Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-26
DR.. A. o. COVER AND FRANK
Z LLEWELYN TOLD UNLESS
FARMERS AND DRovERs BANK
PAYS THEY WILL BE KILLED.
BOTHOF THE MEN
WERE DIRECTORS
LETTERS ARE SUPPOSED TO
HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY
Z ITALIAN MINERS WHO LOST
MONEY IN BANK FAILURE.

Seymour, March 25.-(SpeciaD -
The receipt by DR.. A. o. Cover and
Frank Llewelyn, prominent citizens Of
this place, Of "Black Hand" letters
threatening them with death unless
the depositors of the defunct Farmers
and Drovers State bank are paid in
full, has thrown Seymour in tur-
moil. DR.. Cover and Mr. Laewelyn
were directors in the bank. which
closed some time ago uider rather
sensational circumstances, when
bank examiner found that Cashier Le-
roy Ware was short in his accounts.
% letters were unsigned, saved
70 rude scrawling hand in black
In. and they threatened that unless
thu deposttors of the bank were
paid in full in four days DR.. Cover and
Mr.. Llewelyin would "die and not
i've"
It is believed the letters were writ
ten by some Of the band of italian
miners working in the mines in the
vicinity of Seymour. A large number
OF these miners were depositors in
the bank, and some Of them are be
Heved to have resolved To emulate the
practice of the "Black Hand In New
York and other cities in trying to Sc
cure money from the bank directors.
DR.. Cover and Mr.. Llewelyn have
turned the letters over to the author
tiles and strenuous efforts are being
made to run down the perpetrators of
the threat. Every effort will be made
In the mean time to guard the two
men threatened.
The New York Case.
New York, March 25-Pasuuala
Patti, the 81. Pierpont Morgan OF Little
Italy," has closed it's bank at 240
Elizabeth street and fled with his fam
lily to escape assassination by mem
bers Of the Black Hand society, to
whom he had long paid tribute.
Plastered on the window of Patti 3
bank this morning vas the most re-
markable notice of suspension prob.
ably ever posted and was read by hun
dreds after the bank had closed its
doors. 1t was as follows:
81 will susp snd payment for two
weeks. I am compelled to leave town,
as have rece we'd threatening letters
and people have attempted tc take my
life.
There are no fears of your losing
SOui uSpOSlIS. OtSlu0S Cash own
sixty-five houses in New York and
have them insured for S10D 900. and
can Pay everyb ody. will return in
two weeks.
"Pasquale Patti & Son, Salvatore"
Long Victim Of Black Hand.
Patti has long been victim of the
greed of members of the Black Hand
4 society. For years he has received
threatening letters and for long
time he paid for immunity. Recently,
I however. he rebelled He ignored
threat after threat, and then, about
] six weeks ago bomb was exploded in
front Of his bank. The conclusion
/ shattered the plate glass window and
scattered bills over the sidewalk. The
money was all recovered by the bank
/ er and threats became more violent.
Three weeks ago Francisco Palletro
IL entered the bank with drawn revolver
| and demanded money, after threaten
/! Ing to kill the banker and son, Saliva
4 tore. who were in the bank.
Y Patti and his son drew revolvers and
in the fusilade of bullets Palletro fell
dying.
Patti was exonerated for the killing
of Palletro and on Monday the banker
was warned that he must die.