The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-18
uigi vannpa
He Was Z Bandit, but
Gated With Consideration
By tie Government
By WARREN MILLER

= NO QayB Woeo tne bOurDOnS were
Of Naples southern Italy was
bly, the worst governed country
scivilixed world. The people were
!, oppressed by the government,
1t was during this period that
Of the crime that still exists in
IS obtained / foothold. During
middle Of the last century Carl
overthrow King Bomba, as the
Bourbon king Of Naples was call
md since then Naples has been
lily improving. But it is easier
lst down than to build up, and
u years must pass before the eff
OF the misrule of southern Italy
Sicily win be eradicatM.
ring the earlier part of the nine
h century a famous bandit infest-
he mountainous region encirclins
bay Of Naples. What his real
was no one knew, but he called
h elf Luigi vampa. His band was
large, but the deeds it performed
!. the wonder of all Italy. Vampa
aimed small plumber. always de-
!, ig himself to obtaining large sums
e captured person for ransom
person was abundantly able to
), base his freedom with a largo
:, unit.
It the bandit chiefs favorite field
:, the cities. He would rob an in.
,Ition with far greater temerity than
Q outlaws In the old pioneer days
!, -merica would hold up a bank. ON
:. occasi0n. when theater was
vded with spectators. when the
ain was raised vampa and his men
e on the stage, covering the audi
y with rides. While the main band
:. the people in their seats several
dts went down the aisles levyinc
.ributions. When they had taken
there was to be had they went on
he stage, the curtain was lowered.
the band, mounting horses in the
I. Of the theater, rode away.
y and,by It began to be noticed that
government officials were always
tile too late to capture the bandits
few minutes after the latter had
My committed a robbery the sol.
- would swoop down with great
ter. then dash Off after the robbers
the wrong direction. During Luigi
mpa's administration of the coun-
q finances" as some persons term.
1t, Il was noticed that the govern
Mt was less vigorous in collecting
, taxes Some said that it was be-
Use there was no money to collect
.ept from the rich, while others
erred that vampa was the kings
gatherer. In other words. it was
ted that the bandit paid the govern.
Mt the Hons share Of the plumber
being permitted to rob.
! time came. when these rumors
ned 20 much currency that the gov.
lment was obliged to do something
clear itself Of these aspersions. An
)editien was sent up into the noun.
M back Of Sorrento, where Vampa
. ct the time. A battle took place
the chief and a few Of his band
re brought in chains to Naples
spicion that the fight was sham
% excited by the fact that not a
n on either side was killed OF
unded. It was limited about that
, battle had been fought with blank
'tridges. Most of the band made
ID a retreat and dispersed
What became Of the few men cap
ed no one ever knew. Vampa him
( alone remained prisoner.
Wherever robbery has fourished the
)bers seem to have had something
the sympathy of the class Of people
IN which they sprang. Vampa wa:
lite a hero among the poor, becaus,
was believed among them that b,
d collected from the rich the take:
y would otherwise have paid. leav
, the poor immune.
Though vampa was a prisoner. b,
d every comfort. His trial was pu
from week to week, from month I,
nth. When so much scandal wa
,asioned by this failure to punish
n for his crimes he was at last tried
nvicted and sentenced to be shot
It no one believed that he would b,
ecuted.
some persons supposed that tn,
y he was to be shot certain of hi
nd high in his confidence would
ing forth evidence duplicating tn,
that would incite a revo
ion or at least besmirch the kin,
fore the entire civilized world.
Be that rs it may. vampa's execu
n was deferred just as his trial ha'
en- deferred Not only this. but b,
Is permitted greater comfort, and a
It, when the public gaze had beer
mewhat turned from him. he was al
we'd greater freedom.
)ne day q well dressed man resem
ng vampa appeared in one of tn
lncipal restaurants Of Naples. a.
d shaved his beard and made othe
anges In his personal appearance
{ despite this he was recognized a
e famous robber. He was accompa
ID by a woman of Spanish type o
auty, to whom he appeared devoted
was reported that the government
d permitted the woman he loved Z
If him In his confinement. and tn