Part 2: 5: The Black Hand

5. More ominously the “black hand” of the mafia made its lethal presence felt.

“Mafia took toll of another life in Waukegan early today when Pasquale Coscarelli, 36, taxicab driver here for six years, was found lying on the porch of the place where he roomed at 409 Market street, his chest being completely penetrated by four bullets.

“He came from Naples, Italy, where he has a wife and three children. Money in his pockets was not touched and for that reason it is believed by the police that the “black hand” was responsible for the murder.

“Coscarelli’s taxi was parked in front of the home of Antonio Spereto (?) where he roomed.” (1) 

This follows several other incidents of attempted blackmail and extortion by the “black Hand”,  via letter death and destruction for the recipient if certain funds were not received by a certain date. In investigating this murder, police detained Guissepe Manole, Cascarella’s roommate and half a dozen other local Italian, with no leads. Cascarelli had received at least three letters from “the Black Hand” demanding money. This recalled a similar case from the previous year, and investigators tried to determine a match between several letters in several cases. (2)

The previous case had involved Nick Grana, who received threatening letters demanding $2,000 during  late 1920, early 1921. The letters “had threatened to kill not only Grana but to blow up his house and kill every member in his family”, if he did not deliver the money to an address in Chicago. Nick did not take the threats very seriously until a Friday night when gunshots were fired  through his shop window (at 501 Market street) “from the direction of the Northwestern Railroad tracks” (3) narrowly missing his wife and one child. The next day he received a postcard giving a three-day deadline for payment. At that the Granas quickly closed their grocery sold it along with its entire inventory ($800) as well as the home they lived in ($1000) and all of its furnishings and moved out of town. Deducting for debts he owed, the Granas lost almost all they had. The new owners of the grocery were afraid of an attack on the following Monday, but did display a large sign declaring the change of ownership of the shop. (4)

The troubles for the Grana family had begun earlier, in 1915, when the son John Grana, then ten, broke his leg in a fall from a freight car in the nearby rail yards. (5) The boy claims that he willingly left when discovered by a railroad employee playing in a freight car, and was pushed out of the car by the employee, causing the broken leg.

A month after the boy’s accident, presumably while young John was still on the mend, Nick narrowly avoided death on a construction site. While working on the excavation of the site for the new Academy theatre at the corner of Genesee and Clayton, part of a wall of earth suddenly collapsed and buried Nick up to his waist. He surely would have died if not for the quick action of his fellow workers in holding back the remaining wall while digging Nick out. Miraculously, Nick suffered no broken bones. (6) By April, 1917 the Granas had saved enough to buy some property on Market street, on the corner of Market and Liberty for $2,200. (7) In 1919, Nick joined a suit against the Northwestern railroad company for $10,000 for John’s broken leg, but the outcome of the suit is unclear. (8)

Unfortunately, John’s troubles did not end there. In December, 1920, then dubbed “the champion hard-luck boy in Waukegan” by the local press, trailed by “misfortune and mishap,” John, then 13 was hired  by a local moving company to help move a piano and was seriously injured when the piano toppled over on him as he tried to steady it. Both shoulders and one arm were broken. Nick filed suit for $10,000 against the moving company, but it is again unclear if he prevailed. John remained “crippled with rheumatism.” (9)

It was in May of 1921 that the extortion plot against the Granas reached its climax and the family fled. It is unclear if it was possibly related to a settlement of either of the suits Grana had filed on John’s behalf, with awards publicly known. In any case, a month after fleeing the Granas returned to Waukegan, hoping to buy back the store and re-settle. Nick told the local papers that he did not pay off the Mafia, did not intend to, and did not have the money to do so. “He is hopeful that they will not again molest him and intends to protect himself as best he can. He takes a rather fatalistic view of the situation, saying that if the members of black hand are still intent on “getting” him they will do so in spite of anything he might do.” (10)

