Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-25
Spoliating a Miser's Estate.

from tde L0ild0n Odltu Ae3CS.
A strange case is at present going on
at PiacenZa. In that city there lived the
Warehouses Fanny Anguissola, the heir
ess of two of the oldest noble families OF
North Italy, the Viscontis and the An
guissolas, connected during four centu-
ries with the history OF Italy. The mar
cnioness possessed a fortune of ten or
twelve million francs. She was always
very eXtrayagant and irritable, and the
early death OF her husband and only
daughter, W no fell a victim to an unhappy
love affair, increased the eecentricity of
her disposition. There remained to her
one son, Filippo. With the pride and
excusiveness of feudal lord, he COM
bined fanatic love OF socialism and great
activity and delight in reforms. He was
crushed by threshing machine while
experimenting his agricultural affairs
and lost his life in consequence. This
misfortune rendered his mother misan-
thropical. She shut herself up in her
palace, which she closed TO all visitors
and lived in a miserly fashion. Her only
friend was her lapdog. Her servants,
finding themselves deprived nf all per-
qulsites, revenged themselves, 1t is al
legged. by robbing her. 1t was her custom
the whole year round to take her meals
in an arbOr in the garden, and there in
various holes and corners she hid large
quantities Of gold and notes. These it is
said she often missed but never COM
planned, fearing that if she did her i'm
mense wealth would become known to
the public. She was so DESTROYS of being
considered poor that once, when Eote of
1000 francs, which she had paid in mis-
take, was returned to her, she refused to
take it, saying that she had never pos
sesse{f a note of that amount
But her avarice alternated with fts OF
lavish gehefnsIty. To many persons VINO
begged OF her she gave "handfuls OF bank
notes. She cent 100000 francs to the
American missionaries, but at the same
time complained OF the expense OF the
post office order. she frequently 10 her
home 10 spend some time at converts near
Piacenza or Milan, where she devoted
herself to religious services and met with
much fiattery, for she gave money readily
for pious ends. Atthese times OF absence
all Piacenza, we are told, was aware that
the Palace Anguissola was searched from
cellar to garnet, and IL is believed that in
the course of years its mistress was
robbed OF millions OF francs. During her
lifetime the police could not interfere, for
she would listen TO no warning and utterly
refused to believe in the possibility OF her
being robbed. She died Of apoplexy. and
aiterward about 800, 900 francs we're found
hidden in the mattresses OF the beds, in
the stufiing of the chairs, In old stockings,
behind picture frames and other curious
places. There was report that che had
been poisoned, but posr-moTtem eXami-
nation proved IL to be unfOuDded.
But now justice interfered and evidence
respecting the various robberies supposed
TO have been committed was collected.
Many of the domestic servants OF the
house. together with their relatives and
friends, had grown rich aud could not
explain the source Of their wealth. They
were also found in possession OF yaluaDles
belonging to their mistress, which they
said mad been given to them by her. Many
persons In PiaceDZa are now either ac-
cused OF theft or summoned as witnesses
The case was begun the other day and
excited great interest. The accused,
eleven In number, we're ell dressed IN
mourning. They are coachmen, door
keepers, house servants, etc. one coach
man confessed to having deposited at
various times In various banks sums 10
the amount OF $4,000 francs, which he
said mad been gwen to him in the course
OF years by his mistress out OF gratitude
because ne had driven away some thieves
who had broke into the palace, and Tor
other services, or in order to induce him
TO STAY when be threatened TO leave. The
doorkeeper, on being InterroRated con-
corning certain box containing Immense
sums, which had been sent from bic mouse
through various hands, and OF which At
last ali trace was lost, accused HE brother
OF having demanded a bribe from him Of
so 900 francs, falling which be would DO
accused OF having false keys. Tue exami-
nation OF these two witnesses. the latter
Of whom looks like an old soldier, gave
rise 10 much laughter In court.