Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-31
ALLEGED AFFINITY
Of DEAD MANS WIFE
HELD AS SUSPECT
OFFICIALS BELIEVE JOHN ES-
POSiTO KNOWS MORE ABOUT
THE KILLING OF MARSEiLLES
TELL.

Giovanni John Esposito, 2S, alleg-
ed affinity of Mrs. Mike Strangloi.
whose husband was found shot to
death in a street near their home at
Marseilles early Saturday morning,
today is prisoner at the La Sale
/ County jail, pending thoro inves-
tgation into reports that he could
throw considerable light upon the
mysterious murder if he chose to do
so.
Esposito, weeping and wailing at
the turn of his fate, was brought to
Ottawa Sunday afternoon by Sheriff
Ayers, and lodged in the County jail
! While he denied any knowledge OF
the shooting, circum5tantial evidence
surrounding his acts on Friday night
when Strangloi met his death, indi-
cate he knows considerable more
about the killing than he is willing
to tell.
Shot another Italian
Esposito has a reputation as a gun
man. backed by the shooting two
years ago in Marseilles, of Nick Bruno
whom he attempted to kill with
three revolver shots, each of which
took effect upon his victims body
After he brought down Bruno, Es
posito ran away and for more than
a year was fugitive from justice
! Then thru secret channels he learned
ii would be safe for him to return to
Marseilles and take up his abode, as
I Bruno announced he would not pros
ecute him. Bruno was a patient in
! the Ottawa hospital for several
| weeks, most of which time he Hut
| tered between life and death, finally
getting well and returning to his
work.
1t became known to the sheriffs
Office that the suspect and Mrs
Strangloi few weeks ago made a
trip to Chicago in each others com
pany. When questioned on this Mrs
Strangloi made no attempt to con
ceal that she and the accused had
gone together, but explained she had
taken Sposito with her to help take
care of the children.
With Wife on Trip.
Charged with having been indis.
crete in her relationship with the
man under arrest, the widow denied
her friendship for him was anything
other than that she would entertain
/ for any relative OF her husbands,
Esposito claimed at the inquest he
and Strangoli were cousins, but this
was later proven false when a broth
er of the murdered man denied he
had any relatives in this country.
/ A close check is being made upon
| Esposito's conduct Friday night ald
/ his Whereabouts between I o'clock
and 8 o'clock. 1t is claimed by
| neighbOrs the two men were in the
/ home alone when Mrs Strangloi
started down town on an errand. II
/ is also alleged two shots were heard
about $3.50 or 9 o'clock Friday night
| Esposito arrived at the mine to take
up his work on the night shift at 9
O'Clock but he says he went to a pic
| ture show before he started out to the
mine His usual time for arrival at
! the pit is said to be about II O'Clock.
/ He made no attempt to explain how
/ it happened that he was at work two
hours earlier on the night of the mur-
/ der than was his usual won't
Victim Shot Twice
Yesterday at an informal autopsy
held upon the remains OF Strangloi
it developed he had been shot thru
the head twice. One bullet entered
at the base of the skull in the rear,
and came out thru the forehead. The
other penetrated the ear and lodged
I probably in the brain. In spite of Es-
posito's stout denialS he did not com
nit the crime. his general reputation
together with a known fondness for
Mrs. Strangloi. warrants. the officials.
they maintain. in holding him until
the murder has been thoroly sifted
down
This afternoon waErant charg-
Eng Sspiostos with murder was is
sued out of Judge Koenig's court
The hearing was continued ten days