It is also unclear if a connection was established between the Grana Blank Hand letters and the letters found with Pasquale Coscarelli after his murder, or if the perpetrators of any of these crimes were ever brought to justice. At the time of Coscarelli’s murder, a Chicago detective sergeant Anthony Gentile, was called in to assist the investigation. An Italian himself, he spoke the language and it was hoped he could gain more information from reluctant witnesses. Gentile had pieced together Coscatella’s last hours, including his last meal at a local restaurant, though he was still searching for a local man who was said to have been with him on the day before he was murdered. Gentile speculated that Coscarella may have may have been the originator of some of the local Black Hand letters. He also theorized that Coscarella’s killer would have been a local man, since it seemed unlikely a killer would have risked the travel required from Chicago with a sawed off shotgun, which was determined to be the murder weapon. Gentile talked with Nick Grana, but Grana was never publicly mentioned as a suspect in Coscarella’s murder, which took place approximately five months after Grana’s return to town. (3)

(For more on the Grana family, see Part 2, chapter 12.)

The tales certainly highlight the vulnerability of the residents trying to survive in harsh conditions.

It is unclear why certain people were targeted by the black hand.

John Marano and family awoke one evening just before midnight in March 1916 with their home, which they rented from John Strobach, filling with smoke. Fire investigators concluded the fire was deliberately set, and there was a strong smell of kerosene in the air outside. Quick work of the south side fire department saved the building from being completely destroyed. Marano suspected it the work of “enemies” and the “Black Hand” thought but never proved. (13)

Other similar extortion incident in town included a plot against a local theatre owner, and even threats against a local priest.(14). The Black Hand seemed to exert an influence even without direct threat. James and Dominick Buttitti closed their successful Electric shop and moved away, presumably on their way back to Italy to visit their mother, after successfully helping Dominick’s childhood sweetheart emigrate after six un-finished crossing due to lack of funds.(15) Certainly the residents of Market street were far from the wealthiest citizens in town; while they did not seem to target any specific ethnicity, it is an open question if it was though immigrants might be more susceptible to compliance with the demands than more established families. Much of this needs further in depth study.

Notes

(1)  Black hand kills taxi driver, 36 : Libertyville Independent Nov 3, 1921 p9

(2)  Black hand letters may help locate slayer Libertyville Independent Feb 23, 1922: p1

(3) Death threats sent by murder victim, belief Libertyville Independent Feb 23, 1922: p2

(4) Flees from Black Hand to save himself and family Libertyville Independent May 19, 1921: p6

(5) (Aug 6, 1915, Libertyville Independent p11)

(6)  Workmen save a man’s life when huge bank caves Libertyville Independent Sept 10, 1915, p11

(7) (April 22, 1917: Libertyville Independent, p2)

(8) Suit aggregating $30,000 filed against electric Libertyville Independent, Feb 20, 1919: p9

(9)  Breaks everything but 18th amendment; sues Libertyville Independent, Dec 16, 1920: p2

(10)  Nick Grana is back; is ready to face black hand gang Libertyville Independent June 16, 1921: p9

(11) 2 boy thieves get 40 days in jail on guilty plea, Waukegan Daily Sun and the Waukegan Daily Gazette, Saturday February 21, 1925, p1

(12) Enraged girl tries suicide, The  Waukegan news-sun Wed April 12, 1933,p 1

(13) House fire as family sleeps; Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , Mar 17, 1916, p7

(14) Black hand busy in Waukegan today, Lake county independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, March 6, 1908, p1

(15)  Hides wives from Black hand; bros leave for Italy,  Libertyville Independent August 19, 1920,p6 

Appendix

(1)  Black hand kills taxi driver, 36 : Libertyville Independent Nov 3, 1921 p9

Black hand kills taxi driver, 36

Mafia took toll of another life in Waukegan early today when Pasquale Coscarelli, 36, taxicab driver here for six years, was found lying on the porch of the place where he roomed at 409 Market street, his chest being completely penetrated by four bullets.

He came from Naples, Italy, where he has a wife and three children. Money in his pockets was not touched and for that reason it is believed by the police that the “black hand” was responsible for the murder.

Coscarelli’s taxi was parked in front of the home of Antonio Spereto (?) where he roomed.

Nov 3, 1921

(2)  Black hand letters may help locate slayer Libertyville Independent Feb 23, 1922: p1

Black hand letters may help locate slayer

Srgt. Gentile asks coroner for letters; may hold clue to murder

The black hand letters received by nick Grana of Waukegan last summer may prove to be an extremely important clue in solving the mysterious murder last November of Pasquale Cascarella who was shot down from ambush while about to enter his rooming house on Market street.

