The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-07-26
EXTRAORDINARY NARRATIVE.

In Galignans Messenger we find the following ey.
traordluary narrative, illustrative OF the saying that
% truth is stronger Than fiction: ~
Towards the end of Is A. Sgnor Anton Gagnirae,
all opulent merchant OF ferra a, disappeared ard
after several days search, found dead in . for'
having been evidently overcome and murdered o Ser
a desperate struggle, Upon some strong groundl Of
suspicion two men, Tueti and Reglucci, who lad
frequently been employed 10 his house as porers,
arrested and, after short examination, ron.
f. ssed themselves TO have been guilty of TIE ernie
but justified themselves by protesting that the, ad
not acted from any personal animoslty, but ony As
the agents, for hire Of The deccased'- sister in.hw
Slgnora Birgando, the widow Of rick landowner
and woman equally remarkable for her beauty atA
accomplishments, OF whom they complained or la,
wing pad them very nadequately for the deed Tins
accusation at first could scarcely be believed from
the station and character of the female, hut il ac-
quired degree Of or, dbity from circums tances,
and particularly from its being known that the De-
ceased had made viii some years before bequeah-
ing the whole OF bis large property TO the Children of
Slgnora Birgando, in case he himself should leave
immediate descendants; and had lately manifested
intention Of marrying one of his maid-servants.
Signor Birgando arrested and brought TO trial,
together with roet and Regiucci, before the Criml-
nal Tribunal Of Ferrara. Upon the confession Of
these two men, corrcborated by the strong and pow
eriu evidence of other Witnesses, the widow Biz
gando and her two accomplices were condemned 10
death, after standing certain time exposed VIII
ropes round their neck, in pillory to be erected IN
front OF The church. Against lhs SeHlrn The thi'e
conycts appealed to the Srpreme Court of DO oga.
The full confirmation of the sentence universal
~ expected, and the three advocates OF SrghoI
Birga do had other hope than that e inducing
the court 10 reduce the punishment one dog,ce be-
low that already pronounced upon her,
That which neither the zeal nor talents Of the
Signora's counsel though the most eminent men
from The bars of Rome, Ferrara, and ,ogna, CO ld
be expected effect, brought about by aCls Of
Providence. Out of the four witnesses whose e. ,t-
mony was SO strong against her at Ferrdra, two
died Of natural deaths oaIy few DAYS before the
bearing OF the appeal. third on the very morning
of The trial. thrown from has horse and
killed. The fourth made his appearance IN court,
and repeated ms previous evidence, adding certain
facts so extraordinary that he Judge could not help
making observation 10 him their pee harity
and recommended 10 him 10 r. fleet and modify his
statements, If he und them incorrect or over
charged. But the man. raising his hands TO Heaven,
exclaimed, "May die up n the spot, If all | have
said be not the purtst truth ~ At the Instant tie
words uttered he dropped dead upon Tue grolrd,
struck by apopleNy Tie effect Of thi. ucldent ON
all present may be easily conceived. The President
Immediately adjourned the hearing al the nextday.
On resuming the sitting, tic Court pronuur crd
decree, quitting Signora Blrgaudo bat confirming
the sentence passed upon Toet aud Reglucci TIE
widow about to retire 10 freedom when The putt
lie prosecutor nteTpused and moved the Court dat
she should be rcmanded to prison for six months
that time might be allowed for the discovery # any
fresh evidence there Mi int be against her and, not
wiihsiandng the strenuous resistance OF the learned
advocates the Court ISSUED the order required.
Toeti and Reglucci had not been ORDERED for exc
cutlun and it was generally believed that their pun
shmeut would be commuled.