The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-24
DEATH Furnishes
BLACK HAND men
FAILING TO OBEY.
Charles Rando On the Stand
Reveals Innermost Sc
= crets Of Society.
COMPELLED HIM TO JOIN
LEAVING THE HOUSE WITHOUT
A COAT CONSTITUTES AN
oFFENSE.

HH.k ssSsa> 81 s
Ludricous and tragic features OF the
ritual work of the Famiglia Vaga-
honda and the penalties imposed upon
members for violation OF the orders
OF the leaders OF the society were re-
vealed this morning when Charles
Rando, a member formerly of high
standing, testified against Samuel
Greece. on trial for conspiracy, In, Cir
cult court.
Rando told of being forced to Join
the society by Samuel Palma at XII.
arm whoIthreatened to shoot him and
compelling him to pay $25 for the first
degree and SIS for the second. RRndoi
who has gained immunity from pun
ishment for his part in the murders
at Kilarm last Christmas Eve by turn
ing states evidence. declared that
Greece, the man on trial today 10 no
more guilty than he is.
What Grecco's done, I've done, and
what I've done Grecco's done. We've
both done the same and neither of us
have done anything"
Such is Rando's way OF stating that
both he and Greece are innocent OF
intentional wrong doing.
who we're the leaders in the so.
ciety?" asked Prosecuting Attorney
Tusca Morris in direct examination.
Sam Palma was the big boss and
Tony Zagari was the second boss" re-
piled Rando.
what is the purpose of the
Famiglia vagabonda?"
When they ask you to join they
say it is to help men.Ders who are
sick, in Jail or in trouble OF other
sorts"
what are the requirements of the
society,"
you can't do much of anything
without asking the leaders. II yon
want to leave town, get Q new job or
even go out without your coat on you
have to get permission" =
What happens If you don't get per
mission?"
"If you do any of these things with.
out permission you are fined and II
you don't pay your fine you may be
killed or your family may be killed.
How often did the society at Kiiarm
meet?" 4.iinan2lkSJs
Every week." 'ssss8
DO you remember meeting In an
orchard which was attended by Sam
Grecco?"
"Why was il called?"
An American boy employed as .
driver in mine had beaten up Car
bona Dufre, an Italian and the society
met to see what would be done about
it."
What was done at this meeting
"Tony Zugari,. the leader wanted the
American boy beaten up or killed but
Dufre and the rest of US wouldn't
stand for 1t.
What did zagari do then 2"
HE ordered each of us to pay hne
of So except .Dufre, who was ordered
to pay 500 "a, !,
"In room upstairs in my house
where we met when 1t was too cold
to meet in the orchard. There was
barrel of cider in this room.
who called this meeting
"Tony Zagari. After the others had
gathered in the room / went upstairs
quietly without my shoes on.
What happened then
TONY Zagari said would have to
pay a fine of $40 for attending the
meeting without my shoes but later
he excused me from paying the fine. ]"
What was done at this meeting
"Zagari made US take special oath
of secrecy because heS said he was
going to take Dufre into the mine and
bury him."
"Then what happened"
"Dufree cried and objected 10 kill.
ing him. Then Zagari cursed me and
grabbed for his revolver but Greece
and the other men in the room pre-
vented him from shooting.
What did Zagari say?"
"He said that 1t would not do to let
Dufre go now because he would tell
the officers and get everybody into
trouble Then Greece said that we
had better leave and forget about II
ALL"
DO you remember about the meet
ing in your house in Kilarm the day
before Christmas?"
"Yes. do Zagarf stood me up in
the room and pointed his finger at me
and said that / would have to leave
Palma's society and join his. was
afraid and cried and then some or the
other men said we would take a vote
on it,
Tell what else happened.
well, then 1 said that i wanted 10
leave both societies and be let alone.
sat down and cried. Then go on
my knees and begged them to let me
alone"
did they threaten you 2,
"Yes, they threatened to disgrace
me by smearing my face with filth
from the sewer. Finally they expelled
me aud said they would smear my
face II I,would not pay fine OF $50
After Prosecuting Attorney Morris
had questioned Rando, Attorney Har
ry Shaw, for Greece. subjected the
witness TO rigid cross-axamination
which developed facts of advantage 10
the defendant. although Rando did
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