The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-09
Italian Report of
Difata Lynching
Made Public.
UNUSUALLY BRUTAL ATTACK.
Claim Advanced That
Lynchers Made Three
Distinct Attacks.

Washington, Aug. S.-The state de-
partment has received from the Italian
authorities a copy of the complete re-
port made by the Marquis Romano sec
rotary of the italian embassy here, on
his personal investigation of the re-
cent lynching of seven Italians at Tai
laluh. La. The report presents the af-
fair in a serious light AS whole
the Italian authorities view the mat
ter of the lynching as one of unusual
atrocity, and without the mitigating
circumstances which had been urged
in previous affairs of this kind.
In describing the first ARRAY which
led up to the lynching, Marquis Ro-
mano's report states that Cr. Hodges
was the first to draw his weapon, ana
that not until he had fired one shot and
was about to fire the second one at
Charles Difata. who was at that time
PROSTATE on the ground did the
brother, Joe Difata, fire his shotgun
from the store near by. This last
shot, it is pointed out was in defense
of the fallen brother, and was not a
wanton attack upon DR.. Hodges. The
circumstances leading up to the affray
are described in detail. According to
when DR.. Hodges passed. There is no
effort made in the report to obscure the
fact that Charles Difata made the first
offensive overture. But it is contend
ed that this was not accompanied by
the use of firearms or even a movement
to draw them. 1t is said, however, that
:. Charles Difata upbraided Dr. Hodges
in an offensive way for having killed
an animal, and accompanied this by a
blow of the fist. Then, it is stated
DR.. Hodges shot at Difata, Whether
or not the shot took effect, it was not
possible for the Italian authorities to
learn, as the bodies of the men, after
being lynched, were disfgured and dis
posed of.
But, at all events, it is stated that
Charles Difata was on the ground fol-
lowing the shot from DR.. Hodges wea-
pom.
At this point, Joe Difata appeared.
and, seeing his brother down and a
second shot about to be fired, shot at
DR.. Hodges. Then followed the lynch
ing of these two Italians, Joe and Chas.
Difata. The mob took them before
they had been arrested.
Up to this point, according to the
Italian report, only these two italians
had figured in the affair The report
goes ON to state that throughout the
occurrence the three other Italians
L
John Cerami were in another street,
and did not know what was occurring.
1t is stated that they did not take
part in the attack on DIR. Hodges, and
that they did not even know of it I'M
til some time afterward when the To-
cal officer came to arrest them This
arrest was accomplished and the three
Italians were actually placed in jail
The report then brings out that the
mob having already lynched Charles
and Joe Difata, turned their attention
to the three Italians under arrest. Two
of these men, Joseph Feudicio and
Frank Difsta, were first taken from
the Office and lynched Subsequently,
and some little time afterward, the mob
returned and took John Cerami and
lynched him.
In this circumstantial way, the report
brings 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
disposed of the first two men Par
ticular Importance is laid upon this
feature for, while it is said there may
have been some extenuating circuna-
stances in infiicting such punishment
on those Immediately concerned in the
affray of Dr. Hodges, yet the time
elapsed before the second and third
lynchings is regarded as an element of
particular atrocity. sThe full report
has been sent to the italian foreign Of
flee and copy of it placed in the hands
of the state department.