The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-18
Luigi Vanlpa
He Was a Bandit, but
Treated With Consideration
by the Government
By WARREN MILLER

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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 1t was during this period that
much Of the crime that still exists In
Naples obtained a foothold. Durina
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 1t is easier
to cast down than to build up, and
many years must pass before the eff.
fects Of the misrule of southern Italy
and Sicily will be eradicatC1.
During the earlier part of the nine.
teenth century famous bandit infest-
ed the mountainous region encircling
the bay Of Naples. What his real
name was no one knew, but he called
himself Luigi Vampa. His band was
not large, but the deeds it performed
were the wonder of all Italy. Vampa
disdained small plumber, always de-
voting himself to obtaining large sums
II he captured a person for ransom
that person was abundantly able to
purchase his freedom with a large
amount.
But the bandit chiefs favorite field
was the cities. He would rob an in
stitution with far greater temerity than
some outlaws in the old pioneer days
of America would hold up bank. On
one occasion, when a theater was
crowded with spectators, when the
curtain was raised Vampa and his 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 aisles 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 theater, rode away.
BY and by it began to be noticed that
the government officials were always
little too late to capture the bandits
A few minutes after the latter had
openly committed robbery the sol.
d1ers would swOOp down with great
clatter, then dash off after the robbers
In the wrong direction. During Luigi
Vampa's administration of the coun.
try's finances, as some persons term.
ed 1t, 1t was noticed that the govern.
ment was less vigorous in collecting
the taxes. Some said that it was be-
cause there was no money to collect
except from the rich, while others
averred that Vampa was the kings
tax gatherer. In other words, 1t was
limited that the bandit paid the govern.
ment the lions share Of the plumber
for being permitted to rob.
A time came when these rumors
gained SO much currency that the gov.
eminent was obliged to do something
to clear itself Of these aspersions. An
expedition was sent up into the noun.
tains back Of Sorrento, where Vampa
was at the time. A battle took place
and the chief and few Of his band
were brought In chains to Naples.
Suspicion that the fight was sham
was excited by the fact that not a
man on either side was killed or
wounded. 1t was limited about that
the battle had been fought with blank
cartridges. Most of the band made
good retreat and dispersed.
What became of the few men cap
tured no one ever knew. Vampa him
self alone remained a prisoner
Wherever robbery has fourished the
robbers seem to have had something
Of the sympathy of the class Of people
from which they sprang. Vampa was
quite a hero among the poor, because
It was believed among them that he
had collected from the rich the taxes
they would otherwise have paid. leav.
Ing the poor immune.
Though Vampa was a prisoner, he
had every comfort. His trial was put
OF from week to week, from month to
month. When so much scandal was
occasioned by this failure to punish
him for his crimes he was at last tried
convicted and sentenced to be shot.
But no one believed that he would be
executed.
Some persons supposed that the
day he was to be shot certain of his
band high In his confidence would
bring forth evidence duplicating the
government that would incite q revo
luton or at least besmirch the king
before the entire civilized world
Be that as it may, Vampa's execu,
ton was deferred just as his trial had
been deferred. Not only this, but he
was permitted greater comfort, and at
last, when the public gaze had been
somewhat turned from him. he was al.
lowed greater freedom.
One day a well dressed man resem.
bling yampa appeared in one Of the
principal restaurants Of Naples. He
had shaved his beard and made other
changes in his personal appearance,
but despite this he was recognized as
the famous robber. He was accompa.
MED by a woman of Spanish type of
beauty. to whom he appeared devoted.
It was reported that the government