THE MORELLO FACTION : - BIOS. 1900-20’s.
FAMILY.
Giuseppe Morello [Piddu] : - Born 1867 in Corleone, Palermo Province, Sicily. When his father died in 1872, his mother married Bernardo Terranova, a known member of the “Fratuzzi”, the local Mafia cosca. Under his step-fathers sponsorship, Morello was initiated into the “Fratuzzi” in the 1880’s. By 1889 he was serving under Paolino Streva, the nephew of a previous leader. That year Morello was suspected in the murder of Giovanni Vella, the head of the Sylvanian Guards, a rural police force. There followed the murder of two witness’s, and the conviction of an innocent man who served 20 years in prison. Morello was involved in counterfeiting, for which he was sentenced to 6 years in 1894. However, by then he had fled to America in 1892 and settled in NYC. The following year the rest of his family joined him there.
In 1893 Morello moved his family to Louisiana, where he made important contacts within the local Sicilian underworld. Later they moved to Texas, where Morello and his step-father worked as sharecroppers on farmland near Bryan in Brazos County. The family returned to NYC in 1896, and settled in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Bernardo Terranova opened an ornamental plastering business, a trade all the male family members would follow. Morello continued to live an honest life, opening several business’s that soon failed. Because of these financial failures Morello returned to his old trade as a counterfeiter in 1899. Using contacts with fellow Corleonese in New Orleans, Chicago and Boston he began circulating counterfeit bills printed in East Harlem. A maid employed by Morello disappeared at this time, possibly because she knew too much. Finally the Secret Service arrested Morello, and all his associates in 1900. Although his associates went to prison, Morello walked as there was no evidence against him.
He now started to organise a gang of fellow Sicilians, mainly from Corleone and towns in Palermo Province. Living on Chrystie Street, he operated out of his Spaghetti Restaurant on Stanton Street, which included a saloon run by Antonio Russo. Next door was an import business owned by his brother-in-law Ignazio Lupo. Soon they had forced the Calabrian D’Agostino gang out of the area, and dominated criminal activities in Little Italy. Morello remarried in 1903, his first wife having died in 1898, consolidating his contacts with his home town of Corleone. They settled on East 107th Street in Harlem, near his half-brothers and mother. Another associate of the gang was Vito Cascio Ferro, newly arrived and a future “bigwig” of the Sicilian Mafia. Using Lupo’s food and wine importing company, the gang received counterfeit notes from Sicily and distributed them nationwide. Both the Secret Service and local police kept a close watch on the gang. Then late in 1902 some of the gang’s distributers were arrested in Yonkers, and convicted. One of them Giuseppe Di Priemo sent his in-law Benedetto Madonia to Harlem to ask Morello for money to help his defence. The gang responded by killing Madonia, and hiding his body in a barrel on East 11th Street. Morello, Lupo and 11 associates were arrested in 1903 by Joseph Petrosino, later head of the Italian Squad of the NYC police. Soon it became obvious that no witness would testify, and they were all released.
Morello’s reputation was now such that he was considered the most prominent Mafioso in the country, this was confirmed by Nicola Gentile’s comment “when we were all under Morello”. There is some confusion about his position in relation to Lupo, who headed the Palermitani Family. They were such close associates, that it is impossible to say who was the most important. When police searched Morello’s home in 1903, letters found showed he corresponded with Mafiosi nationwide. In 1904 he, and Lupo, started the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association, the purpose of which was to raise funds to build housing. In reality it was a scam to defraud investors, and enrich the gang. By 1908 the Co-operative was bankrupt, and with Lupo’s grocery business also in financial trouble, the two turned to their old trade counterfeiting. This latest counterfeiting operation was in Highland, New Jersey, well clear of the gang’s territory in Manhattan. The operation started in late 1908, and continued throughout 1909. That same year Joseph Petrosino, head of the Italian Squad and Morello’s old enemy, sailed to Italy. Vito Cascio Ferro, an old friend of Morello, was suspected of arranging Petrosino’s murder in Palermo. Morello was a known associate of Cascio Ferro, and the two suspected killers, so was probably implicated in organising the murder. By now his half-brothers, Vincenzo, Ciro and Nicolo Terranova were old enough to be full members of the gang. The Secret Service had been slowly building a case against the gang, and in late 1909 they arrested Morello, his half-brother Nicolo, Lupo and several more of the gang for counterfeiting. Convicted in 1910, Morello was sentenced to 25 years, and Lupo to 30 years.
While the Terranova brothers struggled to keep the gangs interests from underworld rivals, the two leaders were to spend the next decade in prison. Only once in 1911 did Morello show signs of talking, when he made a statement naming Petrosino’s killers. But he refused to sign it, and thereafter served his time calmly. During these years he wrote constantly to fellow Mafiosi in both America and Sicily. Morello lost a son, Calogero, and his half-brother Nicolo to gang warfare during his prison years. After a commutation of his sentence, Morello was released in February 1920. He found his half-brothers Ciro and Vito had retreated to East 116th Street, leaving Harlem and Little Italy to new underworld powers. The old gang was now much reduced, so he made an alliance with a group of Castellammarese members called the”Good Killers”. He soon set about regaining his influence, ordering several murders of rivals, using his new allies. This ignited a conflict with Salvatore D’Aquila, his successor as national head and the leader of Lupo’s old Family, who condemned all Morello supporters to death. The condemned fled to Sicily to seek support, but returned disappointed. During this conflict he lost other relatives, Vincenzo Terranova and his brother-in-law Vincenzo Salemi. A truce in late 1923 confirmed D’Aquila as the victor, and he refused to allow Morello, and his ally Giuseppe Masseria, back into the organisation.
Morello retreated from the dangerous areas of Manhattan to live in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Ciro Terranova continued to control the family rackets on 116th Street, in alliance with Masseria. Morello concentrated on his business interests, including a partnership with Tomasso Gagliano in a lathing company. He also had a share of the Empire Yeast company, which allowed him to profit from bootlegging.
Masseria slowly grew stronger by inducting non-Sicilians into his faction, and seeking alliances with those who resented D’Aquila’s hegemony. By 1928 he was ready to strike, and using an opposition faction within the Palermitani Family, arranged D’Aquila’s death. Next, needing legitimacy for his new power, Masseria called Morello from his retirement and made him his closest advisor. Although now dominant in NYC, Masseria soon ran into opposition from the Castellammarese Family. Their new leader Salvatore Maranzano refused to be intimidated, and resolved to fight back. His first target was Morello, the brains of the Masseria organisation. So, on an August afternoon in 1930, two Maranzano gunmen entered an office on East 116th Street and shot Morello, and two others, dead.
Ignazio Lupo [Wolf] : - Born 1877 in the city of Palermo, Sicily. Although not strictly a Corleonese faction member, Lupo was such a close associate of Morello that it is impossible not to include him. His position as head of the Palermitani faction, the largest in NYC, made him almost equal in power to Morello.
He his familial connections in Palermo, through his father Rocco who was a member of the Pagliarelli cosca, meant that when he came to America in 1898 he was accepted into the Palermitani faction. The reason for his departure from Sicily, was his conviction for a 1898 murder he committed in Palermo. After landing in Buffalo, via Liverpool, he went to the"Little Italy" section and opened a saloon on Prince Street. After selling this to Antonio Russo, he opened a food import company next to Morello's restaurant. His association with Morello was cemented by his marrying into the Terranova family in 1904. But before this he joined Morello in importing counterfeit money through the Brooklyn docks, using his food imports as a cover. The counterfeits were printed in Palermo, where Lupo had extensive contacts. Lupo's man in Brooklyn was Giuseppe Catania, a grocer who passed the counterfeits in Brooklyn. Catania, however, proved to be unreliable and in 1902 his butchered body was found in sacks. Police discovered that Lupo was seen with him shortly before his death. The following year he was arrested, with Morello and Cascio Ferro, for the Madonia murder.
The profits from counterfeiting allowed Lupo to expand his business into a large grocery and food empire that extended into Brooklyn. In 1904 he joined Morello, and others, in founding the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association. His growing wealth and renown probably led to his elevation to the leadership of the Palermitani faction at this time. Lupo continued to be involved in extortion, and was a suspect in a child kidnapping in 1906. Lupo's power reached it's peak in these years, but financial ruin was approaching fast. By 1908 both the Florio Co-operative, and Lupo's grocery empire were sliding into bankruptcy. His prestige suffered another blow when Joseph Petrosino, head of the NYPDItalian Squad arrived at Lupo's Mott Street HQ and delivered a beating to him. Lupo fled to his brother John in Patterson New Jersey, leaving huge debts to his creditors. In an effort to regain his affluence, Lupo joined Morello in a new counterfeiting scheme run from Highland, NJ.
Lupo stayed away from NYC for a year, but returned after Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909. There is little doubt that he was complicit in this murder, arranged by his old associate Vito Cascio Ferro. The Secret Service, after a long investigation, arrested the whole counterfeiting ring late in 1909. Huge efforts were made to collect funds for the defendants, throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. But even the best lawyers in America could not save them, and they were convicted in 1910. Lupo recieved a sentance of 30 years, Morello 20 years, and sent to Atlanta Penitentiary.
Both men spent 10 years imprisoned, before a commutation released them in 1920. During that time the face of Italo-American crime in NYC had changed, and prohibition was about to change it even more. Morello, released earlier than Lupo, attempted to regain his power by eliminating his rivals. Lupo,upon his release, found his old faction now headed by Salvatore D'Aquila, who was also the national head of the organisation. At some point in mid-1921 D'Aquila called a national assembly, and had Lupo, Morello and their supporters condemned to death. The condemned members fled to Sicily to seek support, and get the death sentances repealed. They spent months trying to convince the Palermo cosca leaders, but found D'Aquila's influence too strong. Returning in early 1922, Morello fought an ultimatley futile war with D'Aquila's forces. Lupo, held on his return by immigration authorities for some time, decided to accept his demotion and moved to Brooklyn.
Although never again in a position of power, Lupo still had enough prestige to be asked to mediate a conflict between Sicilian and Calabrian faction in Brooklyn. The peace meeting in late 1923 was raided by the police, and Lupo was arrested. He was also arrested that year for extortion, with his son-in-law Antonio Forti. They ran a Bakers union scam, that extorted bakeries throughout NYC and Brooklyn. He would eventually be aquitted of this in 1934. Another arrest was in 1931, with his son Rocco, for the murder of Ruggiero Consiglio. Finally, in 1936, he was convicted of extortion again and sent back to prison to complete his 1910 sentance of 30 years. Lupo was released in late 1946 on medical grounds, and died in Janruary 1947.
Vincenzo Terranova : - Born 1886 in Corleone, Sicily. Arrived in USA in 1893, with the rest of the Terranova family. The family followed half-brother Giuseppe Morello to Louisiana and Texas, returning to NYC in 1896. They settled in the Little Italy area, and his father Bernardo opened a plastering business. Vincenzo was Bernardo's eldest son, but nearly 20 years younger than Morello. He was too young to be involved in gang activities at the time of the "Barrel Murder" in 1903. He first came to notice in 1908, when he was arrested for the murder of local gangster "Diamond Sam" Sicco. At this time he was working for his fathers plastering firm. With the jailing of Morello, and Lupo, in 1910, he and his brothers Ciro and Nicolo assumed more responsibility.
The next decade would be full of danger, as competition in the Italo-American underworld would be intense. Proof of this is the fact that Vincenzo's home on East 109th Street was bombed in 1913. This may have been the reason the Terranova brothers moved their homes to East 116th Street. He was known to be involved in the ice business, and married into the Reina family, well connected Corleonese Mafiosi. The brothers made an alliance with a Neapolitan Camorra organization, to eliminate some rivals in Harlem. Although initially successful, this turned-out to be a mistake. In 1916 the Neapolitans turned on the Terranova's, and killed Nicolo and other members. The surviving brothers kept close to their stronghold on 116th Street, striking back when they could. Fortunatley for them, the police arrested and convicted the Camorra gang in 1917-18. In 1918 both brothers were arrested for a 1916 murder, but escaped prison.
With the coming of prohibition in 1920, Vincenzo entered the business, with a partner Joseph Viserti. Both soon men became wealthy, but Viserti was killed in 1921 for reasons unknown. The release of Morello and Lupo in 1920 cased a conflict with their successor as national head, Salvatore D'Aquila. Vincenzo was one of the members condemned by D'Aquila, and fled to Sicily. Returning in early 1922, he was an obvious target for the D'Aquila forces. Vincenzo was killed in May 1922, while walking near his home on 116th Street.
Ciro Terranova [Artichoke King] : - Born 1888 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered USA in 1893 with family, lived in Louisiana and Texas before settling in NYC in 1896. Worked for father's plastering business and lived on East 105th Street [1910 Census]. Later married in to the Catania family in 1909, and lived next door to the Gagliano-Greco saloon on East 107th Street. With brothers Vincenzo and Nicolo, became more active in the gang after half-brother Morello was jailed in 1910. Served under LoMonte brothers, who succeeded Morello as leaders. LoMonte's killed in conflict with D'Aquila Family, and Terranova brothers relocated to East 116th Street around 1914. Led gang in conflict with Giosue Gallucci, allying with Brooklyn Camorra. Gallucci killed in 1915, and brothers took-over his rackets in Harlem. Ciro controlled lottery, artichoke and extortion rackets. Continued Camorra alliance to eliminate gambling rival Joseph DeMarco, attending several meetings in Brooklyn. Camorra turned on Terranova's, killing brother Nicolo in 1916 ambush. Ciro, Vincenzo and followers under siege in 116th Street stronghold. Authorities break-up Camorra gangs with mass arrest's, and convict leaders in 1917-18. Ciro tried for DeMarco murder [1916] in 1918, but aquitted.
Became wealthy in artichoke racket, and may have been Naturalized in 1919. With release of Morello in 1920, he was involved in conflict with D'Aquila Family. Like most of Morello relatives, and supporters, he was condemned to death by organisation. Fled to Sicily in late 1921 to gain support against death sentance. Found support for D'Aquila too strong, and returned to America in 1922. Brother Vincenzo, and other allies, killed in conflict with D'Aquila. He, and Morello, form alliance with Giuseppe Masseria, a new power in LES, to resist D'Aquila. Truce agreed at meeting in late 1923, uneasy peace follows.
With Morello/Terranova gang decimated by conflict, Ciro becomes a part of Masseria faction. Still controls area of 116th Street, and builds regime including Catania brothers, nephews by marriage. Helps Lupo in moving to Brooklyn, and organising bakery extortion scheme. In mid-1920's he mediates dispute between Italian and Irish gangs, on condition 2 Italian members of Irish gang be killed. One killed, but other [Joseph Valachi] survives attack in prison. Forms partnership with Jewish gangster Dutch Schultz, to control numbers racket in "Black Harlem". Masseria plots murder of Salvatore D'Aquila in 1928, and becomes new national head. Morello is his top advisor, and Ciro his Capo in Harlem. Suspected by police of murder of rival gangster Frankie Marlow in 1929. Also that year he was involved in the "Vitale Dinner scandal", which caused a media frenzy and damaged his reputation.
With the start of the "Castellammarese War", Terranova's faction were in the forefront of the violence. First he lost his half-brother Morello, killed in his office on 116th Street in August 1930, then his nephew Joseph Catania in February 1931. Incensed, he vowed vengeance over Catania's coffin, but the war was lost by then. Two months later it ended when Masseria was killed by his own followers at a restaurant on Coney Island. Terranova was rumoured to have driven his killers to the restaurant, and lost his nerve. Wether this was true, or not, the new leaders of the Family demoted Terranova, replacing him in Harlem with Mike Coppola. The Family stripped him of both the artichoke racket and his share of the Harlem numbers.
His troubles were not over, as the new mayor LaGuardia hounded him and the IRS investigated him for tax evasion. This caused him to lose his mansion in Westchester, and move back to East 116th Street. In 1938 after suffering a stroke and being hospitalized, he became the only Terranova brother to die of natural causes.
Nicolo Terranova [Coco] : - Born 1890 in Corleone, Sicily. The youngest of the brothers arrived in 1893, and spent 3 years of his childhood iin Louisiana and Texas. The family settled on the LES of Manhattan in 1896. Too young to have been involved in the gangs criminal activities until the late 1900's. He stole horses and stabled them in the infamous"Murder Stable"on East 108th Street in Harlem, where he also had a blacksmith shoeing his horses. With Morello's arrest in 1909, Nicolo tried to help his half-brother by attempting to set-up an false alibi. After the imprisonment of Morello in 1910, the LoMonte brothers, cousins to the Terranova's, took control of the gang. Calogero Morello, the teenage son of Giuseppe Morello, was killed in a street shoot-out in 1912. Nicolo, being the nearest in age to him, took this badly and vowed revenge. He was rumoured to have personally killed two men involved in Calogero's murder.
The LoMonte brothers were killed in a conflict with Salvatore D'Aquila in 1913 + 14, and the Terranova's relocated to East 116th Street. They were themselves attempting to gain control of rackets in Harlem, under the control of Giosue Gallucci. To accomplish this they made an alliance with Camorra groups in Brooklyn. Several meetings took place between Ciro and Nicolo and the Camorra leaders in 1915 + 16. Gallucci was killed in 1915, and gambling rival DeMarco in 1916, with help from the Neapolitans. But at this point the Camorra leaders decided to eliminate the Terranova brothers and take-over their rackets. So in September 1916 Nicolo, and his bodyguard, were invited to a meeting in Brooklyn. They were ambushed and both killed on Navy Street.
Calogero Morello [Calidu / Charles] : - Born in Louisiana in 1894, the second son of Giuseppe to be named in honour of his grandfather. The first Calogero died in Louisiana at only a year-old. Lived with his grandmother and aunts after the death of his mother in 1898. Too young to have been involved in the gangs activities up to his death at 17 years-old in 1912. His murder seems to have been in revenge for the 1903 " Barrel Murder" of Benedetto Madonia. Madonia's nephew, a member of a local street gang, ambushed Calogero and a friend on 120th Street in April 1912. After a wild shoot-out, Calogero, his friend and one of the attackers were all killed. Madonia's nephew fled back to Italy, but Nicolo Terranova vowed vengeance at the funeral.
Fortunato LoMonte [Charles] : - Born 1883 in Villafrati, Sicily. Emigrated to America in 1894, settling on East 109th Street in Harlem. A reputed cousin to Morello,and as with most of the gang he was a plasterer by trade. By the early 1900's he ran a saloon on East 107th Street, in partnership with Gioacchino Lima, Morello's brother-in-law. He later sold this and opened a feed store on East 108th Street, near the "Murder Stable", in partnership with Angelo Gagliano. The LoMonte brothers sometimes worked as bodyguards for Giosue Gallucci, the dominant Neapolitan power in Harlem. When Morello was imprisoned in 1910, he nominated LoMonte as his successor [1911]. The LoMonte's allied with Manfredi Mineo, and the Castellammarese faction, against the new national head Salvatore D'Aquila in 1912. This alliance struck first by eliminating D'Aquila members Fontana and Fanaro in 1913. D'Aquila retaliated in May 1914, Fortunato being killed on East 108th Street by Valenti, DeMino + Biondo.
Gaetano LoMonte [Thomas] : - The younger brother of Fortunato, born in 1887, date of entry unknown. By 1909 he had joined his brother, and was working as a plasterer. Lived on East 107th Street, and witnessed Ciro Terranova's wedding that year. When Morello was arrested in 1909, a letter he had sent to associates in New Orleans was seized by police. Morello listed several gang members, including both LoMonte brothers. Gaetano supported his brother in leading the gang from 1911. He made a visit back to Sicily in 1913. With his brothers murder in 1914, he relocated to 116th Street, with the rest of the Terranova's. In October 1916 Ippolito Greco, the owner of the "Murder Stable", was killed and LoMonte was suspected. Only 6 days later Gaetano was walking on 116th Street with his cousin Rosalia [nee Terranova] when he was shot and killed. His killer, who was captured, was a 19 year-old from Castrofilippo, Sicily. He refused to talk, and was convicted and executed in 1917.
Vincenzo Salemi : - Born 1879 in Corleone, Sicily and entered the USA in 1903. A brother-in-law of Morello, who married his sister in 1903. Salemi himself married Lucia, the widowed sister of the Terranova brothers, in 1904. As with most of the extended family, he was a plasterer who lived on East 107th Street [WW1 Registration]. Not much is known of his activities during the next several years. As he moved to live on East 114th Street, he probably relocated at the same time as his relatives in the mid-1910's. When Giuseppe Morello attempted a comeback in 1921, Salvatore D'Aquila had several gang members condemned. Salemi was probably one of these, as he is recorded as returning from Italy in June 1922. Salemi was one of the last victims of this conflict, being killed in June 1923 on East 108th Street.
Gioacchino Lima [Jack] : - Born 1870 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered America in 1892, fleeing a murder charge in Corleone. In 1893 he married Giuseppe Morello's sister Marie, and settled in East Harlem. A cart driver in Sicily, in NYC he called himself a builder. In 1906 he was a suspect in the murder of Andrea Fendi, for which Ignazio Milone was arrested. In the early 1900's he was a partner with Fortunato LoMonte, in a saloon on East 107th Street. After Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909, Italian police included Lima in a list of suspects. By 1911 he was living on East 105th Street in Harlem. He then seems to disappear from view until the 1920 census, when he had moved to East 107th Street. Lima, as a relative of Morello, was probably one of the members condemned by D'Aquila in 1921. Unlike the other condemned men he did not flee to Italy, but moved to California. Sources state that he died there in 1922, possibly he disappeared and presumed killed.
MEMBERS / ASSOCIATES.
Vito LaDuca [Longo]. : - Born in Carini, Palermo Province, date unknown. Served in Italian Navy, and spent 5 years in prison for unknown offence. Arrived in USA in 1902, and worked as a butcher in Giovanni Zarcone's shop on Stanton Street. A close associate of Morello, Motisi and other gang members. Arrested in Pittsburgh in Janruary 1903, as part of the Morello counterfeit ring. Also in 1903 he was arrested as a materiel witness in the Madonia murder. In 1904 he was strongly suspected in the abduction of a child held for ransom. Again, the following year, a suspect in the disapperence of a butcher, who had just sold his store to LaDuca. Heavy police survellience caused him to return to Carini in 1907, where he was killed in 1908.
Pietro Inzerillo : - Born 1859 in Marineo, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1890,and settled in Little Italy section of Manhattan. Operated the Star of Italy saoon on Elizabeth Street, a gathering place for the gang. This was also the supposed place of Madonia's murder in 1903. The police traced the barrel that contained the corpse back there. Inzerillo was arrested as a materiel witness in the case. He survived being shot in 1908, and was suspected of involvement in counterfeiting in 1909. Police recieved an anomynous letter that year accusing him of involvement in the Petrosino murder. All this provoked his flight back to Italy. The last known sighting of him was in Milan in 1911, where he was again involved in counterfeiting.
Antonio Cecala : - Born in 1975 in Corleone, and entered the USA in 1889. He settled on the LES, and became a citizen in 1900. First came to police notice as an arsonist, involved in insurance fraud. He also ran gambling clubs on Mott + Elizabreth Streets, and was believed to be related to Ignazio Lupo. Cecala organized the counterfeit ring operating in Highland, NY for Morello and Lupo, starting in 1908. He arranged the printing, engraving and distribution of the notes. On his arrest in 1910 he lived on East 4th Street, and owned a grocery on Spring Street. Convicted, and sentanced to 15 years imprisonment, he was paroled in 1915.
After his release, Cecala relocated to the Bronx and went into legitimate business. In 1925 he was a founding director of the United Lathing company with Morello, Tomasso Gagliano and Ignazio Milone. This firm would be connected with Lucchese members for many years to come. To take advantage of the bootlegging racket, he and Morello set-up the Empire Yeast company, located on Chrystie Street. Cecala was president, until he was killed in 1928.
Angelo Lagattuta [LaGatutte]. : - Born 1875 Mezzojuso, Palermo Province. He emigrated to America in 1900, and lived on his farm in New Paltz, NY. Very little is known about his early activities in NYC. The first mention of him was in a letter Morello sent to New Orleans, in which he describes LaGatutte ! as his godfather. So their relationship was very close at this time [1909]. However it is noticeable that in Morello's intense correspondence from prison [1910-20], there is none to Lagattuta. This might confirm the theory that they fell-out over the new leadership of the gang. For after the deaths of the LoMonte brothers, Salvatore Loiacano became leader with the blessing of new national head D'Aquila.
When Morello was released, and tried to reclaim leadership, in 1920, Loiacano refused to step-down. Morello had Loiacano killed in December 1920, and at his funeral several friends, including Lagatutta, vowed to avenge him. Morello used the "Good Killers" faction as his hitmen to eliminate the rebel faction. In February 1921 Lagattuta was walking in the Bronx, along with Saverio Pollaccia, when he was seriously wounded. Pollaccia fought off the attackers, and saved them both. Lagattuta retired to his farm where, because of his injuries, he grew morose and violent to his family. In 1924 he was killed by his son, who pled self-defense and was acquited.
Michele Coniglio. : - Born 1862 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1892. This man was suspected of being Morello's accomplice in the killing of Giovanni Vella, head of the Sylvanian Guards of Corleone, in 1889. Like Morello he fled to NYC in 1892, to avoid arrest. By 1905 he lived in the Bronx, and worked as a bar keeper in a saloon. The next mention of him is in Morello's letter to the leading Mafioso in Chicago in 1909. Coniglio is named in a list of Morello's closest associates, icluding LoMonte, Lasala, Frisella, Moscato, ect. The list ends with the statement "all of Corleone". Francesco Moscato, also listed in this letter, may have been a relative. The last record of Consiglio was a visit to Italy in 1927.
Antonio Motisi [Messina Genova]. : - Born in 1875 in the city of Palermo. Date of entry into USA is unknown. The Motisi family are historicaly the leaders of the Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo. Ignazio Lupo's father Rocco was a reputed member before emigrating to America. Antonio's brother Franesco was the head of this cosca, and then fled to New Orleans to avoid a murder charge. There he became the leader of a faction that was associated with Morello, as a 1902 letter, found on Morello, proves.
Antonio owned a butcher store on Stanton Street, as well as being a partner in Lupo's saloon on Prince Street. He was arrested for the 1903 "Barrel Murder" of Madonia, along with Morello, Lupo, Petto, ect. At this time he was living on East 15th Street, and was a close associate of Vito LaDuca. Police pressure forced him to move to Ohio, and in 1908 he met the fate of several other gang members, when he was murdered.
Giuseppe Boscarini [Boscarino] : - Born 1850 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1890. Very little is known about his early life or activities, we do not even have his home address. He first came to attention in the summer of 1909, when he was named by a Pittston informant as the supplier of counterfeit notes. This informant, Salvatore Locino, stated that Boscarino was the main supplier to Pennsylvania. The secret Service followed him back to NYC, where he lived. He collected the bogus money at Lupo's old wharehouse on East 97th Street. Several gang members were spotted there, like Cecala and Lupo. Boscarino was arrested in 1910, and in December that year sentanced to 15 years imprisonment. He died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1919, with Morello and Lupo acting as pallbearers.
Giuseppe Verrazano [Ferrazano]. We known almost nothing about this member, not his birth, arrival or address. He suddenly appears in 1915 as a member, running card games on Kenmare Street in Little Italy. He was in competition with a Neapolitan gambler called Joseph DiMarco, who ran a gambling club on James Street. He, his partner Stefano Lasala and the Terranova brothers, tried to eliminate him, failing in 1913 + 1914. In 1915 they made an alliance with the Brooklyn Camorra to eliminate some rivals. And in July 1916 they combined to kill DiMarco in his club. Verrazano being the actual killer, who then took-over the club. However, the alliance did not last and later in September the Camorra plotted to kill the Sicilian leaders. Only two, Nicolo Terranova and Camillo Ubriaco, turned-up and were killed. Verrazano was supposed to die that day, but did not attend. However, he was killed in October 1916, in a restaurant in the Bowery. Angelo Giordano, a Camorra leader was convicted and executed for this murder.
Stefano Lasala [Steve LaSalle]. : - Born 1889 in Corleone, emigrated to the USA in 1896. The family settled in Harlem, on East 107th Street. His Mafia connections were impressive,he partnered Verrazano in gambling, lived at the same address as Angelo Gagliano, had his Naturalization witnessed by Joseph Riccobono, his sister was married into the Liggio family of Corleone, and his associates included Morello, the Terranova brothers, and most future Lucchese Family members. He, and Verrazano, profited by the killing of Gallucci and DiMarco, which allowed them to dominate gambling in Harlem. Lasala attended meetings with the Camorra leaders, at which they plotted DiMarco's death. He was in jail, awaiting trial on lottery charges, in 1916 when the Camorra leaders turned on their Sicilian allies.
Lasala seems to have drifted away from the gang during the 1920's, and into the orbit of the Reina Family. Serving under Reina, Tomasso Gagliano and Gaetano Lucchese consecutively, he ran a large numbers operation throughout the 1930-40's. He became a power in the garment industry, and lived in the Bronx. By the 1950's he had risen to become under-boss, and during Lucchese final illness, may have been acting / boss. He eventually retired, and died in 1975.
Giovanni Peccoraro [John Peccori]. Born 1867 in Piana dei Greci, Province of Palermo. He was a well known Mafioso in Sicily, being suspected of embezzlement and murder, before fleeing to America in 1901. He lived on East 39th Street, and described himself as a wine merchant. He soon became involved in the Morello gangs activities, and was described by the police as a close associate of Morello. Pecoraro was arrested as a suspect in a bomb throwing incident in 1908. After the arrest of Morello and Lupo in 1910, Pecoraro may have been the acting head of the gang. But, after it became obvious that the leaders would be imprisoned for years yet, he was replaced by the LoMonte brothers in 1912. He gained citizenship in 1914, listing his address as East 60th Street.
By 1920 the gang were under the leadership of Salvatore Loiacano, who may have been related to Pecoraro. Morello on his release from prison, tried to reclaim the leadership by intimidating Loiacano into stepping-down. Loiacano refused, and was killed, thus provoking a conflict that lasted 3 years. D'Aquila, the national head condemned Morello and his supporters to death. Pecoraro, who remained loyal to Morello was among the condemned. He, like the rest, fled to Sicily in late 1921, returning with Ciro Terranova in February 1922. In March 1923, Pecoraro fell victim to the conflict, shot by D'Aquila members including Filippo Mangano. Surprisingly, his son Michael later became a Mangano Family member.
Giovanni Zarcone. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. Date of birth unknown. A partner of Vito LaDuca in a butcher shop on Stanton Street, LES. Believed by police to have transported Madonia's body in the "Barrel Murder". Moved to Danbury, Connecticut and became a wealthy fruit farmer. In 1909 he was killed there by several unknown gunmen.
