Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-09-16
EXTRAORDINARY NARRATIVE


In Galignan's Messenger we find the
following extraordinary narrative, llius-
trative, Of the saying that "trulh is stran-
ger than fction:"
"Towards the end of 1871, Signor An
soni Gagniaao, an opulent merchant OF
Ferrara. disappeared; and after several
days search, was found dead in forest
having been evidently overcome and
murdered, after desperate struggle
Upon some strong grounds of suspicion,
two men, Toei and Reglucci, who had
frequently been employed in his house as
p1rters, were arrested; and, after short
examination, confessed themselves TO have
to have been guilty of the crime, but JUS
titled themselves by protesting that they
had not been aciuated from any personal
animosry, but only as agents, for hire, OF
the deceased's sister in-law, Slgnora BIZ
gando, the widow Of rich landowner,
and a woman equally remarkable tor her
beauty and accomplishments; OF whom
they complained for having paid them We
ry nadequately for the deed. This ac-
cusarion, first, could scarcely be believed,
from the station ana character OF the fe-
male; but it acquired degree OF credIbllI-
ty from circumstances; and particularly
from its being known that the deceased
had made a will some years before, be-
queathng the whole of his large property
The children of Sgnora Birgando, in case
he himself should leave no immedlante
defendants, and had lately manifested an
intention of marrying one of his maid
servants.
Signora Birgando was arrested and
brought TO trial, together with Toeu and
Reglucci, before the criminal tribunal OF
Ferrara. Upon the confession OF these
two men, corroborated by the strong and
powerful evidence of other witnesses, the
widow Blrgando and her two accompllces
were condemned to death, after standing a
certain time exposed, with ropes round
their nccks, in piIory, TO be erected IN
front of the church. Against this sem
tence the three conyicts appealed TO the
supreme court Of Bologna. The full con-
frmation of the sentence was universally
expected; and even the three advocates OF
Signora Brgando had no other hope than
that Of inducing the court to reduce the
punishment one degree below that alrea-
dy pronounced upon her.
That neither the zeal nor talents Of the
Sigrora's counsel, though the most emil
nent men from the bars OF Rome, Ferrara,
and Bologna, could be expected to affect,
was brought about by acts OF Providence.
Out OF The four witnesses whose testmo-
ny was strong against her at Ferrara, two
died of natural deaths only few days be-
the hearing of the appeal. A third, on
the very morning Of the new trial was
thrown from his horse and killed. The
fourth made his appearance in court and
repeated his previous evidence, adding
certain facts so extraordinary, that the
Judge could not he p making some obser-
valons to him ON their popularity, and
recommended him to modify his state
ments if he found them incorrect or over
charged And the man, raised his hands
to heaven, exclaimed, "May die upon
the spot il all have said be not the purest
truth" Al the instant the words were
uttered, he dropped dead upon the ground,
struck by apoplexy. The effect of this
incident on all present may be easily con-
ceived. The president Immediately adj
journed the hearing till next day.
On resuming the sitting, the court pro-
nounced decree, acquiring Signora Biz
gando, but confirming the sentence passed
upon Toeti and RegIucci. The widow
was about TO retire in freedom, when the
public prosecutor inlerposed, and moved
the court that she would be remanded to
prison for six months thot time might be
allowed for the discovery of any fresh evil
dence there might be against her, and not
withstanding the strenuous resistance of
the learned advocates, the court issued
the order required.
Toeti and Reglucci had not been order
ed for execution, and it was generally be-
lieved that their punishment would be
commuted.