Washington sentinel., 1853-11-09
Death Of Rabello.

Almost eyery person who visited the Connect
cut State prison during the past seventeen years
knows something Of Rabello the maniac. Hew
confined for murdering boy, and was SO furious
most Of the time that the directors of the Retreat
for the InsanS decided that he could moi be better
provided for than he was in the prison. though the
Legislature Of the State had passed resolution
authorizing his removal 10 the retreat II the OH
GERS should deem such step more conducive 10
his health or comfort He was kept in cell on
the east side of the prison yard, and visitors could
see him through the gates, and hear him crate his
teeth and rave in madness in his native tongue.
When he was more calm, he was permitted TO
walk in the prison yard; on these occasions his
carriage proud, his step naughty, and his per-
son beautifully erect but most Of the time he was
a raving maniac. He was well educated, but there
is mystery connected with his history.
Agostinho Rabello was Portuguese, born in
the island of Madeira, about the year 1903. For
several years he was a clerk at that place in the
house of an English wine merchant. Subsequently
he went TO Brazil and for five years he took charge
of an English library He then returned 10 Ma
deira, and was put on board of vessel and sent
to the United States. He landed at Philadelphia,
an insane man. He stroled through the country,
usually lingering about and sleeping in graveyards,
and living upon charity. He appeared willing 10
work for living and in March, 1885, he was
taken into the family of Mr.. Beers Beardsley, OF
New Preston, in Ltchfeld county.
On the 9th Of April, Ferris Beardsley, an only
morning to get some frewood. He carried an
axe. Rabello followed him, took the axe away,
and at once cut his head open, killing him imme-
diately. He cut off one Of the boys legs, and
otherwise mntiated his person. Rabello then
went into the house, took up a small bundle of
clothes, and started of. He was shortly after ar
| rested as he was washing the blood of the MUIR
dered boy from his hands and clothes at brook
by the roadside. He acknowledged the murder,
and said that he killed the boy for treadng on his
toes the previous evening, and that he had right
| 10 kill him for that insult
He was tried for murder before Judges Waite
| and Williams, al Ltch6eld, in August, 1885. The
evidence taken mostly related TO his sanity-the
murder being admitted. II appeared by the evi-
dence of number of witnesses, that he was in
the habit of lingering about graveyards often
seeping.in them, even in drenching rains; that he
| often acted as il in terrible passion, declaring
that everybody was against him that his friends
Were enemies = that he had fallen out with his
parents and brothersrand sisters in Madeira; that
he would rather die than return there that he
seemed to be haunted with the idea that he was
constantly insulted and injured and that children
were sent TO Insult him. He had a peculiar notion
about his toes and if any one hit them or touched
his foot, he would fly into great passion. As q
test after his arrest physician purposely trod on
his toe, as il by accident when he went into furi-
Gus passion, his pulse increasing thirty beats in q
minute. lie declared you did not hurt my foot,
but you did my feelings
The jury brought in verdict Of not guilty Of
murder, on account Of his insanity, and the court
ordered him to be confined, 10 prevent his injurng
others, as it appeared that he had previously at
tempted to kill man with an axe, who accident
ally rolled stone against his foot He was placed
in the State prison, where he has remained for sew
eral years wild maniac. For several years he has
failed in strength and became emacated. Some
months since his limbs began to swell, and dropsy
set in He died in the prison hospital on the morn
ing Of the 3Oth ult aged about fifty years. AS he
approached final dissolution, he appeared to be
more RATIONAL and conversed like sane man. He
declared that he wanted 10 die-that he had no.
thing to live for, and hoped TO find rest TO his
troubled spirit beyond the grave. He said that no
one could estimate the troubles and the suferings
that he had passed through, and alluded particu-
lary TO severe sharp pains that had frequently
daried from his bowels upward, reaching his back
and head. He seemed 10 be worn out, and died
in comparative ease.--Haytford Times.