The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-09
A PRIEST THREATENED.
Italian Accused of sending Letters
Arrested in Kansas City.

Kansas City, March 9.-FTnger prints
made carelessly on sheets Of letter pa
per may identify Edwardo Raggio, an
Italian, who was arrested here yester-
day upon a John Doe" state warrant
from ST. Joseph, charging him with
sending threatening notes through the
mails. Raggio himself was not ques-
toned directly about the matter here,
but the police say that they have un-
mistakable evidence that he is the man
who last Thursday mailed threatening
letters to both the chief of police and
the inspector of detectives in ST. Joseph,
and signed them "Cinco Centavos," !"
with a crudely drawn skull and cross
bones beneath. Ragsio answers closely
the description furnished by the police
of ST. Joseph Of the man who is thought
to have written the letters. Samples
of his handwriting taken yesterday by
Daniel Ahern, chief of police, are exact
" like the writing in the threatening 6
letters. Immediately after getting the
description from Detective Wilson the
officers went to the Holy Rosary church
at Missouri avenue and Campbell street.
thinking that the Rev. Charles Delbec-
chi, pastor of that church, which is
made up of Italians, might give them
some information. He did.
Yes, I've seen that map-and all I
want to- too," said Father Delbecchi
when the description had been detailed
to him. "And | was just thinking l
ought to tell the ponce ABOUT HILL Anu
the Italian priest, very much excited,
told the officers of his experience with
Raggio.
He came here yesterday afternoon
about 5 o'clock. I was not at home. He
asked Giuseppe Bertolini, who is en-
ployed in my house, for me- He spoke
In English. Giuseppe does not speak any
English, but he understood what the
fellow wanted and, thinking from his
light hair and blue eyes that the man
was German, he told him in German
that I was away. The man went away
An hour later he came back, / was still
away. Giuseppe met him at the door
and he pushed himself in and sat down
in the parlor to wait for me. L came
in a few minutes later. Giuseppe, very
much frightened, told me there was a
man to see me.
What is your name? was the first
thing the man said to me, and I told
him was Father Charles. He sneered
and said his name was Raggio and that
he came from Genoa. The mans ac-
tions frightened me from the start
Tn out of money and friends he said,
and want some money. He rose and
his blue eyes looked queer. I told him
I did not give money to strangers, but
that I would give him all he wanted
to eat, Il don't want anything to eat.
It's money I want he returned. I re-
fused the money again. He started to
the door. You will give nothing, chr
He opened the door and from the porch
he snarled at me again in loud voice,
Nothing, eh? You are Father Charles
and you give me nothing? I'll remem-
ber.' And he went away.
The two letters received Friday
morning, one by w. H. Frans, chief
of police, and the other by c.. H.
Kelley. inspector of detectives, of st.
Joseph were both mailed in st. Joseph
on Thursday. They were addressed
on the envelopes, "Mr. Chef of polise,
st. joe" and "Mr. Chef Detectives,
st. joe" The first ran:
Mr.. Chef of Polise: You had bet