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Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3506, 8 June 1920, Page 5

A man who in his earlier life belonged to a band of 'bl'igands. and achieved fame not only by the numerous murders he committed but by -his escape from the extreme penalty of the law through the failure of the guillotine, has just celebrated his eontenary in at home for the aged in Rome. He is known as Antonia Ventnra. In 1862 he was condenined to death by Pope Pius IX., and Was- taken on to the scaffold. He was placed in position, and the executioner pulled the cord releasing the cutter. The latter however, suddenly stopped on reachingthe man ’s neck, which was only slight« 13' cut, -and the advocate stopped the‘ executioner, explaining that the law permitted only one attempt to be fnaac to execute the same individual. Venture,‘ remained in prison for 50 years, JTTC-f 'a‘\‘.".‘j relr_"3.=m7. "i~_“f‘-_V_'r., }'(‘_‘\j'? ;;_g-’“._ t