BRIGAND SERVES HALF A CENTURY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 127, 21 July 1911, Page 7

BRIGAND SERVES HALF A CENTURY.

Half a century ago Antonio Gatto was one of the most famous brigand chiefs in all Calabria. To-day nobody knows him, and little interest was shown in Ids release from pnson the other day after serving fmly-nmo ye in s. Gatto entered .the “'profession” when a boy of nineteen because he bad deserted from the army and wished to avoid arrest. Gatto subsequently headed a famous band • f bandits who had their headquarters in the fastnesses of Monte Gargano Mountain, 3165 ft. in height, near Foggia, the seat of a histone pilgrimage to a sanctuary in memory ol the apparition of id;. Michael to .vrenbishop Laws cnee in -ID I. G otto’s men subsisted mabib despoiling pilgrim wayfarers in that wild region. For years they held out against all armed expeditions sent to capture them, but finally surrendered to Major Bixio, who deceived them with the promise that they would suffer no further penalty than the fulfilment, of military service. Gatto was sentenced to hard labour for life. Now, on the score of exceptionally good conduct, .ho is freed through the endeavours ot an unknown nephew. During his long incarceration he was able to accumulate £2O by constant work at tailoring. His less fortunate follow-pris-oners celebrat ed tho event by making, at eight hours’ notice, a fine blue ,sorgo suit for presentation to Gatto. Bobby pushed me in the gutter, In the pouring rain. Ail my cake and broad and butter Floated clown the drain. Mummy put me straight to bod, ’Cos my clothes were dripping. Gave me' Woods’ Great Pepp-minl Cure, Bobby got a whippin'