Mill Tragedy Fallout - Lawsuits and Prosecution

September 13, 1908 - Lawsuit filed by Dominic Imprescia
(Fitchburg Sentinel 14 Sep 1908)

I had a misconception when I was writing the blog post of Concetta Imprescia' death in woolen mill, I assumed in the "old days" this type of event happened and it was chalked up as the dangers of time and there were few repercussions.  In other words, the world was unsafe and workers were not protected, but I was wrong.

In 1908 there were child labor laws in Massachusetts that were more progressive than other states.  Employers were required to have on file a certificate of age and schooling for each child under 16, verifying they met the legal requirements for employment, in other words, a work permit when you are under age (like today).  So within 17 days of Concetta's death the lawsuits began.

 

September 14th - Lawsuit for $10,000 filed by Concetta's father Dominic Imprescia 17 days after her funeral.  The lawsuit was seeking $5,000 for her injuries and another $5,000 for her death. 

September 15th - The Commonwealth of Massachusetts summoned the superintendent of Star Worsted Wool to answer questions on the employment of Concetta and if proper paperwork procedures were followed.  The superintendent testified Concetta told him she was 18 years old when she started working on June 7th, 1908, roughly 2 months before her death on August 25th.

Fitchburg Sentinel September 15, 1908

 

September 16th - Due to the confusion around the actual age of Concetta, authorities sent to Italy for actual birth records.

Fitchburg Sentinel September 16th, 1908

September 30th - The trial of the Superintendent of Star Worsted Wool was concluded with a guilty verdict.  The case was placed on file, which indicates no jail time was imposed.  The case was based on a missing permit for Concetta's employment and the confusion on her actual age and date of birth.

Fitchburg Sentinel September 30th, 1908

 When she applied for school in 1907, the school administrators had difficulty getting information from the parents who had limited english skills.  The young Concetta acted as the translator between the school and her parents and at that time the school recorded her birthday as January 13, 1894.  The prosecutors did not receive a response from her hometown (Pietraperzia) in Italy on their request for her actual birth certificate by the September 29th court date, so it was still unclear if she was under 16.  Even her parents did not know the correct age for Concetta when asked by the Mill representatives days after the incident.  Her mother Anna said she was 15, her father Dominic said she was 16, but remember from prior post - they may have had 17 children so remembering everyones birthday would be a challenge! 

From my research I have her birth certificate that has her actual date of birth which was March 25, 1894.  Using that date and according to the school, she last attended class on June 7th to work,  she would have been 14 years and 3 months old - well under 16 years old.  But she could have worked legally at that age if she had a proper work permit from the school.  

The labor safety inspector for the Commonwealth did not agree with the judges ruling (basically no sentencing and a slap on the wrist) but he did agree that the Mill had a clean record before this incident and the superintendent of the mill had no previous complaints against him in the 25 years of his career.  So the guilty plea was placed on file and with no further action or penalty.

November 3 - Lawsuit settled

Fitchburg Sentinel November 3, 1908

On the positive side, the civil lawsuit against the Star Worsted Company was settled.  The original suit was for $10,000 for injuries and death.  Unfortunately the newspaper microfilm is a terrible copy and I cannot read the details of the judgement.  But I can assume the award was somewhere between $5,000 to the maximum of $10,000 originally requested in the lawsuit.

According to a calculator I found on the internet, $1,000 in 1908 would be worth over $34,000 in today’s dollars, so they could have received $170,000 - $300,000 in 2024 dollars . So it is good to know the Imprescias' did get something from the mill that took the life of one of their last three living children.  

Flossenburg Prisoner #5010

My Great Grandmother Filippa (Siciliano) Imprescia was the oldest of Salvatore and Palma (LoMaglio) seven children. Her youngest sister, Concetta, was 18 years younger than Filippa and only 1 year old when her sister left for America in 1908.  Concetta stayed in Italy, married Liborio Meglio and had two daughters, Maria in 1937 and Palma in 1940. This is about the time when the world changed for Concetta, Liborio, and their two small children. Italy entered World War II on June 10, 1940, on the side of Germany, forming the Axis Powers along with Japan. Italy’s involvement required mandatory military service, placing 28-year-old Liborio into the war against the Allies including the United States.

