The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
MURDER IN THE
ITALIAN COLONY
Frank DGfayO Acted the Part Of
PeacemakeT,
AND HIS REWARD WAS DEATH
Sons of Sunny Italy Met in So
cial Concourse.
TWO S0NS-lN-LAWS QUARRELLED
s
Their Fathers-i So Attempted to Re-
SO saos.
Sc
8 s
WHEN ONE r. 2 THEM WAS SHOT
Co
The Murder ~ de His Escape and is
Still at Large Friends Can Assign
No Ulterior Motive For the
Rash Deed

Frank Defayo, a well-known member OF
the Italian colony in this city, was shot
and Instantly killed shortly before 10 oclock
last night by Nick Buhko. an Italian tailor,
while acting in the capacity of peace
maker in a difficulty which had arisen at
a social gathering of friends.
1t seems that Defayo, his son-ln-law, Joe
Bacolini, Buhko, his father-in-law, Frank
Romeo, and several other friends, met at
the home of Joe Agnesia. corner of Avenue
B and Eighteenth street, to play cards and
drink in social way.
Telling Tales of Sunny Italy
The little back room of the corner gro-
Gerry, where Agnesia lives, rang with merry
laughter and good cheer as bumpers were
drunk to the tales of sunny Italy that
were told in the native tongue.
1t has been the custom of these families
to meet at each others home during the
week and spend a pleasant evening, and
while the high-strung Itaiie1. spirit was
often aroused in argument, matters were
always amicably adjusted and their fes-
tivities resumed.
Quar- Ell MaS the End OF
Last night Buhl1o and Bacolini, the two
young men, became engaged in a quarrel,
which brought the festivities to an end.
The two men were about to come to-
gether, when Defayo and Romeo, their re-
spective fathers-in-law, stepped between
them and prevented blows.
The entire party walked out on the side
walk in front of the store, where the dif-
ficulty was about to be renewed, when De-
fayo again stepped between them and
pushed Buhko back.
Shot the Peacemaker
According to the story of eye witnesses
the fiery blood of the young Italian was
aroused to the ungovernable point and as
his dark eyes sparkled, he drew his pistol
and sent bullet crashing into the breast
of the peacemaker, who staggered and fell
to the sidewalk a corpse. Not satisfied with
one victim, Buhko is said to have made
an attempt to shoot Bacolini, who took
refuge behind the building in time to save
his life.
Buhko Made His Escape
Buhko then made his escape down Avenue
B before his startled companions realized
what had happened. officer Patton, of the
police department, who was near Twentieth
street heard the shot and hastened to the
scene but Bahka, had disappeared in the
darkness.
The dead mans relatives were notified
and his body was removed to the Warner
Smiley undertaking establishment where 1t
was found that the bullet had entered the
right breast from the side, ranging towards
the heart.
1t was said that bad blood had existed
between Buhko and Defayo for some time.
but this is denied by members of their
families who can assign no reason for tho
rash act except that it was done on the i'm
pulse of the moment.
Captain Weir of the police department
learned that Buhko had been seen going
through Smithfield, and as he had friends
lining In that portion of the city. an officer
Was sent out, but could find no trace of
him.
Who the Men Were
Buhko is tailor by trade, and has work.
ed for Rogan, We'll and other well-known
tailors. He is about 25 years of age. slight
ly built, with a small black moustache. He
wore fashionable clothes, and appeared to
be prosperous His wife conducted a small
grocery store in Twenty-fifth street, be-
tween Avenues d and E, where they re-
side.
Defayo was So years of age, and a man
of large family. He has resided In Bir-
mingham about ten years. and has several
married daughters, one of whom married
Frank Avalano, the Twentieth street bar
ber.
Defayo recently opened a small restau-
rant in Twentieth street, between Avenues
A and b. He resided with his son-in-law,
Frank Avalano. corner Twenty-fourth
street and Avenue C.
The shooting created great CONSERVATION
in the families of the two men, who appear
to be on the most friendly terms.