The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-12
"BLACK HAND" ST|RS
PEACE OF JEM|SON
Attempt Is Made to BlackmalI
Prominent Merchant
DEMAND MADE FOR $500
Citizens of Community Meet and
nI.1.. C,.1Aor+ IL. DXnnin0 nnxHn
DEMAND MADE FOR $500
Citizens of Community Meet and
Pledge Support In Running Down
Author of Letter - Town
Offers Reward of 500.

Jemison, November Especial. w. A.
Reynolds, prominent merchant of Jem-
ison, received a letter of the BLACK
Hand" type, but owing to the determine
ton on the part of some of the citizens
here to apprehend the blackmailers, the
matter has been kept as quiet as possible.
The letter, which follows, was mailed
in the postoffice by some one at this
place:
"Sir: don't no wheather you call this a
Black Mailing or not but however We de-
mand three hundred Dollars not as a gift
for we intend to pay 1t back in a short
time in the same MYSTERIOUS manner as
we get 1t. So don't take this as joke
nor childrens play. we mean business If
we don't get it we are ruined forever IL we
get 1t we will double 1t in a few days
and you will get 1t back So If you don't
comply with our request your Business
will be bowed up then we will demand
double without any hope of you ever get
ting 1t back so the best thing for you
is to come across and say nothing about
1t to no one then we will never bother
you any more II you even have any one
you or IL you have watohmen out where
we demand you to put this money it will
not be recd-but we will carry out our
threats so come on like a man and all
will be well with you we will know tell
you were to put 1t you go a lone and go
on by Robinsons Commissary and when
you get in sight of the first mail box
turn to the right go down the old Mont
gomery Road about 100 yds. you will see
a tall pine stump on the left of the road
with a big scar on 1t about three feet
from the ground oak bush growing by the
side of it So rop the money up good and
place 1t between bush and stump cover
1t up good as 1t may be several days be-
fore we will have an operetunfty to get 1t
you must be there wednesday Evening
at or about o'clock know remember what
we say If you don't do what we request of
you. you are ruined forever otherwise we
will be saved and you wont be hurt. we
mean business and intend to carry out
our plans so don't for get wednesday Eve
the 90"
At large gathering, in mass meeting,
called last night at which time the letter
was made public. the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted;
whereas, the conditions in the COM
munity, as shown by the evidence pre-
scented at this meeting, exhibits an un-
derourrent Of lawlessness which II per-
mitted to go unchecked will lead to an
archy. and,
Whereas, this community has In the
past enjoyed peace and auietude, and,
Whereas, the citizens and vicinity In
meeting assembled desire lawabiding cit
liens and peaceful conditions
BE 1t therefore resolved that we, the
citizens of Jemison and vicinity, in mass
meeting assembled, condemn in the Sc
verest terms the spirit Of lawlessness
manifested in this community, and es-
pecially the sending of Black Hand
letter in question to Mr.. w. A. Reynolds,
this community pledges its loyal support
to the constituted authorities of state and
county In stamping out the existing evil
conditions"
Mr. Reynolds offers reward of 500 for
the arrest and conviction of the guilty
party or parties; the town of Jemison also
voted an additional reward OF 500 for
the same.
Solicitor w. NJ Adams OF C1anton was
present at the meeting, and committee
of five was appointed to assist him in
his efforts to apprehend the guilty par
ties.