The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-03
ITALIAN FATALLY SHOT
ARGUMENT ABOUT BANANAS LED TO
A BLOODY FIGHT.
Joseph Larosa, q Fruit Merchant,
Quarreled with Ignatx Bessessie
and Later Used His Revolver.

Joseph Larosa, an Italian fruit merchant
on South Delaware street living at 80
Virginia avenue. shot and probably fatally
wounded Ignatz Besessie. another Italian.
yesterday afternoon at 4:So o'clock. at the
corner of Maryland and Delaware streets.
The shooting is said to have been done in
self-detense. Besessie was taken to the
City Hospital in a serious condition and
last night 1t was thought that he could not
recover. The wound was in the stomach.
The trouble arose yesterday morning
when Paul, Michael and Ignatz Besessie had
a fight in the Vandalia Railroad yards
near Capitol avenue. At that time the
trouble arose over the question as
to who had the most bananas in
stock. Paul and Michael, the latter
resident of Noblesville, who is visiting his
brothers, cut Anthony Laroso, brother of
Joseph. Anthony was cut on the back of
the head, and it is said by several Italians
fired several shots at the Besessies. The
trouble was renewed in the afternoon when
Joseph Larosa was told by small boy
that his brother had been in a fight with
the Besessie boys. Joseph Larosa got
Ratchet and went to the banana car, where
he was met by the Besessie brothers. The
fight was renewed, and it is said Larosa
struck Ignatz Besessie on the arm, cutting
his coat with the Ratchet. Later in the
afternoon it broke out anew, when An
thony LarOsa met the Besessie brothers.
This time Joseph Larosa was at home, and
north end of the viaduct fighting with the
Besessie brothers he took his revolver and
ran to the scene
A BLOODY FIGHT.
He saw his brother fighting with the three
men, and from appearances Anthony La
rosa was getting the worst Of the affair,
as he was covered with blood. Joseph La
rosa said that when he came up Michael
and Paul Besessie were striking at his
brother with knives. He rushed between
the men and asked what was meant. At
that time he said Ignatz Besessie, who was
standing off to one side, pulled out knife
and ran toward him. Joseph Larosa said
he was afraid that the elder Besessie was
going to cut him and pulled out his gun and
fired. Besessie fell to the pavement, while
his two brothers leaned over him and be-
gan crying.
Larosa and his brother left the scene of
the fighting Immediately after Besessie fell
to the ground. Joseph Larosa ran north
on Delaware street to Court street and
then to Pennsylvania street, where he was
captured by Patrolmen Paulseil and Raft
1t was taken by Paulsell. 1t is 80 caliber
revolver of old pattern.
A crowd was attracted by the fighting of
the Italians. When Besessie fell to the
ground fatally wounded the excitement
turned almost to a panic. Men hurried
from the place and the three brothers were
left to themselves. In short time, how
ever, the corner was again crowded by
mad Italians, all discussing the shooting
In their native tongue. Besessie was taken
TO the City Dispensary, where an exam
nation proved that the man was mortally
wounded
While Besessie was the operating Ia
bic Joseph Larosa was brought before him.
Larosa admitted before Besessie that he
was the man that did the shooting but
claimed that ii was done in self-defense
Paul and Michael Besessie were also pres
ent. They denied that they had pulled
knives on Larosa- Paul and Michael were
arrested Paul was charged with assault
and battery. while his brother was charged
with carrying concealed weapons and as
sault and battery. A large-bladed knife
used by Italians in cutting bananas was
found In his pocket Immediately after the
shooting. Larosa was charged with shoot
ing with intent to kill. Anthony Larosa,
who was said to be badly cut, has not yet
been located.