Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-07-20
.,Oontarini's Adventures.
ro&he Editor OF the New York Sun.


SYa ~ read in TIE SIN that the no
tcrious Contri, the bigamis has been
convicted ia Poughkeepsie His assumed
Dame is Contafini, the name Of that illus
trious patriclan Italian family which
adorns the historical pages ~f the once
renowned Republic Of Venice. The pre-
oious scamp, who ist the subject of this
sketch, came TO this country in the Fall
Of 1861, married in New York young
girl fourteen years old, and then aban-
doned her and became bounty jun
per. TIE last time he enlisted was in a
cavalry regiment, and every chance of
escape being cut off, he was sent to the
front. After brief period Of service he
deserted to the Confederates while on
! outpost duty and was seat to Richmond,
where he passed hlmse.fof as a doctor,
and was appointed to attend patleu IS in
a rebel hospital
At lengths firing ofsuch duty Gas he
| is very unsteady in his habits, he ex7-
changed tbes position Of doctor for that Of
"a captain in! cavalry regiment, where,
it is said, he distinguished himself IN
battle The colonel OF bis regiment be-
caae attached to hiIa;and on one occasion,
great reception being given in Jefer
so1. Davis mansion, the Colonel took
Contri there aud presented him to the
elite of Richmond society. ,...s Tx
Miss Virginia Sanders. The daughter
Of the then prominent robel agentabroad
the Hon. George N. Sanders, became
infatuated with the INSCRIPTIONS scoun-
drol, ana fell 4 victim, to his wiles.-
Taking advantage Of her fathers absence.
he wooed her ana they wore married.
GEN. K1bPATR1oK s. CAVALRY.
AT this time the italian Col. Cesnola,
who had married a relative of Geo. n.
Sanders in New York, was commanding
Union regiment Of cavalry under Gen.
Kilpariok, was taken prisoner in battle
and sent to Richmond. Contri, learning
the fact, visited the Colonel in the Libby
prison, and, telling him that he had
married Alr. Sanders daughter, promised
that he would use bis influence to secure
for him the freedom Of the city on
parole.
After his marriage, Morgan, the famous
guerrilla oeTennessee, made his appear
ance in Richmond for the purpose Of en-
listing a strong body of men to wage a
guerrilla warfare along the borders Of
Tennessee and the Ohio river. Contri,
always fond of adventure, took notion
to quit thecayalry regiment and JON the
guerrillas encampad outside OF Richmond
ready to start as soon as the necessary
equipments could be procured. When
the euerfilas started fer the border Con,
tri was q Captain. Mrs. Contri followed
him. and after few months service,
when tile Presidential cleo ton of 1864
was approaching, Contri, always ambi-
:ious. Of notoriety, offered to 60 North as
a Confederate emisssry.' This was easily
granted and after some dreary days
marching through the mountains of Ten.
uesseeghe reached the Ohio river, and
crossing came to New York.
BLAeKMAuINe THE ooNFEDERATEs IN NEW
T YORK.
Daing his sojourn in this city, he
spent ais time in writing blackmaihag
letters to gen tlemen known as r9oel
synpathizers, asking them to furnish him
sish funds, and they Invariably complied
with his request for fear Of exposure.
Among his victims was Catholic clergy
man Of high standing, since deceased VINO |
was feeced several tines by the impostor.
While here he WAS intimately asse GATED
With the gang ofreDel agents that tried
10 burn the iotels Of thiscity. After the
discovery Of their internal plot hesaed to
Canada. aad met his father-in-law, the
Hon. George N. v Sanders, esming from
Eaglapd. There he was joined by his
wife, whom he he'd left behind when he
started on his, errand for the North, an
all tie family lived there together;
At tie tine Of Lincoln's assassination
President johnson offered $4,000 re-
ward for the body Of George N. Sanders,
at that time believed 70 be implicated in
the conspiracy. Some enterpr lsing men
tried the'abduc ion Of Sanders from Can
ada. but their plan was frustrated BY the
presence in the house Of Contri, who AZ
though he was Knocked down, was in
i'll eGto. give the ularnr. Ihis egenten-
deared him mere closely to the Sanders
family.7sa fe's' ~ s.
Batsa cloud came to mar the sweet
vision Of happiness aud future prosperity
COL Cesnola after the war returned to
New Ybrk, and made inquiries concerning.
the standing and character Of Contri. nj
Then he informed Mr.. Sanders of all the
doings ofthis scamp, and at his unez-
peeted denouenout tia father-in- law per- !
emptorily expelled him from his house.
He left behind his lovely and accomplish
ed wife, who devotedly loved him and
who died'a few months afterward of a
broken heart. g s.l
after his expulsion from Mr.. Sanders
house. Centri Wandered untilho settled in
Boston, and began to practice medicine
Daring.the great FIRST Fonian excite
ment he Joined their ranks, was appoint
ed Major, and crossed the berder to Can
ada with them. After then ing lorious
retYeat hereturned to Boston, and open.
inc a drug store, be married belle of
the Hub Having spent some time " 18th
his newly-married vile, be at empted to
Join the Cuban patriots, Whereby to get
rid.of wife No.. B. But instead Of going
to Cuba he chose a msre .congenial eli
mate 10 the togn Of poughkeepsie, where
he married wife No 4 Such is the his
tory ofthe accomplished scoanarel ,Contri.
ONE VINO Knows.
KE# YoRK, june I'll, 1871.
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4 Neat Rebuke A gentlemen whose