Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1906 — “BLACK HAND” MYSTERY [ARTICLE]

“BLACK HAND” MYSTERY

Cleared Up So Far as One Town Is Concerned—Society of Strenuous Young “Jokers." Pittsburg, March 23.—The mystery of the “Black Hand” society which has long puzzled the police and postal authorities at McKeesport, has been cleared up and Detective Lamp has secured confessions from three school boys, whose ages range from 14 to 18 years. They stated that they were members of the gang that hu9 been Bending threatening letters to prominent physicians, school officials and business men, and Implicated a dozen or more other hoys, all belonging toprominent families. They say the letters were written merely In a spirit of mischief, and no thought was entertained of getting money or carrying out numerous other threats. Ex-Mayor Black, who received several of the letters, says he will not prosecute providing the boys can prove they meant no harm.