davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27
JACK HAND NIARNlNC 0o

weeks, perhaps, but IL IL not possible oppor-
tunities for labor that they discuss. Their
need or money Is mentioned quite frankly. In
the next breath one OF the gang recalls that
Giuseppi. the tailor. looked sleek and prosper.
Gus standing in front of his shop an hour be-
tofe Another cries for pen and paper, which
tie master Of the wine shop brings with never
: SMILE though he knows only too well the
nature OF the note that is about to be written.
One Is silently nominated to scrawl the COM
mand another puts on the decorations and a
third signs La Mano Nera." The tailor ia
ordered to come three nights later at 1880
O'Clock 10 the stone arch In Washington square
and hand 5000 to a little man with a hunp on.
his back who will be waiting there He is
told further that IL he fails or mentions the
letter to the police death and destruction will
be upon him.
The next morning Giuseppi has hardly
opened his shop before the postman comes
with the letter. One glance at the clumsily
drawn black hand and the daggers scattered
about is enough TO tell him that the curse has
fallen. For time he Is too frightened TO
read the sum or the extortion. The patrolman
on beat passes his door. a broad shouldered
strong-armed sign or law and order. great
temptation comes TO Giuseppi He will be
brave as the American papers advise. He will
call the police. lie rushes out after the Do
liceman, only to be overcome with blue funk
before he can blurt out his troubles. and ends
by asking some foolish question that has no
bearing on the terrifying letter So on the
appointed night he goes to Washington square
The hunchback is there, waiting, with a par.
ucular eye for possible treachery from plain.
clothes policemen. Gluseppi slips the de.
formed one an envelope and both hurry from
the spot In opposite directions. Around the
next corner the hunchback becomes a changed
man. The hump on his back disappears and
the breaking on OF a bit OF putty straightens
seemingly twisted nose. At the wine-shop
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

their priee they are well satisfied to let him
alone.
"Haye YOU ever noticed" he continued that
there is more bomb throwing, more kidnapping
more mysterious murders in the winter
months than In the spring. summer or early
fall? The winter il the hard time OF the year
with all Italians and naturally the collections
come harder. Men who have given up few
dollars now and then for months suddenly de.
eide that come what may. they will pay no
more According to the laws OF the trade
this means punishment and there you have
your outrages"
The intense love which a respectable Ital-
ian bears for his children has made kidnapping
highly lucrative.
The Italian kidnapers about New York
have been almost uniformly successful since
they began signing their letters La Mano
Nera." In every case the child has been even
tually returned TO his home OF left where the
police would be sure TO find him. Equally In
every case there have been indications that
the father In spite OF the most strict instruc.
tions to the contrary from the police. quietly
paid over the amount demanded by the Black
Handlers or at least a satisfying portion OF IT,
knowledge OF kidnapping cases nearly al.
ways gets 10 the police and without delay.
An Italian mother whose son fails to return
from an errand to the bake shop around the
corner or whose daughter disappears between
the public school and her home does not fear
even the Black Hand Her husband may
cringe ana tremble when she suggests the po-
lice, but II he delays. the mother. with many
walls OF anguish. rushes to the nearest police
station and blurts out the whole story. As a
rule the police have little or nothing on which
10 work They have the Black Hand letter
demanding the ransom. but OF what good Is
that when the leader OF the gang may be that
then In the parlor mingling his temperamentaI
tears with those Of the family?
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

was not one OF the lieutenant's squad VINO
would not have gladly risked his life To lay
hands on real Black Hand chief
Sober second thought and continued in
vestigation however, return the Black Hand
10 Its proper category. II is not and never
has been society. 1t knows no chieftan. no
scale of spoil division, no sacred oath. 1t has
no meeting places, consequently holds no
meetings. II is, In short, but name for
brand OF crime peculiar to Italian crooks and
II is so surprisingly successful because OF tho
temperament OF Its south Italian victims and
their inborn dread OF the extortionist.
II is almost udcrous to realize how the
name that is now world terror was invented.
Some years ago the story Of an Italian
murder was running in the New York news
papers. The police made little headway and
developments Jagged. spacewriter on a
certain morning paper needed more money
than the story bringing him. He could
get more space only by giving a new twist to
the crime, by working up an exclusive angle.
The victim Of this murder had received a
letter warning him that death would follow
his failure to contribute a specified sum by
a certain date. At the top of the sheet was a
crude drawing OF a fist holding long. wicked
looking dagger. II was drawn with black ink
a sonlber sinister emblem. For the reporter
IL held ain idea. The name BLACK Hand"
leaped from his imagination. and there you
are. With great circumstantial detail and
naring heads he introduced his find to the
public. The murdered Italian was the victim
of rapacous organization of cut-throats. II
was the American edition of the much.feared
Mafia, reincarnation OF the deadly Camorra,
and In II the reporter combined the worst
features Of each.
This characterization was an instantaneous
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27
HIS MOTHERS CHuN
Portugal Boy King Spends Much
Time with Parent.
Before Tragic Events That Raised
Him 70 Throne He Was Educated
for the ses-Will Visit ting
land In Near Future.

