San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-26
BLACK HAND IS
WORKING HERE;
ONE MAN SHOT
Italian Merchant Shoots
Friend Accidentally AZ
ter Getting Letter.
HIS LIFE THREATENED
Demand Made for $4,000
From John Granieri
Wealthy San Antonian.

Following the excitement caused by
the receipt of a BLACK Hand letter,
demanding that he pay $4,000 on pain
Of death, John Granieri, Italian residing
at 901 South Flores street, late Thurs
day night, fired a shot from a rifle
which slightly wounded Louis Spiller,
a fellow countryman, Spiller was able
TO go about his duties Friday morn
ing. after his wound had been dressed.
Federal officers Friday were endeavor-
ing to identify the writer Of the letter.
Intense excitement was still in evil
denec at the Granicri home Friday and
it is expected that officers will be re-
quested TO guard the house until all
danger is passed. Deputy sheriffs who
had been stationed on South Flores
street Thursday night in an effort TO
capture the writer's of the letter de-
serted their vigil after it became APP
parent that no one was to appear, the
officers being unaware of the shoot
ing at the Granieri home.
Letter Gave Detailed instructions.
The letter was received by the Gran
Teri family about two days ago. 1t
was signed BY the BLACK Hand" and
demanded that $4,000 in currency be de-
livered to an unknown person at the
end of the South Flores street. car line
at l. 80 Thursday night. The bearer
of the money was instructed to come
alone and was to make himself known
by striking a match when he reached
the designated spot. The representative
of the BLACK Hand" would then ap-
pear and receive the money. Gran
Teri was warned that if the bearer Of
the money made any outcry or if of
ficers were notified he would be killed.
Granieri reported the matter to
Sheriff John W. Tobin late Thursday
aud he assigned Deputy Sheriffs Serna,
Speer and Cooper on the case. The
Granicri family was instructed TO re-
main at home, while the officers sta
toned themselves in the vicinity of the
spot where the letter had instructed
that the money be brought. The of
ficers waited patiently until well past
/ o'clock and when no one, other than
the ordinary belated pedestrians and
had appeared. they de-
cidcd to abandon their watch and re-
turn TO their homes. Their failure to
find any one was reported to Chief
Deputy Newton Friday morning.
Planned to Capture Man.
Meanwhile excitement had reigned at
the Granieri home. Spiller, who is
special officer and resides at 1OI Frio
City road, where he conducts an auto
Mobile repair shop, hearing of Granieri's
trouble, had come to his assistance. He
and Granieri had been in consultation
in the Granieri home on the second
iloor of the grocery store. Finally Spill !
er decided that to capture the writers
If the letter it would be necessary for |
some one 10 proceed to the spot with a |
package. He and Granieri decided, how
,ver. that they would ask for another
officer to follow close behind. He and |
Iranieri went down stairs to telephone. |
Upon reaching the street floor, |
Spiller noticed an automobile on the |
opposite side Of the street. moving at |
, slow pace. Instead of following his
,lan Of telephoning for an officer 10 /
him TO where the money |
vas to be taken, he decided to invcsti-
,ate the presence of the automobile.
Slipping a small caliber pistol in his
iranieri remained in the house.
Thought 1t An Enemy.
Questioning of the occupants of the
ar. Spiller said, brought the response
hat they were waiting for another
riend. After watching the car for a
ew moments. Spiller crossed the street
o the entrance to the Granieri home.
iranieri all this time thought Spiller
vas at the telephone. When Spiller
tarted TO open the door, he said, he
card someone from within shout a
ommand. Thinking that Granieri
ecognized him, he paid no attention
o it. At that instant Granieri, fear
ng that an enemy was about TO enter,
ired a rifle bullet through the heavy
late glass door. The bullet lodged in
'piller's left shoulder blade. causing
My slight wound. Flving glass from
he door also cut Spiller about the
ace. Only the fact that Granieri
lined high possibly prevented him
rom inflicting n fatal wound. At the
irst shot Spiller made known his
ientity and Granieri Immediately
pened the door and admitted him.
Believe Home Watched.
Central police headquarters was noti-
led Immediately after the shooting and
Harvey and Ruhnke respond
d. Granieri was taken into custody |
y f. Hope, 900 Nathan street, who
arries a special commission, but was
pleased when he had explained that
he shooting was entirely accidental. y