The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-07-22
ITALIANS THE VICTIMS.
Louisiana Mob Lynches Five of
Them.
They Had Shot DIR. Hodge Because
Killed Goat.

Tallulah, La, July Il. Five Italians
were lynehed here last night for the fatal
wounding of DIR. J. Ford Hodge. The
dead men we're of a class which has been
troublesome for some time. Some 1t is
said. had families In Europe but had no
relatives here.
The dead Are: Frank Defatta, Charles
Defatta, Joe Defattn. Sy Dsfrsrroch and
John Cereno.
For several weeks los of goats be-
longing to Frank Defatta have been
sleeping and running on the gallery of
DIR. Hodges offico and residence The
doctor on numerous occasions requested
the owner to keep his goats penned up,
but he would not do 1t and on the night
of the 10Th. DIR. Hodge shot one Of them.
Early next morning Frank Defatta came
to the DOCTORS Office and said: -"You
shoot my goat, now you better shoot me. 50
The Doctor ordered him to leave anu
Defatta left grumbling.
DR.. Hodge took his meals at the resi-
dence of Mr.. kaufman and had to pass
Joe Defstta's shop In going 20 them.
LAST evening the doctor and Mir. kauff-
man started to go to supper. MIR. kaun-
man, who was in the lead, gays that as
they got to Joe's store, Charles Defatta
was sitting on the steps and Joe standing
ut the door. Kaufman spoke to them
but neither returned the greeting. AS
Dir. Hodge passed Charles jumped up and
said; You shoot my goat" and struck
the doctor. DIR. Hodge attemr ted to re-
pei the attack but findingg his asssilaut
too much for him started to draw bis
pistol. Joe Dsfatta ut the door fred both
loads Of double basrelled shot gun at
the doctor striking hin, In his hands and
abdomen. At the crack Of the gun, Frank
Dsfatta. Sy Detrerroch and John Cereno,
who were In tho neighborhood. started on
a run to Joe's store, with shot guns and
long knives In their hands. Cours WINS
in session and many country people in
town. They joined the sheriff and his
deputies in the chase and succeeded in
arresting and disarming Frank Dafatta,
sly Dsfrerroch aud John Csreno after u
hard struggle.
The sheriff. with his pose, went to the
Defatta home and captured Charles
Defatta Jos was found hidden under o
chimney In an adjoining houss. He was
taken out and the sheriff started to ward
the jail with his two prisoners. When
tho court house square was reached a
crowd of 25j citizens oyerpo xersd the
sheriff and after severe struggle took
Joe and Charles to the slaughter psn, and
hung them on the gsllows used for
hseves. Jos denied the
and said Charles did 1t. Charles
said Joe fired the shots which half d1z-
en- people saw. Charlss said Frank
Defatta aud Sy Dsfrerroch were the cause
of the trouble
The crowd then adjourned to the jail
and overpowered the jailor and his depu-
ties. The keys were secured aud Sy
Defrerroch, Frank Dsfatta and Cereno
We're brought out and hung TO an oak
tree In the jan yard. Not shot was fired
by the crowd which was orderly and
quiet. A good many citizens pleaded for
the lives of the Sicillans but as this was
the third outrage of the kind committed
by this class Of people, their appeals were
unsvailing.
About two years ago Frank Defatta
shot and killed a negro fer picking up a
watermelon which Frank had for sale.
One year ago Jos Defatta shot and killed
Pat Matthews. landing keeper at Millsn q
Bend, La. over a trivial controversy. He
was cleared bys technsallty of the law I.
These two had 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 Doctor Hodge as he was
going to his supper.
DR.. Hodge was badly shot and the doc
tors say he cannot recover.
Tie i've Sicilians were buried today In
the potters' field near here.
9he grand jury is In session and will
investigate the matter.
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