EXCITING CAPTURE of BRIGANDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6456, 22 December 1881, Page 3

EXCITING CAPTURE of BRIGANDS.

The telegraph has already announced the capture in Sicily of the five brigands headed by the brothers Calamia, but the following details, communicated to a “Standard” correspondent by Lieutenant Raymondi, of the Carabineers, will be read with interest, the communication being dated Marsala, August 31 :—For some time past it has been known that this band of outlaws had taken up its quarters in this province (Trapani), and the authorities have done their best to give chase to these five desperadoes, whose ■whereabouts could not be positively ascertained until a day or two ago. Prom information received (by whom it is premature to say) the police and military authorities deemed it necessary to concentrate a large force of infantry and Carabineers in the Marsala district, and last evening this force set out fully prepared to attack the bandits, who were housed at a farm eight miles distant from this town at a placed called Baiata. The public were kept in ignorance as to the cause of this movement of troops. But at ten p.m. last evening soldiers and Carabineers were seen leaving town in the direction of the Salemi road, on which the farm at Baiata is situated. The soldiers and Carabineers arrived at their destination long before daylight, and patiently awaited dawn before making any move. As soon as there was sufficient light to commence operations, Lieutenant Raymondi, who was in command, gave orders to surround the house. This done, he ordered a volley of bullets to be fired at the windows, which had the effect of bringing down the windows and arousing the occupants. One of the brigands appeared at one of the windows, and was informed by Lieutenant Raymondi that if they did not give themselves up the house would be sacked. At first the brigands objected, aud upon Lieut. Raymondi attempting to burst open the door a shot was fired by one of the brigands, the bullet grazing Lieutenant Raymondi’s wrist. At this juncture an important personage made his appearance, and begged the troops to desist tiring, the speaker being no other than the unfortunate Signor Testone (Advocate), of Soiacca, who had been sequestered by the brigands and carried about by them for some time past. This unfortunate gentleman was dressed as a common peasant, but soon made himself known afterthe capture was effected. After obtaining a promise from the Lieutenant in command that no further shots would be fired by the troops, Signor Testone addressed the brigands, and exhorted them to give themselves up before causing bloodshed. Finally they acquiesced aud delivered up their guns, revolvers, &c., and, needless to say, the Carabineers did not fail to bind them securely, for these bloodthirsty rascals have given the Carabineers a great amount of work of late.

The five brigands, together with the hind of the farm, who is considered a ‘ ‘ manutengolo,” were pinioned two and two, and brought to Marsala about ten a.m. Upon arrival at the gates of the town the populace hissed and hooted the bandits, who in return spat at the people. At one p.m. they were brought to the station, where a large crowd was waiting to see their departure for Trapani. The six prisoners were placed in a third-class carriage, with a good bodyguard of Carabineers, and left thestatiou amidst the hisses aud groans of the people who thronged the outside of the station. Sig. Testone: remains in Marsala until he regains a little strength. Hia_ friends at Soiacoa were at once advised of his release.