As the Sicilian population grew in New Orleans, iconic social clubs and benevolent organizations sprung up. The oldest group began before the Civil War, but more formed with the wave of Sicilian immigrants during the last part of the 19th century. These organizations were often linked to a specific region in Italy to preserve customs among members and helped provide a support network for new arrivals. Many Italians settled in run-down apartments in the lower French Quarter, which came to be known as “Little Palermo.” The Sicilians, like other poor immigrants, were met with discrimination and suspicion from locals. Tension particularly existed between them and the Irish, who immigrated decades earlier and were more established. In 1890, many New Orleanians blamed the murder of Police Chief David Hennessey on Italian immigrants, and more than 100 men were arrested in a sweep, but most were soon released. After a trial of several suspects led to acquittals, a mob stormed the jail and murdered 11 Italians. The largest mass lynching in U.S. history made news worldwide, and pressure from Italy led the United States to pay reparations to the families of the murdered.