Famiglia Vagabonda
| Territory | Fairmont and Clarksburg, West Virginia[1] |
|---|---|
| Activities | Extortion, prostitution[1] |
The Famiglia Vagabonda was a criminal organization active in Fairmont and Clarksburg, West Virginia, in the early 1920s. John C. McKinney, a Fairmont police chief and detective involved in investigations of Black Hand activity in Marion and Harrison counties, wrote that organized crime activity appeared in the area in 1921. He reported that Water Street in East Fairmont appeared to be the headquarters and that the crimes were linked to similar activity in Clarksburg.[2][3]
McKinney wrote that the organization was known locally as the "Famalie Vagabonda," which he loosely translated as "Family of Vagabonds." He also reported that investigators seized the organization's constitution and bylaws, which were written in Italian.[4]
History
[edit]John C. McKinney's 1963 account describes an earlier Black Hand society operating in Marion County beginning in 1908.[5] A 1910 decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia states that Frank Piscioneri and eighteen other men, all natives of Italy, were tried jointly in Marion County for alleged Black Hand practices. Nine were convicted of felonies and ten of misdemeanors.[6]
McKinney described the next local appearance of organized crime in 1921. He wrote that Water Street in East Fairmont appeared to be the headquarters and that investigators linked crimes there with similar activity in Clarksburg. He identified the organization as the "Famalie Vagabonda." McKinney reported that police seized its constitution and bylaws, which were written in Italian, and that its rules required an applicant for membership to have committed a murder at the order of the organization. He described the organization as having a president, secretary, and designated executioner.[5]
According to McKinney, the Fairmont headquarters was in the rear of a barber shop on Water Street. He reported that the organization engaged in extortion, operated brothels, and was involved in narcotics. Extortion demands usually targeted Italian businessmen and ranged from $500 to $25,000. McKinney wrote that at least ten homes in Fairmont were dynamited after victims refused to pay. He also described a dispute between the Fairmont and Clarksburg groups over territory.[5] e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia similarly identifies Italian businessmen as frequent targets of Black Hand extortion in West Virginia.[7]
On February 11, 1923, eight members of the Black Hand were arrested in Harrison County. e-WV states that their successful prosecution in Clarksburg followed a three-year period in which several murders in Harrison County involved alleged gangland vendettas.[7] McKinney wrote that the organization's secretary testified against other members and produced its constitution, bylaws, and meeting minutes. He also reported that Marion County prosecutor Frank R. Amos and Harrison County prosecutor Will Morris worked together in the prosecutions.[5]
References
[edit]- 1 2 McKinney, John C. (1963). "The Black Hand!". Marion County Centennial Yearbook, 1863–1963. Marion County Centennial Committee. pp. 76–77.
- ↑ McKinney, John C. (1963). "The Black Hand!". Marion County Centennial Yearbook, 1863–1963. pp. 76–77.
- ↑ Julian, Norman (February 16, 2024). "The Black Hand". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council.
- ↑ McKinney, John C. (1963). "The Black Hand!". Marion County Centennial Yearbook, 1863–1963. pp. 76–77.
- 1 2 3 4 McKinney, John C. (1963). "The Black Hand!". In Hoffmann, Joseph E. (ed.). Marion County Centennial Yearbook, 1863–1963. Marion County Centennial Committee. pp. 75–78.
- ↑ "State v. Piscoineri et al". vLex. October 25, 1910.
- 1 2 Julian, Norman (February 16, 2024). "The Black Hand". e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. West Virginia Humanities Council.