press published his horrible deeds through
out the world and Dave Hennessy set to
work to discover his whereabouts. He To-
Gated him in the Italian colony here de-
voted to the oyster trade.
Esposito owned Iugger which he had the
audacity to name the Leone, in honor of the |
generalissimo of the robbers. Hennessy, by |
arduous work, traced him to his lair, and at |
last was rewarded by positive Identification,
and then arrested him. 1t was a sensation. |
The Italians, big and little, focked to his |
rescue. Hennessy was approached and Of
fered $50, 900, then $50, 900, then told to name
his figure, to swear that Raddozo was not |
Esposito.
The temptation was spurned with con-
tempt. 1t was the first blow that these bold
brigands had teceived-the first time that a
man had been brave and honest enough to
stand up for what was right in the face of |
their dangerous opposition. This was the
beginning Of the end. This man of courage,
snap and dash had aroused the enmIty of