New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-30
MALTA USES DYNAMITE.
NEARLY WRECKS HOUSE.
Threat Of Vengeance Made in Letters
Demanding $500.

After Antonio Bartolotta we'll to do italian
grocer and importer Of macaroni. Of Fourth-ave
and Twent y-irst-st. Brooklyn. had received three
letters demanding 500 and threatening destruction
unless he gave up the money an attempt was
made 10 blow up with dynamite the house in
which he lived. at No. SO Fourth-ave.. early yes
terday. The explosive. which was placed in a pas
sageway between that house and the one adjoining
No 67 Fourth-ave.. tore away the rear part OF
the FIRST floor OF the building. which is a story
frame structure broke all the glass and crockery
in the house and shattered the glass in the house
adjoining.
The only person injured the wife % Andrew
Dihore, who lived on the ground floor. with their
two children. She hit IN the eye with por
ton OF a rocking chair that torn pieces.
Last night the police ot the FIrth-ave. station
arrested "on suspicion Salvatore Zaccone. thirty
five years old OF Thirty siXth-st. Third-ave.
On the hottar appears the statement that II IS
understood that he had communicated with Bar
tolotta in reference to settling case for 500"
Zaccone denies that he communicated with Bar
tolotta. and says he knows nothing about tho
tempt blow UP the house. The grocer refuses 10
accuse anybody. being much frightened. and the
police finding it difficult TO work the case
on account Of their lack Of information.
Bartolotta slept IN the rear room on tho second
floor OF No. SO Fourth-ave In adjoining room
slept his mother. Mrs. Mary Bartolotta. The front
rented 10 Natou ia Angelo q carpenter.
The entire ground floor occupied by the D!hori
family. Both this house and the across the
siderable property. The ground hocr OF this latter
house he occupied with his grocery store Tbs
second floor is occupied by three families.
All Of these PERSONS ana the neighbors for a
block more around were awakened yesterday
morning at o'clock by u loud report. Bartolotta
and his mother ana tenants I'm the two houses
found themselves thrown out OF bed and covered
with broken glass. The side wall OF Bartolotta's
out. AS s. he had recovered
A squad Of policemen was sent to the OF the
explosion in q patrol wagon. In the street. near
the corner OF Fourth-ave. and Twenty nrst-st.,
one OF the policemen saw dark object which, on
investigation. proved to Ne a stick Of dynamite
II Is now In the station house. reposing In a pail
OF water.
Everybody IN the neighborhood Of the explosion
was up. and most Of the Italians fright
ened they could scarcely speak. The police got no
Information Of value. Nobody could be found who
had seen anybody lurking IN the neighborhood
running
on close questioning Bartootta said that he had
received three letters. all OF which demanded $500
and the two latter threatened dire calamity unless
the money paid. The grocer said that each
letter had been brought to him by a messenger and
none bore any signature. Rartolotta did not seem
TO be able to give the police any adequate descrp-
on April Is and is and Nay 6. Bartolotta said he
had paid no attention to the letters and had men,
toned the fact OF their receipt to one.
To the reporters Bartolotta said: Il dc not know
who wrote these letters to me | am not n rich
man. ] have never had any trouble with any ItaI-
ian organization. am not member OF the Malta
and don't know anything about the Black Hand
Society don't know why any man should de
mand any money Of me-
There nothing to show how the dynamite
was exploded under Bartolotta's window, but II is
thought a cap and time fuse used.