Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-07
ITALIAN BRIGANDAGE.
The story or CrOcco-The Hero OF
One Hundred and Thirty Grimes.

ITALIAN BRIGANDAGE.
The story or Crocce-The Hero OF
Oae Hundred and Thirty Grimes
Writing from Naples on October 3D.
the correspondent Of the London Times
says Before the affair passes entirely
into oblivion, as it will very shortly
here, let me report two or three salient
facts which have struck me in the judi
cial examination of the brigand Croceo.
His trial terminated some days since,
but his examination has been published
in parts, the last Of which was given to
the public only last Thursday or Fri
day. To use his own words, he was
torn from the arms Of his mother by the
CONSUMPTION, and how hateful it was un-
der the Bourbons was made only too evil
dent by the frequent spectacle of hun
dreds of conscripts roped together and
dragged like criminals through the
stFeets Of Saples. They have now, in
deed, a cosntry and good cause to
serve, but tears and curses are neces-
sarily extorted from thousands by an
institution which violates all home af-
fections, while it deprives land Of its
labor aad industry Of Its stFona aFms.
Crocco began life, then, in bitterness.
He served his time, and after
ward was soon associated with
several fellows of the very worst
character. This was the beginning of a
career, wliph, according 10 the indICt-
ment, terminated as follows; The act Of
accusation charges him with thirty
six heavy crimes, selected par excel
lence from one hundred and thirty which
had been admitted by what | shall call
the Grand Jury. There still, however,
remained the following charges, which
had not been decided by that body, they
being of a mixed character, political and
criminal: -Four for having attempted to
change the form OF government; four
for inpiting to civil war; twenty cases of
extortion Of money, etc twelve Of rob-
berry with violence twelve OF rebellion
with murder; one hundred and twenty
cases of plunder of houses, with fifteen
of incendiarism; ten of setting fire to
corn sEapksi seYenty-iour murders;
l,0a0,0ge lire destroyed. Most of these
crimes we're admitted by the prisoner,
who, however, endeavored to shift the
responsibility Of some of them either on
the undisciplined bands he commanded
or on the Bourbon troops and yon
know, Signor presidente,' said DrnGeo,
what they were, or on the peasantry
who followed on their traces. He could
read and write, but Il was never at
school, said the criminal. There were
no schools then; my father knew all the
alphebet from A to r, and ! used to
copy the letters, and gradually pro-
gressed. Persevering and intelligent
It is easy to see that under better
influences, Crocco, the brigand, might
have been an honest, Industrious citi-
gep. His earliest crimes led to his
being oondemned to Imprisonment In
irons for nineteen years. We were
shut up, one hundred and thirty of US
in one room. The prisons we're then a
hell; 1 will not say what they are now.
We were divided into parties, the Nea-
politans against the Basilischi natives
Of Basilicatel. we fought with knives,
and on the report of spy, l was one
morning shut up in the Criminale,
kind of sepulcher. There found seve-
raj Others who mad bssa ver6lHa al
their escape for some time; they had
found some nails, and with them they
had made a hole. When arrived they
had eeen the moon. l Joined them. We
were soon fses, f0s Il Ees easy work,
and we took to the woods. Not long
after he Joined the Garibaldini against
the Bourbons, who had shut him up.
After the campaign l obtained prom
ise from the Governor of Potenza that
veil should be thrown oyer my past, but
it was not kept. ! was summoned to
appear before the Tribunals, and again |
aed to the woods. Robbery, with or
without violence, was hig only mode of |
procuring subsistence. Sometimes he |
resorted to heavy extortiong, for the |
brigand, Signor Presidente, lives at a
dear rate, and pays heavily for his
food. About this time he Joined the
Reactionists, In order, as he says,
to SECURE his liberty. Had ! not |
been molested, and had the promise OF
pardon been kept, / should have lived
TRANQUILITY. The alto di accuse shows
the horrible crimes which we're commit
ted by him in this part of his career. /
shall not follow him through it. He fed l
to the Romas States; but, suspected OF
the murder of Boyer, he was i'll Received.
He had letters for Francis ii, which he
could never deliver, as Francisco was
worse of than be was, being watched by
the PaBel, the Italian, the French, and
the Comitate LiberSle Police Of his
treatment in prisons, CroeeO spoke Eaet
bitterly. Those shameless priests took
everything away from me, even FIVE
mounds which an Englishman had given
me at Marseilies; lazy left me naked,
taking from me my shirt, trovsers, hand
kerchiefs, and all .And nov, said be,
opening his shirt in court, take my
blood: the government took me from the
arms of nv mother the Pontifcials tore