Vigilante. Vito Adamo was born in Salemi, Sicily. He immigrated to Detroit in May 1907, with his family following him two years later. The Adamos settled in the Downriver community of Ford City, opening a general store in direct competition to that of the three Giannola brothers. Soon Adamo and his family were put out of business and they moved back up to Detroit, scorning their loss. In the early 1910's, Vito and his younger brother Salvatore became embroiled in a feud with the local Mafia element, headed by the Giannolas. The Adamo brothers were hired by local Italian businessmen to protect them against extortion. They were dubbed the "White Hand Society" in an answer to the "Black Hand." Many shootings and bombings rocked Little Italy in 1913. Vito Adamo and Phillip Buccellato were tried and acquitted for the murder of Giannola underboss Carlo Caleco in August 1913. That fall the war increased with a vengeance, and both Vito and Salvatore Adamo were shotgunned to death on Mullett Street by a mysterious team of assassins known only as the "Long and Short Pair." The two brothers were buried side by side in Mount Olivet Cemetery on Thanksgiving Day, 1913.
Vigilante. Vito Adamo was born in Salemi, Sicily. He immigrated to Detroit in May 1907, with his family following him two years later. The Adamos settled in the Downriver community of Ford City, opening a general store in direct competition to that of the three Giannola brothers. Soon Adamo and his family were put out of business and they moved back up to Detroit, scorning their loss. In the early 1910's, Vito and his younger brother Salvatore became embroiled in a feud with the local Mafia element, headed by the Giannolas. The Adamo brothers were hired by local Italian businessmen to protect them against extortion. They were dubbed the "White Hand Society" in an answer to the "Black Hand." Many shootings and bombings rocked Little Italy in 1913. Vito Adamo and Phillip Buccellato were tried and acquitted for the murder of Giannola underboss Carlo Caleco in August 1913. That fall the war increased with a vengeance, and both Vito and Salvatore Adamo were shotgunned to death on Mullett Street by a mysterious team of assassins known only as the "Long and Short Pair." The two brothers were buried side by side in Mount Olivet Cemetery on Thanksgiving Day, 1913.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