Lisbon.--An active, good bnmorcd.
Tery vital young man is the hnprcs.
sion given by Dom Manuel, the -
year-old king of Portugal Who Is -
pected to visit the United KingdunR b.
November.
The comprehensive and strenuou,
education considered necessary 80.
his exalted position has not duIled the
ready Wit which he has Inherited
from Queen Amelia, and he Also
shares her open air tastes, spending "a
good part Of his leisure In tennis
fencing and riding. lie has, moreover
artistic accomplishments, being both
a musician and painter.
Before the tragic events tba,
bronsnt him To the throne. he was be
ing educated as u sailor, and threw
himself eagerly into the study of mo1
eTn science and mathematics and thr
technicalities OF naval construction.
TWO years ago., therefore, his Ont-
look ON life was rather the sailors
than the kings, and p strenuous course
OF study was mapped out for him. },
included, according to a writer In tho
Nuao. philosophy. political science an5
the physical sciences.
He arose at seven every morning
and studied Plato and Greek pblloa.
ophy for an hour before he went e.
breakfast In his mothers apartments
The morning from ten 10 twelve
o'clock was devoted to astronomy, IN
organic chemistry ana general science
and the afternoon from one TO fouF {.
history and Jurisprudence.
In the evenings he relaxed into
music and less serious literature, re-
firing to he'd at nine. This scheme Of
study was pursued for months with
scarcely any interruption.
He has displayed an unusual apt,
tude for mathematics, ana speaks
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

sands. the spos collected have sent many n
criminal back to Italy with a fortune accord
ing to the Sicillan rating. and not even the DO
lice will venture to estimate It's cost In human
life
The Black Hand crimes all follow the same
general lines, but that is no argument that
there is an organized society. The yeggmen
who terrorize country postmasters all work
after an identical fashion, but no one has
ever intimated that they were organized. Safe
crackers the country over use the same tools
and methods, but who has suspected them of
holding conventions? The East side gangs
the "Humpty" Jacksons the Paul Kellys and
the like-plunder similarly with more or less
success, but the only connection between
gang and gang is occasional feud the re-
sulting shooting up" OF which gives the po-
lice opportunity to send a gangster OF two
to Sing Sing.
No Italian is too lonely or too poor TO EN-.
bark as a Black Hander sheet OF paper,
pen and ink, and enough knowledge OF Italian
to scrawl few lines OF demand and the ac-
companying threat are all that is necessary
Possible victims are on every hand. The bar
ber in the dingy basement halfway down the
block; the fat and timid grocery keeper on the
corner; Antonio. of the tenement just below,
who goes out early each morning all dressed
in white to boss his gang OF street sweepers-
all these are possible victims OF the single
handed Black Handler, and all sooner or later
pay their tribute. or course he signs himself
LA Mano Nera," and then sits back to wait
the working OF the spell OF temperamental
dread.
About a table in a dingy. low-ceilinged
basement wine shop on Mulberry Bend or
over on Bleecker street four or fve greasy,
lowhrowed men gather OF an afternoon over
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