Paolo Frisella. : - Born in Corleone, but date of birth unknown. Came to America in 1883, and settled on East 106th Street. Mentioned in Morello's 1909 letter to Rosario Dispenza, head of a Mafia faction in Chicago. This ia all we know of him, as there are no other records on him.
Ignazio Milone. : - Born 1881 Corleone, and entered the USA in 1898. A partner of Giuseppe Fontana in a beer hall. Also ran a fruit store on East 102nd Street. Arrested for the murder of Andrea Fendi in 1906, although Fontana was suspected of being the actual killer. Both he, and Fontana, were named as suspects by the Palermo police in the 1909 murder of Petrosino. The next we hear of him is in 1926, when he was one of the founding directors of the United Lathing company. Other directors included Tommaso Gagliano, Antonio Cecala and Morello. Milone died in 1934 in NYC [NYDI].
Antonio Milone. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and emigrated to America in 1889. He lived on East 105th Street in Harlem. In 1902 he was a founding director and president of the Ignazio Florio Co-operative, along with Morello. Milone was the gangs money man, and rarely interacted with other members. It was Milone who made and engraved the plates for Morello's counterfeiting ring in 1908. Milone was indicted for counterfeiting in 1909, and confessed. However he soon fled back to Italy, to avoid prison. There is no record when he returned to America, but he died in Queens in 1942 [NYDI].
Domenico Milone. : - Born in Corleone in 1867, date of entry into USA unknown. May have been related to Antonio Milone, as like him, he was a director of the Ignatz Florio Co-operative. Believed to live on East 92nd Street, and was an in-law of fellow member Giuseppe Armato. He ran a grocery on East 97th Street, which police believed was a clearing house for the gangs counterfeit ring. Apart from a visit to Sicily in 1920, nothing more is known about him.
Domenico Pecoraro. : - Born 1850 in Bagheria, Palermo Province. Entered the US around 1895-6, and lived on Chrystie Street in "Little Italy". A suspect in the 1902 murder of Giuseppe Catania in Brooklyn. Arrested with Morello, Lupo, ect. in 1903 for the Madonia murder. He gained his citizenship that same year. Later moved to Brooklyn, where he died in 1934.
Luciano Perrino [Tommaso Petto / Ox.] : - Born in Carini, Province of Palermo in 1879. Entry date to America is unknown. Lived on Elizabeth Street, and as his alias indicates, was a strongarm thug. Believed by police to be the actual killer of Madonia, as he was found with Madonia's watch on his arrest. Released in January 1904, he left NYC and moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There he resumed his extortion tactics against local Italians. In October 1905 he was killed by rifle fire, either by a Madonia relative or by a Morello gunman.
Nicolo Silvestre [Nick Sylvester]. Born 1889, he was a mainland Italian from Formia [Furmia] halfway between Rome and Naples. He served a 5 year sentance in Italy, before moving to America. He stole horses with one of the Terranova's, probably Nicolo, and threw bombs before becoming a trusted member of the gang. His trade was plastering, working for Angelo Gagliano on East 107th Street. He also drove a wagon for Lupo's grocery business. Fully involved in the Morello counterfeit ring, he guarded the farm HQ in Highland. Arrested and convicted in 1910, he rcieved a 15 year sentance in Atlanta Penitentiary. Soon he was passing information to the authorities, including where to find the printing plates. He was paroled in 1915, but we have no details of his later life.
Francesco Moscato. : - Born 1866 in Corleone, he arrived in the USA in1893. Lived in the Bronx, and was related to fellow member Michele Coniglio. The only mention of him is in the 1909 Morello letter to Rosario Dispenza in Chicago. Morello includes him in a list of associates, which also includes Coniglio, and states " all of Corleone". Died in NYC in 1922.
Leoluca Vasi. : - Born 1872 in Corleone, entering America in 1892 at New Orleans. Along with his brother, Pasquale Vasi [1880], he was arrested in 1909 in possession of counterfeit money. Sentanced in 1910, his release date was 1914. Still alive by 1940's, and living in the Bronx. May have been related to the Trombatore family of New Orleans.
Salvatore Clemente [Dude]. : - Born 1863 in Corleone, and emigrated to the USA in 1890. Convicted of counterfeiting in 1895, in NYS, and sentanced to 8 years imprisonment in Buffalo. Arrested again in 1902, along with Vito Cascio Ferro, and jailed in Canada for passing counterfeit notes [1903]. Became a close associate of the gang, although not involved in the Highland counterfeit ring. Started informing for the Secret Service in 1910, and became their top informant. Even travelled to Sicily to obtain information on anarchists for them. Died in NYC in 1925 [NYDI].
Salvatore Cina [Don Turi]. : - Born in 1875, his place of birth is sometimes recorded as Bivona, Palermo or Agrigento Province. In Sicily he associated with the bandit Varsalona, and fled a murder charge in Bivona. Entering America in 1895, with his in-law Vincenzo Giglio, and went to Tampa. They relocated to NY in 1904. He, and Giglio, owned the farm in Highland where the counterfeiting took place. Convicted and sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, but paroled in 1916. Cina was still alive in 1940, listed as a Cheese Importer and living on Jackson Street in Manhattan [1940 Census].
Vincenzo Giglio. : - Born in Bivona in 1880, he arrived, with Cina, in 1895 and went to Tampa. The Giglio family would become notorious Mafiosi in Tampa. He, and Cina, moved to NY in 1904 and bought the farm in Highland. Starting in 1908, the Morello gang used the farm as their counterfeiting HQ. Sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, he died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1914.
Giuseppe Palermo [Salvatore Saracino]. : - Born in Partanna in 1862, and entered the US in 1902. He was fleeing from a sentance of 31 years, for Kidnap + double Homicide. He lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and owned a macaroni factory. In 1907 he defrauded a co-operative society based on Elizabeth Street, of which he was a director. Financially involved in the counterfeit ring , he bought Cina's share in the Highland farm in 1909. Convicted in 1910, he was sentanced to 18 years. After suffering a stroke, he was paroled in 1920. Went to live on Elizabeth Street, until his death in 1924.
Giuseppe Fanaro : - Born 1876 in Carini, Palermo Province and came to America in 1902. Was soon associating with Morello + Lupo, and owned an Italian food importing company on Rivingtion Street. Seen, by the Secret Service, in the company of Madonia shortly before his murder. Arrested as a material witness in 1903, he showed signs of talking, before refusing. In 1908 he was a suspect in the killing of fellow townsman Salvatore Marchinne, along with his in-law Antonio Ganci. By the 1910's he was living in Brooklyn, and working as a longshoreman for a fruit company. By then he had allied with D'Aquila, who had succeeded Lupo as head of the Palermitani faction. When conflict broke-out between D'Aquila and the Corleonesi, now headed by the LoMonte brothers, he became a casualty being killed in November 1913.
Giuseppe Fontana. : - Born in Villabate, Province of Palermo in 1852 and a notorious Mafioso with many arrest's in Sicily. His most infamous crime was the Notarbartolo murder in 1893, of which he was first convicted [1899], then acquitted [1903]. He was in NYC by 1901, and was soon associating with Lupo + Morello. He opened a grocery store on East 106th Street, and was a partner of Ignazio Milone in a beer hall. He, and Fanaro, were suspects in several murders during 1905-08. The Palermo police listed him as a suspect in the 1909 Petrosino killing. With the decline of the gang, following the jailing of Morello + Lupo, Fontana and Fanaro allied themselves to Salvatore D'Aquila's faction. In 1913 conflict between D'Aquila and the LoMonte brothers flared-up. Having joined their enemies, Fontana was targeted by the LoMonte faction, and killed on East 105th Street in November 1913.
Antonio Rizzo / Russo]. : - The confusion over his name, makes it impossible to trace him. Indeed, it is possible they were two sepatate people. Lupo sold his saloon on Prince Street to a Antonio Rizzo in 1903-04. And a man of this name was killed in NYC in 1909 [NYDI].
However, a Antonio Russo was named in the 1909 "all of Corleone" letter to Dispenza in Chicago. And during Morello's incarceration, he wrote to Antonio Russo, caling him a "godson" or partner. This Russo lived on East 107th Street in Harlem.
To complicate matters further, Al D'Arco, a future Lucchese member, wrote of meeting a Antonio Russo in prison in the 1960's. He described him as a surviver of the Mafia-Camorra conflict of the 1910's, who had served over 50 years for multiple murder.
Nicolo Testa. : - Born 1886 in Bagheria, Palermo Province and arrived in the USA in 1899. Worked as a butcher in Vito LaDuca's store on Stanton Street. Arrested as a material witness in the 1903 "Barrel" murder. Stated he was a nephew of Giuseppe Catania, killed in Brooklyn in 1902. On his citizenship papers in 1913, he stated he owned a butcher shop in Brooklyn. Seems to have died in Manhattan in 1919 [NYDI].
Giuseppe DiPriema[o]. : - Born in Lercara Friddi, Province of Palermo in 1880, and emigrated to America in 1902. According to the book, The First Family, these details should be 1875 [DOB], 1900 [DOA] and Santa Margherita in Agrigento Province [POB]. He was arrested in December 1902 in Yonkers, along with Isidoro Crocevera + Giuseppe Giallombardo, trying to pass counterfeit notes. Tried in January 1903, and sentanced to 4 years imprisonment in Sing Sing. His brother-in-law, Benedetto Madonia, raised money and tried to get the gang to help him, but recieved none. Madonia travelled to NYC to meet Morello, but was murdered in April 1903, the famous "Barrel " murder. DePriema identified the body, but refused to inform. The actual killer, Tomasso Petto, was killed in October 1905 in Pittston. After his release from prison in 1906, DiPriema was either deported, or returned to Sicily. His death was as confusing as most details of his life. Rumour was that he was killed either on the way, or soon after his arrival [1909].
Benedetto Madonia. Born in Lercara Friddi [ or possibly Carini] in 1860, and arrived in the US in 1901. A stonemason by trade, he settled in Buffalo, NYS. A distributer of the gangs counterfeit money, travelling to various cities. When DiPriema, his brother-in-law, was sentanced to Sing Sing, he raised funds and asked the gang for help. Morello kept the funds, but refused to help DiPriema. This caused bad feelings, and Madonia came to NYC to reclaim his money. The Secret Service, closely watching the gang, saw Madonia in the company of several members. Morello condemned him, and Petto was believed to have killed him. The body was dumped, in a barrel, on East 11th Street. 13 gang members, including Morello, Lupo, Cascio Ferro, ect., were arrested, but none were convicted. Among the victims of the resulting vendetta were DiPriema and Calogero Morello, Giuseppe's son.
Giuseppe Callichio [Professor]. : - Born 1858 in Naples, and went to America in 1906. A printer, and experienced counterfeiter in Italy. Because of his birthplace he was not a member, but respected by the gang. Became the main designer of the ring, operating from the Highland farm. Sentanced to 17 years in 1910 trial, he was paroled in 1920. No record of later life.
Antonio Comito [Sheep]. : - Born 1872? in Catanzaro, Calabria and came to the USA in 1907. A printer, he was lured into counterfeit work by the gang. He, and his mistress, were virtually prisoners at the Highland farm. With the arrival of Callichio, he became less important and was threatened. Was the main witness at the 1910 trial of the ring, and the gang put a contract on his life. Left the USA in 1911 for South America, where he became a businessman. An entry for a Anthony Comito [1872-1935] on the NYDI, may or may not be him.
Eugenio Ubriaco [Charles]. : - Born in Cosenza, Calabria in 1889, he emigrated to America in 1907. His father ran a real estate business on East 114th Street, and had been in the US since 1890. The younger Ubriaco was a close associate of Nicolo Terranova, and had gambling interests in Manhattan. He was a rarity, a non-Sicilian gang member. Accompanied Nicolo to the fatefull Brooklyn meeting with the Camorra leaders in 1916. They were both ambushed on Johnson Street, and killed.
Giovanni Lupo [John]. : - Ignazio's brother was born in Palermo in 1883, and entered the USA in 1900. He worked for his brother in the Mott Street grocery for some time. Around 1908 he moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and opened his own store, which may have been part of the counterfeit distribution system. Although always in Ignazio's shadow, he may have been more important than percieved. After testifying for the defence, he led the campaigne to free Ignazio + Morello. He corresponded and visited with them, and raised funds for legal expenses. He may even have succeeded Ignazio as temporary head of the Palermitani faction in 1910-12. Seemed to fade from view after this, although still alive in the 1940's [WW2 Registration].
" Zu" Vincenzo [Uncle Vincent]. A mysterious member, active at the Highland counterfeit HQ in 1908-09. Told Comito he had commited a double murder in Sicily, befor fleeing to America. Entered at New Orleans in 1902. No other details known.
Giuseppe Catania. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. His DOB is a matter of confusion, some sources say 1862 or 1872, but newspapers in 1902 state he was a 53 year-old. Also his entry date is unknown, although probably before 1900. He was known as a close associate of Lupo, and ran a grocery in Brooklyn. His nephew Nicola Testa was also a gang member. His store was probably part of the gangs distribution system for counterfeit notes. Secret Service informant Clemente stated the reason for his murder in 1902, was that he talked too much when drunk. Lupo was the last person seen with him, before his butchered body was found in a sack in Brooklyn.
Lorenzo LoBaido. : - Born 1864. A known associate of the gang [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Vito LoBaido. : - Born 1878, lived on Mott Street. A known associate [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Giuseppe Lalamia. A known associate [1900's].Member of counterfeit ring.
Luigi Divivo [Louis the Wop]. : - A Neapolitan born associate, urged by Camorra members to place a bomb at the Terranova home.
Giuseppe Giallombardo. : - Born 1872 in Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1902, and within months arrested in Yonkers in possession of counterfeit notes. Sentanced to 5 years incarceration, along with DiPriema and Crocevera.
Isadoro Crocevera. : - Born in Palermo in 1873, date of entry unknown. A member of the Aquasanta cosca, mentioned in the Sangiorgi report, and the cousin of Fanaro. Arrested in 1902 in Yonkers, and sentanced to 3 years. Possibly related to the DiCarlo family of Buffalo, where he was killed in 1920.
Salvatore Marsalisi [Magalisi]. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and arrived in the USA in 1905. A barber by trade on Houston Street. Believed to be in charge of the fund for the defence of the Yonkers counterfeiters [Giallombardo, Crocevera + DiPriema]. Later a major narcotics violater connected to the Lucchese Family who died in 1965.
Salvatore Locino [Sam]. Distributer of the rings counterfeits in Pittston, recieving the notes from Boscarini. Arrested by the Secret Service, he confessed and worked with them. Helped track the source back to Morello + Lupo in NYC. Survived being shot in the head in Pittston in 1910.
The following names were, in some way, associated with the gang. Mainly with the counterfeit ring, witness at the trial, or business contacts.
Sebastiano DiPalermo. Corleone [1870-1943]USA 1886 / Bronx.
Ippolito Greco. Corleone [1878-1915 Killed ]USA 1905 / Partner of Angelo Gagliano.
Andrea Oliveri. Corleone 1889. / USA 1899.
Giacomo Reina. Corleone [1844-1920] F-in L of V.Terranova / Testified at 1910 trial.
Pasquale Ruffino. Corleone 1886 / USA 1906.
Pietro Zarcone. Bagheria [1880-1944] USA 1893 / Godfather to Lupo / Killed Andrea Gambino in 1909.
Angelo Gagliano. Corleone 1880-1954]. Testified in 1910 trial / Partner of Greco / Power in Corleonese community / Related to various Mafiosi.
Carlo Costantino. Partinico [1874-1936] USA 1905 / Probable killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily 1909.
Antonino Passananti. Partinico [1879-1969] USA 1902 / Probale Killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily in 1909.
Bernardo Perrone. Guard at Highland farm, counterfeit HQ.
Giuseppe Armato. Counterfeiter arrested 1909.
Salvatore Romano. Counterfeiter associated with Clemente.
Salvatore Maccari. Counterfeiter.
Giuseppe Gudo. Distributer in Newark, NJ.
Francesco DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Modesto DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Angelo Valenti. Listed in 1909 Chicago letter " all of Corleone".
Vincenzo Abadezza. Counterfeiter arrested 1908.
Rudolph Palermo. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Michele Albanese. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Salvatore Sabatino. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Nicola Sassi. Accomplice in 1916 DeMarco murder,.
"Lulu" Vicari. Gang killer before 1914.
Marco Macaluso. Corleone [1875- ] Director of Ignazio Florio society / Father of Mariano, future Lucchese member.
Relatives, Associates + Contacts outside NYC.
New Orleans.
Calogero Gulotta [Uncle ?]. Correspondence with Morello in 1900, 1909 + 1919.
Vito DiGiorgio [Cousin ?]. Correspondence 1909, 1917 + 1920. Power in NO + LA, killed in 1922.
Santo Calamia [Cousin ?]. Visited Morello in prison in1917-18-19. Associate of Motisi + Marchese, conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Died 1922 in Sicily.
Leoluca Trombatore [Nephew ?]. Correspondence x 4 in 1919-20. Possible head in NO 1940-50's, died 1963.
Antonio Saltaformaggio [in-law ?]. Brother-in-law to Calamia. Killed 1903.
Francesco Motisi [Genova]. Letter sponsoring Marchese to Morello in 1902. Brother of Antonio, head of Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo.Possible head in NO, in conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Last seen in London in 1910.
Paolo Marchese [Paolo DiCristina]. Fleeing murder charge in Sicily. Sponsored to Morello by Motisi, worked for Lupo in NYC. Back to NO, possibly succeeded Motisi as head. Killed in 1910 by extortion victim.
Giuseppe Adragna. Corleone 1878 / USA 1898 / Correspondence with Morello. Possibly Dragna and related to Ignazio.
Vincenzo Moreci. Letter to Morello [1909] mentions DiGiorgi, Piro + Gulotta. Born Termini, Palermo Province, involved in conflict with Giacona family. Wounded in 1910, killed in 1915.
Chicago.
Salvatore LoBue [Cousin ?]. Correspondence with Morello.
Rosario Dispenza. Morello's " all of Corleone"letter in 1909 to Dispenza,concerning Costantino. Head of Mafia faction, killed in 1914.
Sicily.
Vito Cascio Ferro. Associate in 1902-3 in NYC, arrested in 1903 Madonia murder. Organized 1909 Petrosino murder, notorious Mafioso.
Giuseppe Battaglia [Uncle ?]. Head of Corleone cosca 1900's.
Bernardo Marino [in-law ?].
Paolo Streva. Morello's superior in Corleone, possibly moved to Chicago 1902.
Giuseppe Salemi [ F-in-L]. Member of Corleone cosca 1900-10's.
THE MORELLO FACTION : - BIOS. 1900-20’s.
FAMILY.
Giuseppe Morello [Piddu] : - Born 1867 in Corleone, Palermo Province, Sicily. When his father died in 1872, his mother married Bernardo Terranova, a known member of the “Fratuzzi”, the local Mafia cosca. Under his step-fathers sponsorship, Morello was initiated into the “Fratuzzi” in the 1880’s. By 1889 he was serving under Paolino Streva, the nephew of a previous leader. That year Morello was suspected in the murder of Giovanni Vella, the head of the Sylvanian Guards, a rural police force. There followed the murder of two witness’s, and the conviction of an innocent man who served 20 years in prison. Morello was involved in counterfeiting, for which he was sentenced to 6 years in 1894. However, by then he had fled to America in 1892 and settled in NYC. The following year the rest of his family joined him there.
In 1893 Morello moved his family to Louisiana, where he made important contacts within the local Sicilian underworld. Later they moved to Texas, where Morello and his step-father worked as sharecroppers on farmland near Bryan in Brazos County. The family returned to NYC in 1896, and settled in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Bernardo Terranova opened an ornamental plastering business, a trade all the male family members would follow. Morello continued to live an honest life, opening several business’s that soon failed. Because of these financial failures Morello returned to his old trade as a counterfeiter in 1899. Using contacts with fellow Corleonese in New Orleans, Chicago and Boston he began circulating counterfeit bills printed in East Harlem. A maid employed by Morello disappeared at this time, possibly because she knew too much. Finally the Secret Service arrested Morello, and all his associates in 1900. Although his associates went to prison, Morello walked as there was no evidence against him.
He now started to organise a gang of fellow Sicilians, mainly from Corleone and towns in Palermo Province. Living on Chrystie Street, he operated out of his Spaghetti Restaurant on Stanton Street, which included a saloon run by Antonio Russo. Next door was an import business owned by his brother-in-law Ignazio Lupo. Soon they had forced the Calabrian D’Agostino gang out of the area, and dominated criminal activities in Little Italy. Morello remarried in 1903, his first wife having died in 1898, consolidating his contacts with his home town of Corleone. They settled on East 107th Street in Harlem, near his half-brothers and mother. Another associate of the gang was Vito Cascio Ferro, newly arrived and a future “bigwig” of the Sicilian Mafia. Using Lupo’s food and wine importing company, the gang received counterfeit notes from Sicily and distributed them nationwide. Both the Secret Service and local police kept a close watch on the gang. Then late in 1902 some of the gang’s distributers were arrested in Yonkers, and convicted. One of them Giuseppe Di Priemo sent his in-law Benedetto Madonia to Harlem to ask Morello for money to help his defence. The gang responded by killing Madonia, and hiding his body in a barrel on East 11th Street. Morello, Lupo and 11 associates were arrested in 1903 by Joseph Petrosino, later head of the Italian Squad of the NYC police. Soon it became obvious that no witness would testify, and they were all released.
Morello’s reputation was now such that he was considered the most prominent Mafioso in the country, this was confirmed by Nicola Gentile’s comment “when we were all under Morello”. There is some confusion about his position in relation to Lupo, who headed the Palermitani Family. They were such close associates, that it is impossible to say who was the most important. When police searched Morello’s home in 1903, letters found showed he corresponded with Mafiosi nationwide. In 1904 he, and Lupo, started the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association, the purpose of which was to raise funds to build housing. In reality it was a scam to defraud investors, and enrich the gang. By 1908 the Co-operative was bankrupt, and with Lupo’s grocery business also in financial trouble, the two turned to their old trade counterfeiting. This latest counterfeiting operation was in Highland, New Jersey, well clear of the gang’s territory in Manhattan. The operation started in late 1908, and continued throughout 1909. That same year Joseph Petrosino, head of the Italian Squad and Morello’s old enemy, sailed to Italy. Vito Cascio Ferro, an old friend of Morello, was suspected of arranging Petrosino’s murder in Palermo. Morello was a known associate of Cascio Ferro, and the two suspected killers, so was probably implicated in organising the murder. By now his half-brothers, Vincenzo, Ciro and Nicolo Terranova were old enough to be full members of the gang. The Secret Service had been slowly building a case against the gang, and in late 1909 they arrested Morello, his half-brother Nicolo, Lupo and several more of the gang for counterfeiting. Convicted in 1910, Morello was sentenced to 25 years, and Lupo to 30 years.
While the Terranova brothers struggled to keep the gangs interests from underworld rivals, the two leaders were to spend the next decade in prison. Only once in 1911 did Morello show signs of talking, when he made a statement naming Petrosino’s killers. But he refused to sign it, and thereafter served his time calmly. During these years he wrote constantly to fellow Mafiosi in both America and Sicily. Morello lost a son, Calogero, and his half-brother Nicolo to gang warfare during his prison years. After a commutation of his sentence, Morello was released in February 1920. He found his half-brothers Ciro and Vito had retreated to East 116th Street, leaving Harlem and Little Italy to new underworld powers. The old gang was now much reduced, so he made an alliance with a group of Castellammarese members called the”Good Killers”. He soon set about regaining his influence, ordering several murders of rivals, using his new allies. This ignited a conflict with Salvatore D’Aquila, his successor as national head and the leader of Lupo’s old Family, who condemned all Morello supporters to death. The condemned fled to Sicily to seek support, but returned disappointed. During this conflict he lost other relatives, Vincenzo Terranova and his brother-in-law Vincenzo Salemi. A truce in late 1923 confirmed D’Aquila as the victor, and he refused to allow Morello, and his ally Giuseppe Masseria, back into the organisation.
Morello retreated from the dangerous areas of Manhattan to live in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Ciro Terranova continued to control the family rackets on 116th Street, in alliance with Masseria. Morello concentrated on his business interests, including a partnership with Tomasso Gagliano in a lathing company. He also had a share of the Empire Yeast company, which allowed him to profit from bootlegging.
Masseria slowly grew stronger by inducting non-Sicilians into his faction, and seeking alliances with those who resented D’Aquila’s hegemony. By 1928 he was ready to strike, and using an opposition faction within the Palermitani Family, arranged D’Aquila’s death. Next, needing legitimacy for his new power, Masseria called Morello from his retirement and made him his closest advisor. Although now dominant in NYC, Masseria soon ran into opposition from the Castellammarese Family. Their new leader Salvatore Maranzano refused to be intimidated, and resolved to fight back. His first target was Morello, the brains of the Masseria organisation. So, on an August afternoon in 1930, two Maranzano gunmen entered an office on East 116th Street and shot Morello, and two others, dead.
Ignazio Lupo [Wolf] : - Born 1877 in the city of Palermo, Sicily. Although not strictly a Corleonese faction member, Lupo was such a close associate of Morello that it is impossible not to include him. His position as head of the Palermitani faction, the largest in NYC, made him almost equal in power to Morello.
He his familial connections in Palermo, through his father Rocco who was a member of the Pagliarelli cosca, meant that when he came to America in 1898 he was accepted into the Palermitani faction. The reason for his departure from Sicily, was his conviction for a 1898 murder he committed in Palermo. After landing in Buffalo, via Liverpool, he went to the"Little Italy" section and opened a saloon on Prince Street. After selling this to Antonio Russo, he opened a food import company next to Morello's restaurant. His association with Morello was cemented by his marrying into the Terranova family in 1904. But before this he joined Morello in importing counterfeit money through the Brooklyn docks, using his food imports as a cover. The counterfeits were printed in Palermo, where Lupo had extensive contacts. Lupo's man in Brooklyn was Giuseppe Catania, a grocer who passed the counterfeits in Brooklyn. Catania, however, proved to be unreliable and in 1902 his butchered body was found in sacks. Police discovered that Lupo was seen with him shortly before his death. The following year he was arrested, with Morello and Cascio Ferro, for the Madonia murder.
The profits from counterfeiting allowed Lupo to expand his business into a large grocery and food empire that extended into Brooklyn. In 1904 he joined Morello, and others, in founding the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association. His growing wealth and renown probably led to his elevation to the leadership of the Palermitani faction at this time. Lupo continued to be involved in extortion, and was a suspect in a child kidnapping in 1906. Lupo's power reached it's peak in these years, but financial ruin was approaching fast. By 1908 both the Florio Co-operative, and Lupo's grocery empire were sliding into bankruptcy. His prestige suffered another blow when Joseph Petrosino, head of the NYPDItalian Squad arrived at Lupo's Mott Street HQ and delivered a beating to him. Lupo fled to his brother John in Patterson New Jersey, leaving huge debts to his creditors. In an effort to regain his affluence, Lupo joined Morello in a new counterfeiting scheme run from Highland, NJ.
Lupo stayed away from NYC for a year, but returned after Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909. There is little doubt that he was complicit in this murder, arranged by his old associate Vito Cascio Ferro. The Secret Service, after a long investigation, arrested the whole counterfeiting ring late in 1909. Huge efforts were made to collect funds for the defendants, throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. But even the best lawyers in America could not save them, and they were convicted in 1910. Lupo recieved a sentance of 30 years, Morello 20 years, and sent to Atlanta Penitentiary.
Both men spent 10 years imprisoned, before a commutation released them in 1920. During that time the face of Italo-American crime in NYC had changed, and prohibition was about to change it even more. Morello, released earlier than Lupo, attempted to regain his power by eliminating his rivals. Lupo,upon his release, found his old faction now headed by Salvatore D'Aquila, who was also the national head of the organisation. At some point in mid-1921 D'Aquila called a national assembly, and had Lupo, Morello and their supporters condemned to death. The condemned members fled to Sicily to seek support, and get the death sentances repealed. They spent months trying to convince the Palermo cosca leaders, but found D'Aquila's influence too strong. Returning in early 1922, Morello fought an ultimatley futile war with D'Aquila's forces. Lupo, held on his return by immigration authorities for some time, decided to accept his demotion and moved to Brooklyn.
Although never again in a position of power, Lupo still had enough prestige to be asked to mediate a conflict between Sicilian and Calabrian faction in Brooklyn. The peace meeting in late 1923 was raided by the police, and Lupo was arrested. He was also arrested that year for extortion, with his son-in-law Antonio Forti. They ran a Bakers union scam, that extorted bakeries throughout NYC and Brooklyn. He would eventually be aquitted of this in 1934. Another arrest was in 1931, with his son Rocco, for the murder of Ruggiero Consiglio. Finally, in 1936, he was convicted of extortion again and sent back to prison to complete his 1910 sentance of 30 years. Lupo was released in late 1946 on medical grounds, and died in Janruary 1947.
Vincenzo Terranova : - Born 1886 in Corleone, Sicily. Arrived in USA in 1893, with the rest of the Terranova family. The family followed half-brother Giuseppe Morello to Louisiana and Texas, returning to NYC in 1896. They settled in the Little Italy area, and his father Bernardo opened a plastering business. Vincenzo was Bernardo's eldest son, but nearly 20 years younger than Morello. He was too young to be involved in gang activities at the time of the "Barrel Murder" in 1903. He first came to notice in 1908, when he was arrested for the murder of local gangster "Diamond Sam" Sicco. At this time he was working for his fathers plastering firm. With the jailing of Morello, and Lupo, in 1910, he and his brothers Ciro and Nicolo assumed more responsibility.
The next decade would be full of danger, as competition in the Italo-American underworld would be intense. Proof of this is the fact that Vincenzo's home on East 109th Street was bombed in 1913. This may have been the reason the Terranova brothers moved their homes to East 116th Street. He was known to be involved in the ice business, and married into the Reina family, well connected Corleonese Mafiosi. The brothers made an alliance with a Neapolitan Camorra organization, to eliminate some rivals in Harlem. Although initially successful, this turned-out to be a mistake. In 1916 the Neapolitans turned on the Terranova's, and killed Nicolo and other members. The surviving brothers kept close to their stronghold on 116th Street, striking back when they could. Fortunatley for them, the police arrested and convicted the Camorra gang in 1917-18. In 1918 both brothers were arrested for a 1916 murder, but escaped prison.
With the coming of prohibition in 1920, Vincenzo entered the business, with a partner Joseph Viserti. Both soon men became wealthy, but Viserti was killed in 1921 for reasons unknown. The release of Morello and Lupo in 1920 cased a conflict with their successor as national head, Salvatore D'Aquila. Vincenzo was one of the members condemned by D'Aquila, and fled to Sicily. Returning in early 1922, he was an obvious target for the D'Aquila forces. Vincenzo was killed in May 1922, while walking near his home on 116th Street.
