Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-01
Philip Purpura, a Former
Commission Merchant Is
Caught Taking Dummy
Package From Hiding.
A DMITS SENDING
LETTERS TO OTHERS
Threatened Intended Vic
tins With Death Unless
They Gave Money; May
Clear Up Mysteries.

Chicago, March 31.--Philip Purpura.
a former commission merchant OF
South Chicago, today confessed to the
police that he had written no less than
twenty-five letters to people OF the
surburb. demanding money and sign
ing them "the blackhand." Some
of these were successful. he said.
Purpura was arrested yesterday
when he went to designated spot
and took dummy package which had
been deposited there by the recipient
OF blackhand letter in accordance
with the directions enclosed.
Police OF the suburb had been told
by the recipients of over twenty
threatening letters that their lives
were in danger, but had no clue to
the identity of the sender until Pur-
pura walked into trap they set for
him. The Italians excuse was that
two years ago he lost $1,000 in busi-
ness borrowed that amount from
friends to regain his business and
failed again. He then thought OF the
letter idea, and carried 1t out. he said.
May Connect Him With Other Cases.
The police are endeavoring to con-
| meet him with mailing letters to Fed
feral Judge X. Nj. -.andis and melffs
hers OF a Jury In his court which was
trying blackhand cases.
Pnrpura was seized as he was wait
ing for a train on the platform Of tia
Illinois Central Railroad company It
Ninety-flrst street. A few minutes 10.
fore he had taken decoy packag,
that had been left behind signboard
as a response to letter to Max Rice
of 8714 Commercial avenue demand
ing that he give up $1,000.
Vincent Skiba, Polish detective.
made the arrest. He has been engaged
in the investigation Of numerous
black hand cases recently in South
Chicago. From the evidence collected
by Skiba, it Is said, Purpura may be
charged with the responsibility for
the sending OF at least six other black
hand letters.
Purpura's House Searched.
While the prisoners were being
questioned at the police station detec-
tives searched the Purpura residence.
A find regarded as significant was
writing tablet, the paper OF which was
the same as the stationary used In the
threatening letter written to Rice.
A number OF letters in Italian were
confscated by the detectives. When
Purpura was confronted by these he
said they we're threatening letters
written to his father by the black hand
and that his father had brought them
to him to get his advice as to what to
do with regard to them.
Mr.. Rice received his first message
from the black hand two weeks ago.
1t said:
an few days we will call on You.
"B. H. s.
The next arrived few days later.
1t said:
take warning Of the danger you
: Y "B. II. s.
Told Where to Place Money.
Then followed letter giving him
instructions to place 81 900 at q desig-
mated spot In Grant park at the foot
OF Van Buren, street. Tony Giometti.
at 9253 Commercial avenue received
a letter on the same day directing
him to put money in the same place.
The letter to Giomettf was written In
italian and the letter to Rice in Eng
lish. but the handwriting was the
same and the stationary identical.
The letter to Rice read:
"Mr. Rice,-This is the final letter
It means the last notice to notify
YOU that the head men Of the B. II. s..
order us to blow up your place and We
thought that we would give you an
other chance. Maybe this time you
will cool OF little and give the $1,000
and be quiet, because last week we
wrote. yo,l and you reDorted to the DO