Detective sergeant Gentile of Chicago who was sent here by state’s attorney crow on request of state’s attorney A V Smith thinks the letters are important and has requested coroner J L Taylor to turn them over to him in order that he may compare the handwriting with that of several men who have been examined.

Guiseppe Manole who was detained for questioning at the police station for two days has been released. He was unable to tell anything which might throw light on the tragedy. Gentile thought that because Manole had been a partner and roommate of Cascarrella for some time that he might know something that would give a clue to the murderer. Half a dozen Italians were called in today and were questioned. Up to the present there has been nothing which would help in locating the slayer.

Coroner Taylor also has the letters found in possession of cascarilla. Three letters were read to the police by an Italian at the time of the murder, but srgt. Gentile thinks that something important may have been omitted which would show the intention of someone to take the victim’s life.

Feb 23, 1922

(3) Death threats sent by murder victim, belief Libertyville Independent Feb 23, 1922: p2

Death threats sent by murder victim, belief

Detective srgt .Gentile of Chicago here to solve Cascarella murder

That Pasquayle Cascarella, aged 35 was murdered mysteriously in the rear of his rooming house at 409 Market street at four o’clock on the morning of November 3 last year belonged to a local gang which made a practice of sending Black Hand letters to local Italians, was the opinion expressed by Anthony Gentile, Italian detective sergeant from Chicago who has been sent here by states attorney Crowe of cook county to probe the local murder case. He was sent here on request of state’s attorney A V Smith of lake county.

Gentile has worked on Italian cases in Chicago for a number of years having been assigned for a long time to the “death corner” district where he succeeded in solving many cold blooded murders. He bears the distinction of having captured Sam Cardinella, most of whom expiated their crimes on the gallows within the last year. His success in Italian murder cases in cook county makes it appear probable that he will be able to solve the most mysterious and baffling murder case that ever confronted the local police.

Assistant chief of police Thomas Tyrell conducted a thorough investigation of all circumstances connected with the case at the time the crime occurred and has been working on it practically ever since. Reticence on the part of those who might be able to throw light on the mystery if they were so inclined has left the police confronting a stone wall. Because gentile can interrogate the possible witnesses in their own language it is felt that he may obtain success where the local officers have failed.

Many are questioned

During the three days srgt. Gentile has been working the case he has questioned a dozen or more local Italians.

The latest man to be questioned is Guisseppe Manole of 307 Market street. Manole is being detained at the city jail in the hope that he may be able to supply a tip.

“I believe Manole can help us,” srgt. Gentile asserted. “for a long time he and Cascarella were partners occupying the same room on Market street.”

Question Nick Grana

Nick Grana who conducts a little store on Market street and who fled from the city last summer after receiving several Black Hand letters demanding money, and after two rifle bullets had been fired through the front window of his store from the direction of the North Western railroad tracks, has been called to the police station and questioned today. Gentile thinks there may be a connection between the two cases. Black Hand letters sent to the Granas are to be explained.

“I do not believe the man who fired the bullets through the window of Grana’s store came from Chicago. He would not have taken a chance of bringing the gun here andf then taking it back. A Waukegan man owned the gun which was used.”

Crime is recalled

Cascarella conducted a taxicab business in Waukegan. Shortly after 3 o’clock on the morning of the murder he went to a local restaurant and ate a lunch. Then he returned to his boarding house on market street. As he started to unlock the rear door an assassin who had been ambushed behind the house discharged a sawed off shot gun, several slugs piercing the victim’s body and causing almost instant death. An investigation showed that Cascarella was penniless. He had made only partial payments on his taxicab.

An effort is being made to locate a man who is known to have been with Cascarella on the afternoon of the day before he was murdered. This man has left the city and is supposed to be in Chicago. Gentile believes he might be able to throw some light on the motive for the murder.

Feb 23, 1922

(4) Flees from Black Hand to save himself and family Libertyville Independent May 19, 1921: p6

Flees from Black Hand to save himself and family

Nick Grana sacrifices grocery store and home for quick sale, then flees city.

