The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1915-02-05
Gathering In
Black Hand

Developments in the running down
of the slayer of John Lenzo have been
coming slow but what is believed to be
reasonably sure the past week. Late
last week Thursday night, after the
Sentinel had gone to press, Detective
Martino apprehended Joe Grafuto, re-
puted by the people of Wadsworth to
be a hard-working and thrifty Itai-
ian. He owns real estate in Wads-
worth, has money in the bank and
works every day. Grafuto under pres
sure told long story to Martino on
Thursday night that he was member
of recognized Black Hand gang in
Wadsworth, of which Dominica Cac-
ciolo is the present leader, but that
he became member under protest
and because threatened with death If
he refused. Grafuto's story is fully
credited by the police.
Friday afternoon Grafuto came to
Medina and before Prosecutor Under
wood and other local authorities, also
Sentinel representative, repeated
for record the same story given De-
tective Martino the previous evening
Grafuto was released upon his per-
sonal bond.
Monday MARITIME was in town again,
accompanied by Marshal Lucas of
Wadsworth and Grafuto. Grafuto
was detailed to talk with Cacciolo in
Jail, as the latter had previously ap-
pealed to Grafuto to sign the formers
bond for release. 1t was believed that
by promise of signing his bond Gra-
futo would be able to prevail upon
Cacciolo to tell what it is believed he
knows concerning the death of John
Lenzo. After a conversation lasting
more than an hour, Grafuto returned
to the court house and reported that
when he suggested to Cacciolo that he
make a clean breast the latter be-
came frenzied and threatened Grafuto
bodily harm if he did not get out Of
the jail This the latter did.
Detective Martino, accompanied by
Marshal Lucas and the editor of the
Sentinel then entered the Jail and
Martino proceeded to another grilling
of Cacciolo.
Cacciolo appeared voluble for
time and then became adamant when
he was twisted for facts. 1t was at
this time that he fell back upon the
advice of his attorney, F. o. Phillips,
and refused to give further enlighten-
ment. This was in the face of incrim-
mating documents known to be in the
hands of Detective Martino and Pros
ecutor Underwood.
At conference between Prosecutor
Underwood and the county corar1iis-
sioners Monday noon, the latter de-
lcided to stand back Of the Prosecutor
lin whatever he decided 10 do III The
bringing Of the slayer of John Eenz0
to justice. Whereupon Detective Mar
tino was authorized to go to Brook
lyn, N. Y, Monday night, to appre-
hend a member of the Wadsworth
Black Hand gang, whom it is known
left for Brooklyn about three days
after the assassination of John Lenzo.
Since writing the above Detective
Martino delayed going to Brooklyn to
run down fresh clue picked up in
Cleveland. A letter received from him
yesterday by Prosecutor Underwood
stated that he was going to Rittman,
from there to Ravenna, thence to Lor-
ain and then to Brooklyn, where he
expected to apprehend Rosario Pat
ii. Grafuto, thus far the star witness
for thestate, declares that Patti was
in Wadsworth two days before Lenzo
was assassinated, and that Cacciolo
made round of the local Italians at
that time with a demand for money
contributions with which to assist
Patti in getting out of town. Others
claim, however, that PATHS hurried
exit from Wadsworth was due to hav-
ing pulled gun on some American
boys, the latter of whom were bound
on taking the matter up.
Tony Cafferuli, one of the four men
arrested, was released on bail Monday
He was represented by Attorney And
rews of Akron.