The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-06-09


all of the gang of alleged BLACK
Hand" members, who are charged
with hundreds OF blackmailing at
tempts, some of which were success
ful, the inspectors of the post Office
department, Tuesday night, divulged
much of the information they have
secured during six long months OF
labor on the case.
Tuesday morning the inspectors
arrested Sam Lima, the North Main
street fruit dealer and Joe Rizzo.
Later developments proved that Joe
Rizzo had no part in the conspiracies
and he was released. Last night
the officers arrested Sam q. Rizzo,
whose real name is said to be Sal
vatore Rizzo, Salvatore Bataglia and
Antonio Vicrio. The men are being
held here awaiting the arrival of the
United States Marshal from Cleve-
land, when they will be taken to To-
ledo for trial in the United States
courts. While the work was carried
on by the trio of officers Tuesday,
other post Office sleuths were work.
ing at Dennison, Bellefontaine, Co
lumbus and other places over the
state, rounding up practically all Of
the gang.
The specific offense in which all
these men are said to be implicated
is the attempt TO extort $4,000 from
John Amicon and Charles Amicon,
of the John Amicon Fruit company, OF
Columbus. The whole raid is the
result of the confession made by one
of the members when arrested some
time ago in Pittsburg. Since that
time several hundred letters, passing
between members of the gang, have
been intercepted and much valuabls
evidence secured. 1t is claimed that
Marion has been the headquarters
OF the gang and that Sam or Sal
vatore Lima is known as the leader.
Hundreds of others are affiliated with
Lima in this particular gang. Other
societies are also affiliated and are
known to have loaned men for
certain deeds the society wanted per-
formed. AS far as the inspectors
have been able TO learn only Ital.
ians and Sicilians have been molest-
ed.
In the raids made Tuesday much
evidence has been procured. The
| full extent of this will not be known
until the contents to several mails
sacks are fully translated II is
claimed that the members of the
gang have recently sent hundreds of
dollars to Italy. Salvatore Lima
received all of the tribute paid by
hundreds of Italians throughout this
part OF the United States. There is
no evidence that he divided with any
of the others but IL seems that mos.
OF the gang paid tribute TO him.
The band was known as the So
ciety of the Banana. Lima was a,
its head and received all Of the
money. He recently sent large sums
to alleged confederates in Italy.
A. the direction OF Lima, conven.
tions were held here and In other
iplaces members OF the band attend
ing from all over Ohio, Pittsburg ant
Western Pennsylvania. At these
meetings reports were made upor
Italians from whom money was tt
be demanded. The case OF those whit
refused to pay were consluered ant
the inspectors of the post Office de
partment believe that Lima passe'
judgment on those who would no
pay. He Is also thought to have des
ignated the member or members o
geance to those who failed to pa!
! tribute to the Malta. Among Italian
the band has been known as tn,
BLACK Hand" despite the fame!
name sometimes attributed to II
There seems TO be no evidence tha
Lima Is the national head OF the so
ciety but the authorities rather be
lieve that he is the head OF a bant
that covers a certain portion OF tn,
United States. That he has been II
communication with other leader
both in this country and in Italy
is certain.
There is generally an organization
wherever Italians are located in an.
number. The leader, chosen by tn,
band, Is in supreme authority and
there is a penalty OF death for fail
Iure to obey his mandates. In ever,
place searched Tuesday the Inspector
found large sums of money but the,
did not modest II.
/. The gang was well organized. III
demands were accompanied b!
threats of violence. In some case
where money demanded was not pail
the threats were carried out.
! In January, Mrs. John Amicon