Evening star., 1909-06-12
BLACK HAND LEADERS
Officials Think They Have
Right Men in Jail.
CONFERENCE IN CLEVELAND
Sequel to Arrest of Ten Italians in
Ohio Cities.
VALUABLE LETTERS CAPTURED
Lead to Belief of Actual Organiza-
tion Among Italian Blackmailers
With Headquarters.

CLEN NELAND, Ohio, June 12.-"I be-
lieve hat we have the right men and
that through them we may be able to
break up the so-called Black Hand So
ciety which has been preying upon the
wealthy Italians in the central states"
United States Attorney William Day
announced today at the close of a con-
ference with postal inspectors.
The conference was the result of the
ten arrests that have been made in
various parts Of the state this week
The men taken into custody are be-
lieved by the federal officials to be the
leaders of the Italian blackmailers In
Ohio. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, In
diana and Illinois. The prosecutions
will be conducted by Attorney Day. He
said he now is firmly of the opinion
that there is an actual organization of
Black Handlers and that the evidence
in his hands would result in many
more arrests soon.
Today's conference was attended by
Post Office Inspectors j. F. Oldfe1d,
George Bate, A. p. Owen, 0. c. Hosford
and E. F. Hutches, who have conducted
the Investigations and effected the ar
rests. The inspectors began work upon
the case March /, Immediately follow
ing the attempt to extort $4,000 from
Oldfeld, who has been in charge of the
investigation, would give no details as
to the course taken, but stated that his
search soon led to Sam Lima of Ma
rfon who was under surveillance for
several weeks before an arrest was
made.
Mr.. Oldfeld said that a few Sundays ago
meeting was held in Dennison between
Lima and other Italians. including Den
nison fruit dealer. The next day Old
field said Lima sent 5000 to relatives in
Italy. Oldf1eld said that letters found in
the possession of Lima led to the other
arrests.
All Pleaded Not Guilty.
The men now in custody are Sam Lima,
Sam Rizzo and oam Batagalia OF Marion,
August Marfisi. Antonio Vacario and
Charles Vacario OF Dennison. Joseph and
Antonio Nuzzo of Cleveland and Antonio
Bicherio and Sam Ventola Of Columbia
All have been arraigned. pleaded not gull
ty and their bonds fixed. Some gave bonds
and others still are in jail. Their hearings
will be held next week. which doubtless
will result in most of them being bound
over to the federal grand jury.
All who are indicted will be prosecuted
upon the charge of conspiracy and using
the mails to defraud
Inspector Oldfield said that when
Charles Vacario OF Dennison was arrested
at Bellefontaine they found in his room
four shotguns. six revolvers, several stilet-
toS and several socks filled with ammuni-
ton. some of which was homemade"
The inspectors turned over to District
Attorney Day scores of letters found in
posse ssion of Sam Lima. These letters.
MIR. Day said, would lead to other ar
rests
Headquarters at Marion.
These letters lead me to believe there
is an actual organization among the Ital-
ian blackmailers. with its headquarters at
Marion, and that 1t had it's murderous
tendrls reaching far east as Rochester.
n. Y. with a nest Of them in and about
Buffalo, Niagara Falls. Pittsburg. Cincin-
natl, Cleveland, Toledo. Columbus. In
dianapolis and Chicago, with minor agen-
cies in the smaller intervening cities"
the United States attorney said.
Il am not of the opinion he con-
tinued. that there is any actual connec-
ton. however. between the Ohio gang and
the gangs that operate in New York
city and the New England states, or
southern or western states. The evi-
dence now in hand does not lead that far.
although there may be interesting de-
velopments.
They are a dangerous band and should
he exterminated. Having charge of the
prosecutions. / shall do all possibl to wipe
them out. They have been responsible
for more depredations than the public
dollaEs from frightened Italians. They
have assaulted and murdered. The use
of dynamite is merely one of their ar
titiceS
Eight Arrests at Johnstown.
| JOHNSTOWN, Pa. June 12.-Following
| an investigation of three months by an
Italian detective, eight alleged leaders of
a so-called Black Hand Society were ar
rested late last night at Barnesboro. near
here, charged with conspiring to commit
murder.
Today the men were taken to Jail at
t,bensburg.
| According to the evidence alleged to be
| in the possession Of the police, the eight
men recently held d meeting. at which
three prominent Italians. merchants. were
selected for the paying of large tribute
tax. if they wished to escape.
Phillip Cherrco. one of the principal
leaders, was only recently discharged
| from the penitentiary. where he served
a term on being convicted of kidnapping
/ Ra rpa Sbora hoy n eyfOrt money.