The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
DRAMATIC END ID
 BLACK HAND PLOT Threats to Extort Money Re- suit In Capture of One Man SEVERAL LETTERS SENT Postmaster and Postoffice Inspector Work Together and Catch the Man
 Who Tries to Work His
 Scheme.
SEVERAL LETTERS SENT

Cincinnati, O., October 3.-(Special.)-A complete dramatic story was enacted to- day in Hamilton, O., and Cincinnati, and between these points. Even the scenery, as well as the dramatic person, including a thrilling ride with the prisoner, was . supplied It was the outgrowth of the al- legged Black Hand" society letters re- ceived within the last four weeks by Henry Sohn. the millionaire brewer of Hamilton.
 It is now just about four weeks since MT. Sohn received letter signed as if emanating from Black Hand" society, demanding s10,0O0 on penalty of death. This notice stated, among other things, that further directions for handing over the money would be given later. True to the word a second letter was received ordering MT. Sohn to drive out along pike near Hamilton and to drop the bun dle" of money at a place where red ] lantern would be discovered burning. The matter was tipped off to the police and cordon was formed about the place. An automobile containing supposedly Sohn and his chauffeur drove to the desig- mated point, but failed to find the Ian tern and then returned to the city. The automobile really contained a government officer, while the chauffeur was also au- thorzed to assist in making an arrest.
 About a week later MT. Sohn received third letter. It was of daring char acter and informed him that he was very unwise to attempt to catch the writer of the threatening letter as he was aware of the movement of the police and the federal authorities. The "a receive another demand within a few days but that MT. Sohn should not take the trouble to engage a posse to lie in wait for him as 1t would be futile. A fourth letter came which raised the demand to s15,000 and death was the penalty for failure to comply; the fifth letter was received Monday and the postmaster at Hamilton and Inspector A. R. Holmes mapped out a plan to catch the writer. There was one important clue, all the letters were mailed at the postoffice at nearly l D. m. Inspector Holmes watched each individual who deposited letter in the postoffice. Finally a man walked into the office and placed letter in the slot. A clerk was on hand and seeing that the letter was addressed to Henry Sohn, the clerk signaled h. spector Holmes and he followed the
  building where he was arrested. He gave his name as Thomas Burk, bar tender.
 Burk was taken back to the post office where he admitted having mailed the letter addressed to Sohn. He eX- plained that he was on his way to the postoffce when he met a man who askedd him to mail the letter in ques ton.
 MT. Sohn was summoned and opened the letter. It read:
 Have money ready by Tuesday, Oc- tober 6. Will later write you time and place. B. II. S."
 The initials stand for Black Hand Society.
 An automobile was secured and the prisoner bundled into it and a record breaking run was made to Cincinnati, where Burk was held in s2000 bond in default of which he was placed in the county jail. The police believe they have made no mistake and have the right man.