Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-07-12
Luigi Varnpa
He Was a Bandit, but
Treated With Consideration
by the Government
By WARREN MILLER



In the days when the Bourbons were
kings Of Naples southern Italy was
probably the worst governed country
in the civilized world. The people were
sorely oppressed by the government
and it was during this period that
much OF the crime that still exists in
Naples obtained foothold. During
the middle of the last century Carl
baldi overthrow King Bomba, as the
last Bourbon king Of Naples was call
ed, and since then Naples has been
morally improving. But it is easier
TO cast down than TO build up, and
many years must pass before the ef-
fects Of the msIule of southern Italy
and Sicily will be cradicated.
During the earlier part of the nine
teenth century a famous bandit infcst-
cd tie mountainous gceion encirCllns
the bay Of Naples. What lis real
name was no one knew, but he called
himself Luigi Nampa. His band was
not large, but the deeds il performed
were the wonder of all Italy. Nampa
disdained small plumber, always de-
voting himself 10 obtaining large sums
If he captured a person for ransom
that person was abundanly able 10
purchase his freedom with "A large
amount.
But the bandit chiefs fayorite field
was the cities He would rob an i'll
stitution with far greater temcrity than
-. a Il ..ta..
of America would hold up a bank. ON
one occasion. when theater was
crowded with spectators. when the
curtain was raised Nampa and lis men
were on the stage, covering the audi
ence with rifles While the main band
held the people in their seats several
bandits went down the aislcs levying
contributions. When they had taken
all there was TO be had they went on
to the stage, the curtain was lowered,
and the band, mounting horses in the
rear of the theatcr. rode away.
By and by IL began TO be noticed that
the government officials were always
a little too late to capture the bandits.
a few minutes after the latter had
openly committed II robbery the sol
diers would swoop down with ii great
clatter. then dash of after the robbers
in the wrong direction. During Luigi
Vampa's administration Of the coul
try's finances" as some persons term
ed ii. Il was noticed that the govern
ment was less vigorous in COLLECTING
the taxes. Some said that ii was be
cause there was no money to collect
except from the rich. while Others
averred that Nampa was the king
tax gatberer. In other words. it wa:
limited that the bandit paid the govern
ment the lions share of the plundei
for being permitted to rob.
A time came when these rumor'
gained SO much currency that the gor
eminent was obliged to do somethin;
to clear itself of these aspersions. y
expedition was sent up into the noun
tains back OF Sorrento. where Nampi
was at the time. \ battle took place
and the chief and few OF his ban,
were brought In chains to Naples
Suspicion. that The fight was II shan
was excited 10y the fact that not
man on either side was killed q
wounded. 1t was limited about tina
the battle had been fought with blan
cartridges. Most of the band mad
good n retreat and dispersed
What became OF the few men cal
,iured no one ever knew. Nampa bin
self alone remained prisoner
Wherever robbery has flourshed III
robbers seem 10 have had somcthin
81 the sympathy OF the class OF peopl
from which they sprang. Nampa WI
quite n hero among the poor. bccaus
II was belicped among them that b
had collected from the rich the take
they would otherwise have paid. lea
ing the poor immune.
Though Nampa was n prisoner. !
had every comfort. His trial was ~
of from week 10 week, from month
monbh when so much scandal wf
occasioned 10y this failure 10 puns
him FOR his crimes lie was at last trie
convicted and sentenced to b. sho
BUT no one believed that he would