The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-09
Affair Presented to State Depart
ment In Serious Light.
SAY IT WAS ATROCIOUS
REPORT BY ITALY's REPREsEN-
TATIVE AT WASHINGTON.
Claims That There Were No Mitigat-
ing Circumstances Surrounding
the Recent Affair at Talulah, La.
Was Cold-blooded, Premsdi-
tated Deed.

Washington, Aug. S.-The state de
partment has received from the Italian
authorities a copy of the complete re
port made by the Marquis Romano
secretary of the Italian embassy here
on his personal investigation of the re.
cent lynching of five Italians at Talu-
ian, La. The report presents the affair
in a serious light. AS a whole, the
Italian authorities view the matter OF
the lynching as one of unusual atrocity
and without the mitigating circum-
stances which had been urged in pre-
viouS affairs of this kind
In describing the first ARRAY which
led up to the lynching. Marquis Ro-
mano's report states that Dr. Hodges
was the first to draw his weapon, cad
that not until he had fired one shot
and was about to fire the second one at
Charles Difatta, who was at that time
PROSTATE on the ground. did the
brother. Joe Difatta, fire his shotgun
from the store near by. This last shot,
II is pointed out, was in defense of the
fallen brother, and was not a Wanton
attack upon Dr. Hodges.
The circumstances leading up to the
affray are described in detail Accord
ing to this account, Charles Difatta was
alone when DR.. Hodges passed. There
is no effort made in the report to OBJ
Scure the fact. that Charles Difatta
made the first offensive overture. but it
is contended that this was not accom-
panied by the use of firearms or even a
movement to draw them. 1t is said
however, that Charles Difatta upbraid-
ed DR.. Hodges in an offensive way for
having killed an animal. and accom-
panied this by blow of the fist. Then
it is stated, DIR. Hodges shot at Difatta.
Bodies Were Disfigured.
Whether or not the shot took effect
it was not possible for the Italian
authorities to learn, as the bodies of
the men, after being lynched. were dis
figured and disposed of. But at all
events it is stated that Charles Difatta
was on the ground following the shot
from DR.. Hodges weapon.
At this point Joe Difatta made his
appearance and, seeing his brother
down and second shot TO be fired shot
at DR.. Hodges. Then followed the
lynching of these two Italians, Joe
Difatta and Charles Difatta. The mob
took them before they had been ar
rested.
Up to this time, according to the
Italian report, only these Italians had
figured in the affair. The report goes
on to state that throughout the occur
renee the three other Italians-Frank
Difatta, Joseph Fudicio and John Cor
ami-were in another street and did not
know what was occurring.
1t is stated that they did not take
part in the attack on DR.. Hodges and
that they did not even know of it until
some time after. when the local officers
came to arrest them. This arrest was
accomplished and the three Italians
were actually placed in Jail. The report
then brings out the alleged fact that
the mob having already lynched
Charles and Joe Difatta, turned their
attention to the three Italians under
arrest. Two of these men. joseph
Fudicio and Frank Difatta, We're first
aiken from the officers and lynched
subsequently, and some little time af-
.erward, the mob returned and took
John Cerami and lynched him.
Says 1t Was Atrocious.
In this circumstantial way the report
brings out that the mob made three
distinct movements against the Ital-
ans, and that there was sufficient time
or the blood to cool and for the anger
# the lyncherS to abate after they had
disposed of the first two men.
Particular Importance is laid upon
his feature. for while ii is said there
nay have been some extenuating cir
in visiting such summary
upon those Immediately
in the affray with Dr.
Hodges. yet the time elapsing before
he second and third lynchings is re-
,arded as an element of particular
Ltrocity.
The full report has been forwarded |
O the Italian foreign office and a copy |
# il placed in the hands of the state |
department..