Louisiana capitolian., 1881-11-12
EsPOsITO,
Throws off His Cloak and Ackn0wl.
edges His Identity.
New Orleans Times.

| When A1dS Daye ana Mike Hen
nessey, on July 5, brought the result
of their detective labOrs to a close by
capturing the renowned bandit,
Giuseppe Esposito, at the Jackson
Square and shipping him to New
York, there was great diversity of
opinion concerning the case on the
question Of identity. The arrest and
examination in New York attracted
great attention as it was urged
throughout, in the endeavor to prove
an alibi, that the wrong man had
been ruthlessly torn from his home,
family and friends and made to suffer
for another's guilt. 1t was claimed
that he came to New Orleans a poor
man, and by strict attention to bust
ness and frugality, had saved a
small competence. The evidence be-
fore Commissioner Osborn, though
considered by that magistrate sufti-
cient to warrant his action in turning
the bandit over to the tender mercies
Of the Italian authorities, had the ef-
feet of leading Senator Kellogg to
take steps toward an investigation,
On the 18th Of last month Mr.. Kellogg
offered a resolution in the United
States Senate calling on the Secreta-
ry of State for all papers on file in
his department relating to the seizure
Of the brigand and his subsequent ex-
tradition.
This resolution was, however. laid
over, on motion of Mr.. Edmunds, but
taken up OF the 18th and adopted, it
being amended, however, SO as to be
addressed to the president. instead
the Secretary Of State. Here the
matter rested, with public opinion
equally divided as to whether Espo-
sito was the bora fide Esposito or
not, until news Of his Identification
was received by cable. Even after
that there were many who doubted
that the accused was in reality the
brigapd, but now it would appear
even his best friends must admit .hat
he is the right man, according to his
statement that in addition to his be-
ing the bandit he was rich man
when he came to New Orleans.
Reaching Palermo, in the Island Of
Sicily, Esposito wss faced with his
accusers, when, seeing that all at
tempts to deny his indentity would
be unavailiDg, he
THREW OFF HIS MASK
and boldly proclaimed that he was
the brigand.
1t appears that Esposito was peace
fully inclined, attending to his trade
with strict attention, and was reputed
possessed of large means and Of doing |
an extensive business in fruits
throughout Texas and the Western
States.
But few persons knew anything of
his European career, and those among
his countrymen who had cognizance
Of the many crimes attributed to him,
believed him incapable Of the atroci-
ties charged against him, and conse-
quently sympathized with him and
did all IN their power to aid and as
sist him.
HIS CAREER ASA BRIGAND,
as already published in the Times, in
Italy, began in 1875, when band Of
brigands under the leadership Of the |
celebrated brigand ''Leone," terror
lied the inhabitants Of the beautiful
island Of Sicily. After many engage
ments with the Italian government
troops, Leone was finally surrounded
by the tgoops and killed with most of
his men.
Among those who escaped was Es-I
sposito Randazzo, who surrendered
himself prisoner to the authorities. |
On the day set for his trial, and while
being conveyed to the courts in a !
van through the streets of Palermo,
he managed, with the assistance of
friends, to jump out of the vehicle in
which he was, and finding his way
back to the mountains, formed a band