The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-06-09


| Bellfontaine, o., June 9-Postal in
spector, Oldiield is positive that the
BLACK Hand" suspect, Collogero Vic
carlo, arrested here today, was con
nected with the murder of Detective
Petrosino in Italy some months ago.
Oldfield bases his belief on the fact
that Viccarrio is known to have left
for Italy just before Petrosino was as
sassinated. Viccario spent some time
in Italy and returned here Oldfeld
believes him to be one of the ring
leaders of the Malta in America and
considers his capture of first impor
tance.
Marion, Ohio, June 9.-One more ar
rest was made today in connection
with the discovery, last night, of
well organized black hand society,
which has been extorting money from
many wealthy Italian business men in
various sections of the east An Ital-
ian, named Vicciano, of Bellefontaine,
was arrested there charged with being
"go between" in securing money for
the Black Hand gang. Sam Lima, a
Marion fruit merchant, alleged to be
the leader of the wholesale blackmail-
ing gang and who is in custody on
specific charge of threatening John
Amicon, wealthy fruit dealer of Co.
lumbus, today, angrily protested that
his arrest was the result of the jeal-
ousy, "Amicon is jealous of me be-
cause | sell more bananas in Ohio than
he does" he said.
In several arrests made in Colum-
bus, Marion and Dennison, yesterday,
postotfice inspectors and detectives,
who worked in conjunction with them
in the case, believe they have unearth-
ed the biggest and best organized
branch of the "Black Hand" in this
country. Marion, probably is the
head of the organization.
Charles Holmes of Cincinnati chief
postotfice inspector, who is in charge
of the work that has resulted in the
arrests so far made, is authority for
the statement that evidence has been
obtained showing that the gang operat-
ing from Marion and with lines reach
ing into several big cities of the
country, have feeced different per
sons in this and other states out of
thousands of dollars in the last few
months by the application of "Black
terday are Samuel Lima and Joseph
Rizzo in Marion; Antonio Vicerio in
Columbus and A. Marfis in Dennison.
Last night Mr. Holmes said he was
expecting word from Bellfontaine, O.,
of two more arrests. These two, he
said would be of greater Importance
than those already made. He says
that the gang which conducted its op-
erations from Marion was composed of
Italians and worked exclusively upon
their countrymen He has obtained
evidence that as late as two weeks
ago they sent from the Marion post
Office money orders aggregating ST.
900, to confederates in Italy. this be-
ing the division of blackmail funds in
one case. Many such bits of evidence
it is said, are in the possession of in
spectors.
The proof we have found against |
the Marion gang convinces us that |
they have worked their game success
fully on many Italians, principally well
to do Sicilians." Mr.. Holmes said. |
I'VE have not found where they went
after an American. They meant bust
ness when they made demands for
money. If their demands were ignor-
ed they resorted to the bomb either
to bring their victim to time or 20
avenge a persistent refusal to submit
to blackmail"
January l John Amicon's wife found
at the door of their home in Columbus
a box containing dynamite and fuses,
and tackled on the outside a BLACK
Hand" note demanding $4,000 and I
death if the money was
not paid The money was to be paid H
at the BLACK Hand" rendezvous in
Pittsburg. The case was turned over
to the government secret service and
later given to the postofice inspectors.
The Amicons received almost weekly
demands for money
- Acting in harmony with government
officers, the Pittsburg, Pa, police raid