Ciro Terranova [Artichoke King] : - Born 1888 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered USA in 1893 with family, lived in Louisiana and Texas before settling in NYC in 1896. Worked for father's plastering business and lived on East 105th Street [1910 Census]. Later married in to the Catania family in 1909, and lived next door to the Gagliano-Greco saloon on East 107th Street. With brothers Vincenzo and Nicolo, became more active in the gang after half-brother Morello was jailed in 1910. Served under LoMonte brothers, who succeeded Morello as leaders. LoMonte's killed in conflict with D'Aquila Family, and Terranova brothers relocated to East 116th Street around 1914. Led gang in conflict with Giosue Gallucci, allying with Brooklyn Camorra. Gallucci killed in 1915, and brothers took-over his rackets in Harlem. Ciro controlled lottery, artichoke and extortion rackets. Continued Camorra alliance to eliminate gambling rival Joseph DeMarco, attending several meetings in Brooklyn. Camorra turned on Terranova's, killing brother Nicolo in 1916 ambush. Ciro, Vincenzo and followers under siege in 116th Street stronghold. Authorities break-up Camorra gangs with mass arrest's, and convict leaders in 1917-18. Ciro tried for DeMarco murder [1916] in 1918, but aquitted.
Became wealthy in artichoke racket, and may have been Naturalized in 1919. With release of Morello in 1920, he was involved in conflict with D'Aquila Family. Like most of Morello relatives, and supporters, he was condemned to death by organisation. Fled to Sicily in late 1921 to gain support against death sentance. Found support for D'Aquila too strong, and returned to America in 1922. Brother Vincenzo, and other allies, killed in conflict with D'Aquila. He, and Morello, form alliance with Giuseppe Masseria, a new power in LES, to resist D'Aquila. Truce agreed at meeting in late 1923, uneasy peace follows.
With Morello/Terranova gang decimated by conflict, Ciro becomes a part of Masseria faction. Still controls area of 116th Street, and builds regime including Catania brothers, nephews by marriage. Helps Lupo in moving to Brooklyn, and organising bakery extortion scheme. In mid-1920's he mediates dispute between Italian and Irish gangs, on condition 2 Italian members of Irish gang be killed. One killed, but other [Joseph Valachi] survives attack in prison. Forms partnership with Jewish gangster Dutch Schultz, to control numbers racket in "Black Harlem". Masseria plots murder of Salvatore D'Aquila in 1928, and becomes new national head. Morello is his top advisor, and Ciro his Capo in Harlem. Suspected by police of murder of rival gangster Frankie Marlow in 1929. Also that year he was involved in the "Vitale Dinner scandal", which caused a media frenzy and damaged his reputation.
With the start of the "Castellammarese War", Terranova's faction were in the forefront of the violence. First he lost his half-brother Morello, killed in his office on 116th Street in August 1930, then his nephew Joseph Catania in February 1931. Incensed, he vowed vengeance over Catania's coffin, but the war was lost by then. Two months later it ended when Masseria was killed by his own followers at a restaurant on Coney Island. Terranova was rumoured to have driven his killers to the restaurant, and lost his nerve. Wether this was true, or not, the new leaders of the Family demoted Terranova, replacing him in Harlem with Mike Coppola. The Family stripped him of both the artichoke racket and his share of the Harlem numbers.
His troubles were not over, as the new mayor LaGuardia hounded him and the IRS investigated him for tax evasion. This caused him to lose his mansion in Westchester, and move back to East 116th Street. In 1938 after suffering a stroke and being hospitalized, he became the only Terranova brother to die of natural causes.
Nicolo Terranova [Coco] : - Born 1890 in Corleone, Sicily. The youngest of the brothers arrived in 1893, and spent 3 years of his childhood iin Louisiana and Texas. The family settled on the LES of Manhattan in 1896. Too young to have been involved in the gangs criminal activities until the late 1900's. He stole horses and stabled them in the infamous"Murder Stable"on East 108th Street in Harlem, where he also had a blacksmith shoeing his horses. With Morello's arrest in 1909, Nicolo tried to help his half-brother by attempting to set-up an false alibi. After the imprisonment of Morello in 1910, the LoMonte brothers, cousins to the Terranova's, took control of the gang. Calogero Morello, the teenage son of Giuseppe Morello, was killed in a street shoot-out in 1912. Nicolo, being the nearest in age to him, took this badly and vowed revenge. He was rumoured to have personally killed two men involved in Calogero's murder.
The LoMonte brothers were killed in a conflict with Salvatore D'Aquila in 1913 + 14, and the Terranova's relocated to East 116th Street. They were themselves attempting to gain control of rackets in Harlem, under the control of Giosue Gallucci. To accomplish this they made an alliance with Camorra groups in Brooklyn. Several meetings took place between Ciro and Nicolo and the Camorra leaders in 1915 + 16. Gallucci was killed in 1915, and gambling rival DeMarco in 1916, with help from the Neapolitans. But at this point the Camorra leaders decided to eliminate the Terranova brothers and take-over their rackets. So in September 1916 Nicolo, and his bodyguard, were invited to a meeting in Brooklyn. They were ambushed and both killed on Navy Street.
Calogero Morello [Calidu / Charles] : - Born in Louisiana in 1894, the second son of Giuseppe to be named in honour of his grandfather. The first Calogero died in Louisiana at only a year-old. Lived with his grandmother and aunts after the death of his mother in 1898. Too young to have been involved in the gangs activities up to his death at 17 years-old in 1912. His murder seems to have been in revenge for the 1903 " Barrel Murder" of Benedetto Madonia. Madonia's nephew, a member of a local street gang, ambushed Calogero and a friend on 120th Street in April 1912. After a wild shoot-out, Calogero, his friend and one of the attackers were all killed. Madonia's nephew fled back to Italy, but Nicolo Terranova vowed vengeance at the funeral.
Fortunato LoMonte [Charles] : - Born 1883 in Villafrati, Sicily. Emigrated to America in 1894, settling on East 109th Street in Harlem. A reputed cousin to Morello,and as with most of the gang he was a plasterer by trade. By the early 1900's he ran a saloon on East 107th Street, in partnership with Gioacchino Lima, Morello's brother-in-law. He later sold this and opened a feed store on East 108th Street, near the "Murder Stable", in partnership with Angelo Gagliano. The LoMonte brothers sometimes worked as bodyguards for Giosue Gallucci, the dominant Neapolitan power in Harlem. When Morello was imprisoned in 1910, he nominated LoMonte as his successor [1911]. The LoMonte's allied with Manfredi Mineo, and the Castellammarese faction, against the new national head Salvatore D'Aquila in 1912. This alliance struck first by eliminating D'Aquila members Fontana and Fanaro in 1913. D'Aquila retaliated in May 1914, Fortunato being killed on East 108th Street by Valenti, DeMino + Biondo.
Gaetano LoMonte [Thomas] : - The younger brother of Fortunato, born in 1887, date of entry unknown. By 1909 he had joined his brother, and was working as a plasterer. Lived on East 107th Street, and witnessed Ciro Terranova's wedding that year. When Morello was arrested in 1909, a letter he had sent to associates in New Orleans was seized by police. Morello listed several gang members, including both LoMonte brothers. Gaetano supported his brother in leading the gang from 1911. He made a visit back to Sicily in 1913. With his brothers murder in 1914, he relocated to 116th Street, with the rest of the Terranova's. In October 1916 Ippolito Greco, the owner of the "Murder Stable", was killed and LoMonte was suspected. Only 6 days later Gaetano was walking on 116th Street with his cousin Rosalia [nee Terranova] when he was shot and killed. His killer, who was captured, was a 19 year-old from Castrofilippo, Sicily. He refused to talk, and was convicted and executed in 1917.
Vincenzo Salemi : - Born 1879 in Corleone, Sicily and entered the USA in 1903. A brother-in-law of Morello, who married his sister in 1903. Salemi himself married Lucia, the widowed sister of the Terranova brothers, in 1904. As with most of the extended family, he was a plasterer who lived on East 107th Street [WW1 Registration]. Not much is known of his activities during the next several years. As he moved to live on East 114th Street, he probably relocated at the same time as his relatives in the mid-1910's. When Giuseppe Morello attempted a comeback in 1921, Salvatore D'Aquila had several gang members condemned. Salemi was probably one of these, as he is recorded as returning from Italy in June 1922. Salemi was one of the last victims of this conflict, being killed in June 1923 on East 108th Street.
Gioacchino Lima [Jack] : - Born 1870 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered America in 1892, fleeing a murder charge in Corleone. In 1893 he married Giuseppe Morello's sister Marie, and settled in East Harlem. A cart driver in Sicily, in NYC he called himself a builder. In 1906 he was a suspect in the murder of Andrea Fendi, for which Ignazio Milone was arrested. In the early 1900's he was a partner with Fortunato LoMonte, in a saloon on East 107th Street. After Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909, Italian police included Lima in a list of suspects. By 1911 he was living on East 105th Street in Harlem. He then seems to disappear from view until the 1920 census, when he had moved to East 107th Street. Lima, as a relative of Morello, was probably one of the members condemned by D'Aquila in 1921. Unlike the other condemned men he did not flee to Italy, but moved to California. Sources state that he died there in 1922, possibly he disappeared and presumed killed.
MEMBERS / ASSOCIATES.
Vito LaDuca [Longo]. : - Born in Carini, Palermo Province, date unknown. Served in Italian Navy, and spent 5 years in prison for unknown offence. Arrived in USA in 1902, and worked as a butcher in Giovanni Zarcone's shop on Stanton Street. A close associate of Morello, Motisi and other gang members. Arrested in Pittsburgh in Janruary 1903, as part of the Morello counterfeit ring. Also in 1903 he was arrested as a materiel witness in the Madonia murder. In 1904 he was strongly suspected in the abduction of a child held for ransom. Again, the following year, a suspect in the disapperence of a butcher, who had just sold his store to LaDuca. Heavy police survellience caused him to return to Carini in 1907, where he was killed in 1908.
Pietro Inzerillo : - Born 1859 in Marineo, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1890,and settled in Little Italy section of Manhattan. Operated the Star of Italy saoon on Elizabeth Street, a gathering place for the gang. This was also the supposed place of Madonia's murder in 1903. The police traced the barrel that contained the corpse back there. Inzerillo was arrested as a materiel witness in the case. He survived being shot in 1908, and was suspected of involvement in counterfeiting in 1909. Police recieved an anomynous letter that year accusing him of involvement in the Petrosino murder. All this provoked his flight back to Italy. The last known sighting of him was in Milan in 1911, where he was again involved in counterfeiting.
Antonio Cecala : - Born in 1975 in Corleone, and entered the USA in 1889. He settled on the LES, and became a citizen in 1900. First came to police notice as an arsonist, involved in insurance fraud. He also ran gambling clubs on Mott + Elizabreth Streets, and was believed to be related to Ignazio Lupo. Cecala organized the counterfeit ring operating in Highland, NY for Morello and Lupo, starting in 1908. He arranged the printing, engraving and distribution of the notes. On his arrest in 1910 he lived on East 4th Street, and owned a grocery on Spring Street. Convicted, and sentanced to 15 years imprisonment, he was paroled in 1915.
After his release, Cecala relocated to the Bronx and went into legitimate business. In 1925 he was a founding director of the United Lathing company with Morello, Tomasso Gagliano and Ignazio Milone. This firm would be connected with Lucchese members for many years to come. To take advantage of the bootlegging racket, he and Morello set-up the Empire Yeast company, located on Chrystie Street. Cecala was president, until he was killed in 1928.
Angelo Lagattuta [LaGatutte]. : - Born 1875 Mezzojuso, Palermo Province. He emigrated to America in 1900, and lived on his farm in New Paltz, NY. Very little is known about his early activities in NYC. The first mention of him was in a letter Morello sent to New Orleans, in which he describes LaGatutte ! as his godfather. So their relationship was very close at this time [1909]. However it is noticeable that in Morello's intense correspondence from prison [1910-20], there is none to Lagattuta. This might confirm the theory that they fell-out over the new leadership of the gang. For after the deaths of the LoMonte brothers, Salvatore Loiacano became leader with the blessing of new national head D'Aquila.
When Morello was released, and tried to reclaim leadership, in 1920, Loiacano refused to step-down. Morello had Loiacano killed in December 1920, and at his funeral several friends, including Lagatutta, vowed to avenge him. Morello used the "Good Killers" faction as his hitmen to eliminate the rebel faction. In February 1921 Lagattuta was walking in the Bronx, along with Saverio Pollaccia, when he was seriously wounded. Pollaccia fought off the attackers, and saved them both. Lagattuta retired to his farm where, because of his injuries, he grew morose and violent to his family. In 1924 he was killed by his son, who pled self-defense and was acquited.
Michele Coniglio. : - Born 1862 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1892. This man was suspected of being Morello's accomplice in the killing of Giovanni Vella, head of the Sylvanian Guards of Corleone, in 1889. Like Morello he fled to NYC in 1892, to avoid arrest. By 1905 he lived in the Bronx, and worked as a bar keeper in a saloon. The next mention of him is in Morello's letter to the leading Mafioso in Chicago in 1909. Coniglio is named in a list of Morello's closest associates, icluding LoMonte, Lasala, Frisella, Moscato, ect. The list ends with the statement "all of Corleone". Francesco Moscato, also listed in this letter, may have been a relative. The last record of Consiglio was a visit to Italy in 1927.
Antonio Motisi [Messina Genova]. : - Born in 1875 in the city of Palermo. Date of entry into USA is unknown. The Motisi family are historicaly the leaders of the Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo. Ignazio Lupo's father Rocco was a reputed member before emigrating to America. Antonio's brother Franesco was the head of this cosca, and then fled to New Orleans to avoid a murder charge. There he became the leader of a faction that was associated with Morello, as a 1902 letter, found on Morello, proves.
Antonio owned a butcher store on Stanton Street, as well as being a partner in Lupo's saloon on Prince Street. He was arrested for the 1903 "Barrel Murder" of Madonia, along with Morello, Lupo, Petto, ect. At this time he was living on East 15th Street, and was a close associate of Vito LaDuca. Police pressure forced him to move to Ohio, and in 1908 he met the fate of several other gang members, when he was murdered.
Giuseppe Boscarini [Boscarino] : - Born 1850 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1890. Very little is known about his early life or activities, we do not even have his home address. He first came to attention in the summer of 1909, when he was named by a Pittston informant as the supplier of counterfeit notes. This informant, Salvatore Locino, stated that Boscarino was the main supplier to Pennsylvania. The secret Service followed him back to NYC, where he lived. He collected the bogus money at Lupo's old wharehouse on East 97th Street. Several gang members were spotted there, like Cecala and Lupo. Boscarino was arrested in 1910, and in December that year sentanced to 15 years imprisonment. He died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1919, with Morello and Lupo acting as pallbearers.
Giuseppe Verrazano [Ferrazano]. We known almost nothing about this member, not his birth, arrival or address. He suddenly appears in 1915 as a member, running card games on Kenmare Street in Little Italy. He was in competition with a Neapolitan gambler called Joseph DiMarco, who ran a gambling club on James Street. He, his partner Stefano Lasala and the Terranova brothers, tried to eliminate him, failing in 1913 + 1914. In 1915 they made an alliance with the Brooklyn Camorra to eliminate some rivals. And in July 1916 they combined to kill DiMarco in his club. Verrazano being the actual killer, who then took-over the club. However, the alliance did not last and later in September the Camorra plotted to kill the Sicilian leaders. Only two, Nicolo Terranova and Camillo Ubriaco, turned-up and were killed. Verrazano was supposed to die that day, but did not attend. However, he was killed in October 1916, in a restaurant in the Bowery. Angelo Giordano, a Camorra leader was convicted and executed for this murder.
Stefano Lasala [Steve LaSalle]. : - Born 1889 in Corleone, emigrated to the USA in 1896. The family settled in Harlem, on East 107th Street. His Mafia connections were impressive,he partnered Verrazano in gambling, lived at the same address as Angelo Gagliano, had his Naturalization witnessed by Joseph Riccobono, his sister was married into the Liggio family of Corleone, and his associates included Morello, the Terranova brothers, and most future Lucchese Family members. He, and Verrazano, profited by the killing of Gallucci and DiMarco, which allowed them to dominate gambling in Harlem. Lasala attended meetings with the Camorra leaders, at which they plotted DiMarco's death. He was in jail, awaiting trial on lottery charges, in 1916 when the Camorra leaders turned on their Sicilian allies.
Lasala seems to have drifted away from the gang during the 1920's, and into the orbit of the Reina Family. Serving under Reina, Tomasso Gagliano and Gaetano Lucchese consecutively, he ran a large numbers operation throughout the 1930-40's. He became a power in the garment industry, and lived in the Bronx. By the 1950's he had risen to become under-boss, and during Lucchese final illness, may have been acting / boss. He eventually retired, and died in 1975.
Giovanni Peccoraro [John Peccori]. Born 1867 in Piana dei Greci, Province of Palermo. He was a well known Mafioso in Sicily, being suspected of embezzlement and murder, before fleeing to America in 1901. He lived on East 39th Street, and described himself as a wine merchant. He soon became involved in the Morello gangs activities, and was described by the police as a close associate of Morello. Pecoraro was arrested as a suspect in a bomb throwing incident in 1908. After the arrest of Morello and Lupo in 1910, Pecoraro may have been the acting head of the gang. But, after it became obvious that the leaders would be imprisoned for years yet, he was replaced by the LoMonte brothers in 1912. He gained citizenship in 1914, listing his address as East 60th Street.
By 1920 the gang were under the leadership of Salvatore Loiacano, who may have been related to Pecoraro. Morello on his release from prison, tried to reclaim the leadership by intimidating Loiacano into stepping-down. Loiacano refused, and was killed, thus provoking a conflict that lasted 3 years. D'Aquila, the national head condemned Morello and his supporters to death. Pecoraro, who remained loyal to Morello was among the condemned. He, like the rest, fled to Sicily in late 1921, returning with Ciro Terranova in February 1922. In March 1923, Pecoraro fell victim to the conflict, shot by D'Aquila members including Filippo Mangano. Surprisingly, his son Michael later became a Mangano Family member.
Giovanni Zarcone. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. Date of birth unknown. A partner of Vito LaDuca in a butcher shop on Stanton Street, LES. Believed by police to have transported Madonia's body in the "Barrel Murder". Moved to Danbury, Connecticut and became a wealthy fruit farmer. In 1909 he was killed there by several unknown gunmen.
Paolo Frisella. : - Born in Corleone, but date of birth unknown. Came to America in 1883, and settled on East 106th Street. Mentioned in Morello's 1909 letter to Rosario Dispenza, head of a Mafia faction in Chicago. This ia all we know of him, as there are no other records on him.
Ignazio Milone. : - Born 1881 Corleone, and entered the USA in 1898. A partner of Giuseppe Fontana in a beer hall. Also ran a fruit store on East 102nd Street. Arrested for the murder of Andrea Fendi in 1906, although Fontana was suspected of being the actual killer. Both he, and Fontana, were named as suspects by the Palermo police in the 1909 murder of Petrosino. The next we hear of him is in 1926, when he was one of the founding directors of the United Lathing company. Other directors included Tommaso Gagliano, Antonio Cecala and Morello. Milone died in 1934 in NYC [NYDI].
Antonio Milone. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and emigrated to America in 1889. He lived on East 105th Street in Harlem. In 1902 he was a founding director and president of the Ignazio Florio Co-operative, along with Morello. Milone was the gangs money man, and rarely interacted with other members. It was Milone who made and engraved the plates for Morello's counterfeiting ring in 1908. Milone was indicted for counterfeiting in 1909, and confessed. However he soon fled back to Italy, to avoid prison. There is no record when he returned to America, but he died in Queens in 1942 [NYDI].
Domenico Milone. : - Born in Corleone in 1867, date of entry into USA unknown. May have been related to Antonio Milone, as like him, he was a director of the Ignatz Florio Co-operative. Believed to live on East 92nd Street, and was an in-law of fellow member Giuseppe Armato. He ran a grocery on East 97th Street, which police believed was a clearing house for the gangs counterfeit ring. Apart from a visit to Sicily in 1920, nothing more is known about him.
Domenico Pecoraro. : - Born 1850 in Bagheria, Palermo Province. Entered the US around 1895-6, and lived on Chrystie Street in "Little Italy". A suspect in the 1902 murder of Giuseppe Catania in Brooklyn. Arrested with Morello, Lupo, ect. in 1903 for the Madonia murder. He gained his citizenship that same year. Later moved to Brooklyn, where he died in 1934.
Luciano Perrino [Tommaso Petto / Ox.] : - Born in Carini, Province of Palermo in 1879. Entry date to America is unknown. Lived on Elizabeth Street, and as his alias indicates, was a strongarm thug. Believed by police to be the actual killer of Madonia, as he was found with Madonia's watch on his arrest. Released in January 1904, he left NYC and moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There he resumed his extortion tactics against local Italians. In October 1905 he was killed by rifle fire, either by a Madonia relative or by a Morello gunman.
Nicolo Silvestre [Nick Sylvester]. Born 1889, he was a mainland Italian from Formia [Furmia] halfway between Rome and Naples. He served a 5 year sentance in Italy, before moving to America. He stole horses with one of the Terranova's, probably Nicolo, and threw bombs before becoming a trusted member of the gang. His trade was plastering, working for Angelo Gagliano on East 107th Street. He also drove a wagon for Lupo's grocery business. Fully involved in the Morello counterfeit ring, he guarded the farm HQ in Highland. Arrested and convicted in 1910, he rcieved a 15 year sentance in Atlanta Penitentiary. Soon he was passing information to the authorities, including where to find the printing plates. He was paroled in 1915, but we have no details of his later life.
Francesco Moscato. : - Born 1866 in Corleone, he arrived in the USA in1893. Lived in the Bronx, and was related to fellow member Michele Coniglio. The only mention of him is in the 1909 Morello letter to Rosario Dispenza in Chicago. Morello includes him in a list of associates, which also includes Coniglio, and states " all of Corleone". Died in NYC in 1922.
Leoluca Vasi. : - Born 1872 in Corleone, entering America in 1892 at New Orleans. Along with his brother, Pasquale Vasi [1880], he was arrested in 1909 in possession of counterfeit money. Sentanced in 1910, his release date was 1914. Still alive by 1940's, and living in the Bronx. May have been related to the Trombatore family of New Orleans.
Salvatore Clemente [Dude]. : - Born 1863 in Corleone, and emigrated to the USA in 1890. Convicted of counterfeiting in 1895, in NYS, and sentanced to 8 years imprisonment in Buffalo. Arrested again in 1902, along with Vito Cascio Ferro, and jailed in Canada for passing counterfeit notes [1903]. Became a close associate of the gang, although not involved in the Highland counterfeit ring. Started informing for the Secret Service in 1910, and became their top informant. Even travelled to Sicily to obtain information on anarchists for them. Died in NYC in 1925 [NYDI].
Salvatore Cina [Don Turi]. : - Born in 1875, his place of birth is sometimes recorded as Bivona, Palermo or Agrigento Province. In Sicily he associated with the bandit Varsalona, and fled a murder charge in Bivona. Entering America in 1895, with his in-law Vincenzo Giglio, and went to Tampa. They relocated to NY in 1904. He, and Giglio, owned the farm in Highland where the counterfeiting took place. Convicted and sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, but paroled in 1916. Cina was still alive in 1940, listed as a Cheese Importer and living on Jackson Street in Manhattan [1940 Census].
Vincenzo Giglio. : - Born in Bivona in 1880, he arrived, with Cina, in 1895 and went to Tampa. The Giglio family would become notorious Mafiosi in Tampa. He, and Cina, moved to NY in 1904 and bought the farm in Highland. Starting in 1908, the Morello gang used the farm as their counterfeiting HQ. Sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, he died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1914.
Giuseppe Palermo [Salvatore Saracino]. : - Born in Partanna in 1862, and entered the US in 1902. He was fleeing from a sentance of 31 years, for Kidnap + double Homicide. He lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and owned a macaroni factory. In 1907 he defrauded a co-operative society based on Elizabeth Street, of which he was a director. Financially involved in the counterfeit ring , he bought Cina's share in the Highland farm in 1909. Convicted in 1910, he was sentanced to 18 years. After suffering a stroke, he was paroled in 1920. Went to live on Elizabeth Street, until his death in 1924.
Giuseppe Fanaro : - Born 1876 in Carini, Palermo Province and came to America in 1902. Was soon associating with Morello + Lupo, and owned an Italian food importing company on Rivingtion Street. Seen, by the Secret Service, in the company of Madonia shortly before his murder. Arrested as a material witness in 1903, he showed signs of talking, before refusing. In 1908 he was a suspect in the killing of fellow townsman Salvatore Marchinne, along with his in-law Antonio Ganci. By the 1910's he was living in Brooklyn, and working as a longshoreman for a fruit company. By then he had allied with D'Aquila, who had succeeded Lupo as head of the Palermitani faction. When conflict broke-out between D'Aquila and the Corleonesi, now headed by the LoMonte brothers, he became a casualty being killed in November 1913.
Giuseppe Fontana. : - Born in Villabate, Province of Palermo in 1852 and a notorious Mafioso with many arrest's in Sicily. His most infamous crime was the Notarbartolo murder in 1893, of which he was first convicted [1899], then acquitted [1903]. He was in NYC by 1901, and was soon associating with Lupo + Morello. He opened a grocery store on East 106th Street, and was a partner of Ignazio Milone in a beer hall. He, and Fanaro, were suspects in several murders during 1905-08. The Palermo police listed him as a suspect in the 1909 Petrosino killing. With the decline of the gang, following the jailing of Morello + Lupo, Fontana and Fanaro allied themselves to Salvatore D'Aquila's faction. In 1913 conflict between D'Aquila and the LoMonte brothers flared-up. Having joined their enemies, Fontana was targeted by the LoMonte faction, and killed on East 105th Street in November 1913.
Antonio Rizzo / Russo]. : - The confusion over his name, makes it impossible to trace him. Indeed, it is possible they were two sepatate people. Lupo sold his saloon on Prince Street to a Antonio Rizzo in 1903-04. And a man of this name was killed in NYC in 1909 [NYDI].
However, a Antonio Russo was named in the 1909 "all of Corleone" letter to Dispenza in Chicago. And during Morello's incarceration, he wrote to Antonio Russo, caling him a "godson" or partner. This Russo lived on East 107th Street in Harlem.
To complicate matters further, Al D'Arco, a future Lucchese member, wrote of meeting a Antonio Russo in prison in the 1960's. He described him as a surviver of the Mafia-Camorra conflict of the 1910's, who had served over 50 years for multiple murder.
Nicolo Testa. : - Born 1886 in Bagheria, Palermo Province and arrived in the USA in 1899. Worked as a butcher in Vito LaDuca's store on Stanton Street. Arrested as a material witness in the 1903 "Barrel" murder. Stated he was a nephew of Giuseppe Catania, killed in Brooklyn in 1902. On his citizenship papers in 1913, he stated he owned a butcher shop in Brooklyn. Seems to have died in Manhattan in 1919 [NYDI].
Giuseppe DiPriema[o]. : - Born in Lercara Friddi, Province of Palermo in 1880, and emigrated to America in 1902. According to the book, The First Family, these details should be 1875 [DOB], 1900 [DOA] and Santa Margherita in Agrigento Province [POB]. He was arrested in December 1902 in Yonkers, along with Isidoro Crocevera + Giuseppe Giallombardo, trying to pass counterfeit notes. Tried in January 1903, and sentanced to 4 years imprisonment in Sing Sing. His brother-in-law, Benedetto Madonia, raised money and tried to get the gang to help him, but recieved none. Madonia travelled to NYC to meet Morello, but was murdered in April 1903, the famous "Barrel " murder. DePriema identified the body, but refused to inform. The actual killer, Tomasso Petto, was killed in October 1905 in Pittston. After his release from prison in 1906, DiPriema was either deported, or returned to Sicily. His death was as confusing as most details of his life. Rumour was that he was killed either on the way, or soon after his arrival [1909].
Benedetto Madonia. Born in Lercara Friddi [ or possibly Carini] in 1860, and arrived in the US in 1901. A stonemason by trade, he settled in Buffalo, NYS. A distributer of the gangs counterfeit money, travelling to various cities. When DiPriema, his brother-in-law, was sentanced to Sing Sing, he raised funds and asked the gang for help. Morello kept the funds, but refused to help DiPriema. This caused bad feelings, and Madonia came to NYC to reclaim his money. The Secret Service, closely watching the gang, saw Madonia in the company of several members. Morello condemned him, and Petto was believed to have killed him. The body was dumped, in a barrel, on East 11th Street. 13 gang members, including Morello, Lupo, Cascio Ferro, ect., were arrested, but none were convicted. Among the victims of the resulting vendetta were DiPriema and Calogero Morello, Giuseppe's son.
Giuseppe Callichio [Professor]. : - Born 1858 in Naples, and went to America in 1906. A printer, and experienced counterfeiter in Italy. Because of his birthplace he was not a member, but respected by the gang. Became the main designer of the ring, operating from the Highland farm. Sentanced to 17 years in 1910 trial, he was paroled in 1920. No record of later life.
Antonio Comito [Sheep]. : - Born 1872? in Catanzaro, Calabria and came to the USA in 1907. A printer, he was lured into counterfeit work by the gang. He, and his mistress, were virtually prisoners at the Highland farm. With the arrival of Callichio, he became less important and was threatened. Was the main witness at the 1910 trial of the ring, and the gang put a contract on his life. Left the USA in 1911 for South America, where he became a businessman. An entry for a Anthony Comito [1872-1935] on the NYDI, may or may not be him.
Eugenio Ubriaco [Charles]. : - Born in Cosenza, Calabria in 1889, he emigrated to America in 1907. His father ran a real estate business on East 114th Street, and had been in the US since 1890. The younger Ubriaco was a close associate of Nicolo Terranova, and had gambling interests in Manhattan. He was a rarity, a non-Sicilian gang member. Accompanied Nicolo to the fatefull Brooklyn meeting with the Camorra leaders in 1916. They were both ambushed on Johnson Street, and killed.
Giovanni Lupo [John]. : - Ignazio's brother was born in Palermo in 1883, and entered the USA in 1900. He worked for his brother in the Mott Street grocery for some time. Around 1908 he moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and opened his own store, which may have been part of the counterfeit distribution system. Although always in Ignazio's shadow, he may have been more important than percieved. After testifying for the defence, he led the campaigne to free Ignazio + Morello. He corresponded and visited with them, and raised funds for legal expenses. He may even have succeeded Ignazio as temporary head of the Palermitani faction in 1910-12. Seemed to fade from view after this, although still alive in the 1940's [WW2 Registration].
" Zu" Vincenzo [Uncle Vincent]. A mysterious member, active at the Highland counterfeit HQ in 1908-09. Told Comito he had commited a double murder in Sicily, befor fleeing to America. Entered at New Orleans in 1902. No other details known.
