The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-11-10

Career OF signor George, Who Recently
Died of Starvation In a Long Island

woods near Oyster Bay, Long Island, on the
sth of October last, under circumstances OF
mysterious character as published IN the
iazette of August IL, has again been
brought before the people by the arrival in
Baltimore several days since of the de
yeased's son. This gentleman has been
absent in the West for several moths
md had not heard of his fathers death
until short time ago. The cir
cumstances Of Signor Georges death
as published in the New York and Balti-
more papers were that his body was found
in Mattinicook woods, where il had appar-
emily been for several weeks, by two young
women. The facts surrounding the case
pointed to a most horrible state Of affairs,
and showed almost conciusively that the
deceased, who was seventy years OF age, had
wandered away. from his home and had at
orally starved to death. The remains were
taken in charge by the New York police,
but it was some days before they were ident-
flied as those OF SgnOr George. Even after
their Identification there was some mystery
surrounding the case, and an investigation
is now going on in New York to determine
whether it is'nOt one of foul play. After
the discovery of the body difficulty was ex-
perienced in finding the deceased's relatives,
all of whom were scattered about over the
country.
The case remained at standstill, and very
little was known of Signor Georges early
history. The return Of his son, Mr. +. A,
Georgia, as he is known, however throws
some light on this and furnishes a most
remarkable and romantic story OF .SlgnOr
Georges eventful career. In the first place
the deceased's real name Is Signor Gennaro
Primicherio, and he was born in the King
dom of Naples, 1870 At the age of ten
years he was sent to the principal college in
Naples, where he showed most remarkable
talent for music. The King OF Italy hap
pened to stop at the college one day and
overheard Gennaro play enAthe key trum-
young musicians efforts that he i'm
Inediately made him leader of his
private band. This honor brought its
Joys and at the same time It's sorrows Az
though leader of the Kings band. Print
cherio remained a student at the College for
four years. During that time his position
toward the King and his superiority in mu-
steal mplishnents made him many enc
mics among the Students, who determined
if possible, 10 disgrace him Accordingly,
one day in 1874. several keys in piano,
most dearly priced by the principal of the
school from its associations, were mysteri-
ously broken, and Primicherio was charged
with the piece of apparent maliciousness.-
In those days and in Italy such a wanton
act was regarded as a crime, and the direSt
punishment was visited upon the
culprlt. In order 20 avert this
visitation, Primicherio ran away and hid
himself in the woods In the year 1874
Naples much visited by United States
men-of-war, and the officers of beShip were
very partial to music. 1t was their custom,
therefore, TO attend musical concerts, and
Primicherio was hence Wen known to many
OF them. On the day OF the young students
flight several officers of the United States
ship Era, lying in the bay of Naples, were
hunting in the woods, when they accidently
discovered ,Primicherio. The boy told the
officers the nature of his troubles and they,
quite willing % shield him, persuaded him
20 20 with them 10 their vessel. On the LIST
of SEPTEMBER. 1921, the Era sailed, and with
it Prfmicherio. He was told that he would
at once be taken to America, but circum-
stances of an unalterable nature defeated
this object and the young musician
became United States seaman, being
transferred from one 10 another ship. His
term of service lasted two years, and during
that time he was for several months under
the famous Commodore Perry. In speaking
of this celebrated officer in after years, to his
children Signor Primicherio gave him
most unenviabe reputation for brutality.
For example, Primicherio found much diff
Guilty in learning English. Perry was al
ways very rough, and on one occasion he
gruifiy asked the young man question
which he was unable to understand With
the Italian, because he was an Italian, was
in his suiks. and swore roundly TO make him
answer, nOlens VOlens. He accordingly had
him tied up by the thumbs and ordered for
ty lashes with the cat This system of
teaching Primicherio English was far from
successful, but il possessed him with
a most intense hatred for the Commodore.
The deceased reached America i'm 1926,
landing in this city. He became teacher
of music, and married Elizabeth Bently
who died September, 1875 at Evansville,
Ind. SignOr Primicherio remained in Balti-
more until 1887, when he went to Norfolk,
Va. and was appointed leader of the
United Stites band at Fortress Monroe. At
the outbreak of the Seminole war Primich-
eric was sent TO Florida and served for some
time a priva in the army. On his re-
turn 70 Norfolk. Va, in 1879 he left the
army. While in Norfolk his father died in
Naples, and he was summoned home to
axe possession of the family title and prop
Tty. With this object in view, Primicherio
ngaged passage for Italy in sailing vessel
yhich putout from New York habor, butwaS
inable 10 make the sea on account of adj
erse winds. Concluding, after three weeks
Intellectual Efforts to get beyond the sight Of
land, that the vessel would never reach
Italy, Primicherio went on shore. Hardly
had he given up the vessel before her sails
spread before a favorable wind, and the
lIluSlCldh Sd Ills CildiiCc VI IOdCillll5 ltdll
speedily.receding from view This failure
to leave on the vessel, however, probably
saved the lives of himself and family, as the
cholera broke out in the ship, and nearly
every one-Of the passengers persisted before
reaching Italy. Signor PnmicheriO's
father was an Italian noblemau of means,
and was at one time Mayor of Naples. The
-deceaseds uncles, aunt, and several of
his sisters were, nd those that are living.
are still attaehei % the Catholic Church as
Sisters Of CHARITY nuns, and monks in va
rious parts 81 Italy. He has two younger
brothers lvlng, one, Mchasu- Alpheus
Primicherio,J an artist at Rome, and the
other, Antonio Primicherio, a resident of
Naples The deceased has three daughters
living. Madame, Amelia Prinicherio mar
ried Simo. aud Mary Primicherio married
Joseph Beuavits brothers. Simon died IN
1855 and Joseph in 1852 The third daugh-
ter married Mr.. George V. Watson, of Brook
lyn. Francesca A. r. Primicherio, the
deceased's son, was educated as a special
apprentice at Gosport Navy Yard In 1868
he entered the United States navy as third
assistant engineer In , 1864 he bad
charge OF the United States rgunboat Sc
bago, of Admiral Farragut's feet which
blockaded Mobile. Mrs. Simon -Bonavita
lived in Wayerley, Baltimore County, for
Bome time, and then went West, where. she
now is Francisco r. Primicherio is living