Benedum Family at Civic Center, Bridgeport, W. Va.
Date:
1957/07
Description:
Caption on original photo reads: "The last group picture of the Benedum family, taken at the dedication of the Civic Center in Bridgeport in July 1957. Left to right: Paul and his wife Willeen, Claxton, Clora (Mashburn), Mr. Benedum, Michael Late Benedum, II, son of Darwin, Paul G. Benedum Jr., and Eugenia (Mrs. Darwin Benedum).Michael Benedum was considered the modern day founder of Bridgeport, W. Va. After 70 years of working in the oil and gas industry, Benedum created many projects to restore and beautify the city of Bridgeport."
The Black Hand was an underworld society of Italians that thrived in Sicily in the late 19th century. After the great migration, immigrants of the group settled in West Virginia and sought to extort money from other Italian immigrants to the area. Several members of the Black Hand were successfully prosecuted for murder and extortion in the early 20th century.