The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-10

money was produced. This letter, it was discovered, was sent from Marion through series of secret Italian agents. Lima. now in jail here. was not informed of the cause of his in. generation until today. He was given a newspaper when he arose from his cell cot.
 When he read that he was believed to have instigated the plot to black. mail Amicon., Lima exclaimed: "Uh. Amicon. oh, see he. Amicon. jealous! That's all He Jealous of me than he dol He tell police I do, this money business to get even with me because I get more businessl Black Handi Bah! I know nothingi"
 Lima puffed nervously at a black cigar and turned to talk in whispers to a group of his countrymen, who had come early to the jail to bring him milk and an Italian breakfast. Lima is known to have sent $500 to an agent in Italy within the last three weeks. The money was sent through the Marion post office. His business here is sUalI one, and the Federal onicials declare that its profits would not net in years the amount of money that has passed through LAma's hands in the past few montns.
 Ten thousand dollars have been sent to Italy from the biackmailers now be- ing rounded up, say the Federal offi- cers All this money. 1t is declared. was wrung from wealthy men of their own race. In no case. as far as is known, has any American been dis turbed.
 Lima's store. it Is asserted. was the headquarters of a group operating tn Ohio, with Cleveland. Columbus, Gin. cinnatti and Toledo. as the chief sources of manipulation. Lima is ac- -R Aa ,Nrv [ ffu-, scheme and censoring all mail. He was forwarded all letters and passed on them. If he chose to send them out. he would enclose them in separate en. velopes addressed to agents of the band in different cities. These agents would forward them to other members of the band until finally the prospect i've victim would receive a threatening demand for money. The amounts de~ manded varied from $200 to $1,000 as a rule. in each case.
 Marion as Clearing House.
 Through the chain system, the origin of the letters was traced with difficulty and Marion was discovered as the clearing house after several months persistent investigation. Secret Servica Agent Oldheld. with Assistants R. M c Hosford and E. F. Hutchess came to Marion, Tuesday. Accompanied by To- cal officers. they went to Lima's store in Main Street. Lima was taken into custody without any prelimfnaries A search of the premises was made, on demand, though protesting, Lima open ed his safe. A few of the Black Hand letters and $500 in money were found there. One of the letters marked with the skull and cross-bones, was address ed to an Italian in Newburgh. o. The name Is withheld pending an investi- gation. The man may be an intended victim or an agent.
 After Lima had been incarcerated, a search of his premises was made. Trunks were examined and in three or four of them. packages of greenbacks and suspicious looking letters were found. More than a thousand dollars was found in the store and living rooms above. The officials did not con- fiscate the money.
 In tas search Tor Rizzo. the officers had difficulty. Four Rizzos were ar rested before they found the right man. One of them was Joseph Rizzo, a fruit merchant. who. with two more of the same name. has been released from custody. Sam Rizzo and Batazlio were arrested in a rooming house across the street from Lima's store.
 Tn their trunks were found Italian letters in unaddressed envelopes and considerable money. Lima Is 52 years old, married, and has four children. He
 
 Black Hand Letter.
 The following is a Black Hand letter sent to John Amicon. the rich fruit dealer here. It Is a sample of them all:
 Dear John Amicon:--
 we have sent you several letters. We have put dynamite behind your door and you are doomed to death. Ugly wretch, you need not lament if, when you do not expect, 1t will cost you your life. Already our band has you down in the register of the dead. We have arrived at the time and already two of us are under obligations to kill you even though you are guarded by a thousand police. Take the street as your friend Lieutenant Petroslno did. Ugly wretch that you are that you content yourself with trying to avoid the payment of the mon sy, $10,000, but by the blood of God we are back of you.
 We have learned your store and you will be accosted when you do not expect 1t. the sight of two dagger thrusts and then you will sleep for ever One thing l tell you. no one can belong to our band who has not killed ten persons. We have killed Kings and Emperors, consider a fly like you! No Do not think 1t. We know that you are rich and you must give up some blood. If you wish to avert your death you will search for an honorable person to come to Pittsburg. and while he Is searching for us, he will be found.
 We advise you that if you go to the police. you can count yourself dead. that Is, you die first. Wretchl Do you duty without the policce and 1t will bs well Either money or your lifel IF short tirne you will see that We