BRIGAND SERVES HALF A CENTURY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13435, 24 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 his release from prison the other dav after serving 49 years. Gatto entered the "profession”-when a hoy of 19 because he had deserted from the army and wished to avoid arrest. Gatto subsequently headed a. famous band of bandits who had their headquarters in the fastnesses of Monte Gargano Mountain, in height, near Foggia, the seat of a historic pilgrimage to a sane tuary in memory of the apparition of St Michael to Archbishop Lawrence in 491. Gatto’s men subsisted mainly by despoiling pilgrim wayfarers in that wile region. For years they hold out against all armed expeditions sent to capture them, but finally surrendered to Maior liixio, 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, he is free, through tho endeavours of an unknown nephew. During his long incarceration he was able to accumulate .£2O by constant work at tailoring. His less fortunate fellow-prisoners celebrated the event by making, at eight hours’ notice, a fine bin© serge suit for presentation to Gatto.