The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-03-24
Y0Ul RElk
lJ HAVE HAD
ACgONAPLICE
600 Is Amount
d sked For Now

WHEELING, March 24.-That there
AN organized BLACK Hand Society in
tbls vicinity. AMI that the members
are malEing a desperate effort to ex-
foFt money from wealthy persons In
ahdsafound Wheeling. is evident from
the fact that Albert snedeker, the well
known dairyman southeast of the city,
issagain in receipt Of IA letter. signed
Black Hand this time requesting
inder pain OF death that he leave on
he west end Of the Bellaire B and
raiiroad bridge the sum of $4,000 in
sasa
ate5in the evening It was learn
that Deputy United States
Larshal q. Elzie William was very
much interested in the second at
tempt; that he was making prepara-
lions to reilly his forces against what
now believed to be an organized
Black Hand gang of the most vicious
tyre
It Is alleged that w.len Mr. Will
Hams was informed Of the fact that
snedefier had received another let
lle CWilliansl in company with
State cHcers went to the county Jail,
where they interviewed Harry Reils.
Who as IS well known is incarcerated
here for the attempted extortion Of
$1,000 from snsieker on Wednesday
might. and who was arrested only aft
geraI shots were directed at him
from The blue steel 'ssix-shooterH in
the hands Of Deputy sheriff Curtis H.
Rice. 1t IL reported that Refa prac-
ticaily confessed that
He Had An Aeeompliee
insthe attempted extortton. but SO far
as could be learned he proposed to re-
main loyal to him and others alleged
be members Of the Black Hand So
\ clety. He did not, therefore, divulge
tlle name Of either the man who ac-
tua1ly wrote the second letter demand
ing $500 from Snedeker. or the names
Of any other party. While Reik has
been regarded as an innocent young
on{ofa farmer, 1t is now believed, ac-
eufiiing to reports, that he is well
yersed In the operations of what Is
now considered full fledged Black
Hand Society.
In view of the commendable capture
OF Reik by Williams, Rice and Kelley.
as told in these dispatches some days
ago. there should be no occasion for
doubting the fact that Wheeling Off
GERS are not disposed to be chicken
hearted in their attempts to break up
a gang that has for its object extortion
sor death Yet, in the face of what has
Stranspired, it is learned that great
many persons are somewhat alarmed
and feel that they may at any time
be called upon to look over some of
their ready cash or take chance on
Suffering the Consequences.
What action viii be taken in the
present case could not be learned, as
both the government and State author
tiles are very reticent on the matter.
II IS fair to presume that the author
3ties have been informed by snedeker
81, the second attempt on his money or
lie, and for this reason the correspond
emf deems Is no Injustice at this time
& TO make publication Of the offense. In
the last letter, as in the first one. It
! IL stated that Snedeker was threaten
ed in most severe terms, indicating
that regardless ~ what action he took
with the authorities It would not be
well for him II he'd i'd not leave the
money, $500 in cash, on the Bellaire
bridge,
twas learned late last evening that
the Bei1aire authorities were interest
ed In the case, and 1t is presumed that
Deputy Marshal Williams has enlisted
their services in an effort to land the
rang when they make their appear
anee ON the Bellaire bridge. Whether
MI snedeker has any intention or not
81 complying with the recent request
could not be learned last evening, but
iiei like a great many other persons.
would doubtless feel more or less in
danger until he had done so.
Up to yesterday Reik had not given
bono. III the sum Of $4,000, which was
iiyed. BY United States Commissioner
Boyd when the accused was held for
tie federal grand jury. which con-
3yenes IN this city on April 7th. Since
fis incarceration in jail here many
friends have called upon young Rells.
and H ~ the surprise Of all Of them
that he should undertake such a das-
tardly course Of extorting money from
a man oshas been his neighbor since