THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 6, 1940
REAL LIFE DETECTIVE TRIUMPHS
STABBED IN THE BACK: CHAIR DRAMA
Lt. Joseph Petrosino was one of the. cleverest and most resourceful men on the New York detective force His skill had detected more than one murderer and sent him to the electric choir. This is a story of how he saved a convicted man from the chair just as the "Juice" was about to be turned on.
The Calibrians form one part of the Italian colony in New York City. They are ready to fight at the drop of the hat. In the Summer of 1889 two of them Nicolo Carbone and
Natolo Brogno - had a quarrel al Baxter and Leonard Sts. They de-
cided to fight it out with bare fists. Suddenly Brogno fell to the ground An investigation showed
dead. that he had been stabbed in the back. Carbone was tried for the crime. convicted and sentenced to the elec- tric chair.
He sobbed that he was not a mur- derer and that Brogno was one of his best friends. He would fight him with his fists, but stab him NEVER!
CONVINCED MAN WAS
INNOCENT
Lieutenant Petrosino, hearing of Carbone's protestations. went to the death house in Sing Sing and had a long interview with him. He left convinced that Carbone was an inno- cent man.
He was due to be electrocuted in 15 days from that date. It was a shocking situation. Could the man be saved and, if so, how was the detec-
-By
GEORGE BARTON
tive to go about getting the evidence that would be needed to win a re- prieve from the Governor. To merely Fay he believed the man innocent would mean nothing to the State authorities. Half the men electrocuted go to their doom proclaiming their
innocence.
The detective next found two per- sons who had witnessed the fist flight
MASON'S CHARGES
DISBELIEVED
"I don't know why the Police waste their time arresting hawkers instead of raiding opium divans," re- marked Mr. T. J. Houston at the Central Magistracy this morning, when
44-year-old unemployed mason was charged with receiving a box of detonators on January 30, at Sai Wan Ho, and with unlawful possession of dangerous goods.
Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr. H. Hall, overseer, in charge of the Government Quarry, said that 3,200 detonators, valued at $448, were stolen from No: 4, Government Maga- zine, some time between January 16 and 17.
A stone-breaker said that in an opium divan in Shaukiwan, accused offered him several detonators.
Defendant alleged that witness' was an enemy of his.
He said he was compelled to admit the theft, being beaten by a Chinese detective.
One was a messenger boy, the other lu Mok, together with another struck He alleged that Chinese detective
a watchman. Both said that just before Brogno had dropped to the sidewalk a man had emerged from the shadow of a doorway and stabbed Brogno in the back. Carbone, intent on the fight, had not seen the new-
comer.
With these two leads Petrosino started in search of the suspect.
Но traced him to Jersey City, to Pitts- burgh, to Milton, Del., to Nova Scotia, finally to Baltimore. The fugitive was arrested there and the detective gave him an all-night examination. As dawn appeared Ceremella cried out:
"Stop, stop! F can't stand any того. I'm willing to tell the whole story."
nesses.
He did so and made a signed con- fession. With this and the two wit- Petrosino made 1 record- breaking journey to Sing Sing and reached the prison just as they were making Carbone ready for that last journey.
The execution was halted and after a hurried hearing the Governor issu- -ed-u-reprieve-In the end-Carbone. was rightfully given a full pardon. Meanwhile 'Ceremellla was tried, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Those famillar with the facts say that it was one of the most sensa- tional incidents in the history of Sing Sing. It was made possible only determination- and by the courage,"
Petrosino wasted no time, hurried to New York. City dropped all other duties, went to the Italian quarter and practically lived there. He made resourcefulness of Joseph Petrosino. it his business to get into touch with the Calibrians. From them he got the information that there had been a long-standing feud between Natolo Brogno and a man named Allesandro Ceremella. Moreover, Ceremella had left the city the morning after Brogno was stabbed and had not been seen since.
WHOLESALE
PRICES INDEX
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF IM- PORTS AND EXPORTS REPORTS THAT ACCORDING TO AN INDEX NUMBER CONSTRUCTED AT THE STATISTICAL OFFICE WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE COLONY OF HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR 1939 SHOWED GENERAL AVERAGE DE- CREASES OF 2.0% AS COMPARED WITH 1938, AND 2.4% AS COMPAR- ED WITH 1937, AND INCREASES OF 24.2% AS COMPARED WITH 1936, AND 28.0% AS COMPARED WITH THE BASE PERIOD OF 1922. Foodstuffs in 1939 increased by 2.5% as compared with 1938; decreased by 1.0% as compared with 1987; and in- creased by 19.1% as compared with 1936; and 34.9% as compared 1922.
Textiles decreased by 8.5% as com-
him all over the body.
Inspector Russell, Omeer in charge of the case, told the Court that no report was made by defendant about
the assault.
Mr. Houston discharged the defen- dant owing to doubtful evidence.
ILLEGAL ENTRY
Washington, To-day. Officials stated yesterday that no leave could be given to members of the crew of the Nazi liner Columbus (now being detained on Angel Island, San Franciso Bay) as they had illegally entered the United States.-Reuter.
SALLY
WE FORGOT
AUNT
Saudi by Thê Bell Byndtrato, RG,
12-2
An optimist is he who thinks wrapping the packages is the last he'll hear from the family of Christmas giving.
WEATHER
REPORT
The Royal Observatory reports that the eastern portion of the anticyclone has moved into the Pacific to the east of Japan, leaving a moderate anti- cyclone over China which will pro- bably increase in intensity. A de- pression is moving north-eastward across the Loochoos.
Wong Lam-sang, 35, who snatched a handbag from Miss E. Pratt, a nurs- ing sister at Kowloon Hospital, in Peking Road yesterday, was sentenced by Mr. E. Himsworth this morning to three months hard labour and recom- mended for banishment.
Here's Luck!
EWO
BEER
KAIPING COAL
HOME,
with
by
FACTORY
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BUNKERS
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pared with 1937; and increased 6.8% as compared with 1936, and 6.2% as compared with 1922.
Metals and Minerals decreased by 1.6% as compared with 1938, and 0.8%, as compared with 1937; and in- creased by 35.3% as compared with 1936, and 45.0% as compared with
the fragrant, antiseptic, curative oint- ment which is equally good for both skin complaints and minor injuries. | 1922. Obtainable at chemists;. It is a Dr. Miscellaneous Articles decreased by Williams Medicine Company Product. 1.1% se compared with 1938, and in- Boothing-Cooling-Healing. 1997; 36.1% as compared with 1938, creased by, 1,2% compared with
and 25.9% as compared with 1922.
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