Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-24
FIFTY BLACK HAND" GANGS
WELL-NIGH IMPOSSIBLE TO ES-
CAPE THEIR VENGEANCE.
Joseph Rizzo, Testifying Againt
Thirteen Prisoners at Wilkesbarre,
Tells of Power of Organization.

WILKESBARRE. Pa. April 24.-More
than fifty branches of the Malta" AMI
BLACK Hand societies exist in this coun-
try. each of them ready to execute ven
geance upon any man who escapes from
one which threatens him, according to the
evidence of Joseph Rizzo. one of the three
informers against the thirteen men &C
cused of being leaders of the "Black
Hand" and 'Mafia" societies and now on
trial here on several charges.
on the witness stand yesterday Rizzo
was telling the story of how he had been
prosecuted his life threatened and his
money taken by the society when the
startling announcement of the wide infu-
euce of the society was made. H. said
that when he was planning to flee from
his home at Browntown, in an effort to
save his money and escape the venge Ince
OF the society. a member told him that ii
would be useless. He said. declared Rizzo.
that wherever he went the society would
b. able to find him.
Defed the Society.
Baked in this manner. Rizzo testified as
To how he and his brothers. Salvatore and
Charles had finally determined to defy
the society, re to any longer pay
tribute and to defend them selves best
they could.
Before this time he had been taken to
several meetings of members OF the So
cicty. and he pointed out among the de-
PENDANTS the men who had been pr>->..'; at
these meetings. They had ben required to
take an oath of secrecy. which consisted.
as he dramatically illustrated. of crossing
the wrist in front of the face. closing the
hands with palms downward and repeating
the oath. From time to time he and his
brothers had paid tribute. but when they
rebelled they received threatening letters.
-Four Of these were given to the police. Two
they kept. The letters ordered them to
place large of money in designated
spots suffer death if they refused
Rizzo said he took $500 to one of these
places. but also carried his rifle and
waited in vain for some one to appear.
None came, but the next day he received
notification to leave the money there and
not to carry his rifle He kept the money
and prepared to defend himself.
Attacks Began.
Then the attacks began. The house was
first dynamited. Later it was bombiriei,
some fifty shots being fired through it.
Photographs showing the bulletholes were
submitted to the jury and made d good
impression for the prosecution
The prosecution also managed to have
submitted the threatening letter sent to
the Riz brothers and to show how they
had been bounded by members of the so
Ciety in the effort to make them pay
tribute.
District Attorney Salsburi says he has
thirty more witnesses to put on the stand
in the present cases and has other charges
against the accused which he may present
the next meeting of the grand jury.
NEW YORK, April 24.-Pasquale Jsco-
bell. twenty years old, of 4I3S Sd avenue.
whom Judge OSullivan. in general ses-
sions. sentenced yesterday to three and
one-half years in prison lor carrying con-
ceaied weapons originally charged
with writing threatening Black Hand let
tiers. lie arrested March 20, after
Matto Melillo had complained to the police
that he had received letters warning him
that if he did not give up 81 900 he would
b. attacked and cut into small pieces.
Remember the barrel case" the letters
had warned him. I'VE are the same gang
WHO did that man up, and we'll do you if
you don't take warning"
A sungshOt was found upon Jacobeli al
t. time of his arrest and the charge
against him was then changed.