Concetta (Siciliano) and Liborio Meglio

During this complicated time in Italy’s history, several pivotal events unfolded. The fall of Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime occurred in July 1943.  Subsequently, Italy switched sides in the war, aligning with the Allies after an armistice that was signed on September 8, 1943. Between 1943 and 1945, Italy became a battleground for fierce fighting between the retreating German forces and advancing Allied troops.

After Italy switched sides, Liborio, like many Italian soldiers, faced tremendous uncertainty.  It was unclear what their orders were from commanding officers and military leaders, which led to chaos.  Some soldiers deserted while others joined Germany or began fighting alongside the Allies.  From this point the family heard nothing from Liborio and he never returned home after the war ended with no explanation from the military about his death.  Concetta’s older brother Giuseppe Siciliano and his wife Felicia Meglio who also was Liborio’s older sister stepped up to help the young widow care for her two daughters.

Giuseppe Siciliano and his wife Felicia Meglio
with their nieces Maria and Palma

For decades the whereabouts of Liborio's remains were unknown, what battlefield location did he lose his life, when did he die and did anyone witness the story behind his last moments.  After the war Liborio’s family reached out to several veteran’s associations to find out what happened to him - no one had any answers.

This mystery continued for over 70 years until Liborio’s grandson Rocco Piccicuto, son of Maria (Meglio) and Filippo Piccicuto went on an internet search to find what happened to his grandfather - I am not sure he was prepared for the answers.

Rocco Piccicuto

In 1943 after the armistice Germany took a proactive approach to disarm the Italian soldiers in Operation Achse.  One of those soldiers captured by the Germans was Liborio who was then labeled an “Internati Militari Italiani” or Italian Military Internees which differs from a Prisoner of War who are granted protections and rights under the Geneva convention, instead they were considered traitors.  On October 11th, 1943 Liborio was placed on a train and shipped to a concentration camp in Nazi Germany.  He was sent to one of the most brutal work camps in Germany, Flossenburg.

Flossenburg Nazi Concentration Camp

There were two industries supported by the Flossenburg camp, the first was a granite mine and later it was to build components for Messerschmitt war planes for the Luftwaffe. The cold Bavarian mountain climate and inadequate food and clothing as well as relentless work conditions led to over 30,000 deaths before the camp was liberated by the US Army in April 1945.  Liborio death at the camp was documented as May 4, 1944, which was roughly 8 months after his capture.  

Ledger from Nazi Concentration Camp Flossenburg
#5010 list Meglio, Liborio.  This cross symbol notes death and date 4-5-44 (May 4th, 1944)

His grandson Rocco discovered the documentation through various online groups that assist to identify missing Italian soldiers.  He scheduled a trip to visit Flossenburg Camp in Bavaria Germany and to witness the site of the mass grave where his grandfather was most likley buried.  When Rocco returned to Italy he applied to the Italian Government for a medal to honor for fallen soldiers in honor of his grandfather.  Finally in 2017, based on Rocco's efforts, Liborio Meglio's daughters and grandchildren attended a ceremony to receive an Italian Military Medal of Honor for his service to Italy after 73 years.

I have been corresponding with Rocco since the early 2000's so when my daughter Sophia was studying abroad in Florence we planned a visit that included a stop to visit Rocco in Torino.  This was the absolute highlight of our trip to see Rocco, his wife Angela and his parents Maria and Filippo as well as his sister Cinzia and her children.

Dinner with Rocco and family

My wife and I with Maria (Meglio) and Filippo Piccicuto
November 2016, Torino Italy

When did the Imprescia's (and other family members) Immigrate?

