Kaján Imre (szerk.): Zalai Múzeum 23. (Zalaegerszeg, 2017)

Bekő Tamás: Patkó-rejtély. Egy titokzatos dunántúli rablóvezér élete és Zala megyei rablásai

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Bekő Tamás

Patkó mystery

A mysterious Pannon bandit’s life and robberies in Zala County

The last big heyday of Pannon robber world’s was the “gendarmerie-times” between the fall of the war of independence and the conciliation. It was a hard and dark time for the country. The villainy of the gangs formed from escaped soldiers and rumbustious shepherds ruined not only public liberty, but the authority of the gendarmerie set up according to the Austrian model, as well.

By 1862, the brutality and armed robbery had again become such ordinary throughout the country that the Council of Buda was forced to introduce a “martial law’Mike adjudication and decided on eradicating the outlaws’ society permanently.

In this time, Patkó, who was a prison turned outlaw person - originally a shepherd - in Somogy County, became an outlaw leader.

Patkó who flowed legends in 1860 rose above all others. Courage, cold blood in the greatest danger

and quick mind characterized this brilliant person - wrote János Hegyessy retired chief noble judge in his memories in 1914. The outlaws’ extraordinary life is dimmed by an inexplicably mystery even today.

This is particularly true for Patkó, the “Transdanubian Sándor Rózsa”. (Sándor Rózsa was the most (in)famous “betyár” in Hungary.) But who was actually Patkó, the dreadful scamp? Did two brothers burglarize the south-western countries as Ferenc Gönczi ethnographer submitted in his book about the robber world in Somogy? Or was he in the wrong and might have fallen a victim of robber romantic? The study is thoroughgoing and it presents the iconic bandit leader’s portrait via extensive genealogical researches. Apart from the birth certificate and contemporary press releases, is uses also Zala, Somogy, Baranya archives documents to picture the uncanniest criminal of all times.

Translated by Veronika Nagy