The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-03-17
INVITED TO DINNER
After Which he was Done-up,
Says Provenzano.
THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUES
Secretary Blaine to Governor Nichoils-Di
Rudi4is Remarks in the Chamber Of
Deputies of the Press,
American. English and Italian.

New ORLEANS, March 16.-In Father
Manoritta's statement yesterday, he said
ne Vas sure the letter he received was from
Provenzano, an active member of the
Malta. This statement Joseph Provenzano
this morning most emphatically denies He
said his first impulse was to have Father
Manoritta arrested, and he consulted Chief
Caster regarding the matter and was ad-
vised to make public statement concern
ing the matter as he thought it would do
more good. Provenzano says he has not
been connected with the Malta in any man
ner; on the contrary, he has been the OBJ.
ject of their enmity. "About five years
ago." says ProvenZano, "the Malta sent
me several letters, threatening to kill my
self and brothers unless we gave the So
ciety $1,000. We did not respond and
Jim Caruso shortly afterwards came to me
and said he belonged to the society and that
we had better pay the money. He said /
could do SO by going to the old lake and
bandaging my head in red handkerchief
and leaving the money on a stump in the
swamp near by; L was then to go about my
business and they to get the money. | then
went to some Of my friends, Jung Davis.
Pat Neatly and Ralph Morgan being among
the number, and they said not to pay it !:
that they would 60 with me in wagon and
see VINO was there to receive it. Jim Caruso.
who was along, said this would not do. If
you go with a crowd, no one viii appear l
then dropped the matter and told Caruso to
have nothing to DO with the society: to give
up his fruit stand in the French market and
come on the levee, and we would make him
a free man. He said he would do so, as he
was tired of the Malta, having recently been
q m l.il1 cOf,
ProVenZano added that Caruso went to
the Italian church and took an oath TO quit
the Malta. He said Charlie Matranga was
the chief of the Maia gang, and that its OBJ
lect was to kill those who were against it.
When victim was selected he was invited
to dinner, after which he was done up.
Provenzalo thinks one Dicarlo gave Father
Manoritto the idea that he was connected
with the gang. Caruso finally went back
10 Matranga because of Intimidation by the
gang.
1t is believed here that the better element
CT the Italians are glad a salutary lesson
has been administered to the Malta as they
have for years been in dread of it. 1t is
stated that when the verdict was returned
Friday two men belonging to the Malta
went to the levee flag pole, where one of
them put his foot on the American flag and
hoisted the Italian flag. The American
flag was then hoisted under it. A number
OF 1talans were standing about. When
asked later why they permitted this, they
said they were afraid to interfere.
1t is reported that Politz' confession 10
the states attorney, while largely discon-
nected one, yet gave many important fea-
lures regarding the Ma1a's doing He told
about the meeting at which it was decided
Hennessey should die. In order to settle
who should kill him, one slip of paper
numbered was placed in hat with lot
of blanks. Whoever drew the numbered
slip was assigned to kill Hennessey.
The Italian consul, Corte, being asked
today if it was true he had expressed ap-
proval of the doings of the citizens Satur-
day, said he had stated he hoped justice
would be melted out TO the murderers of
Hennessey. He was positive some Of the
slain were innocent: as to others he would
not express himself. Last December Mr..
Corte received letter signed by the Malta
threatening him with dire consequences il
he did not work in their interests and for
the release of the accused.
Governor Nichols has been earnestly
considering the matter, but will not make
public his reply to Secretary Blaine yet.