The Impresica-Costa Family History document attempted to list out the immigration history of the Imprescia's and Costa's from Pietraperzia to Massachusetts.  Using documents available from passenger lists to Boston and New York I wanted to try to put together a timeline for arrivals in USA for our family.  From the "Family History" the timeline looked like this:

Filippo and Filippa (Siciliano) Imprescia left for America a short time after their wedding in Italy in 1908.  Salvatore and Vincenzo (Imprescia) Costa left for America in 1905 with their son Anthony.

What I have found:

1893

Although not an Imprescia, Giuseppe Carbone, age 44, father of Luigi Carbone (future husband of Anna Imprescia) left Lapio Italy on SS Weser which arrived in New York on 15 May 1893.  He was traveling with his brother-in-law Vito Costanza (married to his sister Maria Rosa Carbone).  Their final destination was Massachusetts.  Neither Giuseppe or Vito stayed in the United States and lived the remainder of their lives in Italy.  Giuseppe’s brother Antonio had immigrated as early as 1883 and is one of the earliest Italians to settle in Fitchburg.

1903

The first Imprescia arrival that I could track was Filippo Imprescia in 1903.  I cannot find the passenger list from 1903 with his name on it.  This was from his 2nd arrival in 1908, it lists whether passenger has ever been in United States before, he answered yes in 1903 in Boston.

    

1905

I could not find Salvatore Costa in passenger list but I could find Maria Vincenzo and Antonio (who was under 1 year old at the time) listed on the registry of the SS Romanic that travelled from Naples to Boston in 1905. 

So I assume Salvatore arrived sometime before or was on the passenger list and I could not locate him.  

Dominic Imprescia also travelled alone to the United States in 1905, leaving his wife Anna and daughter Concetta in Italy.  He departed Naples on April 26, 1905 and arrived in Boston May 8th, 1905 on the SS Canopic, it is listed on registry that he was joining his son Fillippo at the address 3 North Sq., Boston. It also noted that his son paid for his passage and he arrived with $2.00 in his pocket.

1906

One year and five months after Dominic Imprescia arrived in the United States, his wife Anna Viola and daughter Concetta boarded the SS Canopic on October 7th, 1906 and arrived in Boston on November 12th.

Anna Viola's passport from her
immigration on 7 October 1905

  

Concetta listed as daughter accompanying Anna on passport 

1907

Maurice Montesion, my wife's grandfather, came to New York from Lacedonia, Avellino when he was 18 aboard the Regina D'Italia.   He was listed as a shoemaker with $12 in his pocket. His final destination was with his uncle Michele Cardellicchio at 201 Water St. Boston.  His uncle had arrived earlier in 1905.

1908

Some time in before 1908, Filippo went back to Italy to get married.  On 23 January 1908 Filippo married Filippa Siciliano in Pietraperzia. Sixteen days after their wedding the couple then departed Italy on 8 February 1908 to New York on the SS Roma and arrived on 24 March 1908.

Filippo "Phillip" passport from 1908

Filippa Siciliano accompanying Filippo in 1908

1912

Salvatore Siciliano (age 53), Filippa (Siciliano) Imprescia's father came to the United States with two of his sons Alisandro (age 19) and Giuseppe (age 16). The trip was paid by Filippo on the SS Canopic and it arrived 12 September 1912  in Boston. Salvatore and Giuseppe did not stay in the United States, but Alisandro did stay and in 1922 married Mary Cali and had six children: Samuel, Pamela, Jane, Leon and Joseph.

1913

Luigi Carbone, future husband of Anna (Imprescia) Carbone, came to the United States when he was 14 years old.  His father Giuseppe had already died in Italy in 1903.  He came with his mother Maria Gaetana Iovine (age 50) and two sisters Giovanna (age 25) and Carmella (age 22).  They were coming to stay with Giuseppe (Joseph) Carbone, Maria Gaetana's older son who immigrated some time around 1908 and lived on 22 Middle St, Fitchburg.

Giovanna married Michael Champa and Carmella married Vito Colello and both lived in Fitchburg.

