The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-08-02
Thirty-three Cases of Seduction.
Trial and Condemnation Of tie Priest7y
.Scducer

The Criminal Court of Turin has lately
been occupied with the hearing of a case
which has spread CONSERVATION and shame
through many of the most respectfully con-
nected families in the Sardinia capital, and
contributed not little to increase the feel
ings of dislike growing up of late towards
the Catholic clergy. For the honor of the
Catholic priesthood, for the honor of religion
nay, for the honor of human nature ITSELF let
us trust that the crimes just laid bare to the
gaze Of avenging law and justice are no less
unwonted than appalling. The trial which
has excited such sensation in Turin was
that of Don Gurlino, attached, in the capaci-
ty of second curate, first to the church of San
Carlo, afterwards to that of the Carmelite or
der Amongst his regular professional du-
ties he violated in manner so foul and so
atrocious that no less than thirty-three young
girles would appear to have fallen victims to
his systematic and scientific prohigacy. Not
more than forty years of age, possessing a
singularly handsome fa,e and figure, Don
Gurlno combined with the natural influence
welded over the nina of the youthful peni-
tent by spiritual guide the influence, not
less natural, of his own personal attractions.
Both influences were skillfully brought to
bear in the exciting privacy of the confes
sional. All the opportunities which it af.
fords of gradually, yet surely, tainting the
mind were employed with too fatal success.
The wretch was, it appears, in the habit of
accompanying his oral temptations with the
appliances and means of obscene books and
lascivious prints, to heighten and accelerate
their effect. Working on the passions by a
graduated scale of literary and pictorial ex-
citement, the curate of "St. Charles" and
the "Cormelites'' could seize for his Internal
ends, the exact moment when the nnsuspec-
ting confidence of girlhood prepared for him
an easy prey. Don Gurlino was at last de-
tected by the very means which he had EN-
ployed. The relations of young creature,
one of his latest victims, found in her pos
session an obscene print, and insisted on her
telling them from whom she had procured it.
The girl refused for some time, but yield
| ING to their menaces, stammered forth the
name of her confessor She added that not
she alone, but likewise several sof her young
| friends had received from Don Gurlino i'm
moral books and prints, and, debauched by
his arts, had yielded up their honor to their
spiritual guide. The relations at once COM
muncated the facts to, and deposited the
print with the district police magistrate, who
lost no time in communicating with the high.
er law authorities, and these latter at once
instituted criminal proceedings against the
priest Although the trial was conducted
with closed doors, enough of the evidence
transpired to fill all Turin with horror ant
indignation. The guilty acts of the crimina
appear to have extended over term of sew
eral years. The full extent of his debauch
cries during all that period cannot, Of course
be ascertained One fact, however, is be
yond all doubt-that on the trial itself thir
ty-three young girls bore testimony to tht
adoption towards themselves of the wicked
arts of seduction with which the crimina
, stood charged On this overwhelming mas
ofeyidence Don Gurlno was found guilty
t and sentenced by the Criminal Court of Tu
, rim to seven years solitary confinement
i The term of the sentence will probably b
abridged by natural causes. Shame, if no
f remorse, has already worked such fearlu
G ravages on the prisoner that on the last da
t of the trial he was hardly recognizable
: Penny Neos Nan.
Farmers say that their wheat crop is turn
ing out good deal better than they expect
4 nI Tho ytalI - full auar,ra and nf