The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-25
Run of 5000 Italian Depositors Precipitated to Avenge Killing of Band
 Member.
BANKER FLEES FOR LIFE
Latest Attack the Continuation of a Series of Extortion and Black mailing Schemes Against
 Banker.

New York, March PA inalevolent plot relentlessly worked out by mem- bers of the Black Hand, in defiance of the authorities pressing hard upon their trail the police declare, ended dramatically to-day in a run of depos- ltors on and the suspension of the bank of Pasquale Patl, an Italian banker on Elizabeth street and his flight from the city in fear of death by the Black Hand because he recently shot and killed Francesca Pelletro one of their alleged members, who had demanded money under the pain of killing the banker and family.
 Three thousand depositors clamored loudly at the Pati bank to-day for their savings. and in the excitement run was started on the bank of F. Acritelli & Son, across the street from the suspended institution, and caused It to shut it's doors. The two banks were small private institutions. The run on the Pati bank, the police charge was engineered by the Black Hand as revenge on Pati who was yesterday acquitted by the coroner of having killed Pelletro. When the run was at its height, police reserves were rushed to the district to quell the fast rising disorder.
 Plastered on the window of Patis bank the most remarkable notice of a suspension probably ever posted was read by hundreds to-day after the bank closed its doors It rcad
 Il will suspend for two weeks. I am compelled to leave town. as I have received threatening letters and people have attempted to take my life. There are no fears of your losing your deposits Besides cash I own 65 houses in New York and have them Insured for s100,000 and can pay everybody. I will resume in two weeks.
 (Signed)
 "PASQUALE PATI & SON,
 "SALVATORE.'
 The closing of Pati's bank and his sudden departure from the city is the  of extortion and blackmail of the black hand that had it's inception sev- eral years ago. Fati was said to be tn, richest banker in the densely pop ulated Italian quarter on the east side. where the banker believed he had no enemies. Letters came demanding money. How much money Pati part <l <o cto tc h,f have been unable to learn.
 It was Pati's custom to keep large piles of American and Italian money in the front window of the bank to reassure depostors and six weeks ago one blustery day a dynamite bomb exploded near the tempting window. The window was shattered and thou sands of dollars in paper was scatter ed about the street. Pati succeeded in recovering all of 1t.
 Three weeks ago Francesca Pelletro entered Pati's bank with drawn re- yolver and demanded money. aft CT threatening to kill the banker, his wife and their son Salvatore, who were in the bank. Pati and his son drew iPNDlASlS anu III lii' iuSiiehNN bullets Pelletro fell dying.
 The flood of Black Hand letters die not cease and yesterday three strange men entered the bank and threatened not only to kill Pati and his family bu to burn and destroy his business.
 The men dsrted out of the bank be fore Pati could summon the police Late last night servant at the Pat home in Brooklyn discovered severa men proving around the house and ; quantity of oil soaked rags placed against the building in several places
 A small run on the Psti bank start ed yesterday. when rumors began t' circulate about Pati. There were 20 depositors in line when the bank open ed to-day and within half an hour tn line of deposltors grew to 5000. Pati' relatives quickly decided upon suspen sion, and the doors were closed and tn notice of suspension posted. Tn whereabouts of Patl Is not known.