Warned by the black hand that he had but three days to live until he turned over $2,000, Nick Grana regarded as one of the most prominent men of the Italian colony in Waukegan hurriedly closed his business affairs in Waukegan late Monday afternoon and disappeared from the city. He took his family with him.

“If it was just myself to be considered, I would stay and fight it out with them, but I must think of my wife and kiddies; I cannot allow them to be sacrificed,” grana said shortly after leaving town

Death was threatened

The black hand had threatened to kill not only Grana but to blow up his house and kill every member in his family. A series of threatening letters ordered him to take $2,000 to Chicago and turn it over to members of the black hand society near the corner of Adams street and Racine Avenue.

Last Friday night a bullet was fired through the front window of Grana’s shop at 701 (?) Market street. The bullets hit the wall, but two or three (globes?) (broke) where Mrs. Grana sat with her married daughter, Mrs. (Fiona?) Rizzo (?) who was holding a small baby(?)

Three days to live

Saturday night Grana received a (postcard?) (postmarked Chicago?)…

Two families paid…

…The (entire?) stock of groceries in the store was purchased for $800 (?). The house and store together with all the furniture and equipment was purchased for $1,000. From this was deducted the debts which Grana owes. He pocketed what was left of the money and with his family set out to start anew in some (unannounced?) city.

The new owner of the store was so fearful that an attack might be made Monday night that he refused to spend the night in the place. Today he caused an immense sign to be made which was placed across the front of the store announcing that there was a change of ownership.

May 19, 1921

(5) (Aug 6, 1915, Libertyville Independent p11)

A ten year old boy named John Grana of Market street fell out of a grain car in the local railroad yards Tuesday afternoon and broke his leg. He was removed to the Jan McAllister hospital in the police ambulance, where he was admitted by Dr. Knight.

Aug 6, 1915

(6)  Workmen save a man’s life when huge bank caves Libertyville Independent Sept 10, 1915, p11

Workmen save a man’s life when huge bank caves

Nick Grana is buried up to his waist—some hold up the banks with their arms

Nick Grana, employed by the Frank miller construction company had a narrow escape from being buried alive near noon Friday when the bank at the southwest  corner of the excavation for the Academy theatre caved in.

When the crash came, a score of men were working about the building and while some held up the bank others rushed in with shovels and dug out grana, who had been buried up to his waist.

A son of contractor Miller said “there is no doubt in my mind but what grana would have been buried alive but for the timely assistance rendered by his companions. The men actually rushed into the hole and held up the bank with their hands, while others dug the unfortunate man from the hole which threatened to be his grave.”

It was feared that grana had suffered a broken leg, but a doctor was summoned and following an examination he stated that Grana would be able to resume his work tomorrow.

Mayor Pearce in a talk with the Sun reporter a few days ago said “it would be strange if contractor miller doesn’t experience trouble when he excavates for the new theatre building. When I was a boy the old town well stood on that site. The well was always used in time of fire in the business district, and it was impossible to exhaust the supply of water. The city had a great deal of trouble at the site with quicksand, and I’m afraid that the contractor will experience similar trouble.”

The wall of dirt which caved in Friday morning had been braced up with huge timbers but these timbers broke under the weight of the earth Friday.

Sept 10, 1915

(7) (April 22, 1917: Libertyville Independent, p2)

Nick and Rosa Grana bought the Mordstadt property at the southeast corner of Market and Liberty streets for $2,200

 April 22, 1917

(8) Suit aggregating $30,000 filed against electric Libertyville Independent, Feb 20, 1919: p9

Suit aggregating $30,000 filed against electric

In two cases filed damages are asked as a result of personal injuries

Northwestern is sued

Nick Grana seeks damages for injuries received by his small son

Two suits aggregating $30,000 were filed in circuit court Friday with Chicago and Milwaukee electric railroad as defendant,. In both instances the damages were asked…

Nick grana as next friend of john grana his son who is a minor today through attorney R F Fowler started suit for $10,000 damages against the Chicago and northwestern railroad. He sets forth that his young son was in a boxcar on the company’s tracks in Waukegan and started to leave when ordered out. He contends that an employee of the road pushed him out causing him to break his leg in falling. It is said an x-ray picture was presented in evidence.

