FIERCE VILLAGE FEUD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 118, 24 June 1914, Page 10

FIERCE VILLAGE FEUD.

FIGHT WITH SCYTHES AND AXES.

Reports from Ascoli-Piceno, Italy, give details of a fatal conflict between the mountain populations of Umito and Vallecchia. For many years past a bitter feud has existed over the right of pasturage in a strip of neutral meadow land which separates these two hamlets.

It was observed at dawn that the shepherds' of Vallecchia had brought their nocks and herds to the disputed territory. Fierce resentment was roused, and representatives of the leading families of Umito rallied 1500 men and cut off the shepherds' communication with Vallecchia. A few followers, armed with shovels, rakes, scythes, axes, and guns, moved forward stealthily to the attack early in the afternoon, while the herdsmen /were dozing beneath the trees. A terrible onslaught followed, and the fighting was so fierce that when, two hours later, a detachment of infantry arrived, the "battlefield" was covered with the wounded and dying.

The chief farmer of Vallecchia was found with his head completely severed from the trunk, and hard by lay the corpse of his aged father, whose skull had been battered in. Of more than fifty wounded, ten were so badly injured that they were not expected to survive. .

Troops which were sent to Umito to capture the attacking force were met ojily by the womenfolk, ,the. entire male population hayingfled Itb the nibst inaccessible mountatm heights to escape ajflesU