Giuseppe Catania. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. His DOB is a matter of confusion, some sources say 1862 or 1872, but newspapers in 1902 state he was a 53 year-old. Also his entry date is unknown, although probably before 1900. He was known as a close associate of Lupo, and ran a grocery in Brooklyn. His nephew Nicola Testa was also a gang member. His store was probably part of the gangs distribution system for counterfeit notes. Secret Service informant Clemente stated the reason for his murder in 1902, was that he talked too much when drunk. Lupo was the last person seen with him, before his butchered body was found in a sack in Brooklyn.
Lorenzo LoBaido. : - Born 1864. A known associate of the gang [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Vito LoBaido. : - Born 1878, lived on Mott Street. A known associate [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Giuseppe Lalamia. A known associate [1900's].Member of counterfeit ring.
Luigi Divivo [Louis the Wop]. : - A Neapolitan born associate, urged by Camorra members to place a bomb at the Terranova home.
Giuseppe Giallombardo. : - Born 1872 in Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1902, and within months arrested in Yonkers in possession of counterfeit notes. Sentanced to 5 years incarceration, along with DiPriema and Crocevera.
Isadoro Crocevera. : - Born in Palermo in 1873, date of entry unknown. A member of the Aquasanta cosca, mentioned in the Sangiorgi report, and the cousin of Fanaro. Arrested in 1902 in Yonkers, and sentanced to 3 years. Possibly related to the DiCarlo family of Buffalo, where he was killed in 1920.
Salvatore Marsalisi [Magalisi]. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and arrived in the USA in 1905. A barber by trade on Houston Street. Believed to be in charge of the fund for the defence of the Yonkers counterfeiters [Giallombardo, Crocevera + DiPriema]. Later a major narcotics violater connected to the Lucchese Family who died in 1965.
Salvatore Locino [Sam]. Distributer of the rings counterfeits in Pittston, recieving the notes from Boscarini. Arrested by the Secret Service, he confessed and worked with them. Helped track the source back to Morello + Lupo in NYC. Survived being shot in the head in Pittston in 1910.
The following names were, in some way, associated with the gang. Mainly with the counterfeit ring, witness at the trial, or business contacts.
Sebastiano DiPalermo. Corleone [1870-1943]USA 1886 / Bronx.
Ippolito Greco. Corleone [1878-1915 Killed ]USA 1905 / Partner of Angelo Gagliano.
Andrea Oliveri. Corleone 1889. / USA 1899.
Giacomo Reina. Corleone [1844-1920] F-in L of V.Terranova / Testified at 1910 trial.
Pasquale Ruffino. Corleone 1886 / USA 1906.
Pietro Zarcone. Bagheria [1880-1944] USA 1893 / Godfather to Lupo / Killed Andrea Gambino in 1909.
Angelo Gagliano. Corleone 1880-1954]. Testified in 1910 trial / Partner of Greco / Power in Corleonese community / Related to various Mafiosi.
Carlo Costantino. Partinico [1874-1936] USA 1905 / Probable killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily 1909.
Antonino Passananti. Partinico [1879-1969] USA 1902 / Probale Killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily in 1909.
Bernardo Perrone. Guard at Highland farm, counterfeit HQ.
Giuseppe Armato. Counterfeiter arrested 1909.
Salvatore Romano. Counterfeiter associated with Clemente.
Salvatore Maccari. Counterfeiter.
Giuseppe Gudo. Distributer in Newark, NJ.
Francesco DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Modesto DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Angelo Valenti. Listed in 1909 Chicago letter " all of Corleone".
Vincenzo Abadezza. Counterfeiter arrested 1908.
Rudolph Palermo. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Michele Albanese. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Salvatore Sabatino. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Nicola Sassi. Accomplice in 1916 DeMarco murder,.
"Lulu" Vicari. Gang killer before 1914.
Marco Macaluso. Corleone [1875- ] Director of Ignazio Florio society / Father of Mariano, future Lucchese member.
Relatives, Associates + Contacts outside NYC.
New Orleans.
Calogero Gulotta [Uncle ?]. Correspondence with Morello in 1900, 1909 + 1919.
Vito DiGiorgio [Cousin ?]. Correspondence 1909, 1917 + 1920. Power in NO + LA, killed in 1922.
Santo Calamia [Cousin ?]. Visited Morello in prison in1917-18-19. Associate of Motisi + Marchese, conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Died 1922 in Sicily.
Leoluca Trombatore [Nephew ?]. Correspondence x 4 in 1919-20. Possible head in NO 1940-50's, died 1963.
Antonio Saltaformaggio [in-law ?]. Brother-in-law to Calamia. Killed 1903.
Francesco Motisi [Genova]. Letter sponsoring Marchese to Morello in 1902. Brother of Antonio, head of Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo.Possible head in NO, in conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Last seen in London in 1910.
Paolo Marchese [Paolo DiCristina]. Fleeing murder charge in Sicily. Sponsored to Morello by Motisi, worked for Lupo in NYC. Back to NO, possibly succeeded Motisi as head. Killed in 1910 by extortion victim.
Giuseppe Adragna. Corleone 1878 / USA 1898 / Correspondence with Morello. Possibly Dragna and related to Ignazio.
Vincenzo Moreci. Letter to Morello [1909] mentions DiGiorgi, Piro + Gulotta. Born Termini, Palermo Province, involved in conflict with Giacona family. Wounded in 1910, killed in 1915.
Chicago.
Salvatore LoBue [Cousin ?]. Correspondence with Morello.
Rosario Dispenza. Morello's " all of Corleone"letter in 1909 to Dispenza,concerning Costantino. Head of Mafia faction, killed in 1914.
Sicily.
Vito Cascio Ferro. Associate in 1902-3 in NYC, arrested in 1903 Madonia murder. Organized 1909 Petrosino murder, notorious Mafioso.
Giuseppe Battaglia [Uncle ?]. Head of Corleone cosca 1900's.
Bernardo Marino [in-law ?].
Paolo Streva. Morello's superior in Corleone, possibly moved to Chicago 1902.
Giuseppe Salemi [ F-in-L]. Member of Corleone cosca 1900-10's.
THE MORELLO FACTION : - BIOS. 1900-20’s.
FAMILY.
Giuseppe Morello [Piddu] : - Born 1867 in Corleone, Palermo Province, Sicily. When his father died in 1872, his mother married Bernardo Terranova, a known member of the “Fratuzzi”, the local Mafia cosca. Under his step-fathers sponsorship, Morello was initiated into the “Fratuzzi” in the 1880’s. By 1889 he was serving under Paolino Streva, the nephew of a previous leader. That year Morello was suspected in the murder of Giovanni Vella, the head of the Sylvanian Guards, a rural police force. There followed the murder of two witness’s, and the conviction of an innocent man who served 20 years in prison. Morello was involved in counterfeiting, for which he was sentenced to 6 years in 1894. However, by then he had fled to America in 1892 and settled in NYC. The following year the rest of his family joined him there.
In 1893 Morello moved his family to Louisiana, where he made important contacts within the local Sicilian underworld. Later they moved to Texas, where Morello and his step-father worked as sharecroppers on farmland near Bryan in Brazos County. The family returned to NYC in 1896, and settled in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Bernardo Terranova opened an ornamental plastering business, a trade all the male family members would follow. Morello continued to live an honest life, opening several business’s that soon failed. Because of these financial failures Morello returned to his old trade as a counterfeiter in 1899. Using contacts with fellow Corleonese in New Orleans, Chicago and Boston he began circulating counterfeit bills printed in East Harlem. A maid employed by Morello disappeared at this time, possibly because she knew too much. Finally the Secret Service arrested Morello, and all his associates in 1900. Although his associates went to prison, Morello walked as there was no evidence against him.
He now started to organise a gang of fellow Sicilians, mainly from Corleone and towns in Palermo Province. Living on Chrystie Street, he operated out of his Spaghetti Restaurant on Stanton Street, which included a saloon run by Antonio Russo. Next door was an import business owned by his brother-in-law Ignazio Lupo. Soon they had forced the Calabrian D’Agostino gang out of the area, and dominated criminal activities in Little Italy. Morello remarried in 1903, his first wife having died in 1898, consolidating his contacts with his home town of Corleone. They settled on East 107th Street in Harlem, near his half-brothers and mother. Another associate of the gang was Vito Cascio Ferro, newly arrived and a future “bigwig” of the Sicilian Mafia. Using Lupo’s food and wine importing company, the gang received counterfeit notes from Sicily and distributed them nationwide. Both the Secret Service and local police kept a close watch on the gang. Then late in 1902 some of the gang’s distributers were arrested in Yonkers, and convicted. One of them Giuseppe Di Priemo sent his in-law Benedetto Madonia to Harlem to ask Morello for money to help his defence. The gang responded by killing Madonia, and hiding his body in a barrel on East 11th Street. Morello, Lupo and 11 associates were arrested in 1903 by Joseph Petrosino, later head of the Italian Squad of the NYC police. Soon it became obvious that no witness would testify, and they were all released.
Morello’s reputation was now such that he was considered the most prominent Mafioso in the country, this was confirmed by Nicola Gentile’s comment “when we were all under Morello”. There is some confusion about his position in relation to Lupo, who headed the Palermitani Family. They were such close associates, that it is impossible to say who was the most important. When police searched Morello’s home in 1903, letters found showed he corresponded with Mafiosi nationwide. In 1904 he, and Lupo, started the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association, the purpose of which was to raise funds to build housing. In reality it was a scam to defraud investors, and enrich the gang. By 1908 the Co-operative was bankrupt, and with Lupo’s grocery business also in financial trouble, the two turned to their old trade counterfeiting. This latest counterfeiting operation was in Highland, New Jersey, well clear of the gang’s territory in Manhattan. The operation started in late 1908, and continued throughout 1909. That same year Joseph Petrosino, head of the Italian Squad and Morello’s old enemy, sailed to Italy. Vito Cascio Ferro, an old friend of Morello, was suspected of arranging Petrosino’s murder in Palermo. Morello was a known associate of Cascio Ferro, and the two suspected killers, so was probably implicated in organising the murder. By now his half-brothers, Vincenzo, Ciro and Nicolo Terranova were old enough to be full members of the gang. The Secret Service had been slowly building a case against the gang, and in late 1909 they arrested Morello, his half-brother Nicolo, Lupo and several more of the gang for counterfeiting. Convicted in 1910, Morello was sentenced to 25 years, and Lupo to 30 years.
While the Terranova brothers struggled to keep the gangs interests from underworld rivals, the two leaders were to spend the next decade in prison. Only once in 1911 did Morello show signs of talking, when he made a statement naming Petrosino’s killers. But he refused to sign it, and thereafter served his time calmly. During these years he wrote constantly to fellow Mafiosi in both America and Sicily. Morello lost a son, Calogero, and his half-brother Nicolo to gang warfare during his prison years. After a commutation of his sentence, Morello was released in February 1920. He found his half-brothers Ciro and Vito had retreated to East 116th Street, leaving Harlem and Little Italy to new underworld powers. The old gang was now much reduced, so he made an alliance with a group of Castellammarese members called the”Good Killers”. He soon set about regaining his influence, ordering several murders of rivals, using his new allies. This ignited a conflict with Salvatore D’Aquila, his successor as national head and the leader of Lupo’s old Family, who condemned all Morello supporters to death. The condemned fled to Sicily to seek support, but returned disappointed. During this conflict he lost other relatives, Vincenzo Terranova and his brother-in-law Vincenzo Salemi. A truce in late 1923 confirmed D’Aquila as the victor, and he refused to allow Morello, and his ally Giuseppe Masseria, back into the organisation.
Morello retreated from the dangerous areas of Manhattan to live in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Ciro Terranova continued to control the family rackets on 116th Street, in alliance with Masseria. Morello concentrated on his business interests, including a partnership with Tomasso Gagliano in a lathing company. He also had a share of the Empire Yeast company, which allowed him to profit from bootlegging.
Masseria slowly grew stronger by inducting non-Sicilians into his faction, and seeking alliances with those who resented D’Aquila’s hegemony. By 1928 he was ready to strike, and using an opposition faction within the Palermitani Family, arranged D’Aquila’s death. Next, needing legitimacy for his new power, Masseria called Morello from his retirement and made him his closest advisor. Although now dominant in NYC, Masseria soon ran into opposition from the Castellammarese Family. Their new leader Salvatore Maranzano refused to be intimidated, and resolved to fight back. His first target was Morello, the brains of the Masseria organisation. So, on an August afternoon in 1930, two Maranzano gunmen entered an office on East 116th Street and shot Morello, and two others, dead.
Ignazio Lupo [Wolf] : - Born 1877 in the city of Palermo, Sicily. Although not strictly a Corleonese faction member, Lupo was such a close associate of Morello that it is impossible not to include him. His position as head of the Palermitani faction, the largest in NYC, made him almost equal in power to Morello.
He his familial connections in Palermo, through his father Rocco who was a member of the Pagliarelli cosca, meant that when he came to America in 1898 he was accepted into the Palermitani faction. The reason for his departure from Sicily, was his conviction for a 1898 murder he committed in Palermo. After landing in Buffalo, via Liverpool, he went to the"Little Italy" section and opened a saloon on Prince Street. After selling this to Antonio Russo, he opened a food import company next to Morello's restaurant. His association with Morello was cemented by his marrying into the Terranova family in 1904. But before this he joined Morello in importing counterfeit money through the Brooklyn docks, using his food imports as a cover. The counterfeits were printed in Palermo, where Lupo had extensive contacts. Lupo's man in Brooklyn was Giuseppe Catania, a grocer who passed the counterfeits in Brooklyn. Catania, however, proved to be unreliable and in 1902 his butchered body was found in sacks. Police discovered that Lupo was seen with him shortly before his death. The following year he was arrested, with Morello and Cascio Ferro, for the Madonia murder.
The profits from counterfeiting allowed Lupo to expand his business into a large grocery and food empire that extended into Brooklyn. In 1904 he joined Morello, and others, in founding the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association. His growing wealth and renown probably led to his elevation to the leadership of the Palermitani faction at this time. Lupo continued to be involved in extortion, and was a suspect in a child kidnapping in 1906. Lupo's power reached it's peak in these years, but financial ruin was approaching fast. By 1908 both the Florio Co-operative, and Lupo's grocery empire were sliding into bankruptcy. His prestige suffered another blow when Joseph Petrosino, head of the NYPDItalian Squad arrived at Lupo's Mott Street HQ and delivered a beating to him. Lupo fled to his brother John in Patterson New Jersey, leaving huge debts to his creditors. In an effort to regain his affluence, Lupo joined Morello in a new counterfeiting scheme run from Highland, NJ.
Lupo stayed away from NYC for a year, but returned after Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909. There is little doubt that he was complicit in this murder, arranged by his old associate Vito Cascio Ferro. The Secret Service, after a long investigation, arrested the whole counterfeiting ring late in 1909. Huge efforts were made to collect funds for the defendants, throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. But even the best lawyers in America could not save them, and they were convicted in 1910. Lupo recieved a sentance of 30 years, Morello 20 years, and sent to Atlanta Penitentiary.
Both men spent 10 years imprisoned, before a commutation released them in 1920. During that time the face of Italo-American crime in NYC had changed, and prohibition was about to change it even more. Morello, released earlier than Lupo, attempted to regain his power by eliminating his rivals. Lupo,upon his release, found his old faction now headed by Salvatore D'Aquila, who was also the national head of the organisation. At some point in mid-1921 D'Aquila called a national assembly, and had Lupo, Morello and their supporters condemned to death. The condemned members fled to Sicily to seek support, and get the death sentances repealed. They spent months trying to convince the Palermo cosca leaders, but found D'Aquila's influence too strong. Returning in early 1922, Morello fought an ultimatley futile war with D'Aquila's forces. Lupo, held on his return by immigration authorities for some time, decided to accept his demotion and moved to Brooklyn.
Although never again in a position of power, Lupo still had enough prestige to be asked to mediate a conflict between Sicilian and Calabrian faction in Brooklyn. The peace meeting in late 1923 was raided by the police, and Lupo was arrested. He was also arrested that year for extortion, with his son-in-law Antonio Forti. They ran a Bakers union scam, that extorted bakeries throughout NYC and Brooklyn. He would eventually be aquitted of this in 1934. Another arrest was in 1931, with his son Rocco, for the murder of Ruggiero Consiglio. Finally, in 1936, he was convicted of extortion again and sent back to prison to complete his 1910 sentance of 30 years. Lupo was released in late 1946 on medical grounds, and died in Janruary 1947.
Vincenzo Terranova : - Born 1886 in Corleone, Sicily. Arrived in USA in 1893, with the rest of the Terranova family. The family followed half-brother Giuseppe Morello to Louisiana and Texas, returning to NYC in 1896. They settled in the Little Italy area, and his father Bernardo opened a plastering business. Vincenzo was Bernardo's eldest son, but nearly 20 years younger than Morello. He was too young to be involved in gang activities at the time of the "Barrel Murder" in 1903. He first came to notice in 1908, when he was arrested for the murder of local gangster "Diamond Sam" Sicco. At this time he was working for his fathers plastering firm. With the jailing of Morello, and Lupo, in 1910, he and his brothers Ciro and Nicolo assumed more responsibility.
The next decade would be full of danger, as competition in the Italo-American underworld would be intense. Proof of this is the fact that Vincenzo's home on East 109th Street was bombed in 1913. This may have been the reason the Terranova brothers moved their homes to East 116th Street. He was known to be involved in the ice business, and married into the Reina family, well connected Corleonese Mafiosi. The brothers made an alliance with a Neapolitan Camorra organization, to eliminate some rivals in Harlem. Although initially successful, this turned-out to be a mistake. In 1916 the Neapolitans turned on the Terranova's, and killed Nicolo and other members. The surviving brothers kept close to their stronghold on 116th Street, striking back when they could. Fortunatley for them, the police arrested and convicted the Camorra gang in 1917-18. In 1918 both brothers were arrested for a 1916 murder, but escaped prison.
With the coming of prohibition in 1920, Vincenzo entered the business, with a partner Joseph Viserti. Both soon men became wealthy, but Viserti was killed in 1921 for reasons unknown. The release of Morello and Lupo in 1920 cased a conflict with their successor as national head, Salvatore D'Aquila. Vincenzo was one of the members condemned by D'Aquila, and fled to Sicily. Returning in early 1922, he was an obvious target for the D'Aquila forces. Vincenzo was killed in May 1922, while walking near his home on 116th Street.
Ciro Terranova [Artichoke King] : - Born 1888 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered USA in 1893 with family, lived in Louisiana and Texas before settling in NYC in 1896. Worked for father's plastering business and lived on East 105th Street [1910 Census]. Later married in to the Catania family in 1909, and lived next door to the Gagliano-Greco saloon on East 107th Street. With brothers Vincenzo and Nicolo, became more active in the gang after half-brother Morello was jailed in 1910. Served under LoMonte brothers, who succeeded Morello as leaders. LoMonte's killed in conflict with D'Aquila Family, and Terranova brothers relocated to East 116th Street around 1914. Led gang in conflict with Giosue Gallucci, allying with Brooklyn Camorra. Gallucci killed in 1915, and brothers took-over his rackets in Harlem. Ciro controlled lottery, artichoke and extortion rackets. Continued Camorra alliance to eliminate gambling rival Joseph DeMarco, attending several meetings in Brooklyn. Camorra turned on Terranova's, killing brother Nicolo in 1916 ambush. Ciro, Vincenzo and followers under siege in 116th Street stronghold. Authorities break-up Camorra gangs with mass arrest's, and convict leaders in 1917-18. Ciro tried for DeMarco murder [1916] in 1918, but aquitted.
Became wealthy in artichoke racket, and may have been Naturalized in 1919. With release of Morello in 1920, he was involved in conflict with D'Aquila Family. Like most of Morello relatives, and supporters, he was condemned to death by organisation. Fled to Sicily in late 1921 to gain support against death sentance. Found support for D'Aquila too strong, and returned to America in 1922. Brother Vincenzo, and other allies, killed in conflict with D'Aquila. He, and Morello, form alliance with Giuseppe Masseria, a new power in LES, to resist D'Aquila. Truce agreed at meeting in late 1923, uneasy peace follows.
With Morello/Terranova gang decimated by conflict, Ciro becomes a part of Masseria faction. Still controls area of 116th Street, and builds regime including Catania brothers, nephews by marriage. Helps Lupo in moving to Brooklyn, and organising bakery extortion scheme. In mid-1920's he mediates dispute between Italian and Irish gangs, on condition 2 Italian members of Irish gang be killed. One killed, but other [Joseph Valachi] survives attack in prison. Forms partnership with Jewish gangster Dutch Schultz, to control numbers racket in "Black Harlem". Masseria plots murder of Salvatore D'Aquila in 1928, and becomes new national head. Morello is his top advisor, and Ciro his Capo in Harlem. Suspected by police of murder of rival gangster Frankie Marlow in 1929. Also that year he was involved in the "Vitale Dinner scandal", which caused a media frenzy and damaged his reputation.
With the start of the "Castellammarese War", Terranova's faction were in the forefront of the violence. First he lost his half-brother Morello, killed in his office on 116th Street in August 1930, then his nephew Joseph Catania in February 1931. Incensed, he vowed vengeance over Catania's coffin, but the war was lost by then. Two months later it ended when Masseria was killed by his own followers at a restaurant on Coney Island. Terranova was rumoured to have driven his killers to the restaurant, and lost his nerve. Wether this was true, or not, the new leaders of the Family demoted Terranova, replacing him in Harlem with Mike Coppola. The Family stripped him of both the artichoke racket and his share of the Harlem numbers.
His troubles were not over, as the new mayor LaGuardia hounded him and the IRS investigated him for tax evasion. This caused him to lose his mansion in Westchester, and move back to East 116th Street. In 1938 after suffering a stroke and being hospitalized, he became the only Terranova brother to die of natural causes.
Nicolo Terranova [Coco] : - Born 1890 in Corleone, Sicily. The youngest of the brothers arrived in 1893, and spent 3 years of his childhood iin Louisiana and Texas. The family settled on the LES of Manhattan in 1896. Too young to have been involved in the gangs criminal activities until the late 1900's. He stole horses and stabled them in the infamous"Murder Stable"on East 108th Street in Harlem, where he also had a blacksmith shoeing his horses. With Morello's arrest in 1909, Nicolo tried to help his half-brother by attempting to set-up an false alibi. After the imprisonment of Morello in 1910, the LoMonte brothers, cousins to the Terranova's, took control of the gang. Calogero Morello, the teenage son of Giuseppe Morello, was killed in a street shoot-out in 1912. Nicolo, being the nearest in age to him, took this badly and vowed revenge. He was rumoured to have personally killed two men involved in Calogero's murder.
The LoMonte brothers were killed in a conflict with Salvatore D'Aquila in 1913 + 14, and the Terranova's relocated to East 116th Street. They were themselves attempting to gain control of rackets in Harlem, under the control of Giosue Gallucci. To accomplish this they made an alliance with Camorra groups in Brooklyn. Several meetings took place between Ciro and Nicolo and the Camorra leaders in 1915 + 16. Gallucci was killed in 1915, and gambling rival DeMarco in 1916, with help from the Neapolitans. But at this point the Camorra leaders decided to eliminate the Terranova brothers and take-over their rackets. So in September 1916 Nicolo, and his bodyguard, were invited to a meeting in Brooklyn. They were ambushed and both killed on Navy Street.
Calogero Morello [Calidu / Charles] : - Born in Louisiana in 1894, the second son of Giuseppe to be named in honour of his grandfather. The first Calogero died in Louisiana at only a year-old. Lived with his grandmother and aunts after the death of his mother in 1898. Too young to have been involved in the gangs activities up to his death at 17 years-old in 1912. His murder seems to have been in revenge for the 1903 " Barrel Murder" of Benedetto Madonia. Madonia's nephew, a member of a local street gang, ambushed Calogero and a friend on 120th Street in April 1912. After a wild shoot-out, Calogero, his friend and one of the attackers were all killed. Madonia's nephew fled back to Italy, but Nicolo Terranova vowed vengeance at the funeral.
Fortunato LoMonte [Charles] : - Born 1883 in Villafrati, Sicily. Emigrated to America in 1894, settling on East 109th Street in Harlem. A reputed cousin to Morello,and as with most of the gang he was a plasterer by trade. By the early 1900's he ran a saloon on East 107th Street, in partnership with Gioacchino Lima, Morello's brother-in-law. He later sold this and opened a feed store on East 108th Street, near the "Murder Stable", in partnership with Angelo Gagliano. The LoMonte brothers sometimes worked as bodyguards for Giosue Gallucci, the dominant Neapolitan power in Harlem. When Morello was imprisoned in 1910, he nominated LoMonte as his successor [1911]. The LoMonte's allied with Manfredi Mineo, and the Castellammarese faction, against the new national head Salvatore D'Aquila in 1912. This alliance struck first by eliminating D'Aquila members Fontana and Fanaro in 1913. D'Aquila retaliated in May 1914, Fortunato being killed on East 108th Street by Valenti, DeMino + Biondo.
Gaetano LoMonte [Thomas] : - The younger brother of Fortunato, born in 1887, date of entry unknown. By 1909 he had joined his brother, and was working as a plasterer. Lived on East 107th Street, and witnessed Ciro Terranova's wedding that year. When Morello was arrested in 1909, a letter he had sent to associates in New Orleans was seized by police. Morello listed several gang members, including both LoMonte brothers. Gaetano supported his brother in leading the gang from 1911. He made a visit back to Sicily in 1913. With his brothers murder in 1914, he relocated to 116th Street, with the rest of the Terranova's. In October 1916 Ippolito Greco, the owner of the "Murder Stable", was killed and LoMonte was suspected. Only 6 days later Gaetano was walking on 116th Street with his cousin Rosalia [nee Terranova] when he was shot and killed. His killer, who was captured, was a 19 year-old from Castrofilippo, Sicily. He refused to talk, and was convicted and executed in 1917.
Vincenzo Salemi : - Born 1879 in Corleone, Sicily and entered the USA in 1903. A brother-in-law of Morello, who married his sister in 1903. Salemi himself married Lucia, the widowed sister of the Terranova brothers, in 1904. As with most of the extended family, he was a plasterer who lived on East 107th Street [WW1 Registration]. Not much is known of his activities during the next several years. As he moved to live on East 114th Street, he probably relocated at the same time as his relatives in the mid-1910's. When Giuseppe Morello attempted a comeback in 1921, Salvatore D'Aquila had several gang members condemned. Salemi was probably one of these, as he is recorded as returning from Italy in June 1922. Salemi was one of the last victims of this conflict, being killed in June 1923 on East 108th Street.
Gioacchino Lima [Jack] : - Born 1870 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered America in 1892, fleeing a murder charge in Corleone. In 1893 he married Giuseppe Morello's sister Marie, and settled in East Harlem. A cart driver in Sicily, in NYC he called himself a builder. In 1906 he was a suspect in the murder of Andrea Fendi, for which Ignazio Milone was arrested. In the early 1900's he was a partner with Fortunato LoMonte, in a saloon on East 107th Street. After Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909, Italian police included Lima in a list of suspects. By 1911 he was living on East 105th Street in Harlem. He then seems to disappear from view until the 1920 census, when he had moved to East 107th Street. Lima, as a relative of Morello, was probably one of the members condemned by D'Aquila in 1921. Unlike the other condemned men he did not flee to Italy, but moved to California. Sources state that he died there in 1922, possibly he disappeared and presumed killed.
MEMBERS / ASSOCIATES.
Vito LaDuca [Longo]. : - Born in Carini, Palermo Province, date unknown. Served in Italian Navy, and spent 5 years in prison for unknown offence. Arrived in USA in 1902, and worked as a butcher in Giovanni Zarcone's shop on Stanton Street. A close associate of Morello, Motisi and other gang members. Arrested in Pittsburgh in Janruary 1903, as part of the Morello counterfeit ring. Also in 1903 he was arrested as a materiel witness in the Madonia murder. In 1904 he was strongly suspected in the abduction of a child held for ransom. Again, the following year, a suspect in the disapperence of a butcher, who had just sold his store to LaDuca. Heavy police survellience caused him to return to Carini in 1907, where he was killed in 1908.
Pietro Inzerillo : - Born 1859 in Marineo, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1890,and settled in Little Italy section of Manhattan. Operated the Star of Italy saoon on Elizabeth Street, a gathering place for the gang. This was also the supposed place of Madonia's murder in 1903. The police traced the barrel that contained the corpse back there. Inzerillo was arrested as a materiel witness in the case. He survived being shot in 1908, and was suspected of involvement in counterfeiting in 1909. Police recieved an anomynous letter that year accusing him of involvement in the Petrosino murder. All this provoked his flight back to Italy. The last known sighting of him was in Milan in 1911, where he was again involved in counterfeiting.
Antonio Cecala : - Born in 1975 in Corleone, and entered the USA in 1889. He settled on the LES, and became a citizen in 1900. First came to police notice as an arsonist, involved in insurance fraud. He also ran gambling clubs on Mott + Elizabreth Streets, and was believed to be related to Ignazio Lupo. Cecala organized the counterfeit ring operating in Highland, NY for Morello and Lupo, starting in 1908. He arranged the printing, engraving and distribution of the notes. On his arrest in 1910 he lived on East 4th Street, and owned a grocery on Spring Street. Convicted, and sentanced to 15 years imprisonment, he was paroled in 1915.
After his release, Cecala relocated to the Bronx and went into legitimate business. In 1925 he was a founding director of the United Lathing company with Morello, Tomasso Gagliano and Ignazio Milone. This firm would be connected with Lucchese members for many years to come. To take advantage of the bootlegging racket, he and Morello set-up the Empire Yeast company, located on Chrystie Street. Cecala was president, until he was killed in 1928.
Angelo Lagattuta [LaGatutte]. : - Born 1875 Mezzojuso, Palermo Province. He emigrated to America in 1900, and lived on his farm in New Paltz, NY. Very little is known about his early activities in NYC. The first mention of him was in a letter Morello sent to New Orleans, in which he describes LaGatutte ! as his godfather. So their relationship was very close at this time [1909]. However it is noticeable that in Morello's intense correspondence from prison [1910-20], there is none to Lagattuta. This might confirm the theory that they fell-out over the new leadership of the gang. For after the deaths of the LoMonte brothers, Salvatore Loiacano became leader with the blessing of new national head D'Aquila.
When Morello was released, and tried to reclaim leadership, in 1920, Loiacano refused to step-down. Morello had Loiacano killed in December 1920, and at his funeral several friends, including Lagatutta, vowed to avenge him. Morello used the "Good Killers" faction as his hitmen to eliminate the rebel faction. In February 1921 Lagattuta was walking in the Bronx, along with Saverio Pollaccia, when he was seriously wounded. Pollaccia fought off the attackers, and saved them both. Lagattuta retired to his farm where, because of his injuries, he grew morose and violent to his family. In 1924 he was killed by his son, who pled self-defense and was acquited.