Feb 20, 1919

(9)  Breaks everything but 18th amendment; sues Libertyville Independent, Dec 16, 1920: p2

Breaks everything but 18th amendment; sues

John grana, 13, had piano fall on him, both shoulders and arm broken

John grana, 13, of 501 market street, is the champion hard luck boy in Waukegan and misfortune and her sister mishap trail him, constantly. He is now trying to see if he won’t have luck in a suit for $10,000 damages, trial of which was begun Friday in the circuit court against James and Bertha Peterson.

Peterson is a moving van operator. Recently he moved a piano in Waukesha, taking the grana boy as a helper. In taking the piano from the van late at night the instrument toppled over while the boy was trying to steady it and both the lad’s shoulders and one arm were broken.

Some time ago the lad was walking along the Northwestern railroad tracks when he fell and broke the ankle of his good leg. Now he is crippled up with rheumatism. The suit against the Petersons was started by his father, Nick Grana.

Dec 16, 1920

(10)  Nick Grana is back; is ready to face black hand gang Libertyville Independent June 16, 1921: p9

Nick Grana is back; is ready to face black hand gang

Sorry he fled from Waukegan; seeks to purchase back his store and home

Has been gone a month

Nick Grana who fled from Waukegan a month ago after receiving several death threats from the Black Hand society is back in town again having arrived today and has (expressed?) his intention of resuming his residence here. He (regrets?)…

Grana asserts that he has made no settlement with the mafia and does not intend to do so because he cannot. He is hopeful that they will not again molest him and intends to protect himself as best he can. He takes a rather fatalistic view of the situation, saying that if the members of black hand are still intent on “getting” him they will do so in spite of anything he might do.

Black hand letters received by Grana before his departure demanded that he turn $2,000 over to the society, failure to do which would result in the death of himself and his family.

Grana received several of these letters but paid no attention to them until two rifle shots were fired through the window of his store narrowly missing his wife and daughter. Then he called the aid of the police. On the day before the date on which the mafia had threatened to carry their threats into execution, Grana and his family disappeared after having disposed of practically all their belongings.

June 16, 1921

(11) 2 boy thieves get 40 days in jail on guilty plea, Waukegan Daily Sun and the Waukegan Daily Gazette, Saturday February 21, 1925, p1

2 boy thieves get 40 days in jail on guilty plea

Admit having stolen quantity of copper from Dr Norman J Roberts

One more is to appear

Stanley Routo, 21, of 509 Market. Street and Frank Podobnik, 18, of 501 Market street were fined $200 and costs each when they were arraigned in police court this morning on a charge of having stolen a quantity of sheet copper from the back of he Dr. N J Robert’s home, Sheridan road and Washington street.

The charge of larceny which had been preferred originally was dismissed when the youths agreed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct. They were unable to pay their fines and will be required to serve forty days in jail.

John Grana, 20, of 401 Market street, a third member of the trio will be arraigned in police court this afternoon at three o’clock on the same charge.

Saturday February 21, 1925

(12) Enraged girl tries suicide, The  Waukegan news-sun Wed April 12, 1933,p 1

Enraged girl tries suicide

Battle in speakeasy leads Elaine Stanhope to attempt drowning at lake

Enraged because she lost a fight with another woman in a speakeasy, Elaine Stanhope of 26 south Genesee street tried to drown herself in the lake at the foot of Water street early Tuesday morning, but was pulled from the water by john grant of Market street.

Police had but a partial report on the attempted suicide, but stated that they the woman to report back so they could fill out their files on the case. She failed to return to police headquarters.

The woman and Peggy Hall Wallenwein of Waukegan, a divorcee, met in a speakeasy late Monday night according to witnesses. They drank with several men and the Stanhope girl, who is about 24 years old, became boisterous with drink, witnesses said.

Lands a punch

In time she swung a punch at one of the men guests, striking him on the forehead above the eye. Her ring cut a gash in his head, witnesses reported.

Peggy took exception to the rudeness shown the man buying the drinks, and her verbal rebuke brought the reply from Elaine that she could “lick any woman of her weight in the world.”

