The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-12
Bripands are Quite as Bold and Mer-
ciless as in Former
... Times.
Their Recent Exploit In Carrying
or q Banker Of
Rome.
Thirty of the Cutthroats Now In An Iron
Cago-Bobbies and Cal.
N' rjorS.

Italian O8uO1to O01O0k W Oy&O4O Gtse0 0AAA
that they no longer figure anywhere but on
the operatic and dramatic stage, would
speedily become convinced Of the fallacy OF
their views by visit either to the town Of
Frosinone, not two hours ride from here. on
the road to Naples, or If they should prefer
it, by a trip to the ancient city of Termini,
in Sicily. At Frosinone they would see q
ng of thirty-three bloodthirsty looking
brigands, male and female. heavily chained
and confined like wild beasts in q great
cage constructed for their particular bene-
fit, while at Termini they would
have the pleasure of making the
acquaintance of and listening to
the tale Of woe related by Mr.. Arringo, ono
of the wealthiest bankers and most exten-
sive land owners of Sicily. He has Just ef-
fected his release fIom captivity OF twen-
ty-one days in the mountains by payment
Of a ransom Of 100000 in cold cash to the
brigands who kidnapped hun.
Four weeks ago, while visiting one of the
estates in the neighborhood, accompanied
SIX carbineers or gendarmes halt before the
gate Of the villa where he was sitting. Upon
entering they informed Signor Arringo that
they wished to know if he had any arms on
the premises, and if SO, whether he had OBJ
tanned license to use them. The banker re-
AASVAkC1 -
mo, whereupon the leader of the detach-
ment Immediately proceeded to conascate
the signor's revolvers and rifles, with the
professed object of holding them until he
had convinced himself by personal inspec,
Having thus obtained possession Of all
the weapons in the place, the gendarmeS
announced their intention of placing the
banker and his bailiff under arrest. The
two captives were accordingly bound and
blindfolded, and were taken in broad day
light into the Sancologori. mountains,
where, for the first time, it dawnsd upon
them that the men dressed in the uniforms
of gendarmes or police were members OF
the famous band of brigands that had long
infested the district.
The bailiff was soon Get a liberty and sent
to Palermo for the purpose Of informing
the partners and relatives of the banker as
to the amount of money required for ran
som. Twenty-one days elapsed before the
we're completed, and during this time the
captive millionaire lived IN mountain
cave, sleeping on q bundle of hay, and
forced to content himself on diet Of black
bread fruit and q cheap but very powerful
now been paid over to the bandits in
full and the banker restored to his anxious
friends at Palermo.
A funny mistake took place on the day of
his release. He had been turned adrift by
his captors at the foot of the mountain and
had not gone far when he happened to meet
patrol of three carbineers. So ragged, un-
kempt and generally disreputable did he
appear to them that the worthy Rendarmes
were convinced that he was one of the ban
ditti for whom they were hunting, while he,
on his side, taught by sad experience, was
equally confirmed in his belief that the gem
darmes were nothing but brigands in dis
guise. It was not until the police station at
the gate of Palermo was reached that the
carbineers become assured of his identity
and consented to cut the cords with which
they had secured him. Owing to the prom
inence and rank of Signor Arrigo the gov
ernment is displaying unusual energy in
pursuit of the briRands.
With regard to the thirty three brigands
confined in the iron cage at Frosinone,
thare are no less than 40 separate charges
for murder. burglary and highway robbery
against them. Many residents of mountain
fallen beneath the stiletto of the assassins,
Almost the entire population of the
Artena are more or less directly engaged
in brigandage, and the chief of the band,
who is included among the prisoners in the
cage at Frosinone, is one of hewealthies and
most respected municipal counselors Of
Artena. His name is Pasquale VILLAIN. His
fortune, amassed by highway robbery
amounts to $4,000, and his fame as q
still exercised temporal sway over Rome
Pasquale, though still hale and hearty and
ready as ever for any deed of villany, is old
and gray headed, and stands on record al
having during the course of his long career,
committed forty-two murders. sixty-siz
robberies and 1S4 assaults with intent t0
MAIN and kill.