New-York tribune., 1899-07-22
FIVE ITALIANS LYNCHED.
SUMMARY WORK FOLLOWING ATTEMPT
AT MURDER OF A PHYSICIAN
A GOAT CAUSE OF THE WHOLE TROUBLE
COMMUNITY IN LOUISIANA GET RID
OF MEN WHO HAVE MADE


Taluah, La. July 2l.-Five Italians were ynched
here last night for the fatal wounding Of DR. j.
Ford Hodge The dead men are Of class which
has been troublesome for some time. Some. IT Is
said. had families in Europe but they had no rela-
tves here. The names Of the dead men were
Frank Defatta. Charles Defatta, Joe Defata
"Sy' Defferroch and John Cereno.
For several weeks q lot Of goats belonging TO
Frank Defatta, have been sleeping and running on
the gallery Of DIT Hodges office and residence
The doctor on numerous occasions requested the
owner TO keep his goats penned up but he would
not do IT, and on the night OF July 10 Or. Hodge
shot one Of them Early next morning FRANK De-
fatta came to the doctors Office and said:
Won shoot my goat now you better shoot me-
The doctor ordered him 20 go away, and Defatta
went off grumblng. Dr. Hodge took his meals at
the house Of a NIr Kaufman, and had to pass
Joe" Defatta's shop In going for them ABOUT
silndoUn last evening the doctor and Mr.. kauh-
mann started to supper. Mr.. Kaufman, who was
In the lead says that as they got to JoeS store
Charles Defatta was sitting on the steps and Joe
standing at the door Kaufman spoke to them out
neither returned the greeting. As Dr. Hodge passed
Charles jumped up and said
.'You shoot my goat" and struck the doctor Dr
Hodge attempted 10 repel the attack, but hndlhs
his assailant too much for him started to dra" MS
pistol Joe" Defatta at the door. then fred both
loads OF a double barrelled shotgun al the Doctor
striking him in the hands and abdomen Al me
crack of the gun Frank Defatta, "Sy' Deferroch
and John Cereno. who were I'm the neighhorhood
started on n run 10 Joe's" store with shotguns ana
long knives in their hands
Court was in session and many country people
were in town They Joined the Sheriff and his
deputies in the chase and succeeded IN arresung ana
disarming Frank Defatta, "Sy' Deferroch and John
Cerono after a hard struggle.
The Sheriff with his posse then went 10 the De
fatta home and captured Charles Defatta- Joe
was found hidden under chimney in an adjoining
house. He was taken out and the Sheriff started
toward the Jail with his two prisoners. When
Court House Square was reached a crowd Of ZO
citizens overpowered the Sheriff and after a severe
struggle took Joe and Charles TO the slaughter
pen and hanged them 10 the Eallows used Tor
slauehterng heeves Joe" denied the shooting,
and said Charles did It. Charles said Joe fred
the shots. which half dozen people saw Charles
said Frank Defatta and "Sy' Dcferoch were the
cause of the trouble
The crowd then went 10 the Jail and oyerpowered
the jailer and his deputies. The keys were secured
and "Sy' Deferoch. Frank Defatta and John
Cereno were brought out and hanged on an oak
tree I'm the iailvard Not shot was fred 10y the
crowd. which was orderly and quiet
A good many citizens pleaded for the lives OF tho
Sicilians. but this was the third outrage or inc
peals were unayaiinR. About two years ago Frank
Dcfatta shot and Killed a negro Tor picking up
ago Joe" Defatta shot and instantly Killed, Itt
Matthews. landing Keeper at Mlllens behG' ID
over trivial controversy. lie was cleared 10y "a
techniCalty of the law. These TWO hdd frequently
made boasts that they would do as they pleased
and that their money would clear them.
The people here believe the five men had planned
TO Kill Dr. Hodge as he was gong 70 MS supper
DR.. Hodge IS badly shot and the doctors say ne
cannot recover , -. NJ
tors Field near here. The Grand jury Is III se9Soh
and viii nvoaitgate the matter