Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-04-01
Most Feared Man in Italy
TestitieS al Viterbo.
Spectators Show Intense Inter-
J est and Doubt Conviction.
Denial and RidicuIe His Answer to
GrueIling Examination.

Niterbo, italy, Marci: 3I.--Eurico Al
fano, commonly known as Erricone, az
cused OF being the real head of tn,
Neapolitan Camorra, and perhaps til,
most powerful and certainly the most
feared man in italy. was called for in
terrogafpn in the court of the assizc-
today. The crimes laid at this man
door are numberless.
fi'he courtroom was crowded and the
interest was intense. Those familiar
with the history Of the dreaded society
fonad it difficult to- realize that the
nian who had SO long escaped the law
had at last been brought to book Even
now there are grave doubts that thu
Jury viii convict him
Under the grueilng today Erriconc
maintained the insolvent assurance,
which 1t not disarming suspicion, re
peatedly saved him from arrest Al
his headquarters in the Cafe Fortumio
he was won't TO smile blandly upon
those who mentioned the Camorra and
say. Do you really believe there is
such a thing? Why, those are stories
of other times The prisoner today
denied every accusation made against
him and ridicuied the tradition of his
power.
ETficone began his business career
BIS an errand boy in flower shop
Early in life he had place of his own
Then he established a grain market
AMI spe@ulated in cattle, bargaining
with the farmers who visited the fairs
he grew wealthy and became usurer,
with Otfiaa in bo -
He wore fine clothes and his carriages
ard horses attracted much attention as
he drove through the streets of Nj
pies.
some sis years ago he surrendered the
highest place in the Cahorra. the head of
the heads of the society, to Luigi Zucci
but it is charged that he continued in con-
tloi Oh the organization. His normal Of
Hce was OF the Vicaria, the most populous
ana troublesome district of Naples He
was repeatedly charged with responsibility
o Oh, completely in crimes. of burglary. he
white slave traffic. fraud against the cleo
tion laws and business corruption Several
times arrested he was Invariably discharged
becauta of lack of evidence or at the
worst received light punishment These
escapes are said TO have been due 10 his
influence With the authorities many OF
whom owed their positions to his control
~ Votes OF the poorer classes, for Erri-
-
~ robbed the rich, he also often helped
i poor.
~ was left 10 Lieutenant .Petrosino. the
american detective to arrest ana bring 10
astiee this man who had defed the police
OF Italy. Following the murder OF Cen
marc CdoceolO, he was arrested and
charged with instigating the crime. but a
way to his release was found in the false
testimony Of The priest Giro Vitozzi the
euardlah angel of the Camorra" Fleeing
10 America, he was re-arrested in Brook
lyn by Petrosino and has never since been
a free man That arrest was the first
rfa' liea' move in the breaking UP of the
tamorra and few here doubt that in APP
pretending Alfano the detective designed
has own death Why he should have sub
sednentty come TO this country where it
was almost certain thar he would be muir
dered IS past the understanding of all but
those intimately acquainted with the mans
contempt OF personal danger and devotion
To duty.
Abbatemacgio. the informer has tes4i-
red that Erricono approved the sentences
OF death imposed upon his traitorous as
SoclateS Gcnnar0 CuoCcolo and his wife
MARIA. and after the deed was done dis
trltuted sums of money among the assas-
sins. These allegations, as well as that
'oheHFninS his position in the Camorra Err
rloone Stoutly denied in reply 10 the oue;-
tons Of President Bianchi and the crown
prosecutor, 'avaliere Santoto. today.