A society for mutual aid among the Italians of Follansbee was organized and named the “Tripoli Italian.” It is believed that the individuals behind this movement were actually founding the Follansbee Giuseppe Garibaldi Society.  A number of important leaders of the Italian community were present.  The officers were elected including: (President) Joe Zago, (Vice President) Sebastiano DeSantis, (Treasurer) Liberatore Ciccolella, (Secretary) Joe Bonitatibus, and (Auditors) Antonio Ciccolella, Lorenze Dalessio, and Antonio Cocco.  Rev. A. Cremonesi, of the Italian Presbyterian Mission, was elected as Honorary President.   Joe Zago, who was selected to serve as president, was a prominent Follansbee businessman and general contractor.

• Mill Towns Review, “Italian Aid Society,” September 19, 1913, front page.