The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-09
10 H|ABRI
italian Authorities Claim This
for the Five
LYNCHED IN LOUISIANA
Their Reports Traversed by
Documents on Record.


ment has received through the italian
authorities a copy Of the complete report
made by the Marquis Romano, secretary
Of the Italian embassy here, in his per-
sonal investigation Of the recent lynch
ing of five Italians at Tululah. La. The
report presents the affair in a serious
light. As a whole, the Italian authori-
one of unusual atrocity and without miti-
eating circumstances which had been
urged in previous affairs OF this kind. In
describing the first ARRAY which led up
to the lynching Romano's report states
that DR.. Hodges was the first to draw
his weapon and 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 brothers, Joe Difatta, fire his shot
gun from the store near by. This last
shot, 1t is pointed out, was in defense OF
the fallen brother and was not q wanton
attack upon DR.. Hodges. The circum-
stances leading up to the ARRAY are de-
scribed in detail. According to this ac-
count Charles Difatta was alone when
DR.. Hodges passed. There is no effort
made In the report to obscure the fact
that Charles Difatta made the first Of
fensive overture. But it is contended that
this was not accompanied by the use of
firearms or even a movement to draw
them. 1t Is said, however, that Charles
Difatta upbraided DR.. Hodges in an Of
fensive way for having killed an animal
and accompanied this by a blow of the
fist Then, # is stated. DR.. Hodges shot
at Difatta. Whether or not the shot took
effect 1t was not possible for the Italian
authorities to learn. as the bodies of the
men. after being lynched. were disfigured
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 Di-
fatta mad his appearance and. seeing his
brother down and q second shot about
to be fired. shot at DR.. Hodges. Then
followed the lynchIng OF these two Ital-
ians. Joe Difatta and Charles Difatta.
The mob then took them before they had
been arrested.
Up to this point, according to the Ital-
ian report, only these two Italians had
figured in the affair. The report goes on
to state that throughout the occurrence
the three other Italians. Frank Difatta.
Joseph Fudicio and John Cerami, were in
another street and did not know what
was occurring. It is stated that they did
not take part in the attack on DIR. Hodges
and that they did not even know of II
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
Joseph Difatta. turned their attention TO
the three Italians under arrest. Two Of
these men, Joseph FudiciS and Frank Di-
fatta were first taken from the officers
and lynched. Subsequently. and some lit
tie time afterword, the mob returned and
took John Cerami and lynched him. In
this circumstantial way the report bVings
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 extenuat- |
ing circumstances In visiting such sum-
mary punishment on those Immediately |
concerned in the ARRAY 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 In the hands OF the state de-
partment.
New Orleans. La. Aug. s-Marquis
Camille de Romano left last night for
Washington. D. c. He was sent here as
an envoy extraordinary from the Italian
embassy in Washington to investigate
the lynchlng Of the FIVE Italians at Tul-
luiah He took considerable evidence IN
Vicksburg as to the citizenship OF the
i've men and. according to his evidence
they were all loyal subjects OF King
Humbert. When he visited Governor Eos
ter. however. and found in the executive
mansion the court documents from NadI-
son parish showing where and when the
three Difatta brothers were naturaIized
and took the oath Of allegiance 10 the
United States. Marquis Ramona was not
so sure about his evidence gathered in
wicksburg. The report of the special en-
vo wand that Of Governor Foster will
clash at nearly every point