Evening journal., 1908-11-19
THREAT CAME
in His LETTERS
NJ. F. POnieCki Accused Mich
aeI CrupSki Of Demanding
Money From Him

Charged with having threatened bodily
harm to NJ. r. Poniecki, proprietor Of the
White Eagle Hotel at Maryland avenue
and Monroe street. through the medium
Of letters In which money was demanded
Michael Crupski. a pale faced youth, who
wears glasses and talks no English. was
arraigned in city Court this morning be-
fore Judge Cochran. The case was con-
tlnued until next Tuesday. TO allow Judge
Cochran time 20 read over the letters al
legged 10 have been written by Crupski and
which SAVIOR of the BLACK Hand meth
ods to extort money by threatening death.
Crupski was represented by James
Salisbury. The charge was read 10 him
through an interpreter and he pleaded not
guilty. Ponecki was called as a witness.
The witness said that during June and
July Of last summer he received letters
demanding money. which % not forth.
coming the writer declared, the life OF
Poniecki would be taken. The letters also
declared that there would be no escape.
for Il they failed 20 get him alone. his
whole house would be blown up which
would not only result in his death but ii
the death Of his wife and others ia the
house.
This Is the second time that Cnpsli hal
been arrested. a few months ago he wa
taken into custody on a charge OF threat
ening to kin young Polish woman liv
ing in Justison street
/ CrupsSi was held IN $500 bail by a maEis
trate and sent 10 the worShouse 10 await
trial. There was no evidence against him.
however. and he was dismissed.
Has Been Re-Arrested
I Poniech said that he had consulte,
with Attorney-General Hastings regard
/ ing the threatening letters he had raceiv
ed and that ii was on the advice Of th
encouragement that he had Crupski re
arrested. PonieclSi said that he had ha
| the letters compared with some Of IN,
hand writing OF Crupski and that j. Jack
/ son Peirce. am expert on such matters de
clared the hand writing OF the letters an,
that OF CrupsSi TO be identical
Mr.. Ponieckl said that he received three
of the threatening letters. two in Jun,
and one in July. lie said that he wa
afraid Of Crupskl.
The letters were handed 10 Judge Cooh
ran They were writicn in Polish. but
there was an nglish translation made b.
Mrs Poniecki. Mr.. Salisbury said n
thought one Of the original letters SHOULD
be read in court hut objected 10 Mrs
I Ponicck's translation.
/ Patrolman John Jacubowski was ca -,
to translate one Of tho opistles but b
gave up tho job when half way through
Judge Cochran grew rather impatien
with the officers progress through the
Polish words. and finally advised him I
take a week of or at least spend som,
sunday I'm getting the letter into English
Judge May Read Letters.
The translation was given no and Judr,
Cochran tucked the letters away in Inf,
pocket
81 am going 10 get TO the bottom OF thi,
ting said the court.
~ wish YOU would" declared Mr.. saull
bury "and think ] can help you do IT,
Mr. salisbury got PoniecN to testit
that last May Crupski resigned from
band of which Poniecki had something
do and that the two men had not spoke
20 each other since. Poniccki said tn,
Crupski declared that the members
the band were no good because they di
not have socialistic ideas.
Mrs Ponieckl was called 70 testify an
told the story Of the letters. She said In,
she was mortally afraid Of CrupskL
Mr. salisbury said he would offer n
, evidence.