Morning journal and courier., 1880-02-11
A Horrible Criminal.
An Italian on One of the South Caro-
 lima Sea Islands
[F4om the Savannah tGa.) News.I

lF4om the Savannah ;Ga.) NewsI
 An Italian by the name of Stephen Denaro, merchant on Edisto Island, s. O., was ar rested in December last charged with the murder of Jack Williams, 8 white man in his employ, in the September preceding, and was carried to Charleston. Since then certain facts have been developed which make up strange and wonderful story, and reveal the Italian merchant, if they are true, as 8 most dangerous eharacter-a regular brigand. It is asserted that he always kept on hand seven or eight loaded pistols, twelve double-barrel shot, guns and two swords. and was terror to all who knew him.
 visited Edisto learned of the sanguinary ex- ploits of Denaro, which are of the most extra ordinary character, as there appears no reason able provocation for several of the crimes with which he is charged.
 We learn that on one occasion he invited man to hunt on the island, and whilst the visitor was out enjoying the sport the Italian, taking advantage of his back being turned, dealt him terrible blow on the head with hatohet, killing him instantly. short time afterwards pilot boat landed at the island, and he informed the occupants that some one had killed the man and that he had decently buried him. It would appear that Denaro, who had two sons living with him, was mono maniac on the subject of murder, and from some unexplainable cause he attempted to kill one of the boys. This villainous design was frustrated by the flight of the sons, who gave the information to the authorities which led to his arrest.
 Among the murders he is accused of con- hitting is that of his clerk and of two men whom he took out on fishing trip. These latter he killed and sank their bodies with the boat He is said to have killed in all seven- teen persons. It is stated that those whom he killed on shore he buried with their faces downward and their hands tied behind their backs.
 The body of Williams was found in a hole about four feet long and two feet deep, lying face downwards, the hands forced backwards and the feet drawn up over the back. Upon examination four deep cuts, apparently done with 8 hatchet, three on the back of the neck and one just under the ear, any one of which would have produced immediate death, were discovered.
 The personal appearance of Denaro is said to be by no means prepossessing, the follow ing description being given: He is about 45 years of age, five feet ten inches in height, has broad shoulders, and is moderately stout; complexion sallow, nose prominent, small, receding forehead, small blue eyes and black hair interspersed with gray. He has small black moustache, but no beard, with the ex ception of 8 few struggling hairs on his chm and side face.
 In preliminary examination he vehement ly denied the charges that have been made against him, and asserted that the stories were circulated by his enemies, who were jealous of him because he was more prosperous in his business than they, and said that he de- fed them to prove their allegations, and was confident, he said, that his innocence would be established, even in the present case that he had acted honorably throughout life, and did not fear to have his actions in- vestigated.
 On being asked why his sons should wish to criminate him, he said they wanted his money and thought that by getting him out of the way they might secure some of his property. He also stated that they had once before at tempted his life but were frustrated in their purpose. He stated that he had five children two sons by his first wife (the sons who are witnesses against him), and three by his sec- ond wife, who is living.
 Denaro is now in jail and his two sons, Moses and John, in default of $2, 900 bail, are also in durance vile. The young Denaros assert that they were cognizant of the crimes of their father, but were dsterred from dis closing the same through fear.