The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-07-27
Execution Of Hicks...A Concession OF
A Murderer.

Execution Of Hicks. Confession OF
A Murderer.
Hicks, the pirate, in his confession, seeks
a notoriety for the commission of many
crimes, which, from the nature of the cir
cumstances he could not have committed.
The following account Of the murders on the
E. Il. johnson, for which be suffered death,
as dictated by himself, contains matter Of
much interest, though it is evidently sim.
proved" by the amanuensis for sensation pur-
poses
The sloop E. II. johnson offered an easy
prey. She had on board, supposed, from
all the information could gather, something
over 81 900, and the entire crew consisted
of but two boys and myself.
had never known of or seen Capt. Burr
before shipped with him. He had never
done me injury or wrong, so that l had no
revenge to crafty, no grudge to pay.
He seemed kind and amiable man, and
would, have no doubt, awakened kindly
feelings in any heart but mine, and even 1
liked him. Yet, 1 engaged myself to him
solely and only for the cruel purpose of
taking his life, the lives of the two young
men, and making myself master of the money
l supposed be had on board.
1 calculated to do this as calmly as you
would contemplate doing any of the usual
duties in the ordinary transactions of life.
had killed men, yes, and boys too, many
time before, for far less iHducement than
the sum I supposed to gain by killing them;
and I had too often dyed my murderous
hands in blood in days gone by, to feel the
slightest computations or qualms of con-
science then.
never thought of the consequences of
such crime. The fear of detection never
once crossed my mind. Ihad too often done
the same thing with impunity to believe that
day of reckoning would ever come, in this
world at least, and I never gave thought
to the world to come.
After engaging with Capt. Burr, went
home to my wife at No. 129 Cedar street,
and laying down on the bed, told her not to
disturb me, as l wanted to take long
sleep, and if any one came for me to say that
was not in. She left me alone, and then
deliberately matured all my plans. marked
out the course intended to pursue exactly;
and after l had decided upon everything,
went to sleep and slept as soundly as ever 1
slept in my life, my mind was so much at
ease, and l felt so contented at the idea of
having at last an opportunity of making
some money in an easy way.
The next day went on board and COM
menced my duties, and in order to ingratiate
myself into the good graces of the captain 1
did even more than could have been expect
ed of me.
We sailed on the 10th of March from the
foot of Spring street, and proceeded to Key.
port, where we remained till Sunday. While
here scraped the mast of the sloop, did
lot of carpenter work, and evidently pleased
Capt Buer very much my by earnestness in
trying to make everything look ship.shape.
We arrived at Gravesend on Saturday
afternoon, and waited there for fair wind.
At last we put to sea and when we were
off the Ocean House went to the forecas-
tie and got an axe, which put in the boat
hanging to the davit aft.
The younger Watts was at the helm, and
l asked him to allow me to steer a little
while. He consented, and went forward.
In few minutes l left the helm, and,
taking the axe, went to him, and asked him
if he saw Barnegat Light. He said he did
not. I told him to look again, and pointed
with my had.
He turned around and looked in my face
a moment, but even if he had suspected my
cruel purpose, he would have read no indi-
cation oft there, for was as calm as though
l was going to do the simplest and most in
nocent thing in life.
Had 1 been under human influence, the
con6dant and trusty way in which he turned
his eyes to mine would have made me hesi>
tate, but no such thought entered my heart,
and l pointed again and told him to "look
there, amt that it?
He turned bis head and peered through
the darkness in the direction l pointed, and
as he did so, struck him on the back of the
head with the axe, and knocked him down
He fell
Thinking had not killed him, l struck
him again with the axe as be lay on tie
deck.
His fall and the noise of the axe made
some noise, which, added to that caused by
my running across the deck, attracting the
attention of the captain, who came up the
companion way, and, putting out his head,
asked what was the matter?
Ireplied, Nothing" and then asked him,
as l had the younger Watts, "is that Barne-
gat Light"
Capt. Burr replied, "No, you will not see
it for two hours y and as he spoke he turned
his head from me.
The axe swung in the air, and, guided
by my sinewy and murderous arm, came
down.
The edge crushed through his neck, nearly
serveriDg his head brom the body, and kill
ing him instantly.
The body fell down the companionway.
AS l turned to leap after it, and dispatch
my remaining victim, 1 looked forward, and
oh, God, how l shudder to think of it
now he whom l thought had already
killed had risien, and was coming aft, his
hand outstretched toward me, and the blood
running two dark streams over his pale face
from two CHASTITY wounds on his head.
For moment l stood undecided, but as
he yet came on, 1 ran toward him, but ere
l reached him he fell about midships, and
rushing on him, l struck once twice
thrice with the axe, and finished him.
Running aft l jumped down the compan-
ionway with the bloody axe in my hand.
There lay the elder Watts in his berth,