Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-07
BIANOMI, THE BRIGAND.

In 1860 Pietro Blanchl was twenty
years Of age, day laborer at Soveria,
noted from his early boyhood for his
agility and surprising strength, He was
the best hunter in those mountains, and
was reputed quick with blow and dan
gerous to offend When Garibaldi en-
tered Calabris he took to the road. AT
first he stole sheep; but soon he betrs yed
sanguinary instincts, and his atrocities
on various occasions made his nam @ a
sound of terror. By long and rapid
marches he constantly eluded pursuit
the authorities despaired Of taking him,
unless by surprise or stratagem. A girl
of seventeen, Generosa Cardamone, &C.
companied him in all his expe ditions,
and was often seen on horseback at the
head of the band, encouraging them IL
the 6ght. She was worthy of her lover, and
almost surpassed him in ferocity, She
is said to have repeatedly cooked human
flesh and served it up to him and his
companions. This monster in the form
of young and pretty woman is now
twenty-ore; priests of her country, are
said to have thrown her into the arms of
the brigaud by working on her religious
fanaticism. When lately arrested, re-
lipious book and Madonna we're found
upon her person. She believed they rem
dered her invulnerable. Bianchi loved
her passionately, and was madly jealous
of her One day one of his band dared
TO kiss her. Just then Bianchi came up
and requited his audacity with score OF
dagger stabs. A lieutenant Of gen
darmes, stationed at Soveria, lately re-
ceived information as to the position OF
den to which Banchi from time to
time retired with his mistress for few
days' repose. With some gendarmes and
a detachment of the line he betook him
self to the village of Cola, near Casta
qua, in the district 6f Nicastro. The
village was surrounded by surprise, and
Lieutenant De Angels went directly to
the hose of q certain Colosimo, whom
he believed to be BianchI s mGnuteRg0tO
his "fence" and secret agent. But
he was unable to discover the entrance
Of the cave where Bianchi ought to be.
After a long search, gendarme noticed
some freshly picked chicken boRes in q
ditch. Presently an artificial hedge was
detected, so as to conceal the entrance
of o cavern. The hedge overthrown, a
stentorian voice was heard. Fate Tar
40 /" it cried" Stand back " " Sur
render, or you are dead, .retorted the
lieutenant. "Save this woman II
was Bianchi, who wanted to save Gene
rosa, probably intending afterwards to
defend himself desperately. But De An.
gels left him no time. No sooner had
the woman passed out than he rushed in
with his men, and seized the bandit be-
fore he could defend himself Seelsg
escape impossible, Bianchi dashed his
revolver to the ground and resigned him
self to his fate. The cave was spacious
within; lamp was burning before an
image of the Madonna. Generosa' s
prayer book was there, the places marked
with bills given for ransom. The bri'
gand was provided with abundant an-
munition, a double barreled gun and q
revolver. In a corner was a bed oi
blankets and good store of wine, cheese
bread and sausage; also little pastry
supplied by the mdnutengoto OF Colosi
mos house. On Bianchi we're found Q
gold hunting watch and considerable
sum in gold and silver coin. On part
ing from his mistress, he threw himself
into her arms and kissed her. Thence
forward he did not utter a word, his eyes
lost all their expression and assumed a
CLASSY look This was the end of Pietrc
| Bianchi. after he had for seven years
stained the district of Niastro with blood