The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-26

dispatch saying that Jegado's house
was broken into night before last and thar
the murderer and his family of three small
children were bound to the bed, drenched
with kerosene and slowly roasted TO death
perpetrators unknown" of course.
Murder is avenged by murder in Artena,
as was done for centuries past in Monte
fortino and whoever testifies against
red-handed scoundrel takes his life in his
hands. Hatred, Jealousy, and petty squab-
bles lead to new murders, for the citizen
of Artena is unstable. excessively vain,
morbidly irritable, and loves revenge
above all things.
After 1870 the new government resolved
to break up the time honored robber nests,
and Montefortino ip particular was given
a strong judicial administration; schools
were erected and the great test severity was
exercised in carrying out the laws and en-
forcing respect for them.
As consequence a few hundred of the
Inhabitants had to be taken charge of at
once and shipped to the county seat,
where they were confronted with their
judges, a cage having been built for every
twelve prisoners. Whole families were
then deported: but crime did not diminish
in the least. The new city of Artena soon
had as bad a name as the Montefortino Of
Old
Just before Pietro Acciarito heaped new
criminal renown upon his native city by
attempting the life of King Umberto in
April last, royal official was foully muir
dered in Artena; and though many are
undoubtedly in the secret of his taking
off, it Is impossible to gain one particle of
evidence assuring conviction. 1t happen
ed in this way About year ago the let
ter carrier of the city was deposed and
another, younger man sent from Rome to
take his place. The wife of the former, a
vvnr a ba off
bewaiiing his misfortune and Offering
proof that her husband had been unlaw-
fully dismissed.
Finally she gave out that she had made
vow to the Holy Virgin to wear black
dress in the Easter procession, which
meant certain death to the new letter car
rier OF course, the people of Artena saw
the point of this talk. and when the young
woman thus appeared on April Is among
300 others clad in white, singing and pray
ing in the procession behind the cross
nobody in town doubted that the govern
ment would soon have to send a second
postman to that district.
The blasphemouS woman not only wore
the unconventional dress, but instead of
the candle and flowers carried an unlight-
ed torch in her hand, wound with Grape
On the following Monday, April 26, the
letter carrier was found dead in the road
leading from Volmontone to the mountain
town. He had been shot through the head
and a dagger stuck in his heart. All the
money and valuable letters he carried
were gone.
There are only surmises as to the muir
derer or murderers. and these say that
the man was shot down by Maria's lover
and that she, to make death sure, or fol-
lowing an impulse of cruelty, plunged the
knife into him.
The government stands aghast before
1.1.,,, ,f 10 n mill
full of criminals. On March 7, 1861, Pope
Paul " issued an edict ordering the city
of Montefortino to be RACED to the ground
The command was only half carried out.
Troops drove the citizens from their
strongholds into the forests and encamped
on the victorious ground after many a hot
battle. But two years later the new pom
tiff. Plus ", allowed the citizens to re-
turn and since then no such summary
form of reform has been attempted; al
though il is generally conceded to be the
only one that might be of lasting benefit.