BLACK HAND GANG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13940, 27 June 1907, Page 7

BLACK HAND GANG.

THE TERROR OF THE MILLIONAIRE.

A HORRIBLE CRIME.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, June 25. Tlie Black Hand gar..,' at New Orleans captured a, boy, and demanded £1200 ransom from tho father, Peter Lamana, ;i wealthy merchant. The money was wanted to enable a member of the gang to marry a woman named Gilbra, an Italian beauty, As ail example of what would Implicit through refusing (.lie demands of ;ho gang it was decided to kill the child, Carncstara, an Italian, broko tlio child's neck, and tlio body was carved and distributed. Owing to tlio confession of a member, 15 of the gang have been arrested.

A MYSTERIOUS ASSOCIATION. America does everything on a big scale; hut few people realise how serious is the problem presented by the criminal societies of the United States. The chief of these, the Society of the Black Hand, or the Mafia, as it is sometimes called, is one of the. most mysterious associations ever Formed. Precisely hoiv Jotijr t t has baffled the detectives of the world it would be difficult to say. liul the list of crimes attempted or carried out by it is simply appalling. In 1903 an attempt was made to blow up the Cunard liner Umbria by means of an infernal machine containing lOOib of dynamite. A warning letter was, however, received in time to prevent the disaster. Tho letter explained that "the society, lias declared war against England and has ordered the destruction of every British steamer flying the British flag that sails out of New York Harbour." Superintendent Murray, of the Bureau of Combustibles, who examined the machine, declared that it was the largest and clovere.it he- had ever seen. The affair was a mystery at tho time, and has remained so ever since. Grim Fouimioxtus' Jtaor.n. But it is chiefly against private persons, and with the object of gain, that the Block Hand is directed. As the society has over 5000 members in New York alone, it is not surprising to learn that in four months 54 persons wore killed or maimed, seven buildings blown up, ami 700 attempts at blackmail made under threats of death. Tho late Mi' Russell Sage was in constant fear of assassination through his refusal to pay blackmail; while Mr. Wesson, the revolver manufacturer, is said to have paid over £1,000.000 as the result of demands by the society. The Black Hand of America, undoubtedly its origin as a branch of the terrible Malia, and was introduced by foreign immigrant!. 'The inception of the Mafia itself is said to bo as folloivs:—ln 1262 a young citizen of Palermo and his betrothed were about to be married. While the lover 6ought- tho priest, a drunken sergeant of the French garrison staggered lip to tho girl and her. The girl fell in tho struggle, striking her head 'against a pillar. Quick Retribution-. At- this moment her lover returned anil, seeing what had occurred, (dabbed tho sergeant to the heart. The incident led to the revolt of Palermo against tho French, tho Italian cry being "Morte Alia Francia Italia Anclea"—" Death to the French is Italy's cry." When the frenzy of revolution passed and the day of French retribution camo, tho citizens formed themselves into a patriotic league, making Mafia their password. The election and initiation of members into the Black Hand was exhaustive and terrifying to all but those of strong nervo. After strict inquiries and a unanimous vote, the candidate would be summoned to a meeting; after tiring at a crucifix to show ho had no sentiment that would prevent his l>eing faithful to the band, he ivas blindfolded ami accused of being a spy, whereupon tho chief would order the company assembled to rend hint limb from limb. If he did not flinch they tore the bandage from his eyes, and he found a dozen musket barrels presented at hie body; this tost pa«ed with no sign of fc?.r, he would bo told to pick a coin from tho floor, and as he stooped the members tried to strike 'he coin with their daggers, often passing them through the neophyte's fingers. Then a vein was opened in his a-rtn. and he signed the oath of secrccy and fidelity in his own blood. Besides being established at San Francisco and Nov/ York, llie Black Hand is represented at St. Louis, Chicago, and Nov/ Orleans. At the latter plae-o it wa« particularly active and violent 16 years ago. In May. 1890, a band of Mafitisi laid in ambush for a company of tho Stopnaghera, a secret society opposed to tho Black Hand, and killed and wounded six. Forty murders had already occurred among Indians and Sicilians in that city, so tho police made a special effort in connection with this new crime and arrested six persons. But during the trial- all tho witnesses were assassinated. Mafia Alhost Beatfx In spite <)[ this, the prisoner/; were convicted, but- counsel appealed successfully for a new trial. Mr Henncssy, the Chief of the Police, made such exhaustive research pending the fresh trial that the Mafia feared its entire discovery and annihilation both in America and Europe. Ten members of the Black Hand were deputed to assassinate him, and a volley of bullets was discharged at him from a dark alley one midnight. lie emptied his revolver, fully 20 shots lx-ing exchanged. Eleven Sicilians were arrested on suspicion. but in spite of overwhelming evidence, tho jmy, intimidated bv threats of murder, found six not- guilty, giving them, as they alleged, the benefit of the. doubt. A fresh charge preferred against litem, however, sent them back to tho county gaol. The populace of New Orleans was now wildly excited ami indignant. Led by a lawyer named Parkerson and several prominent- public officials 2000 persons assembled at the Clay statue on March 14, 1891, and, armed with gnus and revolvers, stormed the prison where the 19 accuscd lay. Justice Without tiir Law. Some of the assassins had secreted themselves in the women's quarters, hastily vacated for their benefit: but they were all found and either shot down in the prison or taken out, banged from the nearest lamp-post, and riddled with bullets. The United-States had to pay 25,000d0l to tho Italian Government for the widows and. orphans of the persons killed, but a severe blow had been dealt at the Mafia for the time being. This rough treatment, however, served to win for the Black Hand tho sympathy of many Italian gentlemen in the United States who had never before countcnanccd their wicked acts.