FAMOUS BRIGAND KILLED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 26 October 1907, Page 3

FAMOUS BRIGAND KILLED.

lIEEO OF MANY AMAZING EXPLOITS. Madrid, September 1. It is officially announced that the famous brigand Parnales has been killed by men of the Civil Guard at the village of Villavcrde, in the province of Jaen. Many amazing tales are told of the exploits Of this famous brigand, whoso career of depredation has at last been brought to a close. For several months at the beginning of the present year he cxerei'sed his profession of brigandage quite openly at the gates of Seville, collecting tribute from all sorts and conditions of men with as much tranquility as if he were a receiver of taxes.

The next day all the farmer's cattle were maimed, and he received a letter from the brigand informing him that if he ever endeavored to betray Pernalcs again his children's ears would bo cut off.

When ou another raid he entered * farmhouse, and after relieving the farmer of all his loose cash—about £3o— the household to drink with him.

On another occasion he took up a position of observation about a mile and a-half from the village of Kute, not far from Cordova, where a group of peasants were at field work.

Knowing that the men were the servants of various proprietors, ho ordered them to bring him a sum equivalent to £0 from each, and intimated that he would bold all the ploughs and other implements as pledges against the money. His commands were obeyed. At Yillau he successfully extorted not only money but a night's hospitality and safe keeping by posing as a wizard. He declared that if any harm came to him a curse would fall on the crops, then suffering from drought, whereas if he were treated honorably as a welcome guest he would bring down the rain so much needed.

The best of treatment was shown to the brigand, and as the rain did in fact fall next day his prestige as a protector or as a foe to be dreaded was added to among the ignorant peasantry.