The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-05-22
MOTHER IS SHOT DEAD
BEFORE HER CHILDREN
Mrs, Della Congilio Of This City Is Shot
Four Times and Dies Soon Afterward
BOARDER ARRESTED FLEEING FROM
STATE
Michael Tomasi is Caught at Trenton
Junction as He is About to Board
Train For Philadelphia -Ad-
mits Being in lambertvilie
But Denies Shooting

vic VI iiduh ooHSlilo, WAS SnOt a
her home in this city Monday after
noon, so seriously that she died at
that evening at st. Francis hospital,
Trenton. Michael Tomasi is held or
the charge of committing the crime,
having been captured in that city sew
eral hours after the death of his al.
legged victim, after long, hard chase
The deed was one of the most foul
ever committed in this part of the
country.
Tomasi is employed as quarryman
and has been boarding with Congilio,
another quarryman. He refused to
pay his board and last Saturday nigh,
Congilio ordered him to leave. Mon
day morning he returned and when
Mrs. Congilio ordered him away, he
threatened to return. About O'Clock
the woman was alone, except for her
children, when Tomasi entered.
Shortly afterward, it is alleged. he
diew revolver and fired at the de.
fenceless woman covering before him
pleading for mercy.
A crowd quickly gathered and the
man scrambled UP the steep hill and
escaped through St. Johns cemetery.
The eight-year old son of the wo-
man ran for II physician who prompt
ly responded. They found the wo.
man had two bullets in her breast,
one III her hip and one in the left
hand. She was still conscious. Real
izing that recovery was almost im
possible they had her taken to st.
Francis hospital, Trenton. The Rev
Father Lynch administered final alb.
solution.
Mrs. Congilio was conscious to the
last. All her thoughts were for her
children and Whit would become of
them. 81 am good woman and my
children need Inc, why should this
happen?' she repeatedly cried i'll
broken English
Meanwhile the authorities were in
stitnting Il somewhat chaotic chase of
the fugitive.
description was telegraphed to
all neai by places and officers started
i'll the direction taken by Tomasi east
from Enmbertyille and toward Prince.
ton.
Itahans here are loud IN their de
nunciaiion of the diabolieal shooting.
declaring TINT Tomasi was bad
character. All speak III the highest
terms of the Congilio family as being
peaceable and they are Five little
children are lett and the mother was
III II delicate condition.
The scene of the shooting WAS in
the midst of the Italian settlemen,
near the William f. Mann paper mill,
and Mt the same place where Nincen.
zio Gombetto was stabbed to death by
Giuseppe Rossi III 1905.
Tonasi Is known to have friends in
Princeton aud Jersey City and his
relatives reside III Norristown, Pm.
He il about % Years old aud has been
IN America about five years He is
short. rather stout and has II smooth
face
Mrs Conpilio was taken To Trenton
soon after the shooting While 1t
was known that her condition was
serious, 1t was not expected that
dentll would occur for some time
W hen the woman was examined at
fatal bullet had penetrated her heart.
One of the bullets struck her in the
stomach, and then became lodged
into one Of her ribs. A third shot en- +
tered her hip, while the fourth one
sti uck and badly lacerated her left
hand.
Shortly before 6 she began to fail
rapidly, and at Z o'clock was dead
Death having resulted from II hem
orrhage caused by n bullet wound in
the heart.
Coroner Bowers, who was called by
tounty Physician Rogers, will con.
dnct an inquest although he has not
decided on the time.
The condition Of the victim was so
serious while she was at the hospital
ante norton statement.
ehortly after the shooting and the
escape Of the man, the police of this
city notified Warden Benjamin Bald
win ut the county workhonse by
phone Of the shooting and asked him
to keep lookout for the man, as he
was thought to be on his way in that
direction. The warden at once called
in the prisoners from the hill and at
ter they were safely locked up in their
cells, the keepers and guards covered
all the avenues likely to be taken by
the man, but he did not come along in
their sight
In the meantime Captain Cleary OF
First district police station, Trenton,
had forwarded description OF the
alleged assailant to Trenton Junction
State Detective Roland Mitchell en-
tered the railroad station at that
place at o. 80 Monday evening and was
given the description Of Tomasi
v hen the train upon which Tomas
was riding reached Trenton Junction
at Z 80 p. m, the detective saw "a man
answering the description alight and
walk over to the station platform.
Walking up to the fellow, the de.
tective said, This is a fine night
isn't it?" and the latter replied Eyes. "
Then Mitchell asked him where he
lived and he said at HopeweI After
walking short distance with the al
legged assailant, to make sure that b,
was the man wanted, Mitchell ask ed
the former his name, but failed to ge
any answer. After much bickerine
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