The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1885-10-10 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

BRIGANDS AND THEIR PROFITS.  The capture of Mr. Charnaud by brigands near Smyrna, and the demand of • ransom of £B,OOO, will, revive for a time an interest In those cut-throats, whose doings sold • spice of romantic danger to bratern travel. Brigands are always eager to get hold of Englithuren : they are sure of large ransoms, which, sometimes, according to the positive declare. tit:tarot the victims, they chars with the ruling officials of their districts. A score of cases can be recalled in which during the last 35 years parties of Engli-h travellers have been captured, and have been f oroed to ray heavy damages for their release. The acts or brigandage tobk place in Spain, in Italy, in Turkey, in Greece, in Sicily, and in Mexico. Chief among the Spanish captures was that of Mr. Arthur Haseldin, who fell into the hands of brigands in the Sierra Moron* in 1874. Four millions of teals (nearly 1:40,000) was first oeinanded for his ransom; but this was coin reduced to a quarter of the amount ;and, after nine days' captivity, Mr. Haseldin was released on payment by his brother of £6,000. Three years before this Mr. mid Mrs. Rankin and Mrs. Taylor were taken near llenits.in Spain, but were at once releain d on payment of £2OO. Mr. Edward Rowse was captured near Hiendelsencina in 1875, but he also at once came to terms with the briganda, dinpat cbing his servant for £l,OOO, which they agreed to take for his release. The remaining Spanish case , waa near Gibraltar, where two brothers named Bunch fell into the hands of brigands. In this case the ranaern of £.;,400 was advanced by the Governor of Gibraltar. The Mexican brigands were more moderate in .heir demands. Mr. William Rabling, captured near Pachuca in 1863, obtained his release, after three weeks' detention, on his friends handing over £7OO and 12 muskets. Three year. later Mr. J. D. Minikes was taken near Irapuatu by an armed band claiming to be a portion of the Liberal forces of General Autilon ; but he paid the £4OO demanded of him, and was detained only four days. Again. in 1869, Mr. Furbor was taken near Granaxato, and on the following day his body was found with an explanation at tached to it that he had been murdered for having refused to pay £l,BOO for his release. The first Italian case we can recall was that of Mr. Beale, who was captured neat Florence in 1864. He was exceptionally fortunate, as he was released the day folhawing his capturo without any ranoom, the guard thinking the 12,000 scud' demanded had been paid. In the following year Mr. and Mrs. William Moena, the Rev. J. C. M. Aynsley and Mrs. Aynsley were taken near Battipagha. The ladies were Meas d the same day, arid Mr. Aynsley was sent on the following day to arrange about the ransom, which was fixed at £8,400. Finally, after negotiating for more than three months, 1:5,100 was paid over to the brigands, and Mr. Moens was released. Mr. Forester Rose, who was captured close to the railway etation at Lecara, Sicily, had to pay £1.600 for his life. In this case a demand of E 5 000 WM made on the Italian Government for damage to the firm by auspension of the business, but no compensation was given. The most memorable act of brigandage, however, by which British subject. suffered, was the capture in 1870, about a dozen miler iron Athens, of Lord and Lady Muneaster, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Vyner, and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd. The Mat demand was for £50,000, but this was reduced to 1:25,000 and a pardon. Lady Muncaster and Mrs. Lloyd and child were released the same day, and Lord Muncaster was sent back two days later to arrange a ransom. The negotiations failed, however, and after ten days captivity Mr. Herbert, Mr. Vyner, arid Mr. Lloyd were murdered. In this case the King of Greece gave Mrs. Lloyd £l,OOO for her immediate wants and the Greek Governmet.t afterwards granted an indemnity of £lO,