Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-01-03
SHOT BY ITALIANS.
Barre Policeman Attacked after QueII-
ing a Disturbance.

1
Chief of Police Patrick Brown was
shot twice in the abdomen and once
in the left foot by gang of Italians
about 5 o'clock Thursday morning oil
last v eek.
Some of the local Italians had for
some time seemed disposed to make
trouble. A socialist dance was dis
turbed the week before by two
Italians. The men were finally dis
armed and elected from the hall.
The socialists had another dance
Wednesday night. Again there was
trouble and Chief Brown was sent for.
He went in company with Patrolman
Gauthier to the hall and remained
there for an hour. During this time
there was no serious trouble, and the
chief finally sent Officer Gauthier
home.
Chief Brown went to Maple avenue
to turn out two electric lights. Two
Italians stood near and, as he turned
out the second light, fired at him
several times, hitting him twice in
the abdomen. "My God, Pm done
for" he exclaimed, and started for
Rev. Mr.. McKenna's house a block
away.
AS the chief reached Summer
street three more Italians on the
corner fired at him, hitting him in
the left foot. Mr.. Brown aroused
Mr.. McKenna and was at once taken
to his home where he was attended by
several physicians.
The police force, Sheriff Graves and
all the deputies of this vicinity were
at once rallied and began the work Of
rounding up the members OF the
Barre Italian colony. Eight arrests
were made. The men apprehended
were Artoro Bernacco, Luigi SASH,
Pietro Bernacco, Bigazzi, Joseph
Chicardo, Antonio Fredoni, Joseph
Comolli, Dominica Comolli and p.
Prima. All were lodged in the
county Jail at Montpelier. The two
Comollis were released for lack Of
The six now in custody
have been identified as among the
present at the dance. All
came from Carrara, Italy, and have
been troublesome since they came.
SASH and A. p. Bernacco were
taken before Chief Brown and iden-
titled by him as among his assailants.
Before Fredoni was captured he was
shot in the hand by Constable
Buchanan while trying to escape.
When Frochiani was caught 80
caliber revolver was found on him
and in this were four loaded car
tridges and one chamber was empty.
Two Of the cartridges correspond
exactly with an empty shell found at
the scene OF the shooting. States
Attorney Hoar has secured an ante
norton statement from the wounded |
man. The city was greatly excited,
and it was not considered safe to keep |
the prisoners in the Barre lookup over
night owing to threats Of lynching.
Saturday a prominent Italian called /
On Chief Brown and gave all the
"details of plot to murder score or
more Italian socialists at the dance
which Chief Brown and the officers
broke up.
Italian anarchists, fifteen in number,
we're present and each selected a
yictim and started quarrel, during
which, at given signal, each was to
kill his man. 1t was arranged that
me anarchist should enter the hall
md start quarrel over box Of
matches and then the other anarchists
It the door would fire into the crowd.
There had been bad blood between
he clannish Italians since the granite
utters' strike in the spring. The
quarrel was started, but the police
anne SO quickly that the balance OF
he plot was not carried out.
Two more Italians have been
rrested, Innociente Belli and Dufiic
)erlucchi. The former is said to be
he leader of the anarchists. This
makes nine in all. whose hearings
we're to take place Wednesday.
The better class of Italians are filled
With Indignation over the shooting
4 Brown and declare that, il by any
means those arrested should be freed
rom custody, they will be driven out
4 this part OF the country.
Chief Brown is considered practi-
ally out of danger now. The doctors
ave been unable to ascertain whether
a i I..1I Ia r. L. H.