Sicilian Immigration to Louisiana – 1891 Massacre and Lynching of Italians

Marker Text: Sicilian Immigration to Louisiana. From the 1870s till 1920, approximately 3,000 Sicilians per year immigrated to America via New Orleans. They worked on plantations, railroads, and docks; soon becoming entrepreneurs in importing. shipping. farming, and retail. A New Orleanian of Sicilian descent, Joseph P. Macheca, ran a shipping company and owned premium dock space in New Orleans. In the 1880s, the port was rapidly expanding. Other business executives wanted Macheca’s dock space contract with the City of New Orleans.

1891 Massacre and Lynching of Italians. Police Chief Hennessy was assassinated on October 14, 1890. Despite the many people of interest, the City council awarded the Committee of Fifty $15,000 to push for conviction of Italians including Macheca. Eleven men were tried and none found guilty. The next day the Committee of Fifty organized a mob of 5,000 to break into the prison. Eight Italians were massacred and three were lynched. In 1892, President Harrison expanded Columbus Day to inspire Americans to accept Italian Immigrants.