Subsequently, Elia was deported. Before leaving the country he set down his own version of the events at Park Row in an affidavit for one of the Sacco-Vanzetti defense lawyers. On March 8, he related, while being taken to an interrogation room, he had passed another room where he had seen Salsedo surrounded by four agents in their shirtsleeves. Then, while he himself was being interrogated, he had heard Salsedo scream. The next morning he had been taken to Director Flynn’s office.
I was alone in the outer room [Elia deposed] until Salsedo came in with Mr. Donato. Salsedo’s face and forehead were bruised from the beating he had received. He had red spots and scratches on his cheeks and temples and his eyes were vacant. He was depressed. I never saw him normal during all the times after that we were together.
In Mr. Flynn’s waiting room Salsedo told me about his interrogation the night before. They showed him a bloody sandal and said “You see this blood? This is the blood of the man who was blown up. Tell me whose blood that is.” He would say that he did not know, and they would swear at him and strike him in the face or body with the heel of the sandal. They did this over and over again.
Mr. Donato told me that we were charged with murder in the first degree. Salsedo said “I do not want to die. We have done nothing, but we are in a trap. What are we to do? I will admit that I printed PLAIN WORDS, because I cannot stand any more, and maybe I will help myself.”...
On the next day we were questioned by Mr. Flynn. Salsedo said that he had printed the leaflet in May 1919; that I had nothing to do with it; that it had been ordered by one Recchi. I stated that I had seen Salsedo printing it, but had nothing to do with it....
After that we were not formally questioned any more and we were very well treated. A room was fitted up for us with two beds. We had good meals; we were taken out for walks; once we were taken to the movies. When any one asked me if I was content or if I was willing to stay at the Department of Justice I always said “Yes,” because I did not want to go to prison and I thought that all depended upon the good will of the agents....
Mr. Donato came to see us frequently. So did Salsedo’s wife, who sought to tranquillize him. But Salsedo was always despondent and in fear. He would say, “We who are innocent, are in jail. Maybe those who are guilty are out there in freedom.” I would tell him that we would be free, but he did not believe it. He would lie groaning and lamenting all the night. He complained continually of pains in his stomach and head. He was always nervous. He refused absolutely to eat. He showed clear signs of an unbalancing mind....
On the evening of Sunday, May 2nd, Salsedo walked a little with me in the corridor as was our custom. He went to bed about nine o’clock. Then I sat with the Department of Justice agents who were smoking and telling stories. About eleven o’clock I came into our room with Palmera the interpreter. Salsedo begged me to turn off the light; he said “I have a terrible headache. That cigarette you gave me hurt me.”
I went to bed. For a long time I heard Salsedo groaning and lamenting. Then I fell asleep. I know nothing more until I was awakened by the watchman who came to call us every morning between five and six o’clock so that we should be up before the cleaning women came to the offices. I said “Is it not early?” He answered, “Your comrade is dead. He has jumped from the window.”
To the anarchist groups of New York, New Jersey, and New England the detention of Elia and Salsedo was ominous. Tresca, who had succeeded the deported Galleani as leader, consulted with Donato, but was unable to see the men. He suspected the lawyer of back-hand dealings with the Department of Justice.