Michele Coniglio. : - Born 1862 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1892. This man was suspected of being Morello's accomplice in the killing of Giovanni Vella, head of the Sylvanian Guards of Corleone, in 1889. Like Morello he fled to NYC in 1892, to avoid arrest. By 1905 he lived in the Bronx, and worked as a bar keeper in a saloon. The next mention of him is in Morello's letter to the leading Mafioso in Chicago in 1909. Coniglio is named in a list of Morello's closest associates, icluding LoMonte, Lasala, Frisella, Moscato, ect. The list ends with the statement "all of Corleone". Francesco Moscato, also listed in this letter, may have been a relative. The last record of Consiglio was a visit to Italy in 1927.
Antonio Motisi [Messina Genova]. : - Born in 1875 in the city of Palermo. Date of entry into USA is unknown. The Motisi family are historicaly the leaders of the Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo. Ignazio Lupo's father Rocco was a reputed member before emigrating to America. Antonio's brother Franesco was the head of this cosca, and then fled to New Orleans to avoid a murder charge. There he became the leader of a faction that was associated with Morello, as a 1902 letter, found on Morello, proves.
Antonio owned a butcher store on Stanton Street, as well as being a partner in Lupo's saloon on Prince Street. He was arrested for the 1903 "Barrel Murder" of Madonia, along with Morello, Lupo, Petto, ect. At this time he was living on East 15th Street, and was a close associate of Vito LaDuca. Police pressure forced him to move to Ohio, and in 1908 he met the fate of several other gang members, when he was murdered.
Giuseppe Boscarini [Boscarino] : - Born 1850 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1890. Very little is known about his early life or activities, we do not even have his home address. He first came to attention in the summer of 1909, when he was named by a Pittston informant as the supplier of counterfeit notes. This informant, Salvatore Locino, stated that Boscarino was the main supplier to Pennsylvania. The secret Service followed him back to NYC, where he lived. He collected the bogus money at Lupo's old wharehouse on East 97th Street. Several gang members were spotted there, like Cecala and Lupo. Boscarino was arrested in 1910, and in December that year sentanced to 15 years imprisonment. He died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1919, with Morello and Lupo acting as pallbearers.
Giuseppe Verrazano [Ferrazano]. We known almost nothing about this member, not his birth, arrival or address. He suddenly appears in 1915 as a member, running card games on Kenmare Street in Little Italy. He was in competition with a Neapolitan gambler called Joseph DiMarco, who ran a gambling club on James Street. He, his partner Stefano Lasala and the Terranova brothers, tried to eliminate him, failing in 1913 + 1914. In 1915 they made an alliance with the Brooklyn Camorra to eliminate some rivals. And in July 1916 they combined to kill DiMarco in his club. Verrazano being the actual killer, who then took-over the club. However, the alliance did not last and later in September the Camorra plotted to kill the Sicilian leaders. Only two, Nicolo Terranova and Camillo Ubriaco, turned-up and were killed. Verrazano was supposed to die that day, but did not attend. However, he was killed in October 1916, in a restaurant in the Bowery. Angelo Giordano, a Camorra leader was convicted and executed for this murder.
Stefano Lasala [Steve LaSalle]. : - Born 1889 in Corleone, emigrated to the USA in 1896. The family settled in Harlem, on East 107th Street. His Mafia connections were impressive,he partnered Verrazano in gambling, lived at the same address as Angelo Gagliano, had his Naturalization witnessed by Joseph Riccobono, his sister was married into the Liggio family of Corleone, and his associates included Morello, the Terranova brothers, and most future Lucchese Family members. He, and Verrazano, profited by the killing of Gallucci and DiMarco, which allowed them to dominate gambling in Harlem. Lasala attended meetings with the Camorra leaders, at which they plotted DiMarco's death. He was in jail, awaiting trial on lottery charges, in 1916 when the Camorra leaders turned on their Sicilian allies.
Lasala seems to have drifted away from the gang during the 1920's, and into the orbit of the Reina Family. Serving under Reina, Tomasso Gagliano and Gaetano Lucchese consecutively, he ran a large numbers operation throughout the 1930-40's. He became a power in the garment industry, and lived in the Bronx. By the 1950's he had risen to become under-boss, and during Lucchese final illness, may have been acting / boss. He eventually retired, and died in 1975.
Giovanni Peccoraro [John Peccori]. Born 1867 in Piana dei Greci, Province of Palermo. He was a well known Mafioso in Sicily, being suspected of embezzlement and murder, before fleeing to America in 1901. He lived on East 39th Street, and described himself as a wine merchant. He soon became involved in the Morello gangs activities, and was described by the police as a close associate of Morello. Pecoraro was arrested as a suspect in a bomb throwing incident in 1908. After the arrest of Morello and Lupo in 1910, Pecoraro may have been the acting head of the gang. But, after it became obvious that the leaders would be imprisoned for years yet, he was replaced by the LoMonte brothers in 1912. He gained citizenship in 1914, listing his address as East 60th Street.
By 1920 the gang were under the leadership of Salvatore Loiacano, who may have been related to Pecoraro. Morello on his release from prison, tried to reclaim the leadership by intimidating Loiacano into stepping-down. Loiacano refused, and was killed, thus provoking a conflict that lasted 3 years. D'Aquila, the national head condemned Morello and his supporters to death. Pecoraro, who remained loyal to Morello was among the condemned. He, like the rest, fled to Sicily in late 1921, returning with Ciro Terranova in February 1922. In March 1923, Pecoraro fell victim to the conflict, shot by D'Aquila members including Filippo Mangano. Surprisingly, his son Michael later became a Mangano Family member.
Giovanni Zarcone. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. Date of birth unknown. A partner of Vito LaDuca in a butcher shop on Stanton Street, LES. Believed by police to have transported Madonia's body in the "Barrel Murder". Moved to Danbury, Connecticut and became a wealthy fruit farmer. In 1909 he was killed there by several unknown gunmen.
Paolo Frisella. : - Born in Corleone, but date of birth unknown. Came to America in 1883, and settled on East 106th Street. Mentioned in Morello's 1909 letter to Rosario Dispenza, head of a Mafia faction in Chicago. This ia all we know of him, as there are no other records on him.
Ignazio Milone. : - Born 1881 Corleone, and entered the USA in 1898. A partner of Giuseppe Fontana in a beer hall. Also ran a fruit store on East 102nd Street. Arrested for the murder of Andrea Fendi in 1906, although Fontana was suspected of being the actual killer. Both he, and Fontana, were named as suspects by the Palermo police in the 1909 murder of Petrosino. The next we hear of him is in 1926, when he was one of the founding directors of the United Lathing company. Other directors included Tommaso Gagliano, Antonio Cecala and Morello. Milone died in 1934 in NYC [NYDI].
Antonio Milone. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and emigrated to America in 1889. He lived on East 105th Street in Harlem. In 1902 he was a founding director and president of the Ignazio Florio Co-operative, along with Morello. Milone was the gangs money man, and rarely interacted with other members. It was Milone who made and engraved the plates for Morello's counterfeiting ring in 1908. Milone was indicted for counterfeiting in 1909, and confessed. However he soon fled back to Italy, to avoid prison. There is no record when he returned to America, but he died in Queens in 1942 [NYDI].
Domenico Milone. : - Born in Corleone in 1867, date of entry into USA unknown. May have been related to Antonio Milone, as like him, he was a director of the Ignatz Florio Co-operative. Believed to live on East 92nd Street, and was an in-law of fellow member Giuseppe Armato. He ran a grocery on East 97th Street, which police believed was a clearing house for the gangs counterfeit ring. Apart from a visit to Sicily in 1920, nothing more is known about him.
Domenico Pecoraro. : - Born 1850 in Bagheria, Palermo Province. Entered the US around 1895-6, and lived on Chrystie Street in "Little Italy". A suspect in the 1902 murder of Giuseppe Catania in Brooklyn. Arrested with Morello, Lupo, ect. in 1903 for the Madonia murder. He gained his citizenship that same year. Later moved to Brooklyn, where he died in 1934.
Luciano Perrino [Tommaso Petto / Ox.] : - Born in Carini, Province of Palermo in 1879. Entry date to America is unknown. Lived on Elizabeth Street, and as his alias indicates, was a strongarm thug. Believed by police to be the actual killer of Madonia, as he was found with Madonia's watch on his arrest. Released in January 1904, he left NYC and moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There he resumed his extortion tactics against local Italians. In October 1905 he was killed by rifle fire, either by a Madonia relative or by a Morello gunman.
Nicolo Silvestre [Nick Sylvester]. Born 1889, he was a mainland Italian from Formia [Furmia] halfway between Rome and Naples. He served a 5 year sentance in Italy, before moving to America. He stole horses with one of the Terranova's, probably Nicolo, and threw bombs before becoming a trusted member of the gang. His trade was plastering, working for Angelo Gagliano on East 107th Street. He also drove a wagon for Lupo's grocery business. Fully involved in the Morello counterfeit ring, he guarded the farm HQ in Highland. Arrested and convicted in 1910, he rcieved a 15 year sentance in Atlanta Penitentiary. Soon he was passing information to the authorities, including where to find the printing plates. He was paroled in 1915, but we have no details of his later life.
Francesco Moscato. : - Born 1866 in Corleone, he arrived in the USA in1893. Lived in the Bronx, and was related to fellow member Michele Coniglio. The only mention of him is in the 1909 Morello letter to Rosario Dispenza in Chicago. Morello includes him in a list of associates, which also includes Coniglio, and states " all of Corleone". Died in NYC in 1922.
Leoluca Vasi. : - Born 1872 in Corleone, entering America in 1892 at New Orleans. Along with his brother, Pasquale Vasi [1880], he was arrested in 1909 in possession of counterfeit money. Sentanced in 1910, his release date was 1914. Still alive by 1940's, and living in the Bronx. May have been related to the Trombatore family of New Orleans.
Salvatore Clemente [Dude]. : - Born 1863 in Corleone, and emigrated to the USA in 1890. Convicted of counterfeiting in 1895, in NYS, and sentanced to 8 years imprisonment in Buffalo. Arrested again in 1902, along with Vito Cascio Ferro, and jailed in Canada for passing counterfeit notes [1903]. Became a close associate of the gang, although not involved in the Highland counterfeit ring. Started informing for the Secret Service in 1910, and became their top informant. Even travelled to Sicily to obtain information on anarchists for them. Died in NYC in 1925 [NYDI].
Salvatore Cina [Don Turi]. : - Born in 1875, his place of birth is sometimes recorded as Bivona, Palermo or Agrigento Province. In Sicily he associated with the bandit Varsalona, and fled a murder charge in Bivona. Entering America in 1895, with his in-law Vincenzo Giglio, and went to Tampa. They relocated to NY in 1904. He, and Giglio, owned the farm in Highland where the counterfeiting took place. Convicted and sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, but paroled in 1916. Cina was still alive in 1940, listed as a Cheese Importer and living on Jackson Street in Manhattan [1940 Census].
Vincenzo Giglio. : - Born in Bivona in 1880, he arrived, with Cina, in 1895 and went to Tampa. The Giglio family would become notorious Mafiosi in Tampa. He, and Cina, moved to NY in 1904 and bought the farm in Highland. Starting in 1908, the Morello gang used the farm as their counterfeiting HQ. Sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, he died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1914.
Giuseppe Palermo [Salvatore Saracino]. : - Born in Partanna in 1862, and entered the US in 1902. He was fleeing from a sentance of 31 years, for Kidnap + double Homicide. He lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and owned a macaroni factory. In 1907 he defrauded a co-operative society based on Elizabeth Street, of which he was a director. Financially involved in the counterfeit ring , he bought Cina's share in the Highland farm in 1909. Convicted in 1910, he was sentanced to 18 years. After suffering a stroke, he was paroled in 1920. Went to live on Elizabeth Street, until his death in 1924.
Giuseppe Fanaro : - Born 1876 in Carini, Palermo Province and came to America in 1902. Was soon associating with Morello + Lupo, and owned an Italian food importing company on Rivingtion Street. Seen, by the Secret Service, in the company of Madonia shortly before his murder. Arrested as a material witness in 1903, he showed signs of talking, before refusing. In 1908 he was a suspect in the killing of fellow townsman Salvatore Marchinne, along with his in-law Antonio Ganci. By the 1910's he was living in Brooklyn, and working as a longshoreman for a fruit company. By then he had allied with D'Aquila, who had succeeded Lupo as head of the Palermitani faction. When conflict broke-out between D'Aquila and the Corleonesi, now headed by the LoMonte brothers, he became a casualty being killed in November 1913.
Giuseppe Fontana. : - Born in Villabate, Province of Palermo in 1852 and a notorious Mafioso with many arrest's in Sicily. His most infamous crime was the Notarbartolo murder in 1893, of which he was first convicted [1899], then acquitted [1903]. He was in NYC by 1901, and was soon associating with Lupo + Morello. He opened a grocery store on East 106th Street, and was a partner of Ignazio Milone in a beer hall. He, and Fanaro, were suspects in several murders during 1905-08. The Palermo police listed him as a suspect in the 1909 Petrosino killing. With the decline of the gang, following the jailing of Morello + Lupo, Fontana and Fanaro allied themselves to Salvatore D'Aquila's faction. In 1913 conflict between D'Aquila and the LoMonte brothers flared-up. Having joined their enemies, Fontana was targeted by the LoMonte faction, and killed on East 105th Street in November 1913.
Antonio Rizzo / Russo]. : - The confusion over his name, makes it impossible to trace him. Indeed, it is possible they were two sepatate people. Lupo sold his saloon on Prince Street to a Antonio Rizzo in 1903-04. And a man of this name was killed in NYC in 1909 [NYDI].
However, a Antonio Russo was named in the 1909 "all of Corleone" letter to Dispenza in Chicago. And during Morello's incarceration, he wrote to Antonio Russo, caling him a "godson" or partner. This Russo lived on East 107th Street in Harlem.
To complicate matters further, Al D'Arco, a future Lucchese member, wrote of meeting a Antonio Russo in prison in the 1960's. He described him as a surviver of the Mafia-Camorra conflict of the 1910's, who had served over 50 years for multiple murder.
Nicolo Testa. : - Born 1886 in Bagheria, Palermo Province and arrived in the USA in 1899. Worked as a butcher in Vito LaDuca's store on Stanton Street. Arrested as a material witness in the 1903 "Barrel" murder. Stated he was a nephew of Giuseppe Catania, killed in Brooklyn in 1902. On his citizenship papers in 1913, he stated he owned a butcher shop in Brooklyn. Seems to have died in Manhattan in 1919 [NYDI].
Giuseppe DiPriema[o]. : - Born in Lercara Friddi, Province of Palermo in 1880, and emigrated to America in 1902. According to the book, The First Family, these details should be 1875 [DOB], 1900 [DOA] and Santa Margherita in Agrigento Province [POB]. He was arrested in December 1902 in Yonkers, along with Isidoro Crocevera + Giuseppe Giallombardo, trying to pass counterfeit notes. Tried in January 1903, and sentanced to 4 years imprisonment in Sing Sing. His brother-in-law, Benedetto Madonia, raised money and tried to get the gang to help him, but recieved none. Madonia travelled to NYC to meet Morello, but was murdered in April 1903, the famous "Barrel " murder. DePriema identified the body, but refused to inform. The actual killer, Tomasso Petto, was killed in October 1905 in Pittston. After his release from prison in 1906, DiPriema was either deported, or returned to Sicily. His death was as confusing as most details of his life. Rumour was that he was killed either on the way, or soon after his arrival [1909].
Benedetto Madonia. Born in Lercara Friddi [ or possibly Carini] in 1860, and arrived in the US in 1901. A stonemason by trade, he settled in Buffalo, NYS. A distributer of the gangs counterfeit money, travelling to various cities. When DiPriema, his brother-in-law, was sentanced to Sing Sing, he raised funds and asked the gang for help. Morello kept the funds, but refused to help DiPriema. This caused bad feelings, and Madonia came to NYC to reclaim his money. The Secret Service, closely watching the gang, saw Madonia in the company of several members. Morello condemned him, and Petto was believed to have killed him. The body was dumped, in a barrel, on East 11th Street. 13 gang members, including Morello, Lupo, Cascio Ferro, ect., were arrested, but none were convicted. Among the victims of the resulting vendetta were DiPriema and Calogero Morello, Giuseppe's son.
Giuseppe Callichio [Professor]. : - Born 1858 in Naples, and went to America in 1906. A printer, and experienced counterfeiter in Italy. Because of his birthplace he was not a member, but respected by the gang. Became the main designer of the ring, operating from the Highland farm. Sentanced to 17 years in 1910 trial, he was paroled in 1920. No record of later life.
Antonio Comito [Sheep]. : - Born 1872? in Catanzaro, Calabria and came to the USA in 1907. A printer, he was lured into counterfeit work by the gang. He, and his mistress, were virtually prisoners at the Highland farm. With the arrival of Callichio, he became less important and was threatened. Was the main witness at the 1910 trial of the ring, and the gang put a contract on his life. Left the USA in 1911 for South America, where he became a businessman. An entry for a Anthony Comito [1872-1935] on the NYDI, may or may not be him.
Eugenio Ubriaco [Charles]. : - Born in Cosenza, Calabria in 1889, he emigrated to America in 1907. His father ran a real estate business on East 114th Street, and had been in the US since 1890. The younger Ubriaco was a close associate of Nicolo Terranova, and had gambling interests in Manhattan. He was a rarity, a non-Sicilian gang member. Accompanied Nicolo to the fatefull Brooklyn meeting with the Camorra leaders in 1916. They were both ambushed on Johnson Street, and killed.
Giovanni Lupo [John]. : - Ignazio's brother was born in Palermo in 1883, and entered the USA in 1900. He worked for his brother in the Mott Street grocery for some time. Around 1908 he moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and opened his own store, which may have been part of the counterfeit distribution system. Although always in Ignazio's shadow, he may have been more important than percieved. After testifying for the defence, he led the campaigne to free Ignazio + Morello. He corresponded and visited with them, and raised funds for legal expenses. He may even have succeeded Ignazio as temporary head of the Palermitani faction in 1910-12. Seemed to fade from view after this, although still alive in the 1940's [WW2 Registration].
" Zu" Vincenzo [Uncle Vincent]. A mysterious member, active at the Highland counterfeit HQ in 1908-09. Told Comito he had commited a double murder in Sicily, befor fleeing to America. Entered at New Orleans in 1902. No other details known.
Giuseppe Catania. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. His DOB is a matter of confusion, some sources say 1862 or 1872, but newspapers in 1902 state he was a 53 year-old. Also his entry date is unknown, although probably before 1900. He was known as a close associate of Lupo, and ran a grocery in Brooklyn. His nephew Nicola Testa was also a gang member. His store was probably part of the gangs distribution system for counterfeit notes. Secret Service informant Clemente stated the reason for his murder in 1902, was that he talked too much when drunk. Lupo was the last person seen with him, before his butchered body was found in a sack in Brooklyn.
Lorenzo LoBaido. : - Born 1864. A known associate of the gang [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Vito LoBaido. : - Born 1878, lived on Mott Street. A known associate [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Giuseppe Lalamia. A known associate [1900's].Member of counterfeit ring.
Luigi Divivo [Louis the Wop]. : - A Neapolitan born associate, urged by Camorra members to place a bomb at the Terranova home.
Giuseppe Giallombardo. : - Born 1872 in Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1902, and within months arrested in Yonkers in possession of counterfeit notes. Sentanced to 5 years incarceration, along with DiPriema and Crocevera.
Isadoro Crocevera. : - Born in Palermo in 1873, date of entry unknown. A member of the Aquasanta cosca, mentioned in the Sangiorgi report, and the cousin of Fanaro. Arrested in 1902 in Yonkers, and sentanced to 3 years. Possibly related to the DiCarlo family of Buffalo, where he was killed in 1920.
Salvatore Marsalisi [Magalisi]. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and arrived in the USA in 1905. A barber by trade on Houston Street. Believed to be in charge of the fund for the defence of the Yonkers counterfeiters [Giallombardo, Crocevera + DiPriema]. Later a major narcotics violater connected to the Lucchese Family who died in 1965.
Salvatore Locino [Sam]. Distributer of the rings counterfeits in Pittston, recieving the notes from Boscarini. Arrested by the Secret Service, he confessed and worked with them. Helped track the source back to Morello + Lupo in NYC. Survived being shot in the head in Pittston in 1910.
The following names were, in some way, associated with the gang. Mainly with the counterfeit ring, witness at the trial, or business contacts.
Sebastiano DiPalermo. Corleone [1870-1943]USA 1886 / Bronx.
Ippolito Greco. Corleone [1878-1915 Killed ]USA 1905 / Partner of Angelo Gagliano.
Andrea Oliveri. Corleone 1889. / USA 1899.
Giacomo Reina. Corleone [1844-1920] F-in L of V.Terranova / Testified at 1910 trial.
Pasquale Ruffino. Corleone 1886 / USA 1906.
Pietro Zarcone. Bagheria [1880-1944] USA 1893 / Godfather to Lupo / Killed Andrea Gambino in 1909.
Angelo Gagliano. Corleone 1880-1954]. Testified in 1910 trial / Partner of Greco / Power in Corleonese community / Related to various Mafiosi.
Carlo Costantino. Partinico [1874-1936] USA 1905 / Probable killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily 1909.
Antonino Passananti. Partinico [1879-1969] USA 1902 / Probale Killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily in 1909.
Bernardo Perrone. Guard at Highland farm, counterfeit HQ.
Giuseppe Armato. Counterfeiter arrested 1909.
Salvatore Romano. Counterfeiter associated with Clemente.
Salvatore Maccari. Counterfeiter.
Giuseppe Gudo. Distributer in Newark, NJ.
Francesco DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Modesto DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Angelo Valenti. Listed in 1909 Chicago letter " all of Corleone".
Vincenzo Abadezza. Counterfeiter arrested 1908.
Rudolph Palermo. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Michele Albanese. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Salvatore Sabatino. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Nicola Sassi. Accomplice in 1916 DeMarco murder,.
"Lulu" Vicari. Gang killer before 1914.
Marco Macaluso. Corleone [1875- ] Director of Ignazio Florio society / Father of Mariano, future Lucchese member.
Relatives, Associates + Contacts outside NYC.
New Orleans.
Calogero Gulotta [Uncle ?]. Correspondence with Morello in 1900, 1909 + 1919.
Vito DiGiorgio [Cousin ?]. Correspondence 1909, 1917 + 1920. Power in NO + LA, killed in 1922.
Santo Calamia [Cousin ?]. Visited Morello in prison in1917-18-19. Associate of Motisi + Marchese, conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Died 1922 in Sicily.
Leoluca Trombatore [Nephew ?]. Correspondence x 4 in 1919-20. Possible head in NO 1940-50's, died 1963.
Antonio Saltaformaggio [in-law ?]. Brother-in-law to Calamia. Killed 1903.
Francesco Motisi [Genova]. Letter sponsoring Marchese to Morello in 1902. Brother of Antonio, head of Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo.Possible head in NO, in conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Last seen in London in 1910.
Paolo Marchese [Paolo DiCristina]. Fleeing murder charge in Sicily. Sponsored to Morello by Motisi, worked for Lupo in NYC. Back to NO, possibly succeeded Motisi as head. Killed in 1910 by extortion victim.
Giuseppe Adragna. Corleone 1878 / USA 1898 / Correspondence with Morello. Possibly Dragna and related to Ignazio.
Vincenzo Moreci. Letter to Morello [1909] mentions DiGiorgi, Piro + Gulotta. Born Termini, Palermo Province, involved in conflict with Giacona family. Wounded in 1910, killed in 1915.
Chicago.
Salvatore LoBue [Cousin ?]. Correspondence with Morello.
Rosario Dispenza. Morello's " all of Corleone"letter in 1909 to Dispenza,concerning Costantino. Head of Mafia faction, killed in 1914.
Sicily.
Vito Cascio Ferro. Associate in 1902-3 in NYC, arrested in 1903 Madonia murder. Organized 1909 Petrosino murder, notorious Mafioso.
Giuseppe Battaglia [Uncle ?]. Head of Corleone cosca 1900's.
Bernardo Marino [in-law ?].
Paolo Streva. Morello's superior in Corleone, possibly moved to Chicago 1902.
Giuseppe Salemi [ F-in-L]. Member of Corleone cosca 1900-10's.
THE MORELLO FACTION : - BIOS. 1900-20’s.
FAMILY.
Giuseppe Morello [Piddu] : - Born 1867 in Corleone, Palermo Province, Sicily. When his father died in 1872, his mother married Bernardo Terranova, a known member of the “Fratuzzi”, the local Mafia cosca. Under his step-fathers sponsorship, Morello was initiated into the “Fratuzzi” in the 1880’s. By 1889 he was serving under Paolino Streva, the nephew of a previous leader. That year Morello was suspected in the murder of Giovanni Vella, the head of the Sylvanian Guards, a rural police force. There followed the murder of two witness’s, and the conviction of an innocent man who served 20 years in prison. Morello was involved in counterfeiting, for which he was sentenced to 6 years in 1894. However, by then he had fled to America in 1892 and settled in NYC. The following year the rest of his family joined him there.
In 1893 Morello moved his family to Louisiana, where he made important contacts within the local Sicilian underworld. Later they moved to Texas, where Morello and his step-father worked as sharecroppers on farmland near Bryan in Brazos County. The family returned to NYC in 1896, and settled in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Bernardo Terranova opened an ornamental plastering business, a trade all the male family members would follow. Morello continued to live an honest life, opening several business’s that soon failed. Because of these financial failures Morello returned to his old trade as a counterfeiter in 1899. Using contacts with fellow Corleonese in New Orleans, Chicago and Boston he began circulating counterfeit bills printed in East Harlem. A maid employed by Morello disappeared at this time, possibly because she knew too much. Finally the Secret Service arrested Morello, and all his associates in 1900. Although his associates went to prison, Morello walked as there was no evidence against him.
He now started to organise a gang of fellow Sicilians, mainly from Corleone and towns in Palermo Province. Living on Chrystie Street, he operated out of his Spaghetti Restaurant on Stanton Street, which included a saloon run by Antonio Russo. Next door was an import business owned by his brother-in-law Ignazio Lupo. Soon they had forced the Calabrian D’Agostino gang out of the area, and dominated criminal activities in Little Italy. Morello remarried in 1903, his first wife having died in 1898, consolidating his contacts with his home town of Corleone. They settled on East 107th Street in Harlem, near his half-brothers and mother. Another associate of the gang was Vito Cascio Ferro, newly arrived and a future “bigwig” of the Sicilian Mafia. Using Lupo’s food and wine importing company, the gang received counterfeit notes from Sicily and distributed them nationwide. Both the Secret Service and local police kept a close watch on the gang. Then late in 1902 some of the gang’s distributers were arrested in Yonkers, and convicted. One of them Giuseppe Di Priemo sent his in-law Benedetto Madonia to Harlem to ask Morello for money to help his defence. The gang responded by killing Madonia, and hiding his body in a barrel on East 11th Street. Morello, Lupo and 11 associates were arrested in 1903 by Joseph Petrosino, later head of the Italian Squad of the NYC police. Soon it became obvious that no witness would testify, and they were all released.
Morello’s reputation was now such that he was considered the most prominent Mafioso in the country, this was confirmed by Nicola Gentile’s comment “when we were all under Morello”. There is some confusion about his position in relation to Lupo, who headed the Palermitani Family. They were such close associates, that it is impossible to say who was the most important. When police searched Morello’s home in 1903, letters found showed he corresponded with Mafiosi nationwide. In 1904 he, and Lupo, started the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association, the purpose of which was to raise funds to build housing. In reality it was a scam to defraud investors, and enrich the gang. By 1908 the Co-operative was bankrupt, and with Lupo’s grocery business also in financial trouble, the two turned to their old trade counterfeiting. This latest counterfeiting operation was in Highland, New Jersey, well clear of the gang’s territory in Manhattan. The operation started in late 1908, and continued throughout 1909. That same year Joseph Petrosino, head of the Italian Squad and Morello’s old enemy, sailed to Italy. Vito Cascio Ferro, an old friend of Morello, was suspected of arranging Petrosino’s murder in Palermo. Morello was a known associate of Cascio Ferro, and the two suspected killers, so was probably implicated in organising the murder. By now his half-brothers, Vincenzo, Ciro and Nicolo Terranova were old enough to be full members of the gang. The Secret Service had been slowly building a case against the gang, and in late 1909 they arrested Morello, his half-brother Nicolo, Lupo and several more of the gang for counterfeiting. Convicted in 1910, Morello was sentenced to 25 years, and Lupo to 30 years.
While the Terranova brothers struggled to keep the gangs interests from underworld rivals, the two leaders were to spend the next decade in prison. Only once in 1911 did Morello show signs of talking, when he made a statement naming Petrosino’s killers. But he refused to sign it, and thereafter served his time calmly. During these years he wrote constantly to fellow Mafiosi in both America and Sicily. Morello lost a son, Calogero, and his half-brother Nicolo to gang warfare during his prison years. After a commutation of his sentence, Morello was released in February 1920. He found his half-brothers Ciro and Vito had retreated to East 116th Street, leaving Harlem and Little Italy to new underworld powers. The old gang was now much reduced, so he made an alliance with a group of Castellammarese members called the”Good Killers”. He soon set about regaining his influence, ordering several murders of rivals, using his new allies. This ignited a conflict with Salvatore D’Aquila, his successor as national head and the leader of Lupo’s old Family, who condemned all Morello supporters to death. The condemned fled to Sicily to seek support, but returned disappointed. During this conflict he lost other relatives, Vincenzo Terranova and his brother-in-law Vincenzo Salemi. A truce in late 1923 confirmed D’Aquila as the victor, and he refused to allow Morello, and his ally Giuseppe Masseria, back into the organisation.
Morello retreated from the dangerous areas of Manhattan to live in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Ciro Terranova continued to control the family rackets on 116th Street, in alliance with Masseria. Morello concentrated on his business interests, including a partnership with Tomasso Gagliano in a lathing company. He also had a share of the Empire Yeast company, which allowed him to profit from bootlegging.
Masseria slowly grew stronger by inducting non-Sicilians into his faction, and seeking alliances with those who resented D’Aquila’s hegemony. By 1928 he was ready to strike, and using an opposition faction within the Palermitani Family, arranged D’Aquila’s death. Next, needing legitimacy for his new power, Masseria called Morello from his retirement and made him his closest advisor. Although now dominant in NYC, Masseria soon ran into opposition from the Castellammarese Family. Their new leader Salvatore Maranzano refused to be intimidated, and resolved to fight back. His first target was Morello, the brains of the Masseria organisation. So, on an August afternoon in 1930, two Maranzano gunmen entered an office on East 116th Street and shot Morello, and two others, dead.
