The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-28
THE OVERWHELMING.

TIE Lou iSlANh LII NtHlNO,
We submitted some remarks yesterday
concerning the lynching Of Italians in
Louisiana. While we have nothing
TO withdraw as to the great principle
which we laid down and do not conceive
that lynching IS ever justifable, there
were extenuating circumstances, which,
in justice to the people of Madison Par
ish. should be explained.
I'm order TO get at the whole truth the
New Orleans Picayune sent a special re-
porter 10 the scene. and we find in that
naper Of July Path a most interesting his
tory Of the case. During the course Of
the investigation which the authorities
made. the correspondent tells MS, many
incidents were brought TO light which
show beyond a doubt that the shooting
Of Dr Hodge was the result OF an organ
lied and we'll planned attempt at assas-
sination. Tie says that the plan was for
Charles Defatta TO stab the physician 10
death. and. IN case Of failure Joe De-
fatta was 20 shoot the Doctor from the
Italians store. After this the other men
were to run from the store facing the
railroad and Join the murderers I'm "a
nelghboring house. They were TO be
heavily armed and assist the Defatias
TO escape The plan feu through simply
because the residents OF the town were
too quick for the Italians.
So much for the tragedy itself but
there is another story This italian band
seems to have been for years a pest to
the community. As far back as 1894 one
of them was mixed up with a gang Of
negroes who killed a Mr. Boyce, former
ly of North Carolina, on the Crescent
plantation. IL has always been believed
that he was Indirectly responsible for the
uprising of these negroes. The II '~der
of Boyce was n most outrageous crime.
ne having been waylaid and shot in the
back while on his way home The negro
murderers were caught and hung
About eighteen months ago Frank De-
dnna. q brother-inlaw of the Defattas
murdered Fred Matthews. He secreted
himself behind "a house. waited until
Matthews came along and then shot him
down with a gun. Dennna escaped pun
ishment. because. St is said. he had money
enough to employ attorneys and the law
yers made out q case Of self-defence.
Several years ago two white men We're
murdered I'm the most cowardly manner
on the Altoona plantation, owned by the
late Col James Richardson. The men
were clerks in a store and, while i'm the
house. were shot from the darkness with
out. Joe Dcfatta was in the neighbor-
hood at the time. and there has always
been a suspicion that he did the dirty
work, or was responsible for IT, The De-
fattas were I'm the habit Of travelling
about the country heavily armed. and
ON one occasion Frank Defatta. who is
dcscibed ass a "surly creature" brutany
shot n negro without cause The negro
had picked mp a watermelon. and without
lnouiring whether or not he wished to
purchase it, Defatta took up his shot
gun and kined the negro instantly. lie
was prosecuted, but managed to escape
punishment. 1t IS also recorded that Joe
Dcfaua boosted that DE had waited 1t
the railroad depot with "a shotgun in
tending to shoot William Rodgers son
Of one of the leading citizens OF the Par
ish Fortunately for the young man.
however he did not pass that way. II