The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1904-01-22
MODERN MONTE cRlsro
Subject of the Pope Who DiseOvsrsd
Treasure and Founded Colony
on IN Island.

The pope lately received q curious
document, dated Island of Galita, which
is in the Mediterranean. on the coast
Of Africa, about 50 miles from the
French naval station OF Bizerta. The
document, reports q London paper. is
signed by Giuseppe Darco. and implores
the protection OF bis holiness for the
writer, his family and his fellow is
landers. all OF whom, the document
states. are faithful and loyal subjects
of the pope Of Rome" An investiga-
ton made by a correspondent Of La
Tribuna di Roma has revealed a most
interesting narrative, not unlike that
found In Dumas famous tale. The
Count OF Monte Cristo.
The island. which In ancient times
was called Calathe, is legally included
in the French proteetorate Of Tunis-
Recently a French gunboat visited IL
with some engineers on board 10 see
what possibilities il possessed for fori-
fication. The engineers found the is
land inhabited by about 100 Italians,
ruled in sort Of patriarchal way by
one Giuseppe Darco. who claimed the
sovereignty of the island. and refused
20 acknowledge the authority Of France.
report was duly made by The engi-
nseTs TO the French resident in TuDis.
who in turn sent II to the Quai d'Orsay.
He was ordered TO make q thOroush in
vestigation concerning Darco and his
fellow islanders.
Darco. according TO his own story. was
forced TO leave his native land as far
back as 1850, when at the age OF 20
and a member of the Giovane Italia he
killed a political associate. He man
aged to elude the police. and one dark
night he embarked in a small boat upon
the Mediterranean, hoping 10 reach Tu-
mis-. Winds and currents drove him
upon the shores Of La GAlita He ex-
plored the island. and finally, like Ed
mond Dante, of Monte Cristo fame. he
discovered a cavern where. in secret
place. he unearthed q treasure consist
ing of the traditional bags of Spanish
dOubloons and dollars OF mHrque. as
well as many silver coins OF other eOun-
part Of the eighteenth century. Evil
IDENTIFY the cave had been the hiding
place OF Bsrbary pirates prior to the
conquest OF Algiers by the French. Oar
90 gathered a pocketful OF the gold
pieces, and. after a few days spent on
the island. managed to signal passing
ship, and was taken to Tunis. Thence
he went to Naples, where he changed
the old money for current cash.
Next Darco purchased small fishing
sloop and returned TO the island, where
he packed up the remainder OF the treas
ure and disposed Of it at different Med
iterranean ports. He then divided his
time between La Gallta and La Gale.
AlgieTs, a place much frequented BY
fishermen from the Tore del Greco. in
the Bay of Naples. At La Gale Darco
married an Italian woman, bought a
collection of Rgrieufurys implements.
carpenters tools and provisions, and
started for his treasure island. and
founded a family there Besides him.
self and his wife. four relatives-two
young Italians and their wives-com-
posed the colony He now has 81 chill
dren. grandchildren and grest-grand-
children.
At the age of 20 Signore Darco is
said to be still vigorous and energetic
He refuses to accept French nationality
or to acknowledge the authority OF the
resident general I'm Tunis The latter
promised to leave the patriarch alone If
he would only pay taxes. This was re-
fused, and while the Quay d'orsay is
meditating on the case Darco has APP
pealed to Pope Plus Y for protection.