The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-10-17
"MY NAME IS CAPT. KIDD"
Sketch Of the Life OF the Notorious
Free-BOOter--.His Residence in
New York.
from the Evening Mall

IRON the Evening Wall
Few of the vast crowds daily passing In
front of the Postotfice imagine that near
by once stood the residence of the famed
pirate Capt Kidd. But such was the
fact. One hundred and fifty years ago
he was respectable shipmaster, the cap
tain of the packet Antigua, trading be-
tween New York aud London In the
year 1892 he here married Sarah, the
widow OF John Cot, who had also been 2
captainin the regular trade. Immediately
after his marriage, Capt. Kidd rel led
In Hanover Square, then one of the most
fashion, BILE sections of the city. The
furniture of the house had been purchas-
ed by Cant. Colt from the estate of VIII
liam Cox. a leading -four merchant, and
the newly married couple establishments
could compare favorably with any in the
city Ne have now the Fifth Avenue
style and Its maanihcent side streets, and
from old records We learn the fashions OF
that early day. Let Us visit Capt Kidd 5
residence and we find dozen turkey
worked chairs, a dozen double nailed
chairs, dozen single-nailed do, a turkey
worked carpet, an oval table, three chests
of drawers, four looking glasses, four
feather beds, three suits of curtains, a
valance. four bed-steads, ter blankets, a
dozen drinking glasses. four tables, FIVE
caraets, two stands, desk two dressing
oxes, warming pan, &C.; one clock, a
coat of arms, four brass candle sticks, two
and a-half dozen pewter plates, thirteen
pewter dishes, five leather buckets, one
pipe Madeira wine, and half dozen
linen sheets, table cloths and napkins to
The value of $50; one hundred and four
ounces of silver plates, valve $500 a
negro woman, SIS; and three barrels OF
pickle cider. Such was the ton of our
now proud city in the year 1892. How
changed since
Before Capt. Kidd's departure in 1896,
on the voyage of the galley adventure,
which ended so unfortunately, he purchas
ed a plot of ground in a section OF the
city just then selling for building lots: on
Iieuhoven street, now Liberty, near Mas
sau. Here he erected a respectable
mansion, where probably he anticipated
spending the evening of his days quietly
But what a different destiny awaited
him
At this period, the ocean was infested
with privateers-rather buccaneers, who
plum, cred and sunk vessels of all nations
the American coast especially suffered
New York ships wer piliaged and burned
within sight Of her shores. The bold III
rates even entered her harbor and seized
ships anchored there. Complaints to the
authorizes awaited nothing, as govern
nent officials We're strongly suspected Of
being themselves engaged In the nefari-
Gus business. Even the colonial Govern
or, Fletcher, was accused of protecting
the coarsairs, and Lord Beilamont ap-
pointed in his place, with commands to
Danish the pirates from the seas.
He organized stock company, in which
the king with several nobleman were
share. holders TO fit out privateering
expedition against the pirates, and Co.
900 were soon raised for the purpose.
Manned with sixty sailors and thirty guns,
a fine vessel, the Adventure galley,
was fitted out and the command given
to Captain William Kidd, who happened
to be In London at the moment. To
encourage him, one-ffth of the prizes
were promised as his share in the enter
prise He had previously commanded a
prlvateer in the West Indies
On taking command, he sailed for
New York, and there shipping ninety
more men, he departed for the Indian
seas. We need not repeat in detail his
subsequent bold career Temptation
succeeded, and joining the band he had
sailed to destroy, Kidd, became one of
the most daring and successful pirates
that ever sailed under the black banner
His career embraces only two years, vet
in this short period, he plundered many
4
and fearless by his successes, be exchang-
ed his vessel for frigate he had cap
tured, in the year 1898 he returned
again to New York. Burying, it is said.
part of his treasure on Gardiner Is
land, he divided his spoiis with his crew,
and took up his residence in Bostoa un-
Ter an assumed name There Gov.
Be.amont recognized and arrested him,
and sent him TO England; he was tried.
and found guilty of piracy, and executed
May Il. 1901: After his death, hi
wife and daughter continued to reside IN
New To k in the strictest seclusion.
The authorities searched for the buried
treasures, and it Is said that a large box
OF gold, silver and jewels was found on
Gardner s Island Even down to on,
day have gold hunters been found eager
~ hunting for KIdd's trea -ure on the
shores OF Long Island and the North
River. but they have found none Great
excitement followed Kidd fate Gov.
Bdliamont. and even the King him self
We're openly a:cu,c,lof sharing in his pi-
ratlcai sp0lis; and a motion was made
In Parliament, that all interested in hi,
adventure should forfeit their oifcia
position. 1t was lost, however, bul
some noblemen impeached, were com
PEELED to stand the form Of trial, 10.
their lives, when, the charges not being
sustained, they were honorably acquitted.