The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-03
THE LABRADOR PIRATE

For years the deep and tortuous and
great bays on the Labrador coast afforded
q safe haven to bloodthirsty pirates and
rovers of the seas, who, driven by hot
pursuit from more frequented waters,
repaired TO this northern shore to mend
their shattered vessels. Here, during
the short summer, they recovered from
their wounds; here, too, they secreted
their booty; here, perchance, the long
sought treasure Of Captain Kidd may be
hidden. Who can tell what secrets are
held forever in the recesses Of these
wavebeaten and rockbound shores?
Wondrous traditions are told Of hidden
wealth on Labrador, and that these are
not all old mems tales this true story of
Manning may convince the reader:
Toward the close of the Eighteenth
century a Scotchman named Manning
settled on the Labrador coast, and alone
and unaided followed the rough and
precarious calling of a fisherman. At
the close of each season he visited New
foundland to dispose of his catch TO the
English traders, buy his stock Of provi-
blOub Lutu " louClJ oWCL-
ing to pass the long and dreary winter.
For several years he led this life, till by
his economy having amassed few hun
dred dollars great longing seized him
to see his native land. Accordingly he
crossed the Atlantic, and during the
round of visits to his Scotch friends he
met bonnie lass, whom he persuaded
to share his Labrador home. Fitting
ont a small vessel or schooner, he set
sail for America with his young bride
and a crew of hardy settlers and their
families. This was in the year 1906.
But after twelve months of industry at
Labrador Manning grew restless and
persuaded the most active and daring
spirits in those parts to join him in q
new project. Toward the latter part of
October, 1907, he placed his effects on
board his vessel and quietly slipped out
of the harbor, determining to lead life
of piracy. All his old habits of thrift
and industry seemed to have left him, q
very demon of adventure seemed to have
driven out his better feelings and wiped
out all natural affection, for with heart
less cruelty he basely deserted his wife
and young child. A stranger in a strange
land, far from home and kindred, the
fate of the unfortunate woman is not
known; most probably she did not sur
yive her cruel treatment long.
On the coast there is now a small set
Element called Mutton Bay or Meccatina
Harbor, and about a mile east Of this
settlement is deep inlet called by the
French "L'Anse aux Morris" or Bay of
the Dead. This bay is screened alike
from the fury Of the sea and the obser-
walton Of passing vessels by a small
island which is easily mistaken for the
mainland. Under the rugged and frown-
ing cliffs which oyerhsng the Bay of the
Dead, so called because an old burying
ground was there, Manning and his
companions landed. Securely sheltered,
there they perfected their plans for life
of piracy and bloodshed; and in truth
no spot could be more admirably adapt
ed for such q conclave.
The course taken then by vessels on
their way to Quebec from Europe was
through the Straits of Belle Isle, close
TO the north shore of the st. Lawrence,
and just outside of the island behind
which Manning and his crew lay in hid
ing. At that date packet was sent out
annually by the British government
with the pay Of the forces stationed in
Canada on board. Manning knew this
only too well, and was on the lookout
for the vessel. Unsuspicious of danger,
she neared the island, when Manning
with his ship darted suddenly from his
place of hiding and swooped down upon
her. She fell an easy prey. Her unfor.
tunate captain and crew were butchered,
the treasure removed, the vessel scut-
tied, and no trace of the foul deed left.
At Quebec the overdue ship was anxious
ly looked for, but hope died out at last,
and it was thought that she had suc-
cumbed to the fury of the Atlantic. The
following year another packet was sent
out, and she shared the fate Of her pre-
decessor.
The loss of two vessels and their crews
In such a short time aroused suspicion,
and third was sent out, but with her o
man-of-wsr. All went well till the
vicinity of the Bay of the Dead was
reached, when, the man-of-war having
fallen far astern. ths pirate schooner
DATED out, quickly captured the packet,
secured the treasure, and destroyed all
the crew with one exception. This was
negro, whom Manning wished to keep
for q servant. This man, hoping to pro-
pitiate his csptor, told him that the
man-of-war was close behind them. The
news 90 alarmed the pirate that he beat
sprecipitate retreat 10 the island. That
night another dread crime was added 10
the long list already committed by the
bloodthirsty wretch. Fearing discovery.
and believing in the sdage that dead
men tell no tales, he changed his mind
about the negro. He resolved 10 bury
his treasure, and, under cover Of blind
Ing storm. while the thunder rolled and
Children Cry fos