A Romantic Brigand,

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1922, Page 4

A Romantic Brigand,

MILAN, July 24. The extraordinary story of the arrest of the Sicilian brigand, Salvatore Rnpisarda, who passed as a gentleman and the protector rf an entire country, recalls the romantic careers of the Neapolitan brigand, Mansaniello, and others in the seventeenth century'. A despatch from Catania says the whole district is in a ferment over his arrest, and indignant with the Carabinieri. Rapisarda was the most popular person in Biancavi,l I,a.'. Twenty-eight years old bandsome, with sunburnt face, gallant and almost chivalrous, he used to ride about on a thoroughbred mare, followed by numerous mastiffs. He was very fond of a display of arms like a Mexican cowboy, and most devoted and affectionate to bis wife and family of two nice children. The peasants in the entire country looked upon him as their protector and the custodian of their houses and fields. No delinquents dared enter his zone, because lie captured them immediately and administered severe punishment. He also declared that a».v strangers and travellers were under his protection. Numerous anecdotes are related of his doings. During the war he became most patriotic, and bunted down deserters in bis district, and when he caught any be gave them the choice of being either shot or going hack to the front, and they invariably accepted the latter alternative. Three ruffians once kidnapped a girl of

good family, taking here into the morn tains, when Rapisarda came acros them rented them. an<l took the wee] U\% gk 1 1: me t> her family. For h ni'meious sjrvitoa of this doscriptio th L . natives conceived a- high esteem f< him and wanted to show their reco< nition. ITe was called upon frequcntl as peacemaker, and they would not pe mit the police to capture him. Nil years ago Rapisarda committed son offences against the law. not very c-lea for which he was sentenced by defau to twenty-five years’ prison, and final the price of 10.000 lire was placed, c his head, hut nofiodv ever dared to cn ! tnre him. as lie always carried three r l volvers and a huge supply of aiuniur | lion. Some years ago a petition, f loged to he signed by 1‘2.000 person was sent to the Tying, asking’for tl brigand’s pardon, and for a revision liis t'ial. It is believed he was 1: trayed three, nights ago, when a eeral ) eier overtook him in sleep and arresti . him at Hi: neavilln.