The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-12-07
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Clue of the Brass Check
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TT WAS in September, 1916, that an
L enterprising contractor, Abraham
Sagalowitz, determined to build row
of two-story houses at Hegemann ave-
nue. and Powell street, in New York.
The work of excavation proceeded
expeditiously, but the workmen had
lot gone very far when they discov-
cred a skeleton.
A few minutes later second skele-
ton was brought to the surface.
The authorities were notified and
the remains were taken to the bureau
of unidentified dead Of the New York
police department.
Life is supposed to be held cheap
in the metropolis, and it would have
been quite easy to have dismissed this
gruesome find as an unsolved mys-
terry.
But the police did not take that
view of the matter.
They felt that a crime had been
committed and they went about the
tectives of fiction, but with great
deal more common sense.
By means of brass check that was
found OIL the first skeleton the re-
mains were identified as those of Ros-
sario Passerelle, laborer, who had
been well known in the Italian colony
In East New York.
The second skeleton was not so read
lily placed.
But it was discovered that Passe-
relle had friend named Dominic La
Rosa, and that they were inseparable
companions.
Also 1t came to light that Passe-
relle and La Rosa had strangely dis
appeared at the same time.
Incidentally, it was suggested that
the two men had been in bad odor
with some of the wretched secret So
cieties which had imported their bad
habits from Italy.
In a word 1t was felt that the two
dead men had been the victims Of
the dreaded Black Hand.
But before going after the murder
ers 1t was necessary to make sure that
the second skeleton was that Of La
Rosa.
In order to demonstrate that the
detectives Of New York city performed
a most remarkable piece Of work.
They reconstructed the remains Of
the dead man.
Around the skeleton was built a
face, some hair, and by the use Of cos
metics these were made to appear
natural.
- Two gold teeth that had been found
in the lot, and which undoubtedly be-
longed to the deceased, were placed
in such way as to attract immediate
attention.
His old felt hat was perched on his
head
A coffee can, covered with newspa-
pers, served as a neck, aid around
this false form was draped the ragged
coat of the man.
1t was CHASTITY reproduction Of
what had once been human being.
Photographs of this exhibit were
taken and shown to those who had
known La Rosa in life.
The detectives presently located a
blacksmith who lived near the lot
where the skeletons had been found.
He said that 1t bore a striking like
ness to man whom he had seer very
often In that locality.
While all of this was going on the
police department had been busily en-
gagged In rounding up suspects.
On a fixed day it was resolved to
make test by having the friends Of
La Rosa, and those suspected of the
murder, file past the reconstructed
body.
1t was a gruesome scene, these sons
and daughters of sunny Italy march
ing in that procession.
One, two, three, five and ten, they
filed by without any sign of emotion
beyond natural repugnance over
looking at such an abnormal corpse.
Presently woman in the line wav-
cred.
She was young, with an olive COM
plexion, with great long black ear
rings. large gilt breastpin and dressed
In bright red and yellow.
Her face paled and she uttered a
scream:
Santa Maria! It is the ghost of
Dominic La Rosa!"
Almost at the same moment she
turned on one Of the suspects In the
line and cried out In wailing voice:
"You devil! Why did you kill him 2"
He was taken into custody, was this
Giovanni Romano, and before night
fall another Italian, Victor Picciotto
living near the scene Of the murder,
was also arrested.
Both, charged with homicide, were
held to await the action Of the grand
jury.
Lest it be forgotten, attention should
be called to the fact that the idea and
the work of reconstructing the body
was due to Lieut.. Graft williams. of
the New York police, and DR.. Pecchini,
Of the city testing laboratory.
wNU Service
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