Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-16
Curious Ups and Downs OF
Head of Old and An
cient House.
INSURANCE AG E N T
Became Popular With Poor
Classes; Now Has His
Wealth Back.

| Correspondence Of Tho Associated Press
n ONE, March 15.-By an as
IN tonishng turn of fortunes wheel.
I Prince Maffeo Sciarra, the last male
member of one of the most ancient
and wealthiest houses Of Rome and
twenty years ago one of the princi-
cipal social and political figures
of Italy, has 1t again in his power
f, to resume his former place in pubic
life.
His former wealth and prominence,
followed by many years OF abJect
poverty, during which time he be-
came widely known to Americans
interested in the purchase Of antiques
and later still to his former friends
as an agent for automobile insurance.
brought him a certain popularity
among poorer people which he had
never enjoyed in prosperity.
The recent unexpected winning or
an old lawsuit against the estates
or the princes Barberini involving
81 100000. together with the
payment of an income of $4,000 q
year from the knights Of Malta. has
revived interest in his career.
Many Ups and Downs.
In a country noted for the misfor-
tunes of princes, his ups and downs
have made his story unique. When
he began his political career thirty
years ago he became a follower Of a
group led by five statesmen known
as the Pentarchy He was one of
the most important of the group be-
cause of tho splendor of name that
dates back to 1882. allying him with
many noble houses in Europe and
giving him no less than five titles
among which are those of Prince of
Carbognano, Duke of Bassannello,
Marquis Of Corese, Count di Palaz-
zuolo and Baron di San Stefano.
His prominence was increased be-
cause Of his great wealth, he then
owning the magnificent Sciarra fall
ace in the Corso, and many villas.
ono of which occupied much of the
Janiculum hill, since built up by
wealthy Americans and particularly
the seat of the American academy
in Rome.
The beginning Of his loss Of for
tune was due partly to the wave
of real estate speculation that In
those days led to the premature i'm
provement of Roman property But
it was principally due to his political
ambitions. He founded the news
paper still known as the Tribuna
and in it pushed the projects of his
party. Curiously enough, the Sciarra
palace of the crosS with which he
was forced to part is now the office
OF another newspaper, the Giornale
D'Italia, the organ of another poll
tician, Baron Sidney Sonnino, at
present the Italian minister of for
eign affairs.
Sold Old Painting.
When his fortunes were ebblng
Prince Maffeo sold in Paris one Of
Raphael's paintings which adorned
his palace, "The Violin Player" and
by this act the deputy and politician
was prosecuted for violation Of the
law forbididng the sale out of Italy
Vt old masters.
This prosecution. in connection
with other troubles. made him an
exile in France. Finally, when he
ego scarcely vestige of his old
fortune remained. 1t was with the
utmost difficulty within a very re-
cent period that he was able to sup
port himself, his little girl or his
beautiful young wife, Princess All
cite, daughter of the French Marquis
de Bonneval. His mother shared
his poverty and previous to her
death was supported by the charity
Of the Vatican in a convent. He
lived in the country at Frascati.
where rent Is cheap. and received
business mail at the chamber Of
deputies. as ne had the right to do
as former member.
At the age OF 66 the prince still
possesses much OF his old courage:
adversely has not broken him. and
this u why Rome IL wondering Il he