A FAMOUS BRIGAND

Dunstan Times, Issue 1198, 13 February 1885, Page 3

A FAMOUS BRIGAND

Tbe Hun aid .n u .« opdpeiii auoouno < the deuth of Rosza Sattdor, the dre>d,d.*ni and whoso exploits have been the subj -c of many a romance. Rosza was born in 1813, and “ took to the road” early in life. So skilfully did he evade the researches of the police, that for about twenty-five years he was able to levy ransoms on wea-tby inhabitants of several flourishing rural districts of Hungaiy. It was not til) *heyear 1856 that he tell into the hands of tbe authorities. He w.is then taken by surprise when sleeping with one of his companions in a vineyard. On perceiving the gendarmes the brigand at once concluded that he had been betrayed by his own followers, and, quickly drawing-bis pistol had time to blow out the brains of his fellow bandit before he was himself captured. Rosza Sander was condemned to death, but his penalty was ultimately .commated’to perpetual imprionment. His conduct in prison must have been exceptionally good for he so far succeeded iu deceiving, his guardians that.in 1862 he was par loued and released. Rosza however scarcely regained his freedom thm he at once resumed his old profession of highwayman. He now devo'ed himself to attacking railways Aided by a band of outlaw-, the trains which were conveying money were thrown off the lines.and the travellers anil mail bags pillaged. These depredations were of so serious a character and yet conducted with so much skill and success, that the Government was compelled to d-spa'ch Gedeon Rid ay as commisssioner extraordinary to suppress brigandige. After many vain efforts. Rosza Sandor was at last captured in 1868, anti then commence 1 a series . f inquiries and revelations of the most startling description. Little by little evidence was coliected,proving that the brigands had allies and associates even among the highest functionaries and municipal authorities of the country. A special tribunal had to be appointed to try these persons, and it took no less than four years to prepare the case against Sandor and his colleagues. In all fifty persons were accused, and several hundred witnesses heard. Tbe trial lasted a whole year, and San'or was one - more condemned to death. The obj -ction to capital punishment, however, was so strong that he was not executed, but confined to the fortra s of Dvbreczip, where he died a few days ago. His name, like that of Dick Turpin, Jack Sheppard, Cartouche, or Fra Dl.ivolo, will long be remembered in song and verse throughout Hungary.