Ignazio Lupo [Wolf] : - Born 1877 in the city of Palermo, Sicily. Although not strictly a Corleonese faction member, Lupo was such a close associate of Morello that it is impossible not to include him. His position as head of the Palermitani faction, the largest in NYC, made him almost equal in power to Morello.
He his familial connections in Palermo, through his father Rocco who was a member of the Pagliarelli cosca, meant that when he came to America in 1898 he was accepted into the Palermitani faction. The reason for his departure from Sicily, was his conviction for a 1898 murder he committed in Palermo. After landing in Buffalo, via Liverpool, he went to the"Little Italy" section and opened a saloon on Prince Street. After selling this to Antonio Russo, he opened a food import company next to Morello's restaurant. His association with Morello was cemented by his marrying into the Terranova family in 1904. But before this he joined Morello in importing counterfeit money through the Brooklyn docks, using his food imports as a cover. The counterfeits were printed in Palermo, where Lupo had extensive contacts. Lupo's man in Brooklyn was Giuseppe Catania, a grocer who passed the counterfeits in Brooklyn. Catania, however, proved to be unreliable and in 1902 his butchered body was found in sacks. Police discovered that Lupo was seen with him shortly before his death. The following year he was arrested, with Morello and Cascio Ferro, for the Madonia murder.
The profits from counterfeiting allowed Lupo to expand his business into a large grocery and food empire that extended into Brooklyn. In 1904 he joined Morello, and others, in founding the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association. His growing wealth and renown probably led to his elevation to the leadership of the Palermitani faction at this time. Lupo continued to be involved in extortion, and was a suspect in a child kidnapping in 1906. Lupo's power reached it's peak in these years, but financial ruin was approaching fast. By 1908 both the Florio Co-operative, and Lupo's grocery empire were sliding into bankruptcy. His prestige suffered another blow when Joseph Petrosino, head of the NYPDItalian Squad arrived at Lupo's Mott Street HQ and delivered a beating to him. Lupo fled to his brother John in Patterson New Jersey, leaving huge debts to his creditors. In an effort to regain his affluence, Lupo joined Morello in a new counterfeiting scheme run from Highland, NJ.
Lupo stayed away from NYC for a year, but returned after Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909. There is little doubt that he was complicit in this murder, arranged by his old associate Vito Cascio Ferro. The Secret Service, after a long investigation, arrested the whole counterfeiting ring late in 1909. Huge efforts were made to collect funds for the defendants, throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. But even the best lawyers in America could not save them, and they were convicted in 1910. Lupo recieved a sentance of 30 years, Morello 20 years, and sent to Atlanta Penitentiary.
Both men spent 10 years imprisoned, before a commutation released them in 1920. During that time the face of Italo-American crime in NYC had changed, and prohibition was about to change it even more. Morello, released earlier than Lupo, attempted to regain his power by eliminating his rivals. Lupo,upon his release, found his old faction now headed by Salvatore D'Aquila, who was also the national head of the organisation. At some point in mid-1921 D'Aquila called a national assembly, and had Lupo, Morello and their supporters condemned to death. The condemned members fled to Sicily to seek support, and get the death sentances repealed. They spent months trying to convince the Palermo cosca leaders, but found D'Aquila's influence too strong. Returning in early 1922, Morello fought an ultimatley futile war with D'Aquila's forces. Lupo, held on his return by immigration authorities for some time, decided to accept his demotion and moved to Brooklyn.
Although never again in a position of power, Lupo still had enough prestige to be asked to mediate a conflict between Sicilian and Calabrian faction in Brooklyn. The peace meeting in late 1923 was raided by the police, and Lupo was arrested. He was also arrested that year for extortion, with his son-in-law Antonio Forti. They ran a Bakers union scam, that extorted bakeries throughout NYC and Brooklyn. He would eventually be aquitted of this in 1934. Another arrest was in 1931, with his son Rocco, for the murder of Ruggiero Consiglio. Finally, in 1936, he was convicted of extortion again and sent back to prison to complete his 1910 sentance of 30 years. Lupo was released in late 1946 on medical grounds, and died in Janruary 1947.
Vincenzo Terranova : - Born 1886 in Corleone, Sicily. Arrived in USA in 1893, with the rest of the Terranova family. The family followed half-brother Giuseppe Morello to Louisiana and Texas, returning to NYC in 1896. They settled in the Little Italy area, and his father Bernardo opened a plastering business. Vincenzo was Bernardo's eldest son, but nearly 20 years younger than Morello. He was too young to be involved in gang activities at the time of the "Barrel Murder" in 1903. He first came to notice in 1908, when he was arrested for the murder of local gangster "Diamond Sam" Sicco. At this time he was working for his fathers plastering firm. With the jailing of Morello, and Lupo, in 1910, he and his brothers Ciro and Nicolo assumed more responsibility.
The next decade would be full of danger, as competition in the Italo-American underworld would be intense. Proof of this is the fact that Vincenzo's home on East 109th Street was bombed in 1913. This may have been the reason the Terranova brothers moved their homes to East 116th Street. He was known to be involved in the ice business, and married into the Reina family, well connected Corleonese Mafiosi. The brothers made an alliance with a Neapolitan Camorra organization, to eliminate some rivals in Harlem. Although initially successful, this turned-out to be a mistake. In 1916 the Neapolitans turned on the Terranova's, and killed Nicolo and other members. The surviving brothers kept close to their stronghold on 116th Street, striking back when they could. Fortunatley for them, the police arrested and convicted the Camorra gang in 1917-18. In 1918 both brothers were arrested for a 1916 murder, but escaped prison.
With the coming of prohibition in 1920, Vincenzo entered the business, with a partner Joseph Viserti. Both soon men became wealthy, but Viserti was killed in 1921 for reasons unknown. The release of Morello and Lupo in 1920 cased a conflict with their successor as national head, Salvatore D'Aquila. Vincenzo was one of the members condemned by D'Aquila, and fled to Sicily. Returning in early 1922, he was an obvious target for the D'Aquila forces. Vincenzo was killed in May 1922, while walking near his home on 116th Street.
Ciro Terranova [Artichoke King] : - Born 1888 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered USA in 1893 with family, lived in Louisiana and Texas before settling in NYC in 1896. Worked for father's plastering business and lived on East 105th Street [1910 Census]. Later married in to the Catania family in 1909, and lived next door to the Gagliano-Greco saloon on East 107th Street. With brothers Vincenzo and Nicolo, became more active in the gang after half-brother Morello was jailed in 1910. Served under LoMonte brothers, who succeeded Morello as leaders. LoMonte's killed in conflict with D'Aquila Family, and Terranova brothers relocated to East 116th Street around 1914. Led gang in conflict with Giosue Gallucci, allying with Brooklyn Camorra. Gallucci killed in 1915, and brothers took-over his rackets in Harlem. Ciro controlled lottery, artichoke and extortion rackets. Continued Camorra alliance to eliminate gambling rival Joseph DeMarco, attending several meetings in Brooklyn. Camorra turned on Terranova's, killing brother Nicolo in 1916 ambush. Ciro, Vincenzo and followers under siege in 116th Street stronghold. Authorities break-up Camorra gangs with mass arrest's, and convict leaders in 1917-18. Ciro tried for DeMarco murder [1916] in 1918, but aquitted.
Became wealthy in artichoke racket, and may have been Naturalized in 1919. With release of Morello in 1920, he was involved in conflict with D'Aquila Family. Like most of Morello relatives, and supporters, he was condemned to death by organisation. Fled to Sicily in late 1921 to gain support against death sentance. Found support for D'Aquila too strong, and returned to America in 1922. Brother Vincenzo, and other allies, killed in conflict with D'Aquila. He, and Morello, form alliance with Giuseppe Masseria, a new power in LES, to resist D'Aquila. Truce agreed at meeting in late 1923, uneasy peace follows.
With Morello/Terranova gang decimated by conflict, Ciro becomes a part of Masseria faction. Still controls area of 116th Street, and builds regime including Catania brothers, nephews by marriage. Helps Lupo in moving to Brooklyn, and organising bakery extortion scheme. In mid-1920's he mediates dispute between Italian and Irish gangs, on condition 2 Italian members of Irish gang be killed. One killed, but other [Joseph Valachi] survives attack in prison. Forms partnership with Jewish gangster Dutch Schultz, to control numbers racket in "Black Harlem". Masseria plots murder of Salvatore D'Aquila in 1928, and becomes new national head. Morello is his top advisor, and Ciro his Capo in Harlem. Suspected by police of murder of rival gangster Frankie Marlow in 1929. Also that year he was involved in the "Vitale Dinner scandal", which caused a media frenzy and damaged his reputation.
With the start of the "Castellammarese War", Terranova's faction were in the forefront of the violence. First he lost his half-brother Morello, killed in his office on 116th Street in August 1930, then his nephew Joseph Catania in February 1931. Incensed, he vowed vengeance over Catania's coffin, but the war was lost by then. Two months later it ended when Masseria was killed by his own followers at a restaurant on Coney Island. Terranova was rumoured to have driven his killers to the restaurant, and lost his nerve. Wether this was true, or not, the new leaders of the Family demoted Terranova, replacing him in Harlem with Mike Coppola. The Family stripped him of both the artichoke racket and his share of the Harlem numbers.
His troubles were not over, as the new mayor LaGuardia hounded him and the IRS investigated him for tax evasion. This caused him to lose his mansion in Westchester, and move back to East 116th Street. In 1938 after suffering a stroke and being hospitalized, he became the only Terranova brother to die of natural causes.
Nicolo Terranova [Coco] : - Born 1890 in Corleone, Sicily. The youngest of the brothers arrived in 1893, and spent 3 years of his childhood iin Louisiana and Texas. The family settled on the LES of Manhattan in 1896. Too young to have been involved in the gangs criminal activities until the late 1900's. He stole horses and stabled them in the infamous"Murder Stable"on East 108th Street in Harlem, where he also had a blacksmith shoeing his horses. With Morello's arrest in 1909, Nicolo tried to help his half-brother by attempting to set-up an false alibi. After the imprisonment of Morello in 1910, the LoMonte brothers, cousins to the Terranova's, took control of the gang. Calogero Morello, the teenage son of Giuseppe Morello, was killed in a street shoot-out in 1912. Nicolo, being the nearest in age to him, took this badly and vowed revenge. He was rumoured to have personally killed two men involved in Calogero's murder.
The LoMonte brothers were killed in a conflict with Salvatore D'Aquila in 1913 + 14, and the Terranova's relocated to East 116th Street. They were themselves attempting to gain control of rackets in Harlem, under the control of Giosue Gallucci. To accomplish this they made an alliance with Camorra groups in Brooklyn. Several meetings took place between Ciro and Nicolo and the Camorra leaders in 1915 + 16. Gallucci was killed in 1915, and gambling rival DeMarco in 1916, with help from the Neapolitans. But at this point the Camorra leaders decided to eliminate the Terranova brothers and take-over their rackets. So in September 1916 Nicolo, and his bodyguard, were invited to a meeting in Brooklyn. They were ambushed and both killed on Navy Street.
Calogero Morello [Calidu / Charles] : - Born in Louisiana in 1894, the second son of Giuseppe to be named in honour of his grandfather. The first Calogero died in Louisiana at only a year-old. Lived with his grandmother and aunts after the death of his mother in 1898. Too young to have been involved in the gangs activities up to his death at 17 years-old in 1912. His murder seems to have been in revenge for the 1903 " Barrel Murder" of Benedetto Madonia. Madonia's nephew, a member of a local street gang, ambushed Calogero and a friend on 120th Street in April 1912. After a wild shoot-out, Calogero, his friend and one of the attackers were all killed. Madonia's nephew fled back to Italy, but Nicolo Terranova vowed vengeance at the funeral.
Fortunato LoMonte [Charles] : - Born 1883 in Villafrati, Sicily. Emigrated to America in 1894, settling on East 109th Street in Harlem. A reputed cousin to Morello,and as with most of the gang he was a plasterer by trade. By the early 1900's he ran a saloon on East 107th Street, in partnership with Gioacchino Lima, Morello's brother-in-law. He later sold this and opened a feed store on East 108th Street, near the "Murder Stable", in partnership with Angelo Gagliano. The LoMonte brothers sometimes worked as bodyguards for Giosue Gallucci, the dominant Neapolitan power in Harlem. When Morello was imprisoned in 1910, he nominated LoMonte as his successor [1911]. The LoMonte's allied with Manfredi Mineo, and the Castellammarese faction, against the new national head Salvatore D'Aquila in 1912. This alliance struck first by eliminating D'Aquila members Fontana and Fanaro in 1913. D'Aquila retaliated in May 1914, Fortunato being killed on East 108th Street by Valenti, DeMino + Biondo.
Gaetano LoMonte [Thomas] : - The younger brother of Fortunato, born in 1887, date of entry unknown. By 1909 he had joined his brother, and was working as a plasterer. Lived on East 107th Street, and witnessed Ciro Terranova's wedding that year. When Morello was arrested in 1909, a letter he had sent to associates in New Orleans was seized by police. Morello listed several gang members, including both LoMonte brothers. Gaetano supported his brother in leading the gang from 1911. He made a visit back to Sicily in 1913. With his brothers murder in 1914, he relocated to 116th Street, with the rest of the Terranova's. In October 1916 Ippolito Greco, the owner of the "Murder Stable", was killed and LoMonte was suspected. Only 6 days later Gaetano was walking on 116th Street with his cousin Rosalia [nee Terranova] when he was shot and killed. His killer, who was captured, was a 19 year-old from Castrofilippo, Sicily. He refused to talk, and was convicted and executed in 1917.
Vincenzo Salemi : - Born 1879 in Corleone, Sicily and entered the USA in 1903. A brother-in-law of Morello, who married his sister in 1903. Salemi himself married Lucia, the widowed sister of the Terranova brothers, in 1904. As with most of the extended family, he was a plasterer who lived on East 107th Street [WW1 Registration]. Not much is known of his activities during the next several years. As he moved to live on East 114th Street, he probably relocated at the same time as his relatives in the mid-1910's. When Giuseppe Morello attempted a comeback in 1921, Salvatore D'Aquila had several gang members condemned. Salemi was probably one of these, as he is recorded as returning from Italy in June 1922. Salemi was one of the last victims of this conflict, being killed in June 1923 on East 108th Street.
Gioacchino Lima [Jack] : - Born 1870 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered America in 1892, fleeing a murder charge in Corleone. In 1893 he married Giuseppe Morello's sister Marie, and settled in East Harlem. A cart driver in Sicily, in NYC he called himself a builder. In 1906 he was a suspect in the murder of Andrea Fendi, for which Ignazio Milone was arrested. In the early 1900's he was a partner with Fortunato LoMonte, in a saloon on East 107th Street. After Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909, Italian police included Lima in a list of suspects. By 1911 he was living on East 105th Street in Harlem. He then seems to disappear from view until the 1920 census, when he had moved to East 107th Street. Lima, as a relative of Morello, was probably one of the members condemned by D'Aquila in 1921. Unlike the other condemned men he did not flee to Italy, but moved to California. Sources state that he died there in 1922, possibly he disappeared and presumed killed.
MEMBERS / ASSOCIATES.
Vito LaDuca [Longo]. : - Born in Carini, Palermo Province, date unknown. Served in Italian Navy, and spent 5 years in prison for unknown offence. Arrived in USA in 1902, and worked as a butcher in Giovanni Zarcone's shop on Stanton Street. A close associate of Morello, Motisi and other gang members. Arrested in Pittsburgh in Janruary 1903, as part of the Morello counterfeit ring. Also in 1903 he was arrested as a materiel witness in the Madonia murder. In 1904 he was strongly suspected in the abduction of a child held for ransom. Again, the following year, a suspect in the disapperence of a butcher, who had just sold his store to LaDuca. Heavy police survellience caused him to return to Carini in 1907, where he was killed in 1908.
Pietro Inzerillo : - Born 1859 in Marineo, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1890,and settled in Little Italy section of Manhattan. Operated the Star of Italy saoon on Elizabeth Street, a gathering place for the gang. This was also the supposed place of Madonia's murder in 1903. The police traced the barrel that contained the corpse back there. Inzerillo was arrested as a materiel witness in the case. He survived being shot in 1908, and was suspected of involvement in counterfeiting in 1909. Police recieved an anomynous letter that year accusing him of involvement in the Petrosino murder. All this provoked his flight back to Italy. The last known sighting of him was in Milan in 1911, where he was again involved in counterfeiting.
Antonio Cecala : - Born in 1975 in Corleone, and entered the USA in 1889. He settled on the LES, and became a citizen in 1900. First came to police notice as an arsonist, involved in insurance fraud. He also ran gambling clubs on Mott + Elizabreth Streets, and was believed to be related to Ignazio Lupo. Cecala organized the counterfeit ring operating in Highland, NY for Morello and Lupo, starting in 1908. He arranged the printing, engraving and distribution of the notes. On his arrest in 1910 he lived on East 4th Street, and owned a grocery on Spring Street. Convicted, and sentanced to 15 years imprisonment, he was paroled in 1915.
After his release, Cecala relocated to the Bronx and went into legitimate business. In 1925 he was a founding director of the United Lathing company with Morello, Tomasso Gagliano and Ignazio Milone. This firm would be connected with Lucchese members for many years to come. To take advantage of the bootlegging racket, he and Morello set-up the Empire Yeast company, located on Chrystie Street. Cecala was president, until he was killed in 1928.
Angelo Lagattuta [LaGatutte]. : - Born 1875 Mezzojuso, Palermo Province. He emigrated to America in 1900, and lived on his farm in New Paltz, NY. Very little is known about his early activities in NYC. The first mention of him was in a letter Morello sent to New Orleans, in which he describes LaGatutte ! as his godfather. So their relationship was very close at this time [1909]. However it is noticeable that in Morello's intense correspondence from prison [1910-20], there is none to Lagattuta. This might confirm the theory that they fell-out over the new leadership of the gang. For after the deaths of the LoMonte brothers, Salvatore Loiacano became leader with the blessing of new national head D'Aquila.
When Morello was released, and tried to reclaim leadership, in 1920, Loiacano refused to step-down. Morello had Loiacano killed in December 1920, and at his funeral several friends, including Lagatutta, vowed to avenge him. Morello used the "Good Killers" faction as his hitmen to eliminate the rebel faction. In February 1921 Lagattuta was walking in the Bronx, along with Saverio Pollaccia, when he was seriously wounded. Pollaccia fought off the attackers, and saved them both. Lagattuta retired to his farm where, because of his injuries, he grew morose and violent to his family. In 1924 he was killed by his son, who pled self-defense and was acquited.
Michele Coniglio. : - Born 1862 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1892. This man was suspected of being Morello's accomplice in the killing of Giovanni Vella, head of the Sylvanian Guards of Corleone, in 1889. Like Morello he fled to NYC in 1892, to avoid arrest. By 1905 he lived in the Bronx, and worked as a bar keeper in a saloon. The next mention of him is in Morello's letter to the leading Mafioso in Chicago in 1909. Coniglio is named in a list of Morello's closest associates, icluding LoMonte, Lasala, Frisella, Moscato, ect. The list ends with the statement "all of Corleone". Francesco Moscato, also listed in this letter, may have been a relative. The last record of Consiglio was a visit to Italy in 1927.
Antonio Motisi [Messina Genova]. : - Born in 1875 in the city of Palermo. Date of entry into USA is unknown. The Motisi family are historicaly the leaders of the Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo. Ignazio Lupo's father Rocco was a reputed member before emigrating to America. Antonio's brother Franesco was the head of this cosca, and then fled to New Orleans to avoid a murder charge. There he became the leader of a faction that was associated with Morello, as a 1902 letter, found on Morello, proves.
Antonio owned a butcher store on Stanton Street, as well as being a partner in Lupo's saloon on Prince Street. He was arrested for the 1903 "Barrel Murder" of Madonia, along with Morello, Lupo, Petto, ect. At this time he was living on East 15th Street, and was a close associate of Vito LaDuca. Police pressure forced him to move to Ohio, and in 1908 he met the fate of several other gang members, when he was murdered.
Giuseppe Boscarini [Boscarino] : - Born 1850 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1890. Very little is known about his early life or activities, we do not even have his home address. He first came to attention in the summer of 1909, when he was named by a Pittston informant as the supplier of counterfeit notes. This informant, Salvatore Locino, stated that Boscarino was the main supplier to Pennsylvania. The secret Service followed him back to NYC, where he lived. He collected the bogus money at Lupo's old wharehouse on East 97th Street. Several gang members were spotted there, like Cecala and Lupo. Boscarino was arrested in 1910, and in December that year sentanced to 15 years imprisonment. He died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1919, with Morello and Lupo acting as pallbearers.
Giuseppe Verrazano [Ferrazano]. We known almost nothing about this member, not his birth, arrival or address. He suddenly appears in 1915 as a member, running card games on Kenmare Street in Little Italy. He was in competition with a Neapolitan gambler called Joseph DiMarco, who ran a gambling club on James Street. He, his partner Stefano Lasala and the Terranova brothers, tried to eliminate him, failing in 1913 + 1914. In 1915 they made an alliance with the Brooklyn Camorra to eliminate some rivals. And in July 1916 they combined to kill DiMarco in his club. Verrazano being the actual killer, who then took-over the club. However, the alliance did not last and later in September the Camorra plotted to kill the Sicilian leaders. Only two, Nicolo Terranova and Camillo Ubriaco, turned-up and were killed. Verrazano was supposed to die that day, but did not attend. However, he was killed in October 1916, in a restaurant in the Bowery. Angelo Giordano, a Camorra leader was convicted and executed for this murder.
Stefano Lasala [Steve LaSalle]. : - Born 1889 in Corleone, emigrated to the USA in 1896. The family settled in Harlem, on East 107th Street. His Mafia connections were impressive,he partnered Verrazano in gambling, lived at the same address as Angelo Gagliano, had his Naturalization witnessed by Joseph Riccobono, his sister was married into the Liggio family of Corleone, and his associates included Morello, the Terranova brothers, and most future Lucchese Family members. He, and Verrazano, profited by the killing of Gallucci and DiMarco, which allowed them to dominate gambling in Harlem. Lasala attended meetings with the Camorra leaders, at which they plotted DiMarco's death. He was in jail, awaiting trial on lottery charges, in 1916 when the Camorra leaders turned on their Sicilian allies.
Lasala seems to have drifted away from the gang during the 1920's, and into the orbit of the Reina Family. Serving under Reina, Tomasso Gagliano and Gaetano Lucchese consecutively, he ran a large numbers operation throughout the 1930-40's. He became a power in the garment industry, and lived in the Bronx. By the 1950's he had risen to become under-boss, and during Lucchese final illness, may have been acting / boss. He eventually retired, and died in 1975.
Giovanni Peccoraro [John Peccori]. Born 1867 in Piana dei Greci, Province of Palermo. He was a well known Mafioso in Sicily, being suspected of embezzlement and murder, before fleeing to America in 1901. He lived on East 39th Street, and described himself as a wine merchant. He soon became involved in the Morello gangs activities, and was described by the police as a close associate of Morello. Pecoraro was arrested as a suspect in a bomb throwing incident in 1908. After the arrest of Morello and Lupo in 1910, Pecoraro may have been the acting head of the gang. But, after it became obvious that the leaders would be imprisoned for years yet, he was replaced by the LoMonte brothers in 1912. He gained citizenship in 1914, listing his address as East 60th Street.
By 1920 the gang were under the leadership of Salvatore Loiacano, who may have been related to Pecoraro. Morello on his release from prison, tried to reclaim the leadership by intimidating Loiacano into stepping-down. Loiacano refused, and was killed, thus provoking a conflict that lasted 3 years. D'Aquila, the national head condemned Morello and his supporters to death. Pecoraro, who remained loyal to Morello was among the condemned. He, like the rest, fled to Sicily in late 1921, returning with Ciro Terranova in February 1922. In March 1923, Pecoraro fell victim to the conflict, shot by D'Aquila members including Filippo Mangano. Surprisingly, his son Michael later became a Mangano Family member.
Giovanni Zarcone. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. Date of birth unknown. A partner of Vito LaDuca in a butcher shop on Stanton Street, LES. Believed by police to have transported Madonia's body in the "Barrel Murder". Moved to Danbury, Connecticut and became a wealthy fruit farmer. In 1909 he was killed there by several unknown gunmen.
Paolo Frisella. : - Born in Corleone, but date of birth unknown. Came to America in 1883, and settled on East 106th Street. Mentioned in Morello's 1909 letter to Rosario Dispenza, head of a Mafia faction in Chicago. This ia all we know of him, as there are no other records on him.
Ignazio Milone. : - Born 1881 Corleone, and entered the USA in 1898. A partner of Giuseppe Fontana in a beer hall. Also ran a fruit store on East 102nd Street. Arrested for the murder of Andrea Fendi in 1906, although Fontana was suspected of being the actual killer. Both he, and Fontana, were named as suspects by the Palermo police in the 1909 murder of Petrosino. The next we hear of him is in 1926, when he was one of the founding directors of the United Lathing company. Other directors included Tommaso Gagliano, Antonio Cecala and Morello. Milone died in 1934 in NYC [NYDI].
Antonio Milone. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and emigrated to America in 1889. He lived on East 105th Street in Harlem. In 1902 he was a founding director and president of the Ignazio Florio Co-operative, along with Morello. Milone was the gangs money man, and rarely interacted with other members. It was Milone who made and engraved the plates for Morello's counterfeiting ring in 1908. Milone was indicted for counterfeiting in 1909, and confessed. However he soon fled back to Italy, to avoid prison. There is no record when he returned to America, but he died in Queens in 1942 [NYDI].
Domenico Milone. : - Born in Corleone in 1867, date of entry into USA unknown. May have been related to Antonio Milone, as like him, he was a director of the Ignatz Florio Co-operative. Believed to live on East 92nd Street, and was an in-law of fellow member Giuseppe Armato. He ran a grocery on East 97th Street, which police believed was a clearing house for the gangs counterfeit ring. Apart from a visit to Sicily in 1920, nothing more is known about him.
Domenico Pecoraro. : - Born 1850 in Bagheria, Palermo Province. Entered the US around 1895-6, and lived on Chrystie Street in "Little Italy". A suspect in the 1902 murder of Giuseppe Catania in Brooklyn. Arrested with Morello, Lupo, ect. in 1903 for the Madonia murder. He gained his citizenship that same year. Later moved to Brooklyn, where he died in 1934.
Luciano Perrino [Tommaso Petto / Ox.] : - Born in Carini, Province of Palermo in 1879. Entry date to America is unknown. Lived on Elizabeth Street, and as his alias indicates, was a strongarm thug. Believed by police to be the actual killer of Madonia, as he was found with Madonia's watch on his arrest. Released in January 1904, he left NYC and moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There he resumed his extortion tactics against local Italians. In October 1905 he was killed by rifle fire, either by a Madonia relative or by a Morello gunman.
Nicolo Silvestre [Nick Sylvester]. Born 1889, he was a mainland Italian from Formia [Furmia] halfway between Rome and Naples. He served a 5 year sentance in Italy, before moving to America. He stole horses with one of the Terranova's, probably Nicolo, and threw bombs before becoming a trusted member of the gang. His trade was plastering, working for Angelo Gagliano on East 107th Street. He also drove a wagon for Lupo's grocery business. Fully involved in the Morello counterfeit ring, he guarded the farm HQ in Highland. Arrested and convicted in 1910, he rcieved a 15 year sentance in Atlanta Penitentiary. Soon he was passing information to the authorities, including where to find the printing plates. He was paroled in 1915, but we have no details of his later life.
Francesco Moscato. : - Born 1866 in Corleone, he arrived in the USA in1893. Lived in the Bronx, and was related to fellow member Michele Coniglio. The only mention of him is in the 1909 Morello letter to Rosario Dispenza in Chicago. Morello includes him in a list of associates, which also includes Coniglio, and states " all of Corleone". Died in NYC in 1922.
Leoluca Vasi. : - Born 1872 in Corleone, entering America in 1892 at New Orleans. Along with his brother, Pasquale Vasi [1880], he was arrested in 1909 in possession of counterfeit money. Sentanced in 1910, his release date was 1914. Still alive by 1940's, and living in the Bronx. May have been related to the Trombatore family of New Orleans.
Salvatore Clemente [Dude]. : - Born 1863 in Corleone, and emigrated to the USA in 1890. Convicted of counterfeiting in 1895, in NYS, and sentanced to 8 years imprisonment in Buffalo. Arrested again in 1902, along with Vito Cascio Ferro, and jailed in Canada for passing counterfeit notes [1903]. Became a close associate of the gang, although not involved in the Highland counterfeit ring. Started informing for the Secret Service in 1910, and became their top informant. Even travelled to Sicily to obtain information on anarchists for them. Died in NYC in 1925 [NYDI].
Salvatore Cina [Don Turi]. : - Born in 1875, his place of birth is sometimes recorded as Bivona, Palermo or Agrigento Province. In Sicily he associated with the bandit Varsalona, and fled a murder charge in Bivona. Entering America in 1895, with his in-law Vincenzo Giglio, and went to Tampa. They relocated to NY in 1904. He, and Giglio, owned the farm in Highland where the counterfeiting took place. Convicted and sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, but paroled in 1916. Cina was still alive in 1940, listed as a Cheese Importer and living on Jackson Street in Manhattan [1940 Census].
Vincenzo Giglio. : - Born in Bivona in 1880, he arrived, with Cina, in 1895 and went to Tampa. The Giglio family would become notorious Mafiosi in Tampa. He, and Cina, moved to NY in 1904 and bought the farm in Highland. Starting in 1908, the Morello gang used the farm as their counterfeiting HQ. Sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, he died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1914.
Giuseppe Palermo [Salvatore Saracino]. : - Born in Partanna in 1862, and entered the US in 1902. He was fleeing from a sentance of 31 years, for Kidnap + double Homicide. He lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and owned a macaroni factory. In 1907 he defrauded a co-operative society based on Elizabeth Street, of which he was a director. Financially involved in the counterfeit ring , he bought Cina's share in the Highland farm in 1909. Convicted in 1910, he was sentanced to 18 years. After suffering a stroke, he was paroled in 1920. Went to live on Elizabeth Street, until his death in 1924.
Giuseppe Fanaro : - Born 1876 in Carini, Palermo Province and came to America in 1902. Was soon associating with Morello + Lupo, and owned an Italian food importing company on Rivingtion Street. Seen, by the Secret Service, in the company of Madonia shortly before his murder. Arrested as a material witness in 1903, he showed signs of talking, before refusing. In 1908 he was a suspect in the killing of fellow townsman Salvatore Marchinne, along with his in-law Antonio Ganci. By the 1910's he was living in Brooklyn, and working as a longshoreman for a fruit company. By then he had allied with D'Aquila, who had succeeded Lupo as head of the Palermitani faction. When conflict broke-out between D'Aquila and the Corleonesi, now headed by the LoMonte brothers, he became a casualty being killed in November 1913.
