New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-18
UNSUCCESSFUL BLACKMAILERS.
TRYING TO GET MONEY FROM AN ITALIAN

TRYING TO GET MONEY FROM AN ITALIAN
A THREATENING ANONYMOUS LETTER OF WHICH
THE POLICE WERE INFORMED-TwO MEN AR
RESTED BY INSPECTOR BYkNEss DETECTIVES
lgnatiuS Is. Mcrcadaute, wealthy Italian I'M
porter of foreign fruits at No. 126 Pearl-st, who
lives at No. 415 East One-hundred-
twentieIh-st., went To Police Headquarters
Byrnes that he had received a threatening
letter from unknown persons who were trying 10
blackinail him. He showed the letter which had
been mailed on Thursday at uptown box, and
which was III the Italian language The following
translation was made by Detectlye-Sergeant les
signor Mcrcadante:
Inc critical position in which certain individuals find
themselves present prompts the belief that you might
help them out by giving the without asking questions
the OF $500 considering that YOU Mr.. Mercadante
probably care good deal for your life and your posi-
ton. We will send you q man with signal which you
Will understand lie Will come to YOU In the street,
moment when you xpect hin, Will ask YOU for
money You will have in your pocket in 50 bills
cartridge We hope that Will not refuse this
quest and will not attempt 10 put any trouble In our
way, because at the slightest intimaOn of treachery
we will put dagger III your heart
Mr.. Mercadante said nc had no knowledge of a
conspiracy against him, except the letter. The In
specor detailed Detective Sergeant TessarO to fol-
low Mr.. Mercadante about and to arrest any person
who should attempt 10 extort money from HIM IN
the manner indicated IN the letter. 1essaro is a
large and powerful man who has made himself USE
full in the detective office on account of
his knowledge T Of the Italian ALLAN language
attempt to approach Mr. Mercadinte while Tessaro
was IN sight, but AZ ; a. In yesterday of them
rung the bell at No. 415 East One hundred-and-
twentieth-st. lie was a short muscular Italian OF
thirty, who had the look of a bngand. Another
Italian younger but equally vicious IN appearance,
kept watch from the opposite side of the street. Mr.
MercadAnte opened the door of his house and was
recognized instantly by his visitor who handed TO
HIM envelope without saying word. The en-
velODe contained large pistol cartridge and note
which read as follows:
SignOT Mercdd0nte:
You will give to the bearer the amount know Of.
Otherwise, you are aware, harm Will come you.
The writing was Italian, with red ink, OH green
tinted paper Mr. Mercadante put the note anu the
cartridge INTO his pocket, ana said q" accept the
token but have not The money here. Come TO my
office at l o'clock this Afternoon" The visitors
face showed that he was not pleased, but he
answered, " All right" and then went away.
Dir. Mercadante went 10 Police Headquarters and
told Sergeant Bird what had happened. Tessaro
Was sent with the importer 10 the Pearl st. Office
and about noon Detective-Sergeant Kush wa, seut
to watch the street III front of tue office. Promptly
at y. hi. the Italian who had gwen Mr. Merca-
dante the plstO -carjTdge presented himself the
Once ANA asked to see the importer, who did not
desire TO lace the man "A second time. Icssaro
asked the visitor what he wanted to sees Mr.. Mer-
cadante Tor. and tine man replied that he waa look
ing for work. Ihe officer then arrested him and
was surprised when he searched him that
no dagger was concealed III his
clothing. The prisoner gave his name
as GaetanO Kuggero, and said he was a fruit-pedler
at No hottest. In the street Kush had seen the
prisoner talking with Ii man who appeared 10 be "A
confederate, and who remained leaning against a
column of the elevated railroad on the watch
whlle Ruggcro went into the Office. kush
arrested the man, who SAID that he was
Gaetano d Lorenzo labOrer living In Carlisle t.
both prisoners are natives of Palermo Sicily. They
Denied yesterday that they knew each other that
they were engaged III any attempt at Dlackmail.
They were locked up at Police Headquarters after
they had been taken to the IOmDs Police Court and
remanded until to-day. The police think that the
prisoners are not the only persons engaged in the
consnirs'ian ia'-S sxDect to make other arrests