Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-22
"Mano Neora."

The "ManO NegTd which Is terTorlZ-
ing the Mexicans Of Houston originat-
ed in Mexico about sixty years ago.
The Black Hand is original with Italy.
but the Mexican Black Hand, or "Mano
Negra,' is said TO come from the terri
BILE .Caballo Blanco" or White Horse.
"Caballo Blanco' was the leader Of
one Of the bloodiest Of mysterious
Mexican banditti. No one ever knew
who he was or whore he came from.
but he always rode 4 white horse and
was therefore called "Caballo Blanco."
.CabaIIo Blanco" was a handsome
Mexican Of middle age, with dark hair.
mustaches, and eyes. But his eyes are
said to have expressed more cruelty
than those Of any person who ever
lived. He had his hiding place in the
mountains, where few humans We're
known to have penetrated. Fifty men
of the cruelest character are said to
have composed his company. Their
exact location in the mountains has
never been found. but il is commonly
believed that they dweIt in some great
cave which concealed both men and
horses.
For years "CabaIo Blanco" and his
men terrorized a part Of Mexico. On
the darkest OF nights they would ride
into some village, set fire To it, and by
the light Of the fire would rob the
houses.
But only during the night would
"Caballo BIanco" and his men commit
bold robberies and murder Many
times during the day they would APP
proach some small town, and when
they entered every one would 60 in
hiding save some OF the bravest. who
gave fight only TO be killed themselves
In some cases "Caballo Blanco'' is
said to have entered villages and cap
tured young women. They were
carried away to the mountains and
never heard of again. The treasures
o. the smaller towns were his prey. as
well as We're all caravans which passed
within his reach.
After operating many years. "CabaIlo
Blanco" is said to have suspected some
of his men of disloyalty. Accordingly
he made every one Of them take the
terrible "Mano Negra" oath. If this
oath was broken in any way, the man
who broke it would be found the day
after dark night with a knife piercing
his heart Years after ..Cabal!o
Blanco' is said TO have disappeared
other bad Mexicans are said to have
taken up the "Mano Negra" oath and
formed a society something like the
Italian Malta. Any member Of the
society who gave even a hint as 10 the
dark secrets was murdered by various
methods. The society itself appears to
nave had no other object than nysteri-
Gus murder and robbery
About the year 1875 "Caballo Rlanco"
and his men are said to have suddenly
disappeared from Mexico, and have
never been heard from since. MANY
believe that they were swallowed IN by
the earth while in their cave. and the
superstitious class in Mexico believe
that the devil took them and their
horses alive. They also believe thar
there is great cave somewhere among
the mountains where the rich treasures
OF CaoalIo Blanco are hidden away.
The 'Mano Negra" has never been
known to have operated in San Antonio
10 any extent. Several years ago the
two words "Sempra Crika" were found
one morning written in black on many
OF the walls and buildings over the
CITY NO one was able to trace the
origin of the words. but many believed
1t was the work of the "Mano Napra "
Inc word "sempra" is Spanish. and
means always. but no one appears TO
know what kind of a word "crika" is
nor what its meaning can be.-Ios
Angeles Times.