The Washington times., 1909-06-28
Mrs. La Bartia Took Vow
of Vengeance Year
Ago Today.
Il HOPE HE DIES"
i. WOMAN DECLARES
Victim Unconscious and Little
Hope Held for Recovery-Hun-
dreds See Crime.

NEW YORK, June 28.-After
waiting a whole year for vengeance
and after having been told by the
police that they could not take a
hand in the case, Mrs. Louisa La
Bartia, widow, aged twenty-five
years, today MORALLY wounded
Dominica Versagia, aged nineteen.
The Wonan's husband was killed
Just a year ago today and she be
ieved that Versagia had killed him.
Today she waited for him at a cor
ner and as he passed on his way to
work, she shot him four times, one
shot following another in quick sue
ceSSion, while a thousand men,
women, and children on their way
to work in the factory district ran
screaming in all directions.
The unconscious youth was removed
10 a hospital. where it is believed he
has no chance to live. The woman is
IN jail. She declared that she is salts
ned with what she has done. Mrs. La
Bartia had new revolver concealed be-
meath her apron. and waited until her
quarry passed.
Too Quick for Him.
When Yersagnia saw her. he threw his
hand TO his hip pocket as if 10 pull a
revolver. But the woman who has stu
died other plans of vengeance. was not
10 be cheated. She was quicker than
he. Her hrEt shot struck MIN in the
abdomen and ne turned TO run. Mrs.
La Bartia fred again. The second but
let entered his side, a third IN the back,
and as he toppled TO the ground the
woman stood over him and fired a
fourth shot. It penetrated his left hand
She was about 70 pull the trigger for
the fifth shot. when Morris Becker
knocked the weapon from her hand
There was the widest panic on the
corner. At the sound OF the first shot.
the human stream of factory employees
broke. and the crowd scattered in all
directions. When Versagia fell. the
crowd closed in on the pair. and II was
with difficulty that the police were able
10 get the boys body into an ambu-
lance.
At the police station the woman told
her story. Ny husband and I came
from Reggio, Italy" she said quietly.
''Nersagla also came from there. He
was tailor in Reggie. and my husband
was an umbrella maker. They know
cne another. bur were not friendly.
Threatening Letters.
Soon after we moved to New York
my husband began TO receive threaten
ing letters. Then one day he was shot
IN doorway near our home That was
just a year ago. I was left pennfless
Ny little baby died because 1 could not
take care Of IL This was the sixth
baby I had buried Then I swore A vow
against the murderer OF my husband.
] looked everywhere for a clue. For a
year ! have had no other aim in life. 4
few weeks ago, an unsigned letter came
70 me II said: Your husbands SLAYER
Is the dominco who used 10 come and
take him cut al nights I Investigated !
! found that Versagia was a member OF
the Black Hand and thst he spoke the /
truth I went 10 the police. / showed
them the letter, and told them that
what I had found out. They said they
could do nothing. They would not even /
arrest Nersagia.
Then ! saved my money and bought /
q revolver / practced every day so 4
that l could hold my hand still I /
found out where Versa gia lived a.d
that he passed that street every morn
Ing. I went there today and shot him.
am glad OF IT, 1 hope he will die"