The Black Hand was a precursor to the mafia in the United States, and they primarily targeted the Italian immigrant population.  Although they committed violent crimes, such as murder, bombings and kidnapping; these actions were all just moves in a larger game, which was intended to keep the Italian communities living in fear of retribution.  They extorted money from hardworking laborers, as well as business owners who were in fear of something happening to their familes if they did not comply.  The Black Hand primarily existed from the early 1900's to the beginning of Prohibition, when it evolved into another form of organized crime.

In this episode, I explore some of the history of the Black Hand in Michigan.  I also revisit a murder I covered in Season One of Guiseppi Aiello in Battle Creek in 1917, as well as the bombing in of the Cascarelli Fruit Store in Hillsdale in 1923.  

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://www.michaeldelaware.com