She punctuated her boast with a blow directed at Peggy that struck in the cheek and induced immediate swelling. Peggy’s temper snapped, witnesses said, and the bore Elaine to the floor and proceeded to thump her in a thorough style.

When Elaine was released she expressed disgust with the world and started for the lake.

Rushes for water

Grana was driving home when he noticed the girl rush across Market street toward the Water street beach of the lake. He heard her shout, police said, that she was going to commit suicide.

Grana followed with his car, police said and when the woman entered the surf he leapt from the automobile and dragged her from the lake. The car continued on into the shallow water.

Elaine was brought to police headquarters where she was questioned by officer George Heckinger. Heckinger stated that the girl poured out a tale of woe. She said she married a marine and later moved to Rockford with him. They argued, she said, just before her baby was to arrive and she left for her home in Pittsburgh PA, where the baby was born. Later she related to police she left Pittsburgh because her father was going to marry her housekeeper and she disapproved of the marriage. She came to Waukegan, she said, because she had friends here.

Wed April 12, 1933

(13) House fire as family sleeps; Lake County Independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun , Mar 17, 1916, p7

House fire as family sleeps;

police to probe

Fire at Market Street residence believed to have been work of “Black Hand”

Waukegan March 14

Fire of the most mysterious origin and no doubt the work of an incendiary routed an Italian family from their beds near midnight Monday, and caused a loss of over $50 to the owner of the house.

The fire, it is alleged, is a “black hand” plot and the investigation is to be made by the city and state authorities. According to the statement of one fireman, the inmates of the house, Mr. and Mrs. John  Marano and family retired at 9 o’clock,. At 11 they were awakened from their slumber when their lungs filled with smoke. They raced to safely through the hallways and rooms filled with smoke but at no time were they in danger of being burned.

The fire department was called and their investigation proved the report that the residence had been set on fire from the outside. The odor of kerosene was quite prevalent and later it was shown that a large can of kerosene had been left on the rear veranda of the Marano home earlier in the evening. The fire had eaten its way through the partition and but for the timely work of the members of the south side fire department the building would have been gutted by the fire.

Marano believe s that the fire was started by an enemy, but he cannot furnish the police with one clew which would tend to solve the mystery. The loss as estimated by firemen was approximately $50. The residence is owned by John Strobach, a carpenter. The police have started their investigation and it is said that the state fire marshal will be called to Waukegan to make an investigation. Arrests will be made, it is said.

Mar 17, 1916

 

(14) Black hand busy in Waukegan today, Lake county independent and Waukegan Weekly Sun, March 6, 1908, p1

Black hand busy in Waukegan today

Life of Catholic priest threatened in the event he does not deliver $500 in cash…

March 6, 1908

(15)  Hides wives from Black hand; bros leave for Italy,  Libertyville Independent August 19, 1920,p6 

Hides wives from black hand; bros. leave for Italy

The mysterious disappearance of two Waukegan businessmen, James and Dominik Buttitti, proprietors of the Waukegan Electric shop, 117 S Genesee street which led the police to believe they feared the Black Hand activities has partly been solved and a romance which had its beginning in Italy years ago is linked with the disappearance.

When Dominik Buttitti came to this country as a youth he left his boyhood sweetheart there and promised to send for her as soon as he was established in business here. Four years ago he developed a sufficiently successful business here and decided to send for her.

His sweetheart sailed for America, but neither she not Buttitti had taken into consideration the fact that immigrants are required to have a certain amount of  money before they are permitted to enter. Because of this the young woman crossed the Atlantic six times before she could get in touch with Dominik, who finally was able to supply her with sufficient funds and she was permitted to land.

After having had such a strenuous time getting her is taking precautions to keep her, Buttitti brothers frequently have expressed fears of Black Hand activities. The brothers are well-to-do. They have been planning to see their mother in Italy for a year but the question of adequate protection for their wives, Dominik being especially concerned, deterred the. They hit upon a plan. They sold their business to A Ponzia (?), packed up their household and (?) loaded it on a truck and vanished. Their disappearance created curiosity a few days later and an effort made by the police to locate them but to no avail. The wives have been taken to a place known only to themselves and the Buttitti brothers, the latter having started on their journey to Italy.

Aug 19, 1920