The Southeast Ohio History Center Lyceum Speaker Series presents a program on Postal Inspector Frank Oldfield from Athens who took down the first organized crime syndicate in American History. Andrew Chiki, Deputy Safety-Service Director for the City of Athens, will share the story of this citizen of Athens and his investigation and enforcement efforts regarding a turn-of-the-century Italian-American secret society that preyed on immigrants across America’s industrial heartland -the Black Hand Society.

Around 1900, a Sicilian-American crime ring preyed on immigrants from the old country. Local law enforcement was unaware of the dangers and unprepared to even believe that organized crime existed. Terrorized victims rarely spoke out, and the criminals ruled with terror—until Inspector Frank Oldfield came along.

Chiki will disclose information he has been able to obtain through his research on this turn of the century American intrigue involving a Southeast Ohio resident. The investigation and arrest of members of the Black Hand Society are part of a Southeast Ohio story connected to American and world history.
The brown bag luncheon program is scheduled for Thursday, October 17th at 12 noon at the History Center at 24 West State Street in Athens. The Lyceum Luncheon Speaker Series is generally scheduled for the third Thursdays of the month.