The Detroit times., 1911-06-07
HUsDlI
WHO WOULD sell
HER HONOR
Mrs. Angelina Napolitsno, o>
demned To Die on Gallows Afle
Child Is Born, Tells Tins1
Writer Of Tragedy.
Will Canada Heed Cry Of Thouepu
and Spare Life of Prisoner =
500, Ont, Jail
sy HONOR .. FANNlNo.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont, June o.
Angelina Napolitano, a mother G.
four children at 2S, Is under the death
sentence here for the murder OF her
husband. Pietro Napolitano-
The murder was committed last
Easter Sunday morning, April 16.
While her neighbors were In church
at their Ascension day devotions this
woman killed the father OF her chill
dren
She was quickly arrested, convict-
ed and sentenced to be hanged
The death penalty would have boon
executed Immediately, but the maten-
ty OF the law recognized the majesty
OF motherhood. Only one life had
been taken. Justice demanded ono
life In return. Mrs. Napolitanos exc
cution Is set for Aug. ga month A.
ter the expected birth OF another
baby In July. q.
At her trial the woman made -
startling plea for mercy.
She had murdered, she confessed
to the court. But she murdered bo-
cause she wouldn't become white
slave" She killed her husband rath-
er than sell her honor
Ftcd Hroueco oymp8kUy. tk.
The court condemned the self-con-
fessed murderess, but her plea
aroused wide sympathy. Women e.
pecially became interested. They
didn't condone the crime, though
they realized how great was its pre-
vocation. Quite aside from her guilt
or her innocence. they felt that Wo-
manhood and motherhood would b
outraged II this woman. who Ii en-
tering the shadow of death that a
child may live, shall pass through
the valley only TO stand upon the gal
lows.
It isn't easy to interview prisoner
sentenced to death under Canadian
law. But prison rules notwithstand-
ing, the doors of the old gray prison
far back In the park on Queen-st.
swung open, and for half an hour !
sat with Angelina Napolitano In her
cell. heard her voluntary recital
OF the events that led mp to the
Easter crime.
The facts are repeated here, prac-
tically as she told them, In her own
hesitant, and broken speech.
II married Pietro IL years ago, =
she said, lin Italy. was 16. He was
older. We came to this country, to
New York, 10 years ago. Three years
ago We come to Canada. We were IT
Thessalon (Ont.), where we had q
farm with -Pietro's brother. Two
years ago we come to the 500 We
live here with other Italians IN Lit
tie Italy.
Then trouble started. Pietro Nns
away three weeks In October Beforo
he left me he say: Now leave you,
here is $40. You can make more
Pietro would make me a bad woman.
Il never hear from him while be
Is away. think he leave for all the
time. One morning he come horn<
again. Again he tell me bad things.
l say I will not on account OF the chill.
dren. All that day he stayed and /
give him his meals. After two or throo
days he came back to live IN our
house.
'On Sunday night, we quarrel. Hc
stab me on the head. on the arms. on
the face-nine stabs. After he stah
me ! went to drown myself In the
river. Policeman stop me and send
me to hospital. I stay there threc
| weeks.
I'VE make up the quarrel and lfvr
together again. But he tell me thr
same bad things again. Sometimen
he say he kill me II do not do what
he say. thought he wuld kin.
Three days before Easter SUNDAY
he say. You must get $50 for Easter.
IL you don't I make you remember.:
fContinued on page IA