The Washington times., 1904-09-27
COPE OF ASCOLI
CAUSES TRAGEDY
A Photographer Accused,
Kills Himself.
PROCLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE
Says the Real Thieves Are So Exalted
Police Will Not Dare
TO Act

HCME, sept MOT long ago Eng
land and the United States were much
interested in the marvelously beautiful
antique cope which was 10 be seen in
Pierpont Morgan's art collection. ex-
hibited at the South Kensington Museum
in London.
A tragedy followed the theft and pub
lie exhibition Of that cope. No sooner
was the precious relic seen in London
than il was recognized as the one stolen
two years ago from the Cathedral Of
Ascot. Italy
Spoken of by Dante.
The cope is priceless. 1t originally be-
1onged TO Pope Nicholas III. and was
presented by Nicholas " to the cathe-
draL Dante speaking OF the cope in the
Inferno" says: "Sappi chic fui vestito
del gran manto."
The Italian police were at once reused
by the news from England. and follow
ing little clues, fastened their suspicious
on two persons. Father Raffaele Cas-
tell, who at the time of the stealing
belonged TO the cathedral at ASCOT.
and Enrico Rocchigiani. a Photographic,
of Volterra. The priest was accused
because he seemed TO have been acquir-
ing property which the police thought
he should be too poor to pay for.
A United Family.
The Castelu family are exceptionally
united. and consist Of n married sister.
Don Raffaele, and a younger broth
er- One evening. recently. they were
all TRANQUILITY sitting. enjoying the even
ing air. when suddenly the tramp,
tramp Of an armed squad was heard IN
the road. Don Raffaele turned to his
sister laughingly. and said:
IF one had something on his con
science how that sound would make his
heart beat
He had no sooner finished speaking
than eight carabineers. with an officer
came out Of the gloom and stopped at
the gate. They came silently up TO the
group. and surrounded the young priest
you are wanted" they said. come
quietly and we viii not make a scandal. -
but why2 OF what am / accused2'
"Of knowing more than you ought
about the cope"
First of His Race.
The scene that followed was uncom-
monty painful. To 10. eVen accused or
crime is considered mortal disgrace
by the CastelH family At last the car
abineers. and the vo,ng priest himself.
cut the scene short as the only thing
TO do. The dungeon door closed for the
first time on a Castelli As Don Raj
faelc left he said:
Il am innocent. Never believe any
thing else, And viii live to prove it.
Keep up heart and believe in me"
The sister fell into commissions.
Father Ranaeie at first abandoned
himself 10 despair i'm his prison cell R,I+
his religion soon came to his aid and In
the morning he was caImer. Some dave
laler ne was released "for want Of sIif-
hciert evidence but he is changed
past recognition. An old man at twenty
eight. he feels himself under a ban and
his only desire is to go among strangers
who do not know his story.
Photographed Suspected.
Eurico Focoaigiani. the nbotoaranber
had also. Ike Father Castell. beor
showing too much money. Untu rot
long ago he could scarcely make n liv-
ing, when suddenly-as II seened-bo
had plenty OF means and talked Of mar
TyinE- Being euterprlsir~ he brought
cur postcard Of the stolen cope and
gained considerably by g. one fen into
the hands Of the police. and a brigbt
o.hcer - ono" exclaimed
SUI now Is TINT The cope had only
Deeu nhotograpncd once before fl dfsau-
pcarcd. This IS not a reDrodtIction ~
that picture so the cope must have been
Photographed after &c was stolenr'
nnIinn
quarters. while R0cchfEfanf ,,y,s-,er,.,+
ing. planned his future with his farcee
The noXt evening also found him or
gagged in the same pleasant occuoatfon
which was so cngrOsSing that they ala
not hear ring Mt the front door hon
The courtehiD was suddenly interr7frfe7
by a ErUff voice saving
y arrest Won in tho name Of the law
EnTico Jumped as though shot Tho
police thinking he was trying to eS~anc
seized him. whereunon a struggle en-
sued His fancec tainted.
Betrayed by Woman.
Signorina Blanca NfascaZn 10 whom
Rocchigiani was engaged. seems 10 have
been n DoOr-spirited creature and WIS
easy game for the authorities.
Where did Enrico so suddenly get his
money! Did he steal the copper"
who were his accOmplices?-' Where IS
Enrico's money!" were the questions
rained down on her until she was re-
duced 70 a jelly with fright.
Don't arrest me. don't arrest met
she whimoered. 'I know nothing" was
her continual CRY. until. hard-Dressed.
she confessed that her lover had given
her 1900 which was IN the bank. 2 fact
that the police had never suspected.
The triumphant authorities ran to the
Jan, and bursting into ROcchiglani's cell
cried:
we have YOU now. how about The
5000 YOU handed over 20 Signorina Mas
cagni2'
with a gesture Of despair. Rocchfg-
iani hid his face in HIS hands. refusing
20 answer any questions
The next morning when the guard
opened the door Of the photographer s.
cell he stumbled against a heavy object
which swung out as he touched H. Tho
stark form Of Rocchigiaui. clad only In
his night clothes. hung from a hook over
the door with his sheet as a r0uc
Proclaims His Innocence.
IN HIS convuIsivcly closed fingers was
n sin OF paper. on which he had labor
fousIy written with a burnt match
IT am innocent Search for the guilty
When YOU find them you viii not touch
them They are too high. die because
woman has betrayed me-"
Thus ends the first chapter. VIII the
second tell Of Pierpont Morgau's return
OF the cone 10 the Holy Fathers Of As
coIf2
SISTER GETS ESTATE.
with the exception OF gifts Of money
20 his sister Elenor Ida Wetzerich and
20 Norah Cronan, Charles n. FrauneI.
by his will dated January y, 1899, leaves