The silver star., 1898-02-03
CAREER OF A BANDIT.
irALv's NOTORIOUS OUTLAW
WROTE HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY
He Was Extremely Reiigioua-Describss
the Way He Murdered His Companion
Roasa-Makss Fun of the Physicisas
who Conducted the Inquest.

One of the most sensational books
that has ever been published recently
appeared at Fossari in Sardinia. 1t is
| nothing less than the autobiography OF
a bandit, the title being Life History
| OF Giovanni Tolu, Related by Himself.
| II 10 published by lawyer named f.
| Costa. in compliance with the bandits
request. says the New York Herald.
AS Costa was summing himself in his
garden some time ago old Tolu, who
had for years been one of the most
notorious brigands in Italy. appeared
before him and begged him to give his
story to the world.
Il want" said the 74-year-old bandit,
ito give in this way a warning to my
colleagues, lesson to flighty young
men and a word OF advice as to the
manner in which the government
should treat the poor people"
With these words he handed over his
manuscript and went to his home,
where he died few weeks later.
Strange is the story which he tells.
He began his inquitous career by a
murderous assault on a priest who had
used his influence to prevent respect
able young girl from marrying him.
After that exploit he fed to the woods
and there he lived for thirty long years.
No ordinary bandit was he. Lust of
gold was not his besetting sin. He at
tackled only those whom he believed to
be his enemies. Thus he was ever
ready to deal blow against police Of
ficers and spies, but on the other hand
he was a stout champion of the poor
and needy. The latter, indeed, looked
up to him as their leader and willingly
contributed to his support
Strange to say this redoubtable out
law, who feared no man. was the alb
ject slave of many childish supersti-
tions. For example, he was convinced
that priest who said more than three
prayers during the mass was bent on
some evil deed and would surely be-
witch some member of his congrega-
ton. Being once attacked with severe
illness in Florines. his native place. he
felt certain that a hostile priest, aided
by several others, had afflicted him. Il
betook myself" he says in his book.
ito worthy priest and he took his
breviary and began to exercise me.
Thereupon the pain left me and had
rest for several weeks. Later I went
to the curate of Orsi. who was said to
be especially skilled at exercising. He
bade me kneel and then he sprinkled
me with water and prayed a long time.
Three times | went to him, but when
] told him on the third occasion that
the pain was worse than ever he frank
ly confessed that he, too. was bewitch-
ed. having been bound by another
priest, who was much stronger than
he
Tolu never ventured to take any
ones life until he had first appealed for
advice to the Madonna and the whole
army of saints. One day he decided to
murder a certain Salvatore Moro. LAS
/ went to his house." he tells us, II
begged the Mother OF God to enlighten
me and to show me whether this man
really deserved death. ! also COM
mended my soul to God in case should
surprised and killed by my enemy. AZ
ter / had slain Moro loaded my gun
afresh. after which said Hail Mary
and prayed for the repose of the de-
parted sonl. In this way learned that
| had killed the body but not the soul OF
my enemy"
This extraordinary bandit spent his
leisure in reading devotional books, his
favorite being Mgr. DIodati's version
of the Bible Although | was an out
law" he tells us, Il never neglected my
religious duties. Morning and evening
! said my prayers without fail: aye, !
prayed for the dead and visited many
churches and | confessed several times
each year. Through the kindness OF
the abbot OF Florines. was enabled &c
get into his church by way of secret
stairway which connected the church
with his dwelling"
In regard to the murder OF his com.
panion. Rosa. who betrayed him. bs
I says. naively: II killed him M III.
first shot, and therefore ! had to laugh
when | read. some days later, an nc.
count OF the inquest. The worthy ply
sicians gravely testified that Rossa hat
been assaulted by at least four men
When such mistakes are made, is II an,
wonder that inquests are often
farce?"
Crimlnologlsts and psychologists will
find this book well worthy of study
Not often Is man like Tolu to b
found. and therefore a thorough analy
sis OF his character would be very in
teresting. A brutal murderer one mo
ment. fawning penitent the next. h
was assuredly strange mixture O
oontrarIeties. And the most ainazin,
fact about his career is that he neve
seems to have looked upon himself a
a guilty man or deserving OF any pun
ishment.