Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-22

| at Tallula, a town of several hundred
inhabitants in Madison parish, seven
teen miles from the river. The dead
are:
Joe De Fatta.
Charles De Fatta.
Frank De Fatta.
Cy De Ferroch.
Joe Cereno.
The five victims were strung up to
trees for supposed Connection with a
plot to murder DR.. j. Ford Hodges, a
yesterday was shot and fatally wound
ed by one of the Sicilians. In addition
to this several acts of lawlessness that
have occurred in the neighaborhood re-
Gently were attributed to the gang
Several of the men are believed to have
families in Europe.
Quiet was restored Immediately after
the lynching and the grand jury began
an investigation of the affair, but be-
is doubtful if action will be taken
against any member of the mob
For several weeks a lot of goats be-
longing to Frank De Fatta have been
trespassing on the premises of Dr.
Hodges, and he finally shot one of the
/ animals. De Fatta went to DR.. Hodges
office last night and protested, but was
ordered away and departed threaten
ing vengeance.
Soon after, as DR.. Hodges, in company
with Mr.. Kaufman, passed De Fats
shop, the latter's brother Charles struck
the doctor Hodges attempted to repel
the attack by striking back with his
fist, and then attempted to draw his
pistol. Joe De Fatt, another brother,
pulled a dcuble-barreled shotgun and
fired two shots at the doctor, striking
him in his hands and abdomen. I'm
mediately after Frank De Fatta and Cy
and John Cereno joined in the melee
with shotguns and long knives in their
hands.
Court was in session and a large
crowd of country people were in town.
they joined in Ne chase and succeeded
in arresting and disarming Frank De
Fatta, Cy De F'ernoch and John Cereno,
after a hard struggle. John Cereno
made a lunge at one of the crowd with
one of his long knives and was prompt
ly knocked down by bystander.
The Sheriff with his posse at once
went to the house where Charles and
Joe De Fatta were barricaded and alter
battering down the doors succeeded
in taking Charles De Fatta. Not find
ing Joe in there, the crowd began
search of the premises, going thence
to the large dwelling Immediately be-
hind IT, shop, which was owned by
the De Fattas, where they found Joe
hidden under the chimney. He was
promptly taken out and the Sheriff
started to the jail with Charles and Joe.
When he got to the court house square
crowd of about $50 citizens over
powered the Sheriff and after a severe
struggle took Joe and Charles down IN
the field to the slaughter pen and hung
them to the gallows used for slaughter
ing beeves. Joe denied the shooting
and accused Charles Charles in turn
accused his brother, but said Frank De
Fatta and Cy Ferroch were the cause
of the trouble.
The crowd then adjourned to the jail,
overpowered the jailer and deputies and
brought out Cy De Ferroch, Frank De
Fatta and Joe Cereno and hung them to
an oak tree in the Jail yard. Not shot
was fired and the crowd was orderly and
quiet, but very determined. good
many citizens pleaded for the lives of
the Scilians, but without avail, as the
people were much wroug1, up, this gang
being charged with number Of out
RACES that have recently aroused the
neighborhood. About three years ago
Frank De Fatta shot and killed negro
for picking up a watermelon which
Frank had for sale, and about year
ago Joe De Fatta shot and killed Pat
Matthews, landing keeper at Milliken's
Bend La. in cold blood as he was pass
ing his store They had frequently
boasted that they would do as they
pleased. and their money would clear
them. The people believed the five had
planned to kill DR.. Hodges. After the
shooting Joe De Fatta's gun was found
on the counter with box of shells be-
side it.
DR.. j. Ford Hodges IS a prominent
physician and is parish coroner. He is
badly wounded and the doctors say he
cannot recover.
The five Sicilians were buried to-day
In the notter's field near Tullula-