The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-07-29
Nlpplng a New York Blaekhand Con
spiracy In the Bud

tains In this country. But not quite.
He failed at the very outset of what
would have been, had It succeeded in
getting started, ono of the most sue.
oessful Matchmaking and robblng con-
spiracies that ever emanated from the
evil minds of the Italian Black Hand
men who live by terrorizing their fell
low countrymen in American cities.
Leoni ran n little private bank for
the accommodation OF his own coun.
trymen in Elizabeth street. In the low
or Italian quarter of New York City.
He made no pretense of doing n big
business, nor OF securing his deposit
tors and patrons against loss by any
great capital OF his own He had
started in as steamship agent. sell
ing tickets for a couple of the lines
that make a speciality OF carrying the
cheaper class OF passenger trade be-
tween New York and the Mediterra-
mean ports. That was ten years before
the events here to be related ever
began.
From seller Of steamship tickets
Leoni began 10 branch out. and soon
he was running a little italian en-
ployment agency in conjunction with
his original business. He satisfied ev-
erybody concerned with his dealings
In this, and soon the Italian emigrants
who had found work through his Of
flee began to entrust to him the task
OF conveying safely to the loved ones
back In Italy part of the funds earned
by the newcomers in America.
The private bank was the next step.
The newly arrived Italians were loathe
TO trust their hard-earned money with
any of the strange bankers in this
strange land. Leoni was one OF them.
a son of their own beloved Italy He
had welcomed them upon their arrival
at Ellis Island. he had brought them
up the bay and found them rooms in
the crowded quarters OF the east side.
Work they had secured through him.
and their steps in the new land had
been generally guided by his advice.
What more natural than that they
should turn to him when they began
to accumulate little sums Of money
which they wished to save?
Leoni took care OF their money with
siderable profit TO himself. His power
and influence. and the prosperity OF
his little private bank-so private
that the state bank examiners had
nothing to do with it-grew until in
March, 1911. he had on deposit in his
Elizabeth street office over $150.00O
placed in his care by his trusting
countrymen.
/ had never heard of Leoni until he
came to the Office OF the Burns De
tective Agency and asked for protec
ton
1T is the Black Hand--the Mano
Nera- that is after me-" he said
They have threaten me. Me, Pas
quale Leoni, whom all good Italians
trust-these bad men have threatened
that they shall take my life or l am
to give them $25 900"
He dove into his pocket as he spoke
and showed us letter written in Ital-
ian and addressed to him. Translated
it read:
Dear Prosperous Brother:
Many Of the countrymen are out Of
work. Times are not as rich with all
as they are with you Those who
have much should help those who
have little or nothing Brother. you
have much; we have nothing. You
should be glad to help. There are
many of us. That we all should get a
little you must give much. But II is
not much to you. who has so much.
Brother. you must have $4,000 to
ri H.,
II, or we will remove you as a traitor
to your poor countrymen.
'"The Beautiful Society"
1t was a typical Black Hand letter,
except that the amount was away be-
yond the usual demand
How did you have the nerve TO
come here about this?" asked the Of.
fee manager You know Italians usu-
ally are afraid TO speak even to their
wives about communications of this
sort.
ITO the police ! would not 60" said
Leoni But you think can trust.
Anyhow, j Will die before l give up
this money. ] want you to protect me
by finding tho writer of this letter
and putting him IN Jail l have heard
that YOU do such things very we'll"
The Office manager turned to me.
Want to take the case, Cornell?"
he asked 1--WE don't usually touch
anything OF this sort"
Certainly" ! said It's all part
OF the game to me-"
Leoni and ! got together then. /
took the letter and examined It care
fully. II was I'm q fairly good hand
writing and carefully punctuated and
phrased. Apparently 1t was the work
OF an educated man.
reasoned that this letter probably
was the work OF one OF the men whom
Leoni had had dealings with iB one
way or another. Probably somebody
who had deposited money with him
and who knew how prosperous ;he
private banker was becoming
How did the letter come to your"
I asked
1T was showed under tho door at
night" he said OF found 80 when I
open store en- the morning"
I put the letter under q microscope
and examined it carefully
did IL come just the way It was?"
asked
Yes"
mo envelope?"
mo nothing but what you have