"Wop" in 1908?

[Douglas G. Wilson]

Probably related to "Wop" and/or to its etymon:

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_The Evening World_ (New York NY), 9 May 1907: p. 3:

<<Maybe Roberto Fiaza Nobi thought that he could impress the Magistrate
in Ewen Street Police Court by claiming to be a count. Nevertheless he
was charged with following and annoying a young girl on the street, and
his name might as well have been Tony Woppo for all the good his title
did him.>>

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_The Sun_ (New York NY), 28 Aug. 1906: p. 5:

<<[title] SNITCHER IN THE WAPPO GANG / .... / If Blinky Loretto, leader
of the Wappo gang, down on Cherry Hill, had only been wise to the
snitcher he wouldn't be doing his latest "bit" in the Catholic
Protectory. .... / .... When Dago Pete Bascino was admitted to
membership in the gang early in the summer nobody had the faintest idea
that he would ever squeal on the mob. Although Blinky is only 10 years
old, ....>>

[some miscellanous slang in this item, including "spiel off yer best
Ginnie" which I suppose means "speak your best Italian" (when selling
stolen books to Italian-speaking locals)]

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-- Doug Wilson

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