Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-16
PEOPLES VERDICT
Imposed on Sicniln Assassins
Of Hsnnssssy d New Orleans.
EIeYdn Of Nineteen Executed Il Hands
Of Frantic Ieb.
Scenes OF Horror Hoactod IN and About
Old Parish Prison.

Old Parish Prisou.
NEW ORLEANS. La March J5-There
has been no more extraordinary mob move.
ment than that which held New Orleans
Saturday and killed IL Of the l9 Italians
charged with the murder Of Chief Of Police
Hennessy.
1t was mob led BY lawyers and mer.
chants, men Of the highest wealth aud
standing, 20 stropg that the authorities
made no show Of resistance and saccumbed
before 1t. Indeed. the officers Of the Law
threw up their hats and cheered the mob
while it was executing ito mufderous work.
When the jury Friday brought in YER
dict Of rot guilty sgainss six Of the Itshsns
on tfial and disagreed - 70 the other three,
The press unanimously denounced the yer.
diet, and declared that the jury bad been
bought. The grand Jury had already
found indictments against two men
charged with tsmpefing with the jury, and
othe, indictments were expected.
The jurors did not appreciate the public
sentiments on the outside and we're sur.
prised at the public indignation. Mr..
Seligmsn. the foreman, explained that the
jury had found its verdict because il did
not believe the state Witnesses, bnt his de-
cision was hsiled with derision.
The jury stood IL for the acquittsl Of
Mscheca, Eucsrcada. Matrango. the two
Marcheses and Bsgnetto, and nine to three
for the conviction of the others. The
other jurors regarded with suspicion the
three dissenting Jurors, and one Of them
expressed the opinion that these Jurors
were bought, for from the start ard
throughout the trial, they expressed their
intention Of bringing In q verdict of not
guilty.
The excitement over the verdict reached
fever heat by night, and three or four Sc
cret meetings were held to consider
the situation. The trial Of the
case bad cost the city $50, 900
and lasted for over . month. aud vet none
Of the prisoners had been convicted. The
general feeling was that new trial would
result in the execution of all the men.
Whispered threats were heard, and nearly
every prominent citizen was approached
with the question whether he would join an
organization to avenge the law.
After much discussion call was drawn
up by prominent lawyer. This call read
ss follows:
All good ciiiz enc are invited 10 attend =
mass meeting on Saturday, March IA. at
o'clock A. M at Clay statue. to take steps
TO remedy the failure of justice in the
Henpessey case. Come prepared for action.
This call was signed by 40 men, generally
men Of high standing in the community, in
Guiding lawyers, merchants and others.
A ,ba NJ he
commissioner of public works OF the city.
The meeting at which this plan was decided
on Was held nearby Neville street, some
30 citizens being present There were also
lsrge number Of guns on hand which the
men present we're told would be distributed
to those who needed them this morning.
These guns, il 10 understood, came from
the srmory Of one Of the state militia com
panies.
After The publication of the call ior
mass meeting IL was well understood.
That there w ouid be vfoIsoos.
The newspapers in the morning denounced
the jury but opposed the mass meeting
and tried to quiet the mob. but it WIS quite
evident that nothing could stop the mob
and that there would be lynching of the
prisoners or bloody riot was inevitable.
The meeting at Clay statue on Canal street
began promptly at 10. just on the stroke
shout went up from the people stationed at
st Charles street and number Of gentle
men, among them Mr.. w. S. Parkeson.
Mr.. John o. Wickliffe and others who
signed the call, came marching slong and
began walking around the railing of the
monument. There was fully 5000 people
within earshot and more could be seen
struggling, pushing and running here and
there on the neutral ground. Street cars
were unable to pass through. Carriages,
carts, wagons, cabs and vehicles
OF ell descriptions were halted and
businss, everywhere suspended.
"Fsll in, fall H." wss the cry, and smjd
desfening shons several CT the crowd
formed the procession which went around
the railing several times. "Hurrsh for
Parkerson :" "Hurrah for Wichliifs !" "Get
inside the railing and give US a speech
Mr.. ". s. Parkeson was the first speaker
He is q lawyer, the organizer Of the Young
Mems Democratic movement. an indepsn-
dent organization which at the late election
defeated the regular Democratic party ard
elected the entire present city government
lie could have had any { &C in the gift of
the ueople.
81 am here to say that thirgs have come
to such a crisis that tsls is idle. Action,
action, must be the thing now Tremendous
cheers In civilized c. 1mmunities tribu-
nails are organized and are delegated to
to punish the guilty. Crimes mus. meet
prompt pnni.hment, but whenever and
wherever the courts fail, whenever iuries
"a tkutr all
and subornery are present, then is the time
for the people to do what court and juries
hxve failed to do. 'Hurrab. go op,' go
on, we're with you'l
"In the midst Of peaceful community
an officer OF the law was stricken down by
band Of midnight sssassins; the law has
been denied.
The Time has Coms
when this infsmy must cesse, Scoundrels
must meet with punishment. Mu,dereYs
mut be given their deserts. The jury has
failed. Now the people have to scs. ask
you, citizens Of New Orleans. whether we
shall suffer this infamous cordi.ion of af.
fairs any longer? Cries Of No, no.'1
II ask you to consider fairly and calmly
~hat is 10 be done? Shall it be action;
Cries Of Yes. let's go;' Lead on, etc.
"We are ready, these gentlemen ard I
to do what is necessary to lead you. What
shall il be2 Do you want Us as lesdsrs.2
Tremendous excitement here followed
This
Excited and Indignant People
vecifera,ni in various ways. but the under.
current of expressions and remarks vas, in
unison, to go to the parish prison and lynch
the Sicilisns. Tbs. was the burden Of tht
furious remarks.
Osher speakers followed till the crowd
| shouted, I'VE are ready, come on, lead OF
to the psrish prison" death to tbs
Sioitisn ssesssins." Down with the
Msfs"
The crowd was yelling itself hoarse
Fury uugovernsble was evident thrsughou
that immense xssembisse, which by tha
| time numbered fully 5000 people. At Ia,
wnsd OF command il started toward thu
parish prison as . dog trot. 1t was ther
seen that there were three carts in the mot
-, ~. b,~ la o.