New-York tribune., 1921-06-15
Justice Asked
As Varotta Boy
Goes to Grave
Neighbors' Appeal i'm Name
of Black Hand Victim
Laid ON Coffin While
Throngs i'm Street Weep
Mother Brave at Services
Death Threat Contained i'm
Letter to Capt. FiascIetti
Unless He Lays Or Case

The body of Giuseppe Varotta was
buried yesterday in Calvary Cemetery.
Thousands wept over the small white
bier of the ive-year-old child, who was
kidnapped on May "a and whose body
was found in the Hudson River last
Saturday. The feelings of neighbors
and friends were crystallized in q rib
bon they gave to be twined around the
coffin. bearing this Italian inscription
in gilt lettering:
This is an innocent victim of the
Black Hand. We demand Justice"
Crowds began TO gather in the neigh
borhood OF the Varotta home, 354 East
Thirteenth Street, long before the body
was due TO arrive from Nyack. The
white hearse drove up to the tenement
doorway at moon. Salvatore Varotta,
father of the boy, stood with Mary
Rose, little sister of Giuseppe, In his
arms. The child laughed and shook a
spray of smilax when her father put
her down. He rushed toward the ap-
preaching coffin.
"Mi fgIio!" he cried. He embraced
the coffin and tried to tear it from the
men who carried it.
Mother Faints Beside Coffin
Detectives gently removed the clutch
ing hands and held the father while
Giuseppe's body was taken upstairs to
the waiting mother. She did not utter
sound as the coffin was placed upon
pedestal. For a moment she stood
over it, then fell unconscious to the
hoor
That was how Giuseppe returned to
the little home that was merry with
his laughter until three weeks ago
yesterday.
A steady procession Of friends and
kin filed past the casket as it lay in
state with its inscription and picture
of the dead baby upon it. There were
school fellows, friends and even
Two hours later the little funeral
cortege started. The throng in the
street had assumed formidable pro
portions. It was demonstrative, even
in sorrow. Fifty detectives and patrol.
men had difficulty keeping it in check
Across the street the wives and sisters
OF two Of the men now in the Toznbs
under 100000 bail on charge Of
kidnapping watched the procession with
tear-stained faces.
Immediately behind the white
little school fellows of Giuseppe
dressed all in white and with white
crepe bands around their sleeves, car
r;ed the wreaths. The cortege was LED
by Adolpho, the oldest brother OF
Giuseppe. Awed and saddened by the
death of one Of the gayest Of theil
playfellows. the Italian boys cried
frankly over their flowers. Then came
the mother in a coach, accompanied
L Jo~ oSy
hind the carriages marched all thu
pupils Of the kindergarten of Public
School 10, which Giuseppe had ATTENDED
10 the time Of his death.
Mrs. Yarotta Heroic in Church
In entering the Church Of Mary
Help of Christians, 431 East Twelfth
Street, Mrs. Concetta Versage, who was
supporting Mrs. Varotta, tainted. Bu
the mother stepped forward with hel
head held high and made her wa,
figure. The service was short ant
simple. There was not dry eye IL
the church by the time it was over
Father Ercole Maglio said the funera
blessing and short prayer for tht
repose of the soul was offered. Al
the benediction was pronounced ant
the pallbearers took up their burden
the father leaned over and passionate
ly kissed the picture of his dead bo!
gently with, outstretched hand thu
place where his little feet lay.
The hearse and carriages proceeded
TO Calvary Cemetery by way Of th'
Vsrotta home. The mother was in 1
state Of complete collapse late las
night. She bore up bravely for th'
funeral, but her stock of strength wa
quickly exhausted. The shock has bee,
such that her physician fears for tn
physical consequences.
It is the conviction Of Captain
Michael Fiaschetti and all the detec
tives working on the case that the in
terest evinced in the Varotta famil,
by wealthy philanthropists gave tn
Black Handlers the impression tina
they might make fortune by stealing
the child.
Captain Fiaschetti admitted receiv
ing threatening letter yesterday t.
the effect that the Black Hand "woul
get him if he did not lay off the case.
1t was mailed at the City Hall. All tn
threatening notes received thus fa
have been in different handwriting an
written in Sicilian dialect.
The three men arrested on Sunday o.
u charge OF having automatic revolver
IN their possession pleaded guilty i
Special Sessions yesterday and wer
remanded to the Tombs until June 2
for investigation by Probation Office
William Connors. The men are Win
zenzo Battaglia and Salvatore Troja
both of 515 East Fourteenth Street, an
Giuseppe Palastro, of 234 Avenue A.
Tony Salselli and Joe Margolio, VIII
were arrested on Monday, were sent b.
Judge John F. Mcintyre in Genera
Sessions TO the House of Detention a
material witnesses, Bail was fixed a
$4,000 each at the request Of Assistan
District Attorney Benedict Dineen.