The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-18
AN ADVENTURE IN ITALY.
HOW Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon. of Wttwau
kee, were Robbed on an italian Rail

HOW Mr. and Nrs. Bacon. of Mftwau-
kee, were Robbed on an Italian Rail-
way. .. r... .-.
The Italian arena, in recent issue,
says For the third time within two years
very Iamentable event occurred on the
railway from Ala to Verona, and it is high
time the authorities should at length Sc
riously take the matter up. On the eve
ming Of the 10Th instant three passengers
changed carriages at the Ala station from
the Austrian train into the direct train for
North Italy. They were Mr.. and Mrs.
Bacon, from America, and Slgnor
| Colestin Romiello, an engineer from Ma
pies, who all entered the same second
class compartment. In this compart-
ment there were already two male passen-
gers, cleanly attired in country fashion,
and wearing broad-rimmed hats. They
were Just speaking with one OF the railway
! officials, who, it was noticed, wore tue NO.
| 7 on his uniform. They were asking him
whether they had got into the right car
riage, showing their tickets. On being an
swercd in the affirmative, they took their
seats-one on one side of the door, and the
other on the opposite seat-but at once got
ND and spoke to each rapidly and in low
| voice. but in such Il manner as to rouse
the suspicious of the American, who at
once determined to be on his guard. The
Neapoitan engineer sank into one OF the
| further corners Of the coupe and p epared
| for nap.
About half an hour after the train had
started one of the two individuals above
mentioned let down the window and leaned
out OF the carriage, turning the door-handle
as he did so. Immediately after this the
two men--tbe one armed with pistol, anu
the other with formidable authenticated
the three other inmates OF the compart-
ment, demanding their purses and Valua-
bles, and menacing them with death in case
OF refusal. a desperate struggle now en-
sued between the two desperadoes and the
American and his wife. in the course OF
which the pistol was discharged, without,
however, doing any one injury. Instead
of attempting to help his feIlGw.trayellerS,
the eBgineerEcow trembling into his
corner, and pulling his purse, which con-
tanned about $50 lire, out OF his pocket,
offered it to the robbers.
In spite of all the efforts of the American
and his wife, the brigands got the upper
hand, and obtained from them their travel
ling-bag, containing thirty napoleons dor.
Without attempting to possess themselves
of Mrs. Bacon's jewelry, the robbers now
got out Of the compartment, locking the
door and placing themselves on the steps OF
the carriage. AS the train at this time was
increasing its speed, they had not the cour-
age to jump off. From time to time they
looked in at the window, threatening the
inmates so that they did not venture to
give an alarm. The train soor ap-
: preached the hermitage OF Cerano,
where the great curve Of Pescantina
commences; the speed began to slack
en-, and the robbers jumped from the
carriage steps when the speed was slowest,
and then ran from the line across the fields.
These latter facts were witnessed by gen-
tlcman who was in another compartment.
but who had no means OF giving an alarm.
In their confusion the robbers had left be-
hind them on the seat of the compartment
the Neapoltan's por,emonnaie. with its con-
tents OF $50 lire. This latter gentleman,
when subseq qucntly asked by the police why
he had not attempted 10 resist the attack,
after the energetic example shown him by
his companions, answered: ~ dare say
Fight them with that long weapon !" the
knife which they pulled out.)
The American lady showed the greatest
courage. and it was to her that was due the
! fact that the pistol was discharged without
hurting any one. The robbers held her fast
and in the struggle one of her kid gloves
w,s torn and her skin beneath suffered {
scratch" first gift OF Italy" as she
called it. Otherwise tue American lady ant
her husband were not hurt. The two rob
be1s spoke in the Venetian dialect. one o.
them was tall and dark-cOmp mpeNloned; tht
other of short statue and blonde. Beside:
the money, the robbers carried OIL from the
American a silver breastpin and a silver
watch, 4 certain Francisco Pattaro, knowI
: as a smugglcr Of Pescatina, has been ar
rested under strong suspicion OF having
been one Of the two robbers-the one
namely. described by Mrs. Bacon as tht
dark.complexonedm man. The prisoner, VINO
hls bad reputation and is regarded as
dangerous character, has already been con
yicted number of times for theft and vlo
lation OF the laws, and had only shortly be-
fore been let out OF prison when the attacR
on Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon was made. The
prisoner denied any knowledge OF ths
affair. but was Immediately recognized D!
Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon as one OF the two men
Pattaro is described as man OF tall stature
and powerful build, with black hair an(
dark ey es. The police have orders to arre>
another man who is strongly suspected o.
having b cen Pattaro's accompllce.
| rThe A .uericans referred to in the aooY'
ueport are Mr. aud Mrs. George w. Bacon
very welLk uosrn residents OF milwaukee,
| WtS1