Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22
GOAT CAUSED THE LYNCHING,
Details of the Recent Tragedy n
TalJulah- In

Tallulal, La.
A dispatch from Tailulah, La, last night
gives the following details of the lynching
Of five Italians at that place Thursday
night:
The five Italians who were lynched here
last night for the fatal wounding of Dr.
]. Ford Hodge We're of class which has
been troublesome for some time. and it is
believed that they had planned to kill the
doctor. Some of them, it is said, have
families in Europe, but they have no rela-
tives here. The dead are Frank Defatta
Charles Defatta, Joe Defatta, Sy Defer
roch and John Cereno.
For several weeks a lot of goats belong
ing to Frank Defatta have been sleeping
and running on the gallery of Dr. Hodges
office and residence. The doctor on numer-
Gus occasions requested the owner to keep
his goats penned up, but ne would not do
1t, and on the night of the 10Th Dr. Hodge
shot of them. Early next morning
Frank Defatta came to the doctors office,
and said: You shoot my goat, now you
better shoot me-" The doctor ordered him
to leave. and Defatta left, mumbling some
thing which the doctor did not understand
Dr. Hodge took his meals at the resi-
dence of a Mr.. Kaufman and had to pass
Joe Defatta's shop in going there. About
shutdown last evening the doctor and Mr..
Kaufman started to supper and as they
got to Joe's store Mr.. Kaufman, who was
the steps and Joe standing at the store
door. Kaufman spoke to them, but neither
Of the Italians returned the greeting AS
Dr. Hodge passed Charles jumped up and
said:
You shoot my goat and struck the
doctor DR.. Hodge attempted to repel the
attack by striking back with his fist, but
finding the Sicilian too much for him at
tempted to draw his pistol. Joe Defatta.
at the door, pulled double-barreled shot
gun and fired two loads into the DOCTOR
striking him in his hands and abdomen
Immediately on the crack of the gun
Frank Defatta, sly Defferroch and John
Cereno, who We're in Defatta's store on
Front street started on a run to Joe's
store with shotguns and long knives in
their hands.
Court was in session, and large crowd
of country people was in town with the
sheriff and his deputies they Joined in the
chase and succeeded in arresting and dis
arming Frank Defatta, sly Defferroch and
John Cereno, after hard struggle.
The sheriff, with his posse at once went
to the house. and succeeded in taking
chimney in an adjoining house. He was
promptly taken out, and the sheriff start
ed to the jail with Charles and Joe When
Court House Square was reached, the
crowd or go citizens overpowered the
sheriff. and after severe struggle took
Joe and Charles Defatta down in the field
10 the slaughter pen and hung them to
the gallows used for Strengthening beeves
III
did it. Charles said Joe fired the shots
which half dozen people saw Charles
said he jumped on DR.. Hodge and was
sorry for it. He said Frank Defatta and
sly Defferrocn We're the cause of the trou-
ble
The crowd then adjourned to the jail,
and overpowered the jailer and deputies
The keys were secured and the crowd
quickly brought out Sy Defferroch Frank
Defatta and Joe Cereno and hung them to
an oak tree in the Jail yard. Not a shot
was fired. and the crowd orderly and
quiet. A good many citizens pleaded for
the lives of the Sicilians, but to no avail
as this was the third outrage of this kind
committed by this class of people. About
two years ago Frank Defatta shot and
killed negro for picking up watermelon
which Frank had for sale. One year ago
Joe Defatta shot and killed Pat Matthews,
landing keeper at Miliken's Bend, La,
over a trivial controversy. He was cleared
by a technically of the law. They had
frequently made boasts that they would
do as they pleased and their money would
clear them. They have since these two
and talk, and on several occasions have
had quarrels with the best citizens
The people here believe the five men had
planned to kill DR.. Hodge just at dark,
as he was going to his supper as the doc
tor generally goes by himself The plan
Joe to shoot him from the door and II help
was needed the others would have gone to
their aid. Their plans were well laid and
carried out. Joe's gun was found the
counter with a box of shells by 1t. DR..
Hodge Is badly hurt, and the doctors say
he cannot recover.
The five Sicilians were buried today in
the potters field. near Tallulah. The grand
jury is in session, and will investigate the
matter.