The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-05

10 tne couiuB Ok AOfO, VINO 8et up IN
opposition barber shop to SalvL When
Salvi camein the witness was taking .
nap.
Salvi proposed that they engage In
. game Of cards. They were playing
when several pistol shots rang out on
the air. Mrs. Salvi came to Salvatore's
house and told her husband that his
nephew had been shot. She did not
then say 1t was Loro. Salvatore went
out and saw for himself that 1t was his
friend that had been killed
The witness took II upon himself to
run down the murderer. He knows
from what he learned by investigation
that $40 had been sent to Merolo to aid
him in getting away from justice. A
man named Meretto Beniaminno was
sent to New York to get track of the
murderer and the result was that the
falthless Beniaminno betrayed the case
and gave the alarm to Merolo.
Employed as a Detective.
Salvatore on cross-examination ad-
mitted that he had been employed as
detective by Daniel McSweeney Of the
Barring & McSweeney agency. The
remuneration he was to get was 81 a
day and expenses. He said he received
part of his pay and there Is some yet
due him. He went to Boston and as
sisted in the capture of Merolo. He
knew Merolo for several months in Old
Forge and positively identified him.
Angelo Piloso was the star witness of
the day. His brother-in-law lived next
door to Joseph Salvi's house. The wit
lnx, Inv
ing in the gate to his brother-in-law's
house about 7.30 In the evening and ne
heard Joseph Salvi and Merolo talking
outside the formers house. Salvi said:
when are you going to do that?'
What do you mean?" asked Merolo.
"Why, that we were talking abou..
well, how much money will you give
me to do the job?" asked Merolo.
"I'll give you $685." said Salvi.
The witness heard them bantering
about the price and finally Salvi agreed
to give Merolo 800. The latter said he
wanted half before the job and the
other half afterward. Salvi would not
agree to that. He promised to pay the
entire sum when he earned 1t.
Merolo said he could not do the Job
until he had some trouble with the man
and with that they parted. This con-
versation was meant to show the pre-
meditaed and deliberate planning of
the murder in view of the evidence ad-
duced to show that money had been
sent to Merolo to get away after the
shooting.
Detective McSwceney's Testimony.
Daniel McSweeney, of the detective
agency, was the next witness. He told
an interesting story. The county COM
missioners of this county employed the
agency few days after the murder to
work on the case. There was no reward
to be gained. The detectives were
working for SO much a day. June 25,
began to labor in ascertaining the
whereabouts Of the murderer
The agency began communicating
with the chiefs Of police and detective
bureaus Of the prominent cities Of the
country. The description Of the MUIR
derer and the main facts in the case
were made known to the Italian consul.
After a time Merolo was located in
Avellino, Italy. When the authorities
there were almost ready to fetch him.
he dropped from sight. The next heard
of him was from Boston.
The agency sent men to work on the
case and finally they arrested a man
alleged to be Merolo. the one now stand
ing trial for his life. He had to be prop
erly identified before he could be ex-
tradited from Boston. The district at
torney offered in evidence q military
nnr IN nf xp,tt hr,
name Crezenzo Merolo written on 1t;
and a constitution and bylaws OF the
Guards Of Rome, an italian society of
Old Forge. These three were found
by Mr.. McSweeney in a box or satchel
owned by Merolo. which he left after
him at the house Of Mrs. Graeco, where
he boarded. The court sustained the
objection made by Mr.. Martin to their
admission az evidence. 1t had not been
proved sufficiently that they belonged
to the defendant.
MIR. Martins Dramatic Speech.
When the detective was turned over
to Mr.. Martin for cross.examination,
questions were asked by the defend
ants counsel whether Mr.. McSweeney
knew anything about a Boston lawyer
who fim-fammed Merolo out Of $40,
all that was in his possession.
He was the victim OF bad lawyer,
and Mr.. Martin strongly intimated that
there were many such.
You would not do that, / suppose ?"
queried District Attorney Jones.
mo, SIR" excitedly replied Mr.. Mar
tin, raising his right hand towards the
painted goddesses on the ceiling, "be-
fore Heaven I would not?"
II wouldn't trust you," retorted Mr..
Jones.
Judge Edwards raped for order and
cautioned the lawyers to leave all per-
brought Mr.. Martin to his feet, who
began a vigorous protest against the
district attorneys language.
Your honor" said he. "taink of the
and insulting remarks of
this man. saying he would not trust
me. and telling 1t out before the thou
sand people here. I tell you this man
(pointing to Merolo) has trusted me
with his life."
Judge Edwards brought his gravel
down heavily, and after a time Mr..
Martin subsidized.
Herman Barring. the other member OF
the agency, was put on the stand and
told substantially the same as what Mr.
testified to.
The object Of the district attorney In
having the papers found in Merolo'A
satchel in Mrs. Graeco's house at Old
Forge, offered in evidence was to prove
The prisoners identity still further. Sim
satchel were found on Merolo's person
when he was arrested in Boston.
County Surveyor A. b. Dunning was
the last witness of the day. He identi-
fed map of the scene of the murder
The map was then submitted to the
Jury.