The immigration from Italy was a family affair, as they earned money working in the United States they would send money back to pay for passage of relatives who would then live with them when they arrived until they could find jobs and get their own apartments and homes.

The Mystery Envelope

 

The Mystery Envelope

So many questions!  I found this envelope in a box of family stuff I received, I looked at the pin that was inside and was about to put away in the box.  A Sons Of Italy pin is nice, I guess, but not a real important family heirloom.

"Sons of Italy Medal"

Upon closer look, nothing said "Sons of Italy", the bust on the front was the King Victor Emmanuel III and the rear had 1900-1901 CINA.  So the year matched the envelope, but what was CINA.  I google translated and was confused to learn that translates to "China".

                         

Back to Google Image search and it found the medal.  It is a very rare Commemorative Metal Of the Campaign In China, also known as The Boxer Rebellion.

So this is not a metal available to anyone, like something you would have purchased, this is only awarded to Italian military participants of the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900-1901.  So we have an ancestor that went to China in the Italian military to join the Eight-Nation Alliance to put down the Rebellion.  My grandmother - or really any relatives never mentioned an ancestor with a military background.  So who was it?

The envelope says Grandpa Imprescia - so that depends who wrote on the envelope, but there are really two choices: Dominic Imprescia (b:1849) or his son Filippo (b: 1880).  In 1900, Dominic would be 51 years old and Filippo would be 20 years old.  So it makes sense this metal belongs to Filippo since he was military age and Italy did have required military service.

Filippo Imprescia and Maria Filippa Siciliano
Wedding photo from 23 Jan 1908

So looking up history - this means my great grandfather Philip (Filippo) when he was was 20 was a member of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in China a small group of 2,500 soldiers that volunteered for service with the promise of extra pay. Departing from Naples in 19 July 1900 and arrived in China on 29 August 1900. 

It is hard to guess what Filippo’s role would have been.  Did he remain on the Naval Ships or did he venture into China mainland and see combat?  It is amazing that this was never a family story. 

But - there is a family story in an earlier blog post that he wanted a career as a “Polizia Stradale”.  So there is a slight factual errors since that term is related to "traffic police" - that was created during the era of automobiles.  So a “Polizia di Stato” or "State Police" makes more sense, and what if Filippo was in the military and went to China and upon return wanted to become a Polizia di Stato or Carabinieri and his parents did not want him to continue this profession - it may explain the story about his desire to be a police officer, with a twist. 

So the mystery envelope contained an amazing unknown family story - no offense to the Sons of Italy and their metals.

The Five Connies

 Concetta Vinci (b:1817) my 3rd Great-Grandmother and was the mother of Dominic Imprescia (b:1849), so naturally when Dominic had his first born daughter, he honored his mother and named her Concetta (b: 1877).  Unfortunately,  Concetta died 11 months later in 1878.

As I detailed in an earlier post on Dominic and Anna Impresica and their 17 Children, Dominic and Anna had another daughter named Concetta (b:1889) that died 2 years later and a third daughter named Concetta (b: 1894) that tragically died in a factory accident at age 15.  So ALL three of Dominic and Anna's children that were named Concetta never made it to adulthood.

Anna (Viola) Imprescia and her daughter Concetta (circa 1908)

Dominic and Anna's son Filippo ("Phillip") (b:1880) also carried on the tradition with his first born child who was born 10 Sept 1909, almost a year to the day of Filippo's sister Concetta death (26 Aug 1908).  

Concetta Imprescia, first daughter of Filippo and Filippa (Siciliano) Imprescia (1909-1916)

Unfortunately, tragedy struck AGAIN in the Impresica family with the death of Concetta in 1916 at the age of 6 years old due to "valvular disease of the heart" according to her death certificate.  

