Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-09
NO EXCUSE TO LYNCH.
Conclusion of the Report Made
to Italy.
INNOCENT MEN AMONG VICTIMS.
Three of the Italians Strung Up In
Louisiana Had Nothing to Do with
the TroubIe-Others' Offense Not sutfi-
cient For Hanging.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-The state de-
partment received from the Italian au-
thorities copy of the complete report
made by the Marquis Romano, secretary
of the Italian embassy here, on his per-
sonal investigation of the recent lynch
ing of five Italians at Talulah, La.
1t was said that Charles Difara up
braided Dr. Hodges i'll an offensive way
for having killed an animal and ac-
companied this by blow of the fist.
Then, it was stated, DR.. Hodges shot at
Difata. 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 disfigured
and dispos of. But at all events it is
stated that Charles Difata was on the
ground following the shot from Dr.
Hodges weapon.
At this point Joe Difata made his ap-
pearance. and seeing his brother down
and second shot about to be fired, shot
at Dr.. Hodges.
Then followed the lynching of these
two Italians, Joe Difata and Charles
Difata. The mob took them before
they had been arrested.
The report stated that throughout the
occurrence the three other 1t ilians =
Frank Difata, Joseph FeduciO and John
sCerami-were i'll another street and
did not KNOW what was occurring.
1t was stated that they did not take
part i'll rhe attack on Dir. 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 aud the three Italians
were actually placed III Jail. The re-
port then brought out that the mob,
having already lynched Charles and Joe
Dlfata, turned their attention to the
three Italians under arrest. Two of
these men, Joseph Feducio and Frank
Dfata, were first taken from the Off
GERS and lynched. subsequently,, and
some little time atterward, the mob re-
turned and took John Cerami and
lynched him. In this circumstantial
way the report brings out that the
mob made three distinct movements
against the Italians, and that there was
sufficient time for the blood to cool and
for the anger OF the lynchers to abate,
after they had disposed of the first two
men.
Particular Importance is laid upon
this feature, for while it is said there
may have been some eXtenuating cir
cumstances i'll visiting such summary
punishment on those Immediately coll
cerned In the affray with DR.. Hodges,
yet the time elapsing before the second
and third lynchings is regarded as an
element of particular atrocity.
The full report has been forwarded to
the Italian foreign office, and a COPY of
it placed i'll the hands of the state de-
partment.
NEW ORLEANS, Aug Marquis
Camille de Romano left fopS Washing
ton. Marquis Romano goes back with
a lot of papers and statements. He took
considerable evidence in Vicksburg as
to the citizenship of the five men and
according to his evidence, they were all
loyal subjects of King Humbert. When
he visited Governor Foster, however,
and found i'll the executive mansion the
court documents from Madison parish
showing when and where the three
Difata brothers were naturaliZed and
took the oath OF allegiance to the United
States, the marquis was not SO sure
about his evidence gathered in Vicks
burg. The report of the special envoy
and that of Governor Foster clash at
nearly every point.