Episode 310 - L'Onorata Societa Part 2 - The Black Hand Gang (1924-1938)

Weird Crap in Australia

The Black Hand Gang's reign of terror from 1929 to 1938 left a chilling imprint on Australia. From Jean Morris's tragic murder to a series of mysterious deaths in Ingham, their ruthless tactics instilled fear across communities. Despite law enforcement's efforts, their legacy endures as a reminder of organized crime's dark underbelly.

As whispers of their deeds echo through history, the tale of the Black Hand Gang serves as a cautionary reminder of the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to maintain power and control.

Join Holly & Matthew as they look into the activity and the consequences of the Gang's reign in Queensland.

Sources used: 

  • "Black Hand" In Q'land | Truth| 16 Jun 1935 | Page 24 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169347220
  • Black Hand Menace | Truth | 14 Jan 1934 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198667940
  • Boogan Murder | The Brisbane Courier | 26 Oct 1928 | Page 16 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21327815
  • Brutal Murder of Queensland Cane Farmer | Truth | 8 Dec 1935 | Page 1 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169352884
  • Domenico Antonio Strano (1893-1965) - Mémorial Find a Grave | https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/188401281/domenico-antonio-strano
  • Facing Death, Italian Refuses To Speak | Truth | 26 Aug 1928 | Page 17 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206148224
  • Girl's Story Of Dread Ordeal | Truth| 12 Feb 1933 | Page 10 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206125350
  • House Bombed | The Telegraph | 22 May 1935 |Page 2 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182431936 
  • Italian Murdered | The Mercury | 8 Mar 1934 | Page 11 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/24917024
  • Mafia in Australia : NDRANGHETA: IL CRIMINE AUSTRALIANO Part 1: The Black Hand | “Steve” | 14 Jul 2023 | https://mafiainaustralia.wordpress.com/the-mafia-in-australia-introduction-early-history-of-italians-down-under/queensland-black-hand/
  • 'Oxley's Roads' | The Biz | 27 Mar 1952 | Page 6 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75594546
  • Pay... or else: the Black Hand reaches out again on the canefields | The Daily Telegraph | 17 Dec 1939 | Page 15 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247823119
  • Serious Offence | The Central Queensland Herald | 29 Dec 1932 | Page 2 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70304803
  • Terror in the cane fields | Georgina Hitch | ABC |27 Jun 2023 | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-27/the-black-hand-terror-cane-fields-far-north-queensland/102329810
  • The Boogan Murder Left The Police Baffled | Daily Standard | 6 Aug 1932 | Page 3 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182812777
  • Two Italians Charged | The Argus | 18 Dec 1925 | Page 21 | https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2174136


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