89 | Pt 2 | The Black Hand Society: Aka The Society of the Banana

Explicit content warning

03/20/24 • 72 min

1 Listener

Black Cat Report | UFOs, Cryptids, True Crime & Paranormal

In part 2, Joey takes us deeper into the underbelly of what will become the origins of the early American Mafia. Spoiler.... It's worth the listen. :)

Sources: Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society: America's Original Gangsters and the U.S. Postal Detective Who Brought Them to Justice Hardcover by William Oldfield & Victoria Bruce - https://www.amazon.com/Inspector-Oldfield-Black-Hand-Society/dp/1501171208

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Kingdom_of_Italy_(1861%E2%80%931946)

https://www.pbs.org/destinationamerica/usim_wn_noflash_5.html#:~:text=Between%20around%201880%20and%201924,in%20Southern%20Italy%20and%20Sicily.

https://mafiagenealogy.com/2023/07/15/second-life-of-sam-lima/

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lima-274

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra

In part 2, Joey takes us deeper into the underbelly of what will become the origins of the early American Mafia. Spoiler.... It's worth the listen. :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Kingdom_of_Italy_(1861%E2%80%931946)

https://www.pbs.org/destinationamerica/usim_wn_noflash_5.html#:~:text=Between%20around%201880%20and%201924,in%20Southern%20Italy%20and%20Sicily.

https://mafiagenealogy.com/2023/07/15/second-life-of-sam-lima/

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lima-274

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camorra

Previous Episode

88 | Pt 1 | The Black Hand Society & Frank Oldfield

Join us on an enthralling journey back to the late 19th/early 20th century, as we unravel the true history of a villainous group known as The Black Hand Society.

In part on of this series Joey guides us as we delve deep into how this notorious society was brought to its knees by a fearless Postal Inspector, John Frank Oldfield.

Drawing from the well-researched book "Inspector Oldfield and The Black Hand Society" by William Oldfield and Victoria Bruce, we explore how Oldfield's great-grandson pieced together a fascinating narrative from family keepsakes.

In this episode, we shine a light on the black-and-white days of postal inspectors, who were the unsung heroes of their time. We'll understand the high stakes of being a postmaster back in the day and how Frank Oldfield's upbringing and personal convictions set the stage for his eventual clash with the Black Hand.

We also dive into the background of our second protagonist, the adept and chameleonic detective Francis Dimaio, also known as The Raven, who infiltrated the mafia with his cunning and resourcefulness.

Source: Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society: America's Original Gangsters and the U.S. Postal Detective Who Brought Them to Justice Hardcover by William Oldfield & Victoria Bruce - https://www.amazon.com/Inspector-Oldfield-Black-Hand-Society/dp/1501171208

Next Episode

90 | Pt 3 | Frank Oldfield Takes Down The Society of the Banana

This week we conclude our series on the infamous Black Hand Society (aka: the Society of the Banana). From fate to the fall, we follow our heros Frank Oldfield and The Raven, as they setup and knock down the early kingpins of the American Mafia.