Giuseppe Fontana. : - Born in Villabate, Province of Palermo in 1852 and a notorious Mafioso with many arrest's in Sicily. His most infamous crime was the Notarbartolo murder in 1893, of which he was first convicted [1899], then acquitted [1903]. He was in NYC by 1901, and was soon associating with Lupo + Morello. He opened a grocery store on East 106th Street, and was a partner of Ignazio Milone in a beer hall. He, and Fanaro, were suspects in several murders during 1905-08. The Palermo police listed him as a suspect in the 1909 Petrosino killing. With the decline of the gang, following the jailing of Morello + Lupo, Fontana and Fanaro allied themselves to Salvatore D'Aquila's faction. In 1913 conflict between D'Aquila and the LoMonte brothers flared-up. Having joined their enemies, Fontana was targeted by the LoMonte faction, and killed on East 105th Street in November 1913.
Antonio Rizzo / Russo]. : - The confusion over his name, makes it impossible to trace him. Indeed, it is possible they were two sepatate people. Lupo sold his saloon on Prince Street to a Antonio Rizzo in 1903-04. And a man of this name was killed in NYC in 1909 [NYDI].
However, a Antonio Russo was named in the 1909 "all of Corleone" letter to Dispenza in Chicago. And during Morello's incarceration, he wrote to Antonio Russo, caling him a "godson" or partner. This Russo lived on East 107th Street in Harlem.
To complicate matters further, Al D'Arco, a future Lucchese member, wrote of meeting a Antonio Russo in prison in the 1960's. He described him as a surviver of the Mafia-Camorra conflict of the 1910's, who had served over 50 years for multiple murder.
Nicolo Testa. : - Born 1886 in Bagheria, Palermo Province and arrived in the USA in 1899. Worked as a butcher in Vito LaDuca's store on Stanton Street. Arrested as a material witness in the 1903 "Barrel" murder. Stated he was a nephew of Giuseppe Catania, killed in Brooklyn in 1902. On his citizenship papers in 1913, he stated he owned a butcher shop in Brooklyn. Seems to have died in Manhattan in 1919 [NYDI].
Giuseppe DiPriema[o]. : - Born in Lercara Friddi, Province of Palermo in 1880, and emigrated to America in 1902. According to the book, The First Family, these details should be 1875 [DOB], 1900 [DOA] and Santa Margherita in Agrigento Province [POB]. He was arrested in December 1902 in Yonkers, along with Isidoro Crocevera + Giuseppe Giallombardo, trying to pass counterfeit notes. Tried in January 1903, and sentanced to 4 years imprisonment in Sing Sing. His brother-in-law, Benedetto Madonia, raised money and tried to get the gang to help him, but recieved none. Madonia travelled to NYC to meet Morello, but was murdered in April 1903, the famous "Barrel " murder. DePriema identified the body, but refused to inform. The actual killer, Tomasso Petto, was killed in October 1905 in Pittston. After his release from prison in 1906, DiPriema was either deported, or returned to Sicily. His death was as confusing as most details of his life. Rumour was that he was killed either on the way, or soon after his arrival [1909].
Benedetto Madonia. Born in Lercara Friddi [ or possibly Carini] in 1860, and arrived in the US in 1901. A stonemason by trade, he settled in Buffalo, NYS. A distributer of the gangs counterfeit money, travelling to various cities. When DiPriema, his brother-in-law, was sentanced to Sing Sing, he raised funds and asked the gang for help. Morello kept the funds, but refused to help DiPriema. This caused bad feelings, and Madonia came to NYC to reclaim his money. The Secret Service, closely watching the gang, saw Madonia in the company of several members. Morello condemned him, and Petto was believed to have killed him. The body was dumped, in a barrel, on East 11th Street. 13 gang members, including Morello, Lupo, Cascio Ferro, ect., were arrested, but none were convicted. Among the victims of the resulting vendetta were DiPriema and Calogero Morello, Giuseppe's son.
Giuseppe Callichio [Professor]. : - Born 1858 in Naples, and went to America in 1906. A printer, and experienced counterfeiter in Italy. Because of his birthplace he was not a member, but respected by the gang. Became the main designer of the ring, operating from the Highland farm. Sentanced to 17 years in 1910 trial, he was paroled in 1920. No record of later life.
Antonio Comito [Sheep]. : - Born 1872? in Catanzaro, Calabria and came to the USA in 1907. A printer, he was lured into counterfeit work by the gang. He, and his mistress, were virtually prisoners at the Highland farm. With the arrival of Callichio, he became less important and was threatened. Was the main witness at the 1910 trial of the ring, and the gang put a contract on his life. Left the USA in 1911 for South America, where he became a businessman. An entry for a Anthony Comito [1872-1935] on the NYDI, may or may not be him.
Eugenio Ubriaco [Charles]. : - Born in Cosenza, Calabria in 1889, he emigrated to America in 1907. His father ran a real estate business on East 114th Street, and had been in the US since 1890. The younger Ubriaco was a close associate of Nicolo Terranova, and had gambling interests in Manhattan. He was a rarity, a non-Sicilian gang member. Accompanied Nicolo to the fatefull Brooklyn meeting with the Camorra leaders in 1916. They were both ambushed on Johnson Street, and killed.
Giovanni Lupo [John]. : - Ignazio's brother was born in Palermo in 1883, and entered the USA in 1900. He worked for his brother in the Mott Street grocery for some time. Around 1908 he moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and opened his own store, which may have been part of the counterfeit distribution system. Although always in Ignazio's shadow, he may have been more important than percieved. After testifying for the defence, he led the campaigne to free Ignazio + Morello. He corresponded and visited with them, and raised funds for legal expenses. He may even have succeeded Ignazio as temporary head of the Palermitani faction in 1910-12. Seemed to fade from view after this, although still alive in the 1940's [WW2 Registration].
" Zu" Vincenzo [Uncle Vincent]. A mysterious member, active at the Highland counterfeit HQ in 1908-09. Told Comito he had commited a double murder in Sicily, befor fleeing to America. Entered at New Orleans in 1902. No other details known.
Giuseppe Catania. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. His DOB is a matter of confusion, some sources say 1862 or 1872, but newspapers in 1902 state he was a 53 year-old. Also his entry date is unknown, although probably before 1900. He was known as a close associate of Lupo, and ran a grocery in Brooklyn. His nephew Nicola Testa was also a gang member. His store was probably part of the gangs distribution system for counterfeit notes. Secret Service informant Clemente stated the reason for his murder in 1902, was that he talked too much when drunk. Lupo was the last person seen with him, before his butchered body was found in a sack in Brooklyn.
Lorenzo LoBaido. : - Born 1864. A known associate of the gang [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Vito LoBaido. : - Born 1878, lived on Mott Street. A known associate [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Giuseppe Lalamia. A known associate [1900's].Member of counterfeit ring.
Luigi Divivo [Louis the Wop]. : - A Neapolitan born associate, urged by Camorra members to place a bomb at the Terranova home.
Giuseppe Giallombardo. : - Born 1872 in Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1902, and within months arrested in Yonkers in possession of counterfeit notes. Sentanced to 5 years incarceration, along with DiPriema and Crocevera.
Isadoro Crocevera. : - Born in Palermo in 1873, date of entry unknown. A member of the Aquasanta cosca, mentioned in the Sangiorgi report, and the cousin of Fanaro. Arrested in 1902 in Yonkers, and sentanced to 3 years. Possibly related to the DiCarlo family of Buffalo, where he was killed in 1920.
Salvatore Marsalisi [Magalisi]. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and arrived in the USA in 1905. A barber by trade on Houston Street. Believed to be in charge of the fund for the defence of the Yonkers counterfeiters [Giallombardo, Crocevera + DiPriema]. Later a major narcotics violater connected to the Lucchese Family who died in 1965.
Salvatore Locino [Sam]. Distributer of the rings counterfeits in Pittston, recieving the notes from Boscarini. Arrested by the Secret Service, he confessed and worked with them. Helped track the source back to Morello + Lupo in NYC. Survived being shot in the head in Pittston in 1910.
The following names were, in some way, associated with the gang. Mainly with the counterfeit ring, witness at the trial, or business contacts.
Sebastiano DiPalermo. Corleone [1870-1943]USA 1886 / Bronx.
Ippolito Greco. Corleone [1878-1915 Killed ]USA 1905 / Partner of Angelo Gagliano.
Andrea Oliveri. Corleone 1889. / USA 1899.
Giacomo Reina. Corleone [1844-1920] F-in L of V.Terranova / Testified at 1910 trial.
Pasquale Ruffino. Corleone 1886 / USA 1906.
Pietro Zarcone. Bagheria [1880-1944] USA 1893 / Godfather to Lupo / Killed Andrea Gambino in 1909.
Angelo Gagliano. Corleone 1880-1954]. Testified in 1910 trial / Partner of Greco / Power in Corleonese community / Related to various Mafiosi.
Carlo Costantino. Partinico [1874-1936] USA 1905 / Probable killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily 1909.
Antonino Passananti. Partinico [1879-1969] USA 1902 / Probale Killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily in 1909.
Bernardo Perrone. Guard at Highland farm, counterfeit HQ.
Giuseppe Armato. Counterfeiter arrested 1909.
Salvatore Romano. Counterfeiter associated with Clemente.
Salvatore Maccari. Counterfeiter.
Giuseppe Gudo. Distributer in Newark, NJ.
Francesco DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Modesto DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Angelo Valenti. Listed in 1909 Chicago letter " all of Corleone".
Vincenzo Abadezza. Counterfeiter arrested 1908.
Rudolph Palermo. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Michele Albanese. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Salvatore Sabatino. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Nicola Sassi. Accomplice in 1916 DeMarco murder,.
"Lulu" Vicari. Gang killer before 1914.
Marco Macaluso. Corleone [1875- ] Director of Ignazio Florio society / Father of Mariano, future Lucchese member.
Relatives, Associates + Contacts outside NYC.
New Orleans.
Calogero Gulotta [Uncle ?]. Correspondence with Morello in 1900, 1909 + 1919.
Vito DiGiorgio [Cousin ?]. Correspondence 1909, 1917 + 1920. Power in NO + LA, killed in 1922.
Santo Calamia [Cousin ?]. Visited Morello in prison in1917-18-19. Associate of Motisi + Marchese, conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Died 1922 in Sicily.
Leoluca Trombatore [Nephew ?]. Correspondence x 4 in 1919-20. Possible head in NO 1940-50's, died 1963.
Antonio Saltaformaggio [in-law ?]. Brother-in-law to Calamia. Killed 1903.
Francesco Motisi [Genova]. Letter sponsoring Marchese to Morello in 1902. Brother of Antonio, head of Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo.Possible head in NO, in conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Last seen in London in 1910.
Paolo Marchese [Paolo DiCristina]. Fleeing murder charge in Sicily. Sponsored to Morello by Motisi, worked for Lupo in NYC. Back to NO, possibly succeeded Motisi as head. Killed in 1910 by extortion victim.
Giuseppe Adragna. Corleone 1878 / USA 1898 / Correspondence with Morello. Possibly Dragna and related to Ignazio.
Vincenzo Moreci. Letter to Morello [1909] mentions DiGiorgi, Piro + Gulotta. Born Termini, Palermo Province, involved in conflict with Giacona family. Wounded in 1910, killed in 1915.
Chicago.
Salvatore LoBue [Cousin ?]. Correspondence with Morello.
Rosario Dispenza. Morello's " all of Corleone"letter in 1909 to Dispenza,concerning Costantino. Head of Mafia faction, killed in 1914.
Sicily.
Vito Cascio Ferro. Associate in 1902-3 in NYC, arrested in 1903 Madonia murder. Organized 1909 Petrosino murder, notorious Mafioso.
Giuseppe Battaglia [Uncle ?]. Head of Corleone cosca 1900's.
Bernardo Marino [in-law ?].
Paolo Streva. Morello's superior in Corleone, possibly moved to Chicago 1902.
Giuseppe Salemi [ F-in-L]. Member of Corleone cosca 1900-10's.
THE MORELLO FACTION : - BIOS. 1900-20’s.
FAMILY.
Giuseppe Morello [Piddu] : - Born 1867 in Corleone, Palermo Province, Sicily. When his father died in 1872, his mother married Bernardo Terranova, a known member of the “Fratuzzi”, the local Mafia cosca. Under his step-fathers sponsorship, Morello was initiated into the “Fratuzzi” in the 1880’s. By 1889 he was serving under Paolino Streva, the nephew of a previous leader. That year Morello was suspected in the murder of Giovanni Vella, the head of the Sylvanian Guards, a rural police force. There followed the murder of two witness’s, and the conviction of an innocent man who served 20 years in prison. Morello was involved in counterfeiting, for which he was sentenced to 6 years in 1894. However, by then he had fled to America in 1892 and settled in NYC. The following year the rest of his family joined him there.
In 1893 Morello moved his family to Louisiana, where he made important contacts within the local Sicilian underworld. Later they moved to Texas, where Morello and his step-father worked as sharecroppers on farmland near Bryan in Brazos County. The family returned to NYC in 1896, and settled in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Bernardo Terranova opened an ornamental plastering business, a trade all the male family members would follow. Morello continued to live an honest life, opening several business’s that soon failed. Because of these financial failures Morello returned to his old trade as a counterfeiter in 1899. Using contacts with fellow Corleonese in New Orleans, Chicago and Boston he began circulating counterfeit bills printed in East Harlem. A maid employed by Morello disappeared at this time, possibly because she knew too much. Finally the Secret Service arrested Morello, and all his associates in 1900. Although his associates went to prison, Morello walked as there was no evidence against him.
He now started to organise a gang of fellow Sicilians, mainly from Corleone and towns in Palermo Province. Living on Chrystie Street, he operated out of his Spaghetti Restaurant on Stanton Street, which included a saloon run by Antonio Russo. Next door was an import business owned by his brother-in-law Ignazio Lupo. Soon they had forced the Calabrian D’Agostino gang out of the area, and dominated criminal activities in Little Italy. Morello remarried in 1903, his first wife having died in 1898, consolidating his contacts with his home town of Corleone. They settled on East 107th Street in Harlem, near his half-brothers and mother. Another associate of the gang was Vito Cascio Ferro, newly arrived and a future “bigwig” of the Sicilian Mafia. Using Lupo’s food and wine importing company, the gang received counterfeit notes from Sicily and distributed them nationwide. Both the Secret Service and local police kept a close watch on the gang. Then late in 1902 some of the gang’s distributers were arrested in Yonkers, and convicted. One of them Giuseppe Di Priemo sent his in-law Benedetto Madonia to Harlem to ask Morello for money to help his defence. The gang responded by killing Madonia, and hiding his body in a barrel on East 11th Street. Morello, Lupo and 11 associates were arrested in 1903 by Joseph Petrosino, later head of the Italian Squad of the NYC police. Soon it became obvious that no witness would testify, and they were all released.
Morello’s reputation was now such that he was considered the most prominent Mafioso in the country, this was confirmed by Nicola Gentile’s comment “when we were all under Morello”. There is some confusion about his position in relation to Lupo, who headed the Palermitani Family. They were such close associates, that it is impossible to say who was the most important. When police searched Morello’s home in 1903, letters found showed he corresponded with Mafiosi nationwide. In 1904 he, and Lupo, started the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association, the purpose of which was to raise funds to build housing. In reality it was a scam to defraud investors, and enrich the gang. By 1908 the Co-operative was bankrupt, and with Lupo’s grocery business also in financial trouble, the two turned to their old trade counterfeiting. This latest counterfeiting operation was in Highland, New Jersey, well clear of the gang’s territory in Manhattan. The operation started in late 1908, and continued throughout 1909. That same year Joseph Petrosino, head of the Italian Squad and Morello’s old enemy, sailed to Italy. Vito Cascio Ferro, an old friend of Morello, was suspected of arranging Petrosino’s murder in Palermo. Morello was a known associate of Cascio Ferro, and the two suspected killers, so was probably implicated in organising the murder. By now his half-brothers, Vincenzo, Ciro and Nicolo Terranova were old enough to be full members of the gang. The Secret Service had been slowly building a case against the gang, and in late 1909 they arrested Morello, his half-brother Nicolo, Lupo and several more of the gang for counterfeiting. Convicted in 1910, Morello was sentenced to 25 years, and Lupo to 30 years.
While the Terranova brothers struggled to keep the gangs interests from underworld rivals, the two leaders were to spend the next decade in prison. Only once in 1911 did Morello show signs of talking, when he made a statement naming Petrosino’s killers. But he refused to sign it, and thereafter served his time calmly. During these years he wrote constantly to fellow Mafiosi in both America and Sicily. Morello lost a son, Calogero, and his half-brother Nicolo to gang warfare during his prison years. After a commutation of his sentence, Morello was released in February 1920. He found his half-brothers Ciro and Vito had retreated to East 116th Street, leaving Harlem and Little Italy to new underworld powers. The old gang was now much reduced, so he made an alliance with a group of Castellammarese members called the”Good Killers”. He soon set about regaining his influence, ordering several murders of rivals, using his new allies. This ignited a conflict with Salvatore D’Aquila, his successor as national head and the leader of Lupo’s old Family, who condemned all Morello supporters to death. The condemned fled to Sicily to seek support, but returned disappointed. During this conflict he lost other relatives, Vincenzo Terranova and his brother-in-law Vincenzo Salemi. A truce in late 1923 confirmed D’Aquila as the victor, and he refused to allow Morello, and his ally Giuseppe Masseria, back into the organisation.
Morello retreated from the dangerous areas of Manhattan to live in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Ciro Terranova continued to control the family rackets on 116th Street, in alliance with Masseria. Morello concentrated on his business interests, including a partnership with Tomasso Gagliano in a lathing company. He also had a share of the Empire Yeast company, which allowed him to profit from bootlegging.
Masseria slowly grew stronger by inducting non-Sicilians into his faction, and seeking alliances with those who resented D’Aquila’s hegemony. By 1928 he was ready to strike, and using an opposition faction within the Palermitani Family, arranged D’Aquila’s death. Next, needing legitimacy for his new power, Masseria called Morello from his retirement and made him his closest advisor. Although now dominant in NYC, Masseria soon ran into opposition from the Castellammarese Family. Their new leader Salvatore Maranzano refused to be intimidated, and resolved to fight back. His first target was Morello, the brains of the Masseria organisation. So, on an August afternoon in 1930, two Maranzano gunmen entered an office on East 116th Street and shot Morello, and two others, dead.
Ignazio Lupo [Wolf] : - Born 1877 in the city of Palermo, Sicily. Although not strictly a Corleonese faction member, Lupo was such a close associate of Morello that it is impossible not to include him. His position as head of the Palermitani faction, the largest in NYC, made him almost equal in power to Morello.
He his familial connections in Palermo, through his father Rocco who was a member of the Pagliarelli cosca, meant that when he came to America in 1898 he was accepted into the Palermitani faction. The reason for his departure from Sicily, was his conviction for a 1898 murder he committed in Palermo. After landing in Buffalo, via Liverpool, he went to the"Little Italy" section and opened a saloon on Prince Street. After selling this to Antonio Russo, he opened a food import company next to Morello's restaurant. His association with Morello was cemented by his marrying into the Terranova family in 1904. But before this he joined Morello in importing counterfeit money through the Brooklyn docks, using his food imports as a cover. The counterfeits were printed in Palermo, where Lupo had extensive contacts. Lupo's man in Brooklyn was Giuseppe Catania, a grocer who passed the counterfeits in Brooklyn. Catania, however, proved to be unreliable and in 1902 his butchered body was found in sacks. Police discovered that Lupo was seen with him shortly before his death. The following year he was arrested, with Morello and Cascio Ferro, for the Madonia murder.
The profits from counterfeiting allowed Lupo to expand his business into a large grocery and food empire that extended into Brooklyn. In 1904 he joined Morello, and others, in founding the Ignazio Florio Co-operative Association. His growing wealth and renown probably led to his elevation to the leadership of the Palermitani faction at this time. Lupo continued to be involved in extortion, and was a suspect in a child kidnapping in 1906. Lupo's power reached it's peak in these years, but financial ruin was approaching fast. By 1908 both the Florio Co-operative, and Lupo's grocery empire were sliding into bankruptcy. His prestige suffered another blow when Joseph Petrosino, head of the NYPDItalian Squad arrived at Lupo's Mott Street HQ and delivered a beating to him. Lupo fled to his brother John in Patterson New Jersey, leaving huge debts to his creditors. In an effort to regain his affluence, Lupo joined Morello in a new counterfeiting scheme run from Highland, NJ.
Lupo stayed away from NYC for a year, but returned after Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909. There is little doubt that he was complicit in this murder, arranged by his old associate Vito Cascio Ferro. The Secret Service, after a long investigation, arrested the whole counterfeiting ring late in 1909. Huge efforts were made to collect funds for the defendants, throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. But even the best lawyers in America could not save them, and they were convicted in 1910. Lupo recieved a sentance of 30 years, Morello 20 years, and sent to Atlanta Penitentiary.
Both men spent 10 years imprisoned, before a commutation released them in 1920. During that time the face of Italo-American crime in NYC had changed, and prohibition was about to change it even more. Morello, released earlier than Lupo, attempted to regain his power by eliminating his rivals. Lupo,upon his release, found his old faction now headed by Salvatore D'Aquila, who was also the national head of the organisation. At some point in mid-1921 D'Aquila called a national assembly, and had Lupo, Morello and their supporters condemned to death. The condemned members fled to Sicily to seek support, and get the death sentances repealed. They spent months trying to convince the Palermo cosca leaders, but found D'Aquila's influence too strong. Returning in early 1922, Morello fought an ultimatley futile war with D'Aquila's forces. Lupo, held on his return by immigration authorities for some time, decided to accept his demotion and moved to Brooklyn.
Although never again in a position of power, Lupo still had enough prestige to be asked to mediate a conflict between Sicilian and Calabrian faction in Brooklyn. The peace meeting in late 1923 was raided by the police, and Lupo was arrested. He was also arrested that year for extortion, with his son-in-law Antonio Forti. They ran a Bakers union scam, that extorted bakeries throughout NYC and Brooklyn. He would eventually be aquitted of this in 1934. Another arrest was in 1931, with his son Rocco, for the murder of Ruggiero Consiglio. Finally, in 1936, he was convicted of extortion again and sent back to prison to complete his 1910 sentance of 30 years. Lupo was released in late 1946 on medical grounds, and died in Janruary 1947.
Vincenzo Terranova : - Born 1886 in Corleone, Sicily. Arrived in USA in 1893, with the rest of the Terranova family. The family followed half-brother Giuseppe Morello to Louisiana and Texas, returning to NYC in 1896. They settled in the Little Italy area, and his father Bernardo opened a plastering business. Vincenzo was Bernardo's eldest son, but nearly 20 years younger than Morello. He was too young to be involved in gang activities at the time of the "Barrel Murder" in 1903. He first came to notice in 1908, when he was arrested for the murder of local gangster "Diamond Sam" Sicco. At this time he was working for his fathers plastering firm. With the jailing of Morello, and Lupo, in 1910, he and his brothers Ciro and Nicolo assumed more responsibility.
The next decade would be full of danger, as competition in the Italo-American underworld would be intense. Proof of this is the fact that Vincenzo's home on East 109th Street was bombed in 1913. This may have been the reason the Terranova brothers moved their homes to East 116th Street. He was known to be involved in the ice business, and married into the Reina family, well connected Corleonese Mafiosi. The brothers made an alliance with a Neapolitan Camorra organization, to eliminate some rivals in Harlem. Although initially successful, this turned-out to be a mistake. In 1916 the Neapolitans turned on the Terranova's, and killed Nicolo and other members. The surviving brothers kept close to their stronghold on 116th Street, striking back when they could. Fortunatley for them, the police arrested and convicted the Camorra gang in 1917-18. In 1918 both brothers were arrested for a 1916 murder, but escaped prison.
With the coming of prohibition in 1920, Vincenzo entered the business, with a partner Joseph Viserti. Both soon men became wealthy, but Viserti was killed in 1921 for reasons unknown. The release of Morello and Lupo in 1920 cased a conflict with their successor as national head, Salvatore D'Aquila. Vincenzo was one of the members condemned by D'Aquila, and fled to Sicily. Returning in early 1922, he was an obvious target for the D'Aquila forces. Vincenzo was killed in May 1922, while walking near his home on 116th Street.
Ciro Terranova [Artichoke King] : - Born 1888 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered USA in 1893 with family, lived in Louisiana and Texas before settling in NYC in 1896. Worked for father's plastering business and lived on East 105th Street [1910 Census]. Later married in to the Catania family in 1909, and lived next door to the Gagliano-Greco saloon on East 107th Street. With brothers Vincenzo and Nicolo, became more active in the gang after half-brother Morello was jailed in 1910. Served under LoMonte brothers, who succeeded Morello as leaders. LoMonte's killed in conflict with D'Aquila Family, and Terranova brothers relocated to East 116th Street around 1914. Led gang in conflict with Giosue Gallucci, allying with Brooklyn Camorra. Gallucci killed in 1915, and brothers took-over his rackets in Harlem. Ciro controlled lottery, artichoke and extortion rackets. Continued Camorra alliance to eliminate gambling rival Joseph DeMarco, attending several meetings in Brooklyn. Camorra turned on Terranova's, killing brother Nicolo in 1916 ambush. Ciro, Vincenzo and followers under siege in 116th Street stronghold. Authorities break-up Camorra gangs with mass arrest's, and convict leaders in 1917-18. Ciro tried for DeMarco murder [1916] in 1918, but aquitted.
Became wealthy in artichoke racket, and may have been Naturalized in 1919. With release of Morello in 1920, he was involved in conflict with D'Aquila Family. Like most of Morello relatives, and supporters, he was condemned to death by organisation. Fled to Sicily in late 1921 to gain support against death sentance. Found support for D'Aquila too strong, and returned to America in 1922. Brother Vincenzo, and other allies, killed in conflict with D'Aquila. He, and Morello, form alliance with Giuseppe Masseria, a new power in LES, to resist D'Aquila. Truce agreed at meeting in late 1923, uneasy peace follows.
With Morello/Terranova gang decimated by conflict, Ciro becomes a part of Masseria faction. Still controls area of 116th Street, and builds regime including Catania brothers, nephews by marriage. Helps Lupo in moving to Brooklyn, and organising bakery extortion scheme. In mid-1920's he mediates dispute between Italian and Irish gangs, on condition 2 Italian members of Irish gang be killed. One killed, but other [Joseph Valachi] survives attack in prison. Forms partnership with Jewish gangster Dutch Schultz, to control numbers racket in "Black Harlem". Masseria plots murder of Salvatore D'Aquila in 1928, and becomes new national head. Morello is his top advisor, and Ciro his Capo in Harlem. Suspected by police of murder of rival gangster Frankie Marlow in 1929. Also that year he was involved in the "Vitale Dinner scandal", which caused a media frenzy and damaged his reputation.
With the start of the "Castellammarese War", Terranova's faction were in the forefront of the violence. First he lost his half-brother Morello, killed in his office on 116th Street in August 1930, then his nephew Joseph Catania in February 1931. Incensed, he vowed vengeance over Catania's coffin, but the war was lost by then. Two months later it ended when Masseria was killed by his own followers at a restaurant on Coney Island. Terranova was rumoured to have driven his killers to the restaurant, and lost his nerve. Wether this was true, or not, the new leaders of the Family demoted Terranova, replacing him in Harlem with Mike Coppola. The Family stripped him of both the artichoke racket and his share of the Harlem numbers.
His troubles were not over, as the new mayor LaGuardia hounded him and the IRS investigated him for tax evasion. This caused him to lose his mansion in Westchester, and move back to East 116th Street. In 1938 after suffering a stroke and being hospitalized, he became the only Terranova brother to die of natural causes.
Nicolo Terranova [Coco] : - Born 1890 in Corleone, Sicily. The youngest of the brothers arrived in 1893, and spent 3 years of his childhood iin Louisiana and Texas. The family settled on the LES of Manhattan in 1896. Too young to have been involved in the gangs criminal activities until the late 1900's. He stole horses and stabled them in the infamous"Murder Stable"on East 108th Street in Harlem, where he also had a blacksmith shoeing his horses. With Morello's arrest in 1909, Nicolo tried to help his half-brother by attempting to set-up an false alibi. After the imprisonment of Morello in 1910, the LoMonte brothers, cousins to the Terranova's, took control of the gang. Calogero Morello, the teenage son of Giuseppe Morello, was killed in a street shoot-out in 1912. Nicolo, being the nearest in age to him, took this badly and vowed revenge. He was rumoured to have personally killed two men involved in Calogero's murder.
The LoMonte brothers were killed in a conflict with Salvatore D'Aquila in 1913 + 14, and the Terranova's relocated to East 116th Street. They were themselves attempting to gain control of rackets in Harlem, under the control of Giosue Gallucci. To accomplish this they made an alliance with Camorra groups in Brooklyn. Several meetings took place between Ciro and Nicolo and the Camorra leaders in 1915 + 16. Gallucci was killed in 1915, and gambling rival DeMarco in 1916, with help from the Neapolitans. But at this point the Camorra leaders decided to eliminate the Terranova brothers and take-over their rackets. So in September 1916 Nicolo, and his bodyguard, were invited to a meeting in Brooklyn. They were ambushed and both killed on Navy Street.
Calogero Morello [Calidu / Charles] : - Born in Louisiana in 1894, the second son of Giuseppe to be named in honour of his grandfather. The first Calogero died in Louisiana at only a year-old. Lived with his grandmother and aunts after the death of his mother in 1898. Too young to have been involved in the gangs activities up to his death at 17 years-old in 1912. His murder seems to have been in revenge for the 1903 " Barrel Murder" of Benedetto Madonia. Madonia's nephew, a member of a local street gang, ambushed Calogero and a friend on 120th Street in April 1912. After a wild shoot-out, Calogero, his friend and one of the attackers were all killed. Madonia's nephew fled back to Italy, but Nicolo Terranova vowed vengeance at the funeral.
Fortunato LoMonte [Charles] : - Born 1883 in Villafrati, Sicily. Emigrated to America in 1894, settling on East 109th Street in Harlem. A reputed cousin to Morello,and as with most of the gang he was a plasterer by trade. By the early 1900's he ran a saloon on East 107th Street, in partnership with Gioacchino Lima, Morello's brother-in-law. He later sold this and opened a feed store on East 108th Street, near the "Murder Stable", in partnership with Angelo Gagliano. The LoMonte brothers sometimes worked as bodyguards for Giosue Gallucci, the dominant Neapolitan power in Harlem. When Morello was imprisoned in 1910, he nominated LoMonte as his successor [1911]. The LoMonte's allied with Manfredi Mineo, and the Castellammarese faction, against the new national head Salvatore D'Aquila in 1912. This alliance struck first by eliminating D'Aquila members Fontana and Fanaro in 1913. D'Aquila retaliated in May 1914, Fortunato being killed on East 108th Street by Valenti, DeMino + Biondo.
