From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this story about the Sons of Italy dated January 14, 1927:
Local Italians, led by Vincinzo Procobio, president of all the lodges of West Virginia, organized a local lodge of Sons of Italy at Logan, Saturday night, January 8th. Seventy-six charter members enrolled on the night of the organization, and prospects are good for a large local lodge.
The following officers were duly elected and installed: J.C. Gates, president; Frank Vinci, vice-president; Patsy Ferzacca, treasurer; Gentile Varzza, corresponding secretary; David Ferzacca, secretary of finance; Charles Bennett, orator; Petro Defobio, Petro Toriano, Antonio Iaquinto, John Caldarazzo, Dante Belladonna, trustees.
J.C. Gates made an excellent speech in which he emphasized the importance of unity among the members of the Italian race resident in Logan county, for the purpose of fostering a brotherhood among Italian people. Mr. Gates has the distinction of being instrumental in bringing the organizers to this county. He also eulogized the newly elected officers, and spoke of the well known the objects of the order of Sons of the other officers of the lodge, for their qualifications and special fitness for the offices to which they were elected.
The objects and purposes of the lodge of the Sons of Italy are as follows: To become a volunteer, secret, beneficiary organization, operating by the lodge system, with a representative form of government to perpetuate the objects of the order of Sons of Italy of America as shown by the constitution and laws of the order; To unite fraternally all persons of Italian birth or blood who are of good moral character and sound bodily health, and between such ages as may from time to time be designated; To give all possible moral and material aid to its members and those dependent upon them; To provide relief in event of sickness or distress among its members; To promote the moral, material, and intellectual betterment of its members; and To respect without distinction, whatsoever religious, philosophic, or political beliefs its members may respectfully entertain; To encourage and assist its members in obtaining American citizenship.
Patsy Veltri is the grand deputy of the lodge. He also took a very active part in organizing the local lodge. The local lodge is named for a famous Italian–Caio Duilio–and will be called the Caio Duilio Lodge of Logan.
The headquarters of this order is at Fairmont, West Virginia, and the Supreme Office is in New York City.
Albert Ferolio, local merchant, asked today what he thought of the prospects of the local lodge, was very enthusiastic in speaking of the plans for it. Mr. Ferolio says the Italians intend to organize all of their people, and that it will bring his people closer together in a social way. It will be a material help to them in learning the English language and in the work of preparing them for citizenship. Alex Defobio is also enthusiastic in his support of the enterprise.
Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 14 January 1927.