The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-10-04

PAST HELD
l, MYSTERY
Photo Of Lynching in Capitol
Heights Mans Effects.
Wife Is Located.

One of the theories of Constable
Thomas H. Garrison that Vito DOM
leo, Capitol Heights merchant, may
have been hacked to death by MEM
Der of a secret order which had
sworn vengeance against him, was
given additional weight last night,
when the Prince Georges county Of
ficer discovered among the Italians
effects a postcard photograph of
man who had been lynched.
Significance Of Photo.
The body, with a regular hangman's
moose about the neck, is shown In the
photograph hanging from stout rope
from the limb Of a tree. The hands
and feet Of the man are shown in the
photograph, to be stoutly secured. and
the face is covered with mask. A,
group Of men are shown In the photo
graph to be standing about the tree,
gazing at the hanging body.
What Significance has this photo
graph to the brutal Staying of
Domico? is the question being asked
by Constable Garrison.
The gruesome photograph was never
shown by Domico to his close friends
who had talked intimately with him
of his past life. Those who knew
him since he conducted the general
merchandise store at Capitol Heights
claim he never mentioned the photo
graph, nor anything which would
throw any light on what connection
1t had with the Italians past.
Never Showed Photo.
81 would like someone to explain
to me something about the lynching,"
said Constable Garrison. II feel
there may be some connection with
Domico's brutal staying and this
lynching."
p. c. Howell, retired printer. who
, was an intimate friend Of Domico and
who spent several hours each day
with the Italian. said he had never
heard of the photograph. Domico
confided in Howell and knew much
of the Italians past life.
HE told me of his family troubles
and Of his early life. as we'll as his
experiences when he was in the
liquor business"
It developed yesterday that Domico
several years ago had to give up
$4,000 to keep out Of some sort of
trouble. Domico never explained TO
Howell what this trouble" was
HE told me-" said Howell. that 1t
cost him $4,000 to fix a matter he
was. mixed up in"
On another occasion, while Domi-
co kept a saloon in southwest Wash
ington, three negroes entered his
shop and demanded his money. The
negroes were armed with revolvers
and the Italian held them at bay
while a passerby summoned police
zen. The negroes were arrosted
and were sentenced to the Feda'al
prison at Atlanta. 1t Is believed
the negroes have since been freed
srom prison and the theory is ad-
~anced that maybe one of them, in
. spirit or vengeance, sought out the
italian and took his life.
Wife Is Found.
Mrs. Blanche Hurdle Domico. COM
paratively young wife of the sew
enty.year old slain merchant. was To-
Gated last night by Constable
Garrison and Detective Sergeants
Thompson and Embrey. She lives
with her sister at 437 Warner street
northwest. Domico and his wife
have been separated for sixteen
years, although it Is said she saw
him several times recently. Mrs.
Domico has claimed the body Of her
husband.
II know nothing whatever Of my
husbands DEATH" Mrs. Domico said.
But ] am going to arrange for his
burial"
It IL said that shortly after Domico's
marriage he and his wife had differ
ences which resulted in their estrange-
ment. Domico Is said to have left ap-
proximately 5000 in property and
cash.
Added mystery was thrown on the
staying last night when John Edwards,
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