New-York tribune., 1901-12-11
DUEL IN CELLARS GLOOM.
POLICEMAN'S PISTOL BUTT OVERCOMES
ITALIANS DIRK.
BUTCHER NEARLY MURDERS SWEETHEART
WHO WOULD NOT LEAVE BROTHER
FOR HIS RIVAL IN BUSINESS.

Her love for her brother had almost fatal
results last evening for Annie Nepolitan. an
Italian girl, twenty years old. She is lying
at her home. No. 323 East -hundred-and-
forrteenth-st.. with serious stab wound in her
back. inflicted by the man she cast aside be
cause he antasonistic to her brother in
business
Annie has been the acknowledged belle
of the Italian colony in Harlem. where she has
been known the Queen of Little Italy" Her
brother Giuseppe owns a butcher shop and
she has been his hepmate since he started in
business. few years ago. All the eligible young
Italians in the colony have paid marked atten-
tion to .'nnie. but she looked with favor on none
until TunzeIlo Durango twenty five years old.
a butcher who keeps an establishment at No.
'|5l East One-hundred- and fourteenth just
a few doors from her brothers store, pressed his
suit.
They became engaged. Durango con-
slant visitor at the Nepolitan home and often
met Giuseppe there. The men were friendly
until the rivalry in their business became too
keen, and before long there estrange-
ment between them.
Annie. who presided over her brothers in
terests in the store. began to draw trade from
Durango He noticed a continual falling off
in his business, and he sought to marry Annie
as early possible so as to have her help re-
treve his fortunes He begged her several
times to marry him; but knowing that her
brother would then be compelled to get as
sistant. she begged him to release her from
her promise.
Last evening Durango went to Giuseppe s
store. where Annie behind the counter
alone.
Annie, you must with now he
said You know l love you and 1 want to
marry you right away"
My leaving Giuseppe" she answered. would
mean ruin to him. and l wi. not go with you.
Now you go from me forever"
Durango seized a long trimming knife from
the counter and rushed at Annie. He plunged
the blade into her back and then tried to cut
her throat. She struggled and got hold on
the blade OF the knife. Durango wrested it
from her. and he did ne almost severed the
first finger on her right hand. The terrified
girl screamed and then fell unconscious to the
floor.
Although the struggle was brief number of
Italians in the house heard the commotion. and
they rushed to the street. to Durango dash
from the store covered with blood, They raised
a cry which was heard by Policeman McEnJee,
of the East One e-hundred- a nd fourth station.
He saw Durango and gave chase. The infuri-
ated Italian darted down into cellar Sec
ond-aYs.. where he hid in eeal Mn. McEntee
followed him and began to search. 1t was pitch
dark in the cellar, and the policeman had TO
grope his way. Suddenly he came on Durango
and grabbed him. The Italian drew long dirk
and made for the policeman. He SlaShed at
McEntee but the policeman caught him by the
wrist A desperate struggle ensued. McEntee
drew his revolver and beat Durango over the
head until he unconscious.
A patrol wagon called and the prisoner
taken the station house. A loaded revolver
found in his pocket. He was revived by an
ambulance surgeon and locked up, charged with
felonious assault with intent 10 kill.
Meantime other policemen had reached the
scene of the assault, and an ambulance was sent
from Harlem Hospital DR. Green and physi-
clan who had been called in dressed Annies IL
iuries She unconscious, but the doctors
said she might recover Her brother who had
returned refused to let her go to the hospital.