Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1886 — Sicilian Vespers. [ARTICLE]

Sicilian Vespers.

The massacre known by this name began at Palermo, Sicily, March 30, 12&2. The French who occupied the island had become hateful to the natives. On Easter Monday the chief conspirators, who had resolved to exterminate the French, were in session at Palermo. At the same time, while the French were engaged in festivities, a Sicilian bride happened to pass by with her train. She was observed by one Drochot, a Frenchman, who, advancing toward her, used her rudely under pretense of searching for arms. A young Sicilian, angered at this affront, stabbed the Frenchman with his own sword. A tumult ensned, and 200 French were at once murdered. The populace rau about crying, “Let the French die!” and, without distinction of age, rank, or sex, they slaughtered all of that nation they could find, to the number of 8,000, the massacre extending over the whole island.