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A term used to describe an extortion racket which flourished among the Southern Italian immigrants of the United States in the early 1900's. A reputable "villainous gang' who thrived on a system of blackmailing bankers, business owners and merchants. Letters that threatened harm, arson or murder if a sum was not paid to the mob. The letter exhibited three black crosses surmounted by a skull and crossbones, sometimes fancifully decorated with dripping blood or bullets, signed off as Mano Nera or 'Black Hand'. Successful immigrants were usually targeted, as 90% of New Yorkers were Italian immigrants.
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