French. Spanish and Italian fiuently
The thesis he submitted for his doe
tors degree at the university die
played very creditable knowledge OF
the history of Portuguese literature.
On account OF the dangers that
hedge his throne, his education was
conducted Ia the palace, and hs
scheme was not generally understood.
and consequently misrepresented. IT
was apprehended that he was being
trained as student and recluse ratb
er than as king Not long ago, there.
fore. he visited the University Of
Coimbra and was received in state
by the professors and uproariously BY
the students.
The natter removed the horses from
his carriage at the station and dragged
him through the streets with enthusi.
astic cheering until, carried away by
their excitement. he alighted an0
Joined them on foot. In the degree,
hall he conversed with the rector in
Latin. showed such an extensTse
knowledge OF contemporary science.
and criticised dissertation on ethical
philosophy with an astuteness that.
quickly brorEht the cTities cf his ed,,
cation To confusion.
One OF the most pleasing featDres
OF his life Is the close relationship ba
tween him and his tragically widowed
mother, Queen Amelia. In his child.
hood he used to rise at sir every
morning and read poetry and art crit.
icisms to her while she painted Ljn
breakfast time. During the weeks he
lay III after the assassination of his
father and brother. she nursed him
assiduously. performing all that h.
needed done for him with her own
hands.
The habit Of breakfastlng tOsethey
8 suil kept up. and the young Ring
spends his evenings In her company
The following anecdOte shows IN.
sioseness OF the friendship betweep
them. and also the graceful repar,e,
N which be excels. When during his
raining for the navy he was apxtous
TO return to Lisbon TO continue b,a
rudies' Queen Amelia asked him
somewhat piqued. why no WAS ao
eager 10 leave her.
because II do not leave you at
'nce, ! shall be unable to leave You
Vt ALL" he quoted, prettfiy. from one
n her favorite poets.
He Is quite sportsman, and Is very
bnd OF dogs. A Danish boarbonDS
Box. and a terrier, Tagus. arc his
principal pets.
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

eX-convicts from Italy, who plum
dered there I'm the name of the Ma.
fla or the Camorra. Others are
equally desperate criminals who got
away from Italy before being caught
and given the convict brand. which
makes entry into America dlfIicult
and remaining here uncertain with
Petroslnos band continually ian
ming" the Italian quarters.
One OF these skilled laborers Of
crine-or perhaps a pair of them
will gather about him four or Ave
duh, unimaginative. lazy fellows
preferably black sheep" OF the
town or section In Sicily from which
the leader came-and there you
have as near an organization az the
Black Hand has yet perfected. This
leader is known to his followers as
q bad man. lie has a record for
speedy carving with n dagger, per-
haps, or a much.to-be-envied knack
OF using his revolver quickly. He
rules the gang by fear of bloody
violence and does not even bother
20 extract oaths from them.
Italian bankers. contractors. whole
sale dealers in spaghetti or olive oil
or wine. owners of equities in mort
gagged tenement houses - these are
the victims of the big Black Hand
ers. One thousand dollars is the
least they strike for. Failure to pay
means that a bomb of crude but
deadly construction will be dropped
In front OF the marked mans bank,
store or tenement house. Generally
the bomb Is so thoroughly over
loaded with dynamite tha II
wrecks much surrounding property.
but for that these land pirates care
not. Often the innocent are slaugh-
tered. but that brings not even a
shrug from these hyenas of the ten
ements.
Every so-called Black Hand out
rage helps on the game OF plunder
and adds to the fear OF the myth
ical society. A lull In Black Hand
outrages by no means indicates the
inactivity of the plunderers. Gen
orally II spells their continued sue
cess.
"You must always keep In mind"
said Petrosino, the Palermo sac
riiice TO this sort OF Italian crime,
that the commission OF crimes OF
violence is not the main issue with
this scum of the earth. II man
meets their demands, pays over
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

Go ahead and do the best you can
ana don't worry about the eonse-
guenees.
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

UIUTUtI sLOTy Was ubalN
good for columns of space The SHRBEP 81
inventive reporters rivals went Sr OLNtH NJ
him several better in succeeding
editions. They found meeting
places of the Black Hand. They traced other nm.
solved crimes OF the Italian district TO the same myth
ca source. The police said nothing They had been
unable to solve the crime. but il It was the work OF
powerful secret organization there was some excuse
for them.
To the italian blackmailers who then as now lived
off the tribute they could wiring from their brothers
who worked or who had prospered in business the
appellation was n new and unexpected weapon, a
stock in trade beyond value. 1t was not copyrighted
and each and every one of them was free to use it,
All Little Italy" talking OF the Black Hand Its
translation into Italian-La Mano Nera-had an even
more sinister sound. The next lot OF blackmailing
letters sent out bore the usual dagger the skull and
crossbones the bloody finger print perhaps the long
black cofhn and every signed la Mano
Nera." The Black Hand was launched and the crimes
since committed In it's name number tens of thn,.
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

