Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-05-08
KING OF THE BANDITS
PICTURESQUE RUFFIAN BEING
TRIED AT LUCIA.
ALL ITALY INTERESTED
Scoundel Has Sympathy of All the
People, Defyirg Even the Court
Robber Never Kills Unless Attack
ed, He Says.

Musolino. the Italian brlsand, the
story of whose long defiance of the
entire forces of the government and
the police authorities has been fol-
lowed in the dispatches, is still riveting
the attention of all his countrymen.
His trial, which began at Lucca
recently. is assuming a character
which at one time is sensational and
at another ridiculous. 1t is always
theatrical. Every newspaper in Italy
prints long reports of the trial and the
papers have enormous sale. The ex-
element extends from the royal court
to the lowest cottage.
There is an almost universal belief
that Musolino will not have to wait to
be condemned. but will escape through
the connivance OF sympathizers. The
fact that it is known that he made
thirteen attempts to commit murd er,
most of which were successful, does
not excite any horror among the peo-
pie. He declares in impassioned
rhetoric that he has exercised the
sacred right of avenging himself on
his enemies. The public shows a SEN
timental sympathy with this view,
and rather pities the possible fate CT
the jury which will have to condemn
him.
Musolino's vanity, which is his chief
Characteristic, has been fully satisfied
by all the happenings at Lucca. Dis
tinguished men in large numbers have
come there to visit him. The poet
dramatist D'Annunzio, the poet
Pascoli and the famous psychologist
Lombroso all seem to have been tas-
cinated by this picturesque ruffian.
D'Annunzio is writing novel and
preparing a play of which Musolino is
to be the hero and Pascoli is publish.
ing verses. by the ream singing his
praises, and has written an open letter
in which he declare that the brigand
is the victim of injustice and fate, and
pays homage to his sovereign intelli-
gence."
LombTOsO was consulted in regard
to the mental condition of the brigand
and declared that he was perfectly
SANE. ne auueQ.
He is a most exceptional man II
properly brought up, he would, | am
certain have become a glory to Italy
His intelligence, perspicacity anc
eloqucnce are indeed extraordinary
He possesses in the highest degree al
the qualities of a great orator and q
great nan, and yet he is merely g
! brigand 1t is a truly fascinating
case
In the tliaI in the court at Lucca
Musolino bears himself as the master
of the occasion The judge, the jury
the carabineers, the lawyers and
journalists bow down to him and &C
cept his caprices with the greatest
readiness. At first he refused to
speak; now he constantly interrupts
and is Immediately listened to IN
death-like silence, and his remarks are
followed with thunderous applause
and sometimes my hysterical weeping
When he was brought in at first he
refused to be tried or speak because
he was dressed as a convict. He
said:
Il refuse to be tried unless | am
dressed as a gentleman"
After much coaxing he was induced
to appear, but he still refused to speak
or answer questions while dressed as
convict. The judge who is presiding
used persuasive argument to convince
the brigand that the matter of clothes
would have no effect on the jury.
THAT is all very we'll" replied
Musoline, but if you were dressed rs
a farmer no one would take you for a
Judge"
He finally consented to make a
speech on condition that the judge
would not interrupt him. This was
granted, but the judge inadvertently
| made an observation. and Musolino
sternly and sharply said to him: do
not interrupt" and proceeded to give
a striking history OF his lawless life
which was full of rough sort OF
poetry that appealed strongly to the
! jury and the people who applauded
and wept.
Musolino declared that with the ex'
| ception of traitors he never killed any
! one unless attacked. The only car