Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-05-30
the Sou thern coast.

described as an illiterate fellow, whose
followers were little better than saw
ages. Under this flag it was claimed
that American citizens had acquired
fortunes, and had returned home to
spend with extravaganza that which
had been gained at the price of blood. F."
| These stories may or may not have
been true; but whether owned by Amer
leans or not, the fact remained that
pirate ships were preying upon Ameri-
can commerce to an alarming extent
The stories told by some of the victims
on their return home filled the public
mind with Indignation and desire for
vengeance.
That which is most wildly remem-
bered, and frequently referred to by
aged people of to-day, is the robbery of
the brig Mexican Of Salem. This is not
only because OF the circumstances at
tending the robbery, but from the fact
that the pirates were subsequently capt
ured, brought into Salem, and finally
tried, convicted and executed in Boston.
The Mexican was commanded by
Captain John Butman, and sailed from
Salem, August 20, 1882, for Rio Janeiro.
September 20, when in latitude 33 de-
grees, longitude "a degrees 30 minutes
west, she was chased by a pirate
schooner. which, as soon as she
was within gnnshot, hoisted pa
triot colors, backed the maintop-
sail and fired shot. When within hail
ing distance Captain Butman was or
dered on board the schooner. Know
ing that it would be useless to
resist, he obeyed the order. As
soon as his boat came alongside the
schooner FIVE ruffians instantly jumped
into 1t. They were each armed with
large knife, and told the captain to go
on board the brig again. AS soon as
their feet struck the deck they insisted
that there was money on board, and,
drawing their knives, threatened the
sailors with instant death unless they
were shown where 1T was hid
den. With blows and kicks they
finally succeeded in forcing the crew
to disclose its whereabouts and
bring it from the run on deck. Ten
boxes, containing $40, 900 in specie, were
transferred to the schooner, the entire
crew OF demons assisting their ship
mates in taking 1t on board. Not con
tent with this, they soon returned to the
brig and began wholesale system of
pillage. The officers and crew were
forced to go below, and the companion
way, forecastle and after-hatchway were
fastened. Then, after destroying the
compass in the pinnacle, eating away
the tiller ropes, halliards, braces and
mutilating the rigging and Sails they
took all the combustibles they could
find, put them in the caboose house and
set fire to it. On leaving they then
scuttled the briggs boat and stole the
colors,
Having done all the mischief they
could think of, and leaving the crew of
the brig, as they supposed, to die hor-
rible death, the pirates made sail for
tho eastward.
As soon as they left the brig the sail
ors confined in the cabin succeeded in
getting on deck through the scuttle
which had not been securely fastened,
and eXtingaished the fire, which was
ma king such Roadway that in few mo-
ments the masts and mainsail must have
been in flames.
The reason for the abandonment OF
the brig without waiting to witness its
complete destruction now became APP
parent A ship was sailing to the south
east and the schooner was in pursuit.
To this circumstance, which seemed to
afford an opportunity for additional
plumber to the pirates, the crew of the
Mexican undoubtedly owed their lives.
The strange ship was not captured
while in sight of the brig.
A minute description of the schooner,
furnished by the captain of the Mexican
on his return to Salem, led to her sub
sequent capture. She was described as
a low, straight schooner of about $50
tons burden, painted black, with mar
row white streak, a large head with the
horn of plenty painted white, large
maintopmast, but with neither yards
nor sail on IL, masts 'raked very much,
mainsail very square at the head, sails
made with split cloth, and all new. She
was armed with two long brass -
Founders and large gun on pivot
amidships, and had crew of about 70
men, who appeared to be chiefly Span
iards and mulattoos
The Mexican arrived in Salem in May,
1882, where an account OF the piracy
was speedily published. This account
fell into the hands of an American mer-
chant named Gould, residing in Port
Antonio, Princes Island. Tho descrip-
ton agreed with that OF Spanish vessel
named the Panda, that had sailed from
Port Antonio only few days before for
Africa, The British sloop-of-war Cur
lew, arriving at that port shortly after,
the particulars were given to the com
mander, Captain Trotter, with the addi.
tional information that the Panda was
then supposed to DO lying in the river
Nazareth.
Captain Trotter Immediately went in
search of her.
June 4 the Curlew arrived at the
mouth of the river, and her three boats
manned with forty armed men, under
command of the Captain, went in search
OF the pirate. After rowing all night
the men in the boats got sight of the
object of their pursuit lying at anchor
In order to secure her capture they
kept inshore as much as possible to
avoid being seen, but from the nature
of the river it was impossible to conceal
themselves long. They, therefore, when
within mile OF her. displayed their
colors.
As soon as they espied the boats the
pirates took TO their boats and hurried
to the shore. One man apparently more
QllatOrV than the rest ramniOnd behind