Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-12
Esposito--The Bold Brigand.
A Glimpse at His Early history-his
Band i'm New orieans-Ai-
most ~ Homicide.

men of Giuseppe opposite, the ban
dit chieftan, more than did his sud-
den disappearance from amongst them
on Tuesday night. Numerous were
his friends, and it now appears that
by the merest imaginable chance was
it that the Aids Hennesseys and their
colleagues, the two Deputy United
States Marshals, effected his capture
without bloodshed, for willing hands
could have been found in abundance
that would have been raised IN his
defense: and the detectives, had they
been victorious in the event ola fight,
would only have taken his dead body,
for it had long since been received
that opposite should not be taken
alive.
This renowned cutthroat isa native
of Palermo, Italy, and early in life
exhibited an unruly and wild dispo-
sition. At the age Of twelve years he
had become the terror of the neigh
borhood in which he resided, and
when he lett the home of his parents
and linked his fortunes with the band
of which he subsequently, became the
leader. those who had been thrown
into close communion with him felt
relieved by his absence.
The stronghold of Esposito's band
of mountaineers was the mountain OF
Sancta Rosa Sea, beyond the outskirts
of his native city. AS the system OF
Italian brigandage was completed,
Esposito's band became enrolled with
others in the army of bandits COM
handed by the famous and dreaded
Leone, now to more, thanks to the
cupidity of one of his trusted follow
ers who for the sake of an enormous
reward sold the chieftain to the Gov
eminent.
Esposito's band, according to the
statement of the who appears to know
all about the matter, numbered some
one hundred men. After the mutila-
ton of the London curate Rose and
his subsequent release, the matter
attracted international attention, witt
Great Britain on one side and Italy
on the other. AS the troops of Italy
surrounded the mountain stronghold
Esposito's band gradually dwlndlet
down, owing to desertions and othe
causes, until but sixteen resolute mel
remained gathered around the wanin!
fortunes of their brave and desper
ate captain. In the general Onslaught
which followed nine of these wer
killed and about fourteen were cap
tured alive. Six of those effected
their escape at the time Esposito dl'
and came with orrejoined himi NeS
Orleans where they remained up t
Wednesday evening, when the cap
ture Of their leader became known
and they fled, three of them takln
passage on a lugger down the river
one going lakewards and the othe
two. tits supposed, leaving for )
Louis.
Esposito, when lie reached this cit
purchased the lugger he owned, an
named her after the generalissin
of the robbers, and even hoiste
his flag at the masthead of II
vessel. opposite himself know nothlr
whatever regarding the handling
the craft, and merely appeared
captain, leaving all the work of ba
gaining, etc, to his followers,
whom lie had two aboard.
He dined and supped when in tov
at a macaroni house on Decatur, b
tween Ursulines and Hospital stree
where most OF his coantrymen co
gregated. That he was feared, l
spected, and loved by his adheren
there could be no question, as t
developments which are momentar
expected and which are now to col
will amply show. He being in NJ
Orleans was known only to a sell
few, but it was confidently believ
that he designed organizing a band
outlaws here that would set at dc
ance the law and its minions. He
well supported by funds but FRI
wheuce he obtained them is mys