Louis Dondino. Case No. 6614. Interview with Louis Dondino, February 25, 1922.
Type of event: Incarcerations
Location: Stillwater; Washington County; Minnesota; United States
Document date:
Document type: Gov't Record(s)
Document subtype: Interview
Documents: Louis Dondino. Case No. 6614. Interview with Louis Dondino, February 25, 1922.
Citation:
Minnesota State Prison (Stillwater, Minn.) [Stillwater State Prison].
Louis Dondino: Case No. 6614.
Case Files. 1921-1923.
Interview with Louis Dondino, February 25, 1922.
Image text
State Agent’s interview with Louis Dondino-6614 2-25-22
40 years old, a widower, has one child, a boy, 14 years old living with
his parents at Bennett, Wis. Has four brothers, two living at Bennett and one in
Detroit, Mich and the other in California. Says he had a good home on a farm
with his people, stayed there until about 15 since which time he has worked for
others. For some years has worked as a transfer or drayman in Duluth and when
this affair occurred he owned and was operating a truck in Duluth.
The
crime charged in this case was riot and was in connection with the lynching of 3
colored men in Duluth and of it says he was living in West Duluth and on the
evening in question had heard something of this trouble and started from West
Duluth to the city with his truck, 6 or 8 others riding with him. Says these
other fellows got quite noisy but as they passed different policemen on the
street they made no effort to stop them and even when he got as far as
2nd Ave W & Superior he stopped and talked with a police officer
but the officer made no effort and did not suggest that they keep away from the
mob which had gathered in the vicinity of the police station. When they arrived
he says the crowd was so large he could hardly get thru but drove by the station
several times. Finally parked his car between Michigan and Superior streets and
went on to Superior street on which the police station is located. There met a
friend and they went to the theater. This was about 8:30. Came out once, went
back and was there until 10:45. When they again came out the crowd was still
gathered about and it was difficult to get thru. His friend went home and went
down on Michigan street watched the crowd, got as far as the jail door and
seeing water on the floor turned and came ut (sic) and at that time the crowd
was very noisy and moving toward Superior St. Claims he followed but got no
nearer the men that were hanged than half a block. The hanging was on
2nd Ave E and 4th street. Claims he got only to the alley
between these streets. Afterwards walked down the hill with a police officer to
his truck, started it and went home. Says there was no premeditation or thought
on his part of stirring up any trouble, that he simply allowed himself to be
yielded under this excitement. The police attempted to use fire hose on the
crowd but this was forcibly taken from them and turned on the officers
themselves. It was claimed at the trial that he helped to do this but says he
was still in the show house when this occurred. He had just gotten well started
in business and was in a fair way to make money, was living with his boy and
they had comfortable rooms. Says he still owns the truck and that the Union
Match Co. with whom he had a contract to do their hauling are still holding
their contract open for him. When released wants and expects to return to Duluth
where he will again start in where he left off.
This fellow is well
spoken of and evidently a man of good habits and stood well in the community
where he is known. When released I would expect him to do well.
F. A.
Whittier
State Parole Agent.
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