Gaetano LoMonte [Thomas] : - The younger brother of Fortunato, born in 1887, date of entry unknown. By 1909 he had joined his brother, and was working as a plasterer. Lived on East 107th Street, and witnessed Ciro Terranova's wedding that year. When Morello was arrested in 1909, a letter he had sent to associates in New Orleans was seized by police. Morello listed several gang members, including both LoMonte brothers. Gaetano supported his brother in leading the gang from 1911. He made a visit back to Sicily in 1913. With his brothers murder in 1914, he relocated to 116th Street, with the rest of the Terranova's. In October 1916 Ippolito Greco, the owner of the "Murder Stable", was killed and LoMonte was suspected. Only 6 days later Gaetano was walking on 116th Street with his cousin Rosalia [nee Terranova] when he was shot and killed. His killer, who was captured, was a 19 year-old from Castrofilippo, Sicily. He refused to talk, and was convicted and executed in 1917.
Vincenzo Salemi : - Born 1879 in Corleone, Sicily and entered the USA in 1903. A brother-in-law of Morello, who married his sister in 1903. Salemi himself married Lucia, the widowed sister of the Terranova brothers, in 1904. As with most of the extended family, he was a plasterer who lived on East 107th Street [WW1 Registration]. Not much is known of his activities during the next several years. As he moved to live on East 114th Street, he probably relocated at the same time as his relatives in the mid-1910's. When Giuseppe Morello attempted a comeback in 1921, Salvatore D'Aquila had several gang members condemned. Salemi was probably one of these, as he is recorded as returning from Italy in June 1922. Salemi was one of the last victims of this conflict, being killed in June 1923 on East 108th Street.
Gioacchino Lima [Jack] : - Born 1870 in Corleone, Sicily. Entered America in 1892, fleeing a murder charge in Corleone. In 1893 he married Giuseppe Morello's sister Marie, and settled in East Harlem. A cart driver in Sicily, in NYC he called himself a builder. In 1906 he was a suspect in the murder of Andrea Fendi, for which Ignazio Milone was arrested. In the early 1900's he was a partner with Fortunato LoMonte, in a saloon on East 107th Street. After Petrosino's murder in Palermo in 1909, Italian police included Lima in a list of suspects. By 1911 he was living on East 105th Street in Harlem. He then seems to disappear from view until the 1920 census, when he had moved to East 107th Street. Lima, as a relative of Morello, was probably one of the members condemned by D'Aquila in 1921. Unlike the other condemned men he did not flee to Italy, but moved to California. Sources state that he died there in 1922, possibly he disappeared and presumed killed.
MEMBERS / ASSOCIATES.
Vito LaDuca [Longo]. : - Born in Carini, Palermo Province, date unknown. Served in Italian Navy, and spent 5 years in prison for unknown offence. Arrived in USA in 1902, and worked as a butcher in Giovanni Zarcone's shop on Stanton Street. A close associate of Morello, Motisi and other gang members. Arrested in Pittsburgh in Janruary 1903, as part of the Morello counterfeit ring. Also in 1903 he was arrested as a materiel witness in the Madonia murder. In 1904 he was strongly suspected in the abduction of a child held for ransom. Again, the following year, a suspect in the disapperence of a butcher, who had just sold his store to LaDuca. Heavy police survellience caused him to return to Carini in 1907, where he was killed in 1908.
Pietro Inzerillo : - Born 1859 in Marineo, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1890,and settled in Little Italy section of Manhattan. Operated the Star of Italy saoon on Elizabeth Street, a gathering place for the gang. This was also the supposed place of Madonia's murder in 1903. The police traced the barrel that contained the corpse back there. Inzerillo was arrested as a materiel witness in the case. He survived being shot in 1908, and was suspected of involvement in counterfeiting in 1909. Police recieved an anomynous letter that year accusing him of involvement in the Petrosino murder. All this provoked his flight back to Italy. The last known sighting of him was in Milan in 1911, where he was again involved in counterfeiting.
Antonio Cecala : - Born in 1975 in Corleone, and entered the USA in 1889. He settled on the LES, and became a citizen in 1900. First came to police notice as an arsonist, involved in insurance fraud. He also ran gambling clubs on Mott + Elizabreth Streets, and was believed to be related to Ignazio Lupo. Cecala organized the counterfeit ring operating in Highland, NY for Morello and Lupo, starting in 1908. He arranged the printing, engraving and distribution of the notes. On his arrest in 1910 he lived on East 4th Street, and owned a grocery on Spring Street. Convicted, and sentanced to 15 years imprisonment, he was paroled in 1915.
After his release, Cecala relocated to the Bronx and went into legitimate business. In 1925 he was a founding director of the United Lathing company with Morello, Tomasso Gagliano and Ignazio Milone. This firm would be connected with Lucchese members for many years to come. To take advantage of the bootlegging racket, he and Morello set-up the Empire Yeast company, located on Chrystie Street. Cecala was president, until he was killed in 1928.
Angelo Lagattuta [LaGatutte]. : - Born 1875 Mezzojuso, Palermo Province. He emigrated to America in 1900, and lived on his farm in New Paltz, NY. Very little is known about his early activities in NYC. The first mention of him was in a letter Morello sent to New Orleans, in which he describes LaGatutte ! as his godfather. So their relationship was very close at this time [1909]. However it is noticeable that in Morello's intense correspondence from prison [1910-20], there is none to Lagattuta. This might confirm the theory that they fell-out over the new leadership of the gang. For after the deaths of the LoMonte brothers, Salvatore Loiacano became leader with the blessing of new national head D'Aquila.
When Morello was released, and tried to reclaim leadership, in 1920, Loiacano refused to step-down. Morello had Loiacano killed in December 1920, and at his funeral several friends, including Lagatutta, vowed to avenge him. Morello used the "Good Killers" faction as his hitmen to eliminate the rebel faction. In February 1921 Lagattuta was walking in the Bronx, along with Saverio Pollaccia, when he was seriously wounded. Pollaccia fought off the attackers, and saved them both. Lagattuta retired to his farm where, because of his injuries, he grew morose and violent to his family. In 1924 he was killed by his son, who pled self-defense and was acquited.
Michele Coniglio. : - Born 1862 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1892. This man was suspected of being Morello's accomplice in the killing of Giovanni Vella, head of the Sylvanian Guards of Corleone, in 1889. Like Morello he fled to NYC in 1892, to avoid arrest. By 1905 he lived in the Bronx, and worked as a bar keeper in a saloon. The next mention of him is in Morello's letter to the leading Mafioso in Chicago in 1909. Coniglio is named in a list of Morello's closest associates, icluding LoMonte, Lasala, Frisella, Moscato, ect. The list ends with the statement "all of Corleone". Francesco Moscato, also listed in this letter, may have been a relative. The last record of Consiglio was a visit to Italy in 1927.
Antonio Motisi [Messina Genova]. : - Born in 1875 in the city of Palermo. Date of entry into USA is unknown. The Motisi family are historicaly the leaders of the Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo. Ignazio Lupo's father Rocco was a reputed member before emigrating to America. Antonio's brother Franesco was the head of this cosca, and then fled to New Orleans to avoid a murder charge. There he became the leader of a faction that was associated with Morello, as a 1902 letter, found on Morello, proves.
Antonio owned a butcher store on Stanton Street, as well as being a partner in Lupo's saloon on Prince Street. He was arrested for the 1903 "Barrel Murder" of Madonia, along with Morello, Lupo, Petto, ect. At this time he was living on East 15th Street, and was a close associate of Vito LaDuca. Police pressure forced him to move to Ohio, and in 1908 he met the fate of several other gang members, when he was murdered.
Giuseppe Boscarini [Boscarino] : - Born 1850 in Corleone, and arrived in America in 1890. Very little is known about his early life or activities, we do not even have his home address. He first came to attention in the summer of 1909, when he was named by a Pittston informant as the supplier of counterfeit notes. This informant, Salvatore Locino, stated that Boscarino was the main supplier to Pennsylvania. The secret Service followed him back to NYC, where he lived. He collected the bogus money at Lupo's old wharehouse on East 97th Street. Several gang members were spotted there, like Cecala and Lupo. Boscarino was arrested in 1910, and in December that year sentanced to 15 years imprisonment. He died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1919, with Morello and Lupo acting as pallbearers.
Giuseppe Verrazano [Ferrazano]. We known almost nothing about this member, not his birth, arrival or address. He suddenly appears in 1915 as a member, running card games on Kenmare Street in Little Italy. He was in competition with a Neapolitan gambler called Joseph DiMarco, who ran a gambling club on James Street. He, his partner Stefano Lasala and the Terranova brothers, tried to eliminate him, failing in 1913 + 1914. In 1915 they made an alliance with the Brooklyn Camorra to eliminate some rivals. And in July 1916 they combined to kill DiMarco in his club. Verrazano being the actual killer, who then took-over the club. However, the alliance did not last and later in September the Camorra plotted to kill the Sicilian leaders. Only two, Nicolo Terranova and Camillo Ubriaco, turned-up and were killed. Verrazano was supposed to die that day, but did not attend. However, he was killed in October 1916, in a restaurant in the Bowery. Angelo Giordano, a Camorra leader was convicted and executed for this murder.
Stefano Lasala [Steve LaSalle]. : - Born 1889 in Corleone, emigrated to the USA in 1896. The family settled in Harlem, on East 107th Street. His Mafia connections were impressive,he partnered Verrazano in gambling, lived at the same address as Angelo Gagliano, had his Naturalization witnessed by Joseph Riccobono, his sister was married into the Liggio family of Corleone, and his associates included Morello, the Terranova brothers, and most future Lucchese Family members. He, and Verrazano, profited by the killing of Gallucci and DiMarco, which allowed them to dominate gambling in Harlem. Lasala attended meetings with the Camorra leaders, at which they plotted DiMarco's death. He was in jail, awaiting trial on lottery charges, in 1916 when the Camorra leaders turned on their Sicilian allies.
Lasala seems to have drifted away from the gang during the 1920's, and into the orbit of the Reina Family. Serving under Reina, Tomasso Gagliano and Gaetano Lucchese consecutively, he ran a large numbers operation throughout the 1930-40's. He became a power in the garment industry, and lived in the Bronx. By the 1950's he had risen to become under-boss, and during Lucchese final illness, may have been acting / boss. He eventually retired, and died in 1975.
Giovanni Peccoraro [John Peccori]. Born 1867 in Piana dei Greci, Province of Palermo. He was a well known Mafioso in Sicily, being suspected of embezzlement and murder, before fleeing to America in 1901. He lived on East 39th Street, and described himself as a wine merchant. He soon became involved in the Morello gangs activities, and was described by the police as a close associate of Morello. Pecoraro was arrested as a suspect in a bomb throwing incident in 1908. After the arrest of Morello and Lupo in 1910, Pecoraro may have been the acting head of the gang. But, after it became obvious that the leaders would be imprisoned for years yet, he was replaced by the LoMonte brothers in 1912. He gained citizenship in 1914, listing his address as East 60th Street.
By 1920 the gang were under the leadership of Salvatore Loiacano, who may have been related to Pecoraro. Morello on his release from prison, tried to reclaim the leadership by intimidating Loiacano into stepping-down. Loiacano refused, and was killed, thus provoking a conflict that lasted 3 years. D'Aquila, the national head condemned Morello and his supporters to death. Pecoraro, who remained loyal to Morello was among the condemned. He, like the rest, fled to Sicily in late 1921, returning with Ciro Terranova in February 1922. In March 1923, Pecoraro fell victim to the conflict, shot by D'Aquila members including Filippo Mangano. Surprisingly, his son Michael later became a Mangano Family member.
Giovanni Zarcone. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. Date of birth unknown. A partner of Vito LaDuca in a butcher shop on Stanton Street, LES. Believed by police to have transported Madonia's body in the "Barrel Murder". Moved to Danbury, Connecticut and became a wealthy fruit farmer. In 1909 he was killed there by several unknown gunmen.
Paolo Frisella. : - Born in Corleone, but date of birth unknown. Came to America in 1883, and settled on East 106th Street. Mentioned in Morello's 1909 letter to Rosario Dispenza, head of a Mafia faction in Chicago. This ia all we know of him, as there are no other records on him.
Ignazio Milone. : - Born 1881 Corleone, and entered the USA in 1898. A partner of Giuseppe Fontana in a beer hall. Also ran a fruit store on East 102nd Street. Arrested for the murder of Andrea Fendi in 1906, although Fontana was suspected of being the actual killer. Both he, and Fontana, were named as suspects by the Palermo police in the 1909 murder of Petrosino. The next we hear of him is in 1926, when he was one of the founding directors of the United Lathing company. Other directors included Tommaso Gagliano, Antonio Cecala and Morello. Milone died in 1934 in NYC [NYDI].
Antonio Milone. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and emigrated to America in 1889. He lived on East 105th Street in Harlem. In 1902 he was a founding director and president of the Ignazio Florio Co-operative, along with Morello. Milone was the gangs money man, and rarely interacted with other members. It was Milone who made and engraved the plates for Morello's counterfeiting ring in 1908. Milone was indicted for counterfeiting in 1909, and confessed. However he soon fled back to Italy, to avoid prison. There is no record when he returned to America, but he died in Queens in 1942 [NYDI].
Domenico Milone. : - Born in Corleone in 1867, date of entry into USA unknown. May have been related to Antonio Milone, as like him, he was a director of the Ignatz Florio Co-operative. Believed to live on East 92nd Street, and was an in-law of fellow member Giuseppe Armato. He ran a grocery on East 97th Street, which police believed was a clearing house for the gangs counterfeit ring. Apart from a visit to Sicily in 1920, nothing more is known about him.
Domenico Pecoraro. : - Born 1850 in Bagheria, Palermo Province. Entered the US around 1895-6, and lived on Chrystie Street in "Little Italy". A suspect in the 1902 murder of Giuseppe Catania in Brooklyn. Arrested with Morello, Lupo, ect. in 1903 for the Madonia murder. He gained his citizenship that same year. Later moved to Brooklyn, where he died in 1934.
Luciano Perrino [Tommaso Petto / Ox.] : - Born in Carini, Province of Palermo in 1879. Entry date to America is unknown. Lived on Elizabeth Street, and as his alias indicates, was a strongarm thug. Believed by police to be the actual killer of Madonia, as he was found with Madonia's watch on his arrest. Released in January 1904, he left NYC and moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There he resumed his extortion tactics against local Italians. In October 1905 he was killed by rifle fire, either by a Madonia relative or by a Morello gunman.
Nicolo Silvestre [Nick Sylvester]. Born 1889, he was a mainland Italian from Formia [Furmia] halfway between Rome and Naples. He served a 5 year sentance in Italy, before moving to America. He stole horses with one of the Terranova's, probably Nicolo, and threw bombs before becoming a trusted member of the gang. His trade was plastering, working for Angelo Gagliano on East 107th Street. He also drove a wagon for Lupo's grocery business. Fully involved in the Morello counterfeit ring, he guarded the farm HQ in Highland. Arrested and convicted in 1910, he rcieved a 15 year sentance in Atlanta Penitentiary. Soon he was passing information to the authorities, including where to find the printing plates. He was paroled in 1915, but we have no details of his later life.
Francesco Moscato. : - Born 1866 in Corleone, he arrived in the USA in1893. Lived in the Bronx, and was related to fellow member Michele Coniglio. The only mention of him is in the 1909 Morello letter to Rosario Dispenza in Chicago. Morello includes him in a list of associates, which also includes Coniglio, and states " all of Corleone". Died in NYC in 1922.
Leoluca Vasi. : - Born 1872 in Corleone, entering America in 1892 at New Orleans. Along with his brother, Pasquale Vasi [1880], he was arrested in 1909 in possession of counterfeit money. Sentanced in 1910, his release date was 1914. Still alive by 1940's, and living in the Bronx. May have been related to the Trombatore family of New Orleans.
Salvatore Clemente [Dude]. : - Born 1863 in Corleone, and emigrated to the USA in 1890. Convicted of counterfeiting in 1895, in NYS, and sentanced to 8 years imprisonment in Buffalo. Arrested again in 1902, along with Vito Cascio Ferro, and jailed in Canada for passing counterfeit notes [1903]. Became a close associate of the gang, although not involved in the Highland counterfeit ring. Started informing for the Secret Service in 1910, and became their top informant. Even travelled to Sicily to obtain information on anarchists for them. Died in NYC in 1925 [NYDI].
Salvatore Cina [Don Turi]. : - Born in 1875, his place of birth is sometimes recorded as Bivona, Palermo or Agrigento Province. In Sicily he associated with the bandit Varsalona, and fled a murder charge in Bivona. Entering America in 1895, with his in-law Vincenzo Giglio, and went to Tampa. They relocated to NY in 1904. He, and Giglio, owned the farm in Highland where the counterfeiting took place. Convicted and sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, but paroled in 1916. Cina was still alive in 1940, listed as a Cheese Importer and living on Jackson Street in Manhattan [1940 Census].
Vincenzo Giglio. : - Born in Bivona in 1880, he arrived, with Cina, in 1895 and went to Tampa. The Giglio family would become notorious Mafiosi in Tampa. He, and Cina, moved to NY in 1904 and bought the farm in Highland. Starting in 1908, the Morello gang used the farm as their counterfeiting HQ. Sentanced in 1910 to 15 years, he died in Atlanta Penitentiary in 1914.
Giuseppe Palermo [Salvatore Saracino]. : - Born in Partanna in 1862, and entered the US in 1902. He was fleeing from a sentance of 31 years, for Kidnap + double Homicide. He lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and owned a macaroni factory. In 1907 he defrauded a co-operative society based on Elizabeth Street, of which he was a director. Financially involved in the counterfeit ring , he bought Cina's share in the Highland farm in 1909. Convicted in 1910, he was sentanced to 18 years. After suffering a stroke, he was paroled in 1920. Went to live on Elizabeth Street, until his death in 1924.
Giuseppe Fanaro : - Born 1876 in Carini, Palermo Province and came to America in 1902. Was soon associating with Morello + Lupo, and owned an Italian food importing company on Rivingtion Street. Seen, by the Secret Service, in the company of Madonia shortly before his murder. Arrested as a material witness in 1903, he showed signs of talking, before refusing. In 1908 he was a suspect in the killing of fellow townsman Salvatore Marchinne, along with his in-law Antonio Ganci. By the 1910's he was living in Brooklyn, and working as a longshoreman for a fruit company. By then he had allied with D'Aquila, who had succeeded Lupo as head of the Palermitani faction. When conflict broke-out between D'Aquila and the Corleonesi, now headed by the LoMonte brothers, he became a casualty being killed in November 1913.
Giuseppe Fontana. : - Born in Villabate, Province of Palermo in 1852 and a notorious Mafioso with many arrest's in Sicily. His most infamous crime was the Notarbartolo murder in 1893, of which he was first convicted [1899], then acquitted [1903]. He was in NYC by 1901, and was soon associating with Lupo + Morello. He opened a grocery store on East 106th Street, and was a partner of Ignazio Milone in a beer hall. He, and Fanaro, were suspects in several murders during 1905-08. The Palermo police listed him as a suspect in the 1909 Petrosino killing. With the decline of the gang, following the jailing of Morello + Lupo, Fontana and Fanaro allied themselves to Salvatore D'Aquila's faction. In 1913 conflict between D'Aquila and the LoMonte brothers flared-up. Having joined their enemies, Fontana was targeted by the LoMonte faction, and killed on East 105th Street in November 1913.
Antonio Rizzo / Russo]. : - The confusion over his name, makes it impossible to trace him. Indeed, it is possible they were two sepatate people. Lupo sold his saloon on Prince Street to a Antonio Rizzo in 1903-04. And a man of this name was killed in NYC in 1909 [NYDI].
However, a Antonio Russo was named in the 1909 "all of Corleone" letter to Dispenza in Chicago. And during Morello's incarceration, he wrote to Antonio Russo, caling him a "godson" or partner. This Russo lived on East 107th Street in Harlem.
To complicate matters further, Al D'Arco, a future Lucchese member, wrote of meeting a Antonio Russo in prison in the 1960's. He described him as a surviver of the Mafia-Camorra conflict of the 1910's, who had served over 50 years for multiple murder.
Nicolo Testa. : - Born 1886 in Bagheria, Palermo Province and arrived in the USA in 1899. Worked as a butcher in Vito LaDuca's store on Stanton Street. Arrested as a material witness in the 1903 "Barrel" murder. Stated he was a nephew of Giuseppe Catania, killed in Brooklyn in 1902. On his citizenship papers in 1913, he stated he owned a butcher shop in Brooklyn. Seems to have died in Manhattan in 1919 [NYDI].
Giuseppe DiPriema[o]. : - Born in Lercara Friddi, Province of Palermo in 1880, and emigrated to America in 1902. According to the book, The First Family, these details should be 1875 [DOB], 1900 [DOA] and Santa Margherita in Agrigento Province [POB]. He was arrested in December 1902 in Yonkers, along with Isidoro Crocevera + Giuseppe Giallombardo, trying to pass counterfeit notes. Tried in January 1903, and sentanced to 4 years imprisonment in Sing Sing. His brother-in-law, Benedetto Madonia, raised money and tried to get the gang to help him, but recieved none. Madonia travelled to NYC to meet Morello, but was murdered in April 1903, the famous "Barrel " murder. DePriema identified the body, but refused to inform. The actual killer, Tomasso Petto, was killed in October 1905 in Pittston. After his release from prison in 1906, DiPriema was either deported, or returned to Sicily. His death was as confusing as most details of his life. Rumour was that he was killed either on the way, or soon after his arrival [1909].
Benedetto Madonia. Born in Lercara Friddi [ or possibly Carini] in 1860, and arrived in the US in 1901. A stonemason by trade, he settled in Buffalo, NYS. A distributer of the gangs counterfeit money, travelling to various cities. When DiPriema, his brother-in-law, was sentanced to Sing Sing, he raised funds and asked the gang for help. Morello kept the funds, but refused to help DiPriema. This caused bad feelings, and Madonia came to NYC to reclaim his money. The Secret Service, closely watching the gang, saw Madonia in the company of several members. Morello condemned him, and Petto was believed to have killed him. The body was dumped, in a barrel, on East 11th Street. 13 gang members, including Morello, Lupo, Cascio Ferro, ect., were arrested, but none were convicted. Among the victims of the resulting vendetta were DiPriema and Calogero Morello, Giuseppe's son.
Giuseppe Callichio [Professor]. : - Born 1858 in Naples, and went to America in 1906. A printer, and experienced counterfeiter in Italy. Because of his birthplace he was not a member, but respected by the gang. Became the main designer of the ring, operating from the Highland farm. Sentanced to 17 years in 1910 trial, he was paroled in 1920. No record of later life.
Antonio Comito [Sheep]. : - Born 1872? in Catanzaro, Calabria and came to the USA in 1907. A printer, he was lured into counterfeit work by the gang. He, and his mistress, were virtually prisoners at the Highland farm. With the arrival of Callichio, he became less important and was threatened. Was the main witness at the 1910 trial of the ring, and the gang put a contract on his life. Left the USA in 1911 for South America, where he became a businessman. An entry for a Anthony Comito [1872-1935] on the NYDI, may or may not be him.
Eugenio Ubriaco [Charles]. : - Born in Cosenza, Calabria in 1889, he emigrated to America in 1907. His father ran a real estate business on East 114th Street, and had been in the US since 1890. The younger Ubriaco was a close associate of Nicolo Terranova, and had gambling interests in Manhattan. He was a rarity, a non-Sicilian gang member. Accompanied Nicolo to the fatefull Brooklyn meeting with the Camorra leaders in 1916. They were both ambushed on Johnson Street, and killed.
Giovanni Lupo [John]. : - Ignazio's brother was born in Palermo in 1883, and entered the USA in 1900. He worked for his brother in the Mott Street grocery for some time. Around 1908 he moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and opened his own store, which may have been part of the counterfeit distribution system. Although always in Ignazio's shadow, he may have been more important than percieved. After testifying for the defence, he led the campaigne to free Ignazio + Morello. He corresponded and visited with them, and raised funds for legal expenses. He may even have succeeded Ignazio as temporary head of the Palermitani faction in 1910-12. Seemed to fade from view after this, although still alive in the 1940's [WW2 Registration].
" Zu" Vincenzo [Uncle Vincent]. A mysterious member, active at the Highland counterfeit HQ in 1908-09. Told Comito he had commited a double murder in Sicily, befor fleeing to America. Entered at New Orleans in 1902. No other details known.
Giuseppe Catania. : - Born in Bagheria, Province of Palermo. His DOB is a matter of confusion, some sources say 1862 or 1872, but newspapers in 1902 state he was a 53 year-old. Also his entry date is unknown, although probably before 1900. He was known as a close associate of Lupo, and ran a grocery in Brooklyn. His nephew Nicola Testa was also a gang member. His store was probably part of the gangs distribution system for counterfeit notes. Secret Service informant Clemente stated the reason for his murder in 1902, was that he talked too much when drunk. Lupo was the last person seen with him, before his butchered body was found in a sack in Brooklyn.
Lorenzo LoBaido. : - Born 1864. A known associate of the gang [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Vito LoBaido. : - Born 1878, lived on Mott Street. A known associate [1900's]. Arrested for 1903 Madonia murder.
Giuseppe Lalamia. A known associate [1900's].Member of counterfeit ring.
Luigi Divivo [Louis the Wop]. : - A Neapolitan born associate, urged by Camorra members to place a bomb at the Terranova home.
Giuseppe Giallombardo. : - Born 1872 in Belmonte Mezzagno, Palermo Province. Entered America in 1902, and within months arrested in Yonkers in possession of counterfeit notes. Sentanced to 5 years incarceration, along with DiPriema and Crocevera.
Isadoro Crocevera. : - Born in Palermo in 1873, date of entry unknown. A member of the Aquasanta cosca, mentioned in the Sangiorgi report, and the cousin of Fanaro. Arrested in 1902 in Yonkers, and sentanced to 3 years. Possibly related to the DiCarlo family of Buffalo, where he was killed in 1920.
Salvatore Marsalisi [Magalisi]. : - Born 1879 in Corleone, and arrived in the USA in 1905. A barber by trade on Houston Street. Believed to be in charge of the fund for the defence of the Yonkers counterfeiters [Giallombardo, Crocevera + DiPriema]. Later a major narcotics violater connected to the Lucchese Family who died in 1965.
Salvatore Locino [Sam]. Distributer of the rings counterfeits in Pittston, recieving the notes from Boscarini. Arrested by the Secret Service, he confessed and worked with them. Helped track the source back to Morello + Lupo in NYC. Survived being shot in the head in Pittston in 1910.
The following names were, in some way, associated with the gang. Mainly with the counterfeit ring, witness at the trial, or business contacts.
Sebastiano DiPalermo. Corleone [1870-1943]USA 1886 / Bronx.
Ippolito Greco. Corleone [1878-1915 Killed ]USA 1905 / Partner of Angelo Gagliano.
Andrea Oliveri. Corleone 1889. / USA 1899.
Giacomo Reina. Corleone [1844-1920] F-in L of V.Terranova / Testified at 1910 trial.
Pasquale Ruffino. Corleone 1886 / USA 1906.
Pietro Zarcone. Bagheria [1880-1944] USA 1893 / Godfather to Lupo / Killed Andrea Gambino in 1909.
Angelo Gagliano. Corleone 1880-1954]. Testified in 1910 trial / Partner of Greco / Power in Corleonese community / Related to various Mafiosi.
Carlo Costantino. Partinico [1874-1936] USA 1905 / Probable killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily 1909.
Antonino Passananti. Partinico [1879-1969] USA 1902 / Probale Killer of Petrosino / Associate of Lupo + Cascio Ferro / Fled to Sicily in 1909.
Bernardo Perrone. Guard at Highland farm, counterfeit HQ.
Giuseppe Armato. Counterfeiter arrested 1909.
Salvatore Romano. Counterfeiter associated with Clemente.
Salvatore Maccari. Counterfeiter.
Giuseppe Gudo. Distributer in Newark, NJ.
Francesco DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Modesto DeSonna. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Angelo Valenti. Listed in 1909 Chicago letter " all of Corleone".
Vincenzo Abadezza. Counterfeiter arrested 1908.
Rudolph Palermo. Counterfeiter arrested 1910.
Michele Albanese. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Salvatore Sabatino. Counterfeiter arrested in 1910.
Nicola Sassi. Accomplice in 1916 DeMarco murder,.
"Lulu" Vicari. Gang killer before 1914.
Marco Macaluso. Corleone [1875- ] Director of Ignazio Florio society / Father of Mariano, future Lucchese member.
Relatives, Associates + Contacts outside NYC.
New Orleans.
Calogero Gulotta [Uncle ?]. Correspondence with Morello in 1900, 1909 + 1919.
Vito DiGiorgio [Cousin ?]. Correspondence 1909, 1917 + 1920. Power in NO + LA, killed in 1922.
Santo Calamia [Cousin ?]. Visited Morello in prison in1917-18-19. Associate of Motisi + Marchese, conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Died 1922 in Sicily.
Leoluca Trombatore [Nephew ?]. Correspondence x 4 in 1919-20. Possible head in NO 1940-50's, died 1963.
Antonio Saltaformaggio [in-law ?]. Brother-in-law to Calamia. Killed 1903.
Francesco Motisi [Genova]. Letter sponsoring Marchese to Morello in 1902. Brother of Antonio, head of Pagliarelli cosca in Palermo.Possible head in NO, in conflict with Luciano brothers [1902]. Last seen in London in 1910.
Paolo Marchese [Paolo DiCristina]. Fleeing murder charge in Sicily. Sponsored to Morello by Motisi, worked for Lupo in NYC. Back to NO, possibly succeeded Motisi as head. Killed in 1910 by extortion victim.
Giuseppe Adragna. Corleone 1878 / USA 1898 / Correspondence with Morello. Possibly Dragna and related to Ignazio.
Vincenzo Moreci. Letter to Morello [1909] mentions DiGiorgi, Piro + Gulotta. Born Termini, Palermo Province, involved in conflict with Giacona family. Wounded in 1910, killed in 1915.
Chicago.
Salvatore LoBue [Cousin ?]. Correspondence with Morello.
Rosario Dispenza. Morello's " all of Corleone"letter in 1909 to Dispenza,concerning Costantino. Head of Mafia faction, killed in 1914.
Sicily.
Vito Cascio Ferro. Associate in 1902-3 in NYC, arrested in 1903 Madonia murder. Organized 1909 Petrosino murder, notorious Mafioso.
Giuseppe Battaglia [Uncle ?]. Head of Corleone cosca 1900's.
Bernardo Marino [in-law ?].
Paolo Streva. Morello's superior in Corleone, possibly moved to Chicago 1902.
Giuseppe Salemi [ F-in-L]. Member of Corleone cosca 1900-10's.