y
editor had for years
protested in Italian
and In English that
there was no such
thing as a Black
Hand society. III,
admission was sur.
prising. Detectives
OF the Manhattan
and Brooklyn Ital.
Ian police squads,
who had always
scofed at an or.
ganized Black Hand,
wondered II they
had been mistaken.
They searched the
various quarters
again for some
trace OF a central
body, for some sign
that there were di.
recting officers. This
Petrosino tragedy
certainly savored of
the dread Malta ana
Camorra and there
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27
LAEl/Z JOSEPH RETR0ANo

the two hundred perhaps the bulk OF the ta
or's savings, is speedily divided and the
blackmacrs are ready for other weeks of
idleness. Again the Black Hand
There is possibility OF big rewards in the
game of plunder that has attracted criminals
OF skill daring and brains. Many of them are
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

bottle OF cheap red wine.
They pun at short-stemmed
pipes or draw through
straws on stogy-llke Italian
cigars that retail for half a
cent. They are out OF
work and have been for
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-09-27

n'NiclN III lne minds or
americans as definite organiza-
uon such as the Sicilian Malta and
'ne Neapolitan Camorra. II was
easy and alluring to argue that
petrosino, cleverest trailer OF Ital-
ian crime and criminals, had fall.
en- victim to the international
order OF La Mauo Nera. Writers
were not lacking to invent details.
it's death had been decreed. they
said' by one Of the New York
chapters Of the Black Hand and
inc sentence executed by the home
branch at Palermo.
we almost believe that there
Is a Black Hand organization in
itaiy and America" said the edi.
tor OF one of the big Italian dailies
the day after the detective was
shot down. Until the death Of
Petrosino | never believed that
mere was head or tail to the
ooho'throwing blackmailers. but
'he shot that struck Petrosino
would seem to prove that there Is
u system behind them"
10 one who remembered how
VIOLENTLY that ea,,.
The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-12-30

Mrs B. L. Cain, Mesdames Loew and
Waltzenbach, Misses Anna Kelly.
Geraldine Kelly, Anita Kowalski, Ell
ia Kowalski, Eugene BrulaI, Ethel
Reed, Ray Stowe, Rosa Stowe, Marie
Browne, Irene Browne, Mamie
Browne, Laverne Morris ana Irene
Putegnat.
Judge John Bartlett, A. Ashheim.
Dr. H. K Loew, R. C. Patterson, G.
B. Murphy, R. W Abbott, c. B. Nc
Collum, G. w bennett, Jesse Den
nett, E. NJ. Lewis, C. B. s. Wharton,
E. A. McGary, E. F. Rorke.
DeKyle Smith, Geo. Chase, . S.
L. Dworman, j. c. Marshall, w H.
Mason, Jr., Geo. Mckay, R. Morris,
Consul and Mrs. c. A. Miller OF Mat
amoros, Mrs. l.. Oliver of Houston,
Miss Caplen, Miss Adele Caplen OF
Alta Iona and DR.. J. f. Caplen of
Texas City.
The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-12-30
ADD 5000 ACRES
IRRIGATED AREA
TWO MONSTER PUMPS ORDERED
FOR MISSION CANAL.
To Furnish Water for Third Lift, In
Guiding W. J. Bryan's Farm En-
penditure of About $4,000. Com
pany Elects Officers.

The Mission Land Improvement
Company yesterday closed q contract
with the Minneapolis Steel and Ma
ehirery Company fer two S6-inch
pumps, one to he used as-an auxiliary
on the river and the other to supply
water for tie thr d lift, SO the Heralc
learned today in an interview with R.
n. MagiI, the local sales agent for
the A.ssion Company. Jas. Garbett
represented the Minneapolis Company
in the transaction.
These two pumps, Mr.. Magill
said. will have joint capacity OF
TO- 900 gallons, and will increase the
irrigated area Of the Mission enter
prise by. over 5000 acres. They will
involve an expenditure of about 500
900 The contract was finally closed
last night. and the order wired in
The pumps will arrive in about thirty
days.
mo time will be lost in Installing
,nese additional pumps, Mr.. Maglll
continued, .as the company is under
contract to furnish water for land on
rbe third lift within a certain perio0
The land of VIM. J. Bryan, by the
way. is part of that which viii be wa
tered under this contract.
The final details of organization OF
tbe Mission Land Improvement Com
panv we're effected yesterday, accord
ing to Mr.. Magill The election OF
officers resulted in the choice OF tie
following:
President and manager, John J.
Conway; secretary and treasurer .
\. Kendall.
Mr.. Magill reports real estate as
still lively at Mission. Among recent
purchasers of town lots there are Dr.
f. II. Welcome, president OF the
Union Investment Comp%-" Of Mime
aDolis. and D. B. Chaplin, of Chaplin
The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-12-30
CLAIMS TO BE SOLVENT.
Local Lumber Company Asks That
Receivership BE Vacated.

