Savages in Civilisation.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 98, 29 April 1904, Page 4

Savages in Civilisation.

A bjand of young I'aris ruMains, after sentencing one of their number to death, besieged him in his own house until he was compelled to come out, and then, in spile of the efforts of the police to protect him, took his life. The "Love" band, as they were called, who have made the Boquette quarter of Paris unsafe for months past, met in> a local wineshop, and tried one of their number <a youth of seventeen, named Verdovtjnjuc) who was suspected of having given information to the police. A registered letter had been posted to him calling upon him to attend to stand his trial, but fearing, no doubt, what was in store for him he kept away. He was thereupon tried by his fellows with mock solemnity, and was sentenced to death. Lots were cast, and a youth named Philippe, who is only eighteen years of age. was appointed to carry out the sentence. The bund went next morning to No. Vd Hue liasfrio. where Verdoufljie lived, and laid siege to his house. Tire concierge was sent upstairs with a nofe to come down or he would be killed during his sleep. VerdoiK|ue implored the concierge to go to the police, but tire man was alarmed at the throats nl the band outside to murder him should lie do so. He succeeded, however, in sending a message, and for forthy-cight hours a couple of policemen kept guard over the house. The condemned man, however, who had been imprisoned in his house since, the previous Wednesday, ventured out on Sunday night. Hardly had he appeared in the street when he was surrounded by the band, who held his arms and legs while J'hilippe plunged a stiletto up to the hilt in the victim's throat. sevcringthe arteries and causing death. The culprits then fled in all directions. The police late in the evening succeeded in arresting four members of the band while they were attending a ball at a house in the Rue Papincourt.

On seeing the police arrest his companions, Philippe c;ui;e forward ami said : "Ho not arrest my friends, they had nothing to do with it. It was I alone who killed the traitor. I alone am to blame." I'hilippo was calm and self-possessed, ami oisplayed no regard whatever for having taken the life 01 his companion, who, he sard, was a traitor. The members of the I rand werr known to each other by a mark or "beauty spot" which the.v had tutooed under their left eye. and also by another tatoo mark on tlu> arm surmounted by the inscription "Viw I'Amour