My grandmother Anna (Imprescia) Carbone described it to me a little differently.  According to her, one day her big sister Concetta was crossing the street in "The Patch" (which was the nickname for the neighborhood where they lived in Fitchburg) and was almost hit by a motorcycle.  From that point on she aquired a "weak heart" and became sickly because she was so frightened by the near miss of the motorcycle it damaged her heart.  I guess the shock or surprise of the near death experience could have help identify there was a heart issue and I am sure there was no medical solution available in 1916.

Filippo and Filippa went on to have seven more children:

Anna (1911-2015) 

Palma (1913-2012)

Josephine (1914-2002)

Dominic (1918-2011)

Eleanor (1920-1921)

Samuel (1925-2022)

and lastly another daughter Concetta in 1926 who was the baby of the family.  This Concetta, or Connie lived a long life passing away at the age of 95 in 2022.

Connie (Imprescia) Piccolomini (1926-2022)

So it took almost 50 years from the first Concetta Imprescia to the last Connie (Imprescia) Piccolomini to break the bad luck of the Five Connies in the Imprescia family.

***Footnote:  Salvatore and Maria Vincenzo (Imprescia) Costa also had a daughter Connie (Costa) Consolo (1913 - 2002) who lived to 89 years old. So she would be the first to break the bad luck of the Imprescia’s - but she was born a Costa ❤

The Legend of Dominic and Anna Impresica and their 17 Children

 

Dominic and Anna in front of their home on
31 Second St., Fitchburg, Massachusetts circa 1940

In my first posted document The Impresica-Costa Family History I found some interesting facts that I wanted to research and confirm.  The first of these is the family lore that Dominic and Anna had seventeen children and of these only 2 survived to adulthood.  

So let's start with the known facts.  Dominic (born: 2 Apr 1849) and Anna (born: 27 Feb 1859) were both from Pietraperzia which is a small town in central Sicily.  They were married on 27 May 1876 when Dominic was 27 and Anna was only 17.  So using records I could find on Ancestors Portal I found the following birth/death records for Dominic and Anna's children:

Dominic Age	Anna Age	Count	Child	Birth	Death	Age at death (years)	Age at death (month)
28	18	1	Concetta	9/2/1877	8/17/1878	0	11
31	21	2	Filippo	2/13/1880	4/14/1966	86	2
34	24	3	Maria Vincenzo	6/21/1883	11/24/1974	91	5
36	26	4	Giuseppa	10/30/1885	7/9/1887	1	8
39	29	5	Giuseppe	1/29/1888	2/5/1888	0	0
40	30	6	Concetta	4/7/1889	11/15/1891	2	7
42	32	7	Giuseppe	9/13/1891	8/22/1892	0	11
45	35	8	Concetta	3/21/1894	8/24/1908	14	5
47	37	9	Santo	11/3/1896	12/1/1896	0	0
47	37	10	Maria Carmela	11/3/1896	12/1/1896	0	0
50	40	11	Giuseppe	5/21/1899	7/16/1901	2	1

I could confirm 11 children were recorded in Pietraperzia town records.  Of these only 2 lived to adulthood (Filippo and Maria Vincenzo).  Does this mean the history is exaggerated?  I am not 100% convinced.

Where are the "other" 6 children?  There is a 30 year span from 1876 - 1906 when Dominic and Anna lived in Italy, so it is possible to have 17 pregnancies during that span.  In fact, children #9 and #10 are twins, so if Anna had another set of twins it is very possible.  I also do not know if the children died in childbirth if they would have recorded the birth with town hall.  All of the children found, the youngest was 7 days old before he died, so there was ample time to record the birth with the town.  Also there are gaps in the records available in Italy, 1893 is missing records as well as records after 1902.  So I cannot prove it - but it is very possible they could have had 17 children.

It is also interesting how they renamed children after other children that died.  So they had 3 Concetta's, 3 Giuseppe's, 2 Maria's, 1 Giuseppa, 1 Santo, and 1 Filippo.

In any case - this must have been extremely difficult to have lost so many children, most of them under 2 years old.  And when Anna came to America in 1906, she was accompanied by her 12 year old daughter Concetta which led to yet another family tragedy - but that will be told in another post.