Yesterday afternoon, Judge Bart
lett finished hearing the arguments in
the matter of the application of the
The Brownsville Lumber and Man
ufacturing Company for 3 vacation of
the receivership granted upon appn-
cation of the Rio Grande Sash and
Door Company of Harrington on Nov.
%. AS the county court adjourned
last week. this case was heard in
chambers
The case hinges upon the solvency
or insolvency of the local company.
whose property was attached on Octo-
Der l3 Icy U. S. Deputy Marshal Lin
ton for a debt owing the National
Lumber and CreosOting Company of
Corsicana, which had filed suit short
~ before that in the Federal Court.
Mr. Linton is still in charge of the
property.
The Rio Grande Sash and Door
Company filed suit and applied for a
receiver in the county court for a
debt of SS15. on November p and
two days later Emile Wise of this
city was appointed receiver by Judge
Bartlett.
In the present proceedings which
have occupied the past two days, the
local company claiming that the ap-
pointment of the receiver was not
warranted by law has introduced evil
dence to prove its solvency-
The assets are stated to be:
Stock on hand $4,000
Real estate, $4,000
(Subject to claims of $500
Buildings, $4,000.
Accounts due, $500.
Unpaid capital stock, $4,000
Mules, wagons fixtures, $500
The liabilities are so, 900. Coun-
sci for the plaintiff attacked the
schedule of assets claiming the real
estate. the property on which the
plant is situated IS no= owned l'y the
Company. and that thc greater part
of the accounts due AMI the unpaid
capital stock is unc7llertible.
At the conclusion ofthe arguments
yesterday, Judge Bartlett reserved de-
cision Up to a late nour this after
moon, none had heen handed down.
w. H. Seabury, o. Dancy and l.
Webster appeared for the defendant,
and R. 3. Creager and A. d. Hudson
for the plaintiff.
In addition to the above proceed
ings, a petition in bankruptcy against
the company was filed in the Federal
court on December 4, by the american
Tie ami Lumber Company, ". + NJ
son, Jr.. and the Texas Faint and
Glass Co.
The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-12-30

wben Ger and Ger he said Good
Night
r,,s. murnured willie, dear. yep
might
save time with ditto marks.
The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-12-30
HoUsE-wARMnNG DANCE.
Pleasant Affair Marks Formal Open
ing of the Miller.

A very enjoyable dance furnished a
pleasant ending to the formal house
warming of the remaue Miller Hotel
Yesterday. 1t was given in the even
ing in the spacious new dining-room
which was cleared and swept, and
garnished for the occasion with real
misunderstanding holly and mistle-
toe. In addition, palms and other
greens and roses artisticaIy scat
tered about the room helped to trans
form he inviting eating place into an
attractive ballroom At the conclu-
sion of the first dance, the main topic
Of conversation was the excellence
OF the floor which without doubt is
the best dancing floor in the city at
the present time
A Mexican orchestra furnished the
music for the program of sixteen
pieces. Supper was served between
the halves. When the strains of
Home Sweet Home" announced the
arrival of the time for saying good
night" they also marked the ending
of one of the pleasantest dances held
in Brownsville in long time. 1t is
said that this is not the last that will
be given at the hotel.
The guests were: Col. and Mrs
Uriah Lott, Judge and Mrs. Noah Al
len, Mr.. and Mrs. G. T. Porter, Mr..
and Mrs. B. G. Stegman, DR.. and Mrs.
F. c. Sizelan, Mr.. and Mrs. r. ~ Ma
gin. Mr.. and Mrs. C. H. More. Mr.. and