The morning call., 1892-11-09
ONCE HE Was A PIRATE.
A Member of a Notorious
Band Still Living.
HE GLORIES In HIS CAREER.
Old Charles Cronea, Now Residing in Texas,
Loves to Talk Hbont His Adventur-
GUS Life.
Kansas City Times.

Bolivar Peninsula is sandspit on the
Texas coast, terminating opposite Calves
ton in Bolivar Point. A few miles eastward
the peninsula narrows to q mere ridge
known as Roll Over, and there lives Charles
Cronea. aged ST. and the last survivor of the
famous "Lafitte Gang" who once domi-
mated Galveston Island, or the Republic of
Campeachy."
Charles Cronea was born in the south of
France in 1906. and was made a cabin boy at
the age of 10. After many voyages he found
himself, very much to his amaZement, a
cabln-boy on what was practically pirate
ship. He was, in fact, one Of "Lafitte's
men," and has been Texan ever since.
There was faint odor of Legitimacy about
Ladtte's rule. A revolutionary government
In Mexico had appointed military rulers in
Texas, and they regularly commissioned
Admiral aud Governor Jean Laftte. The
governments above him went to pieces, but
he promptly took out commissions from aud
few the flags of South American revolu-
tionists, held "Campeachy" and preyed on
Spanish commerce.
When he is feeling well-and he is re-
markably vigorous for a man of his age
Cronea can talk by the hour about tho wild
times OF Lafitte and Aury, Long. Ellis Beam
aud other filibusters. To a recent visitor
he said that, aside from their business"
the Lafirteans were good men.
Didn't you have some fighting to make
the captures?"
"Oh. no. They always gave up. 1t
wasn't any use to resist"
You were prepared to fight If it was
necessary?
Yes, we had pistols, the old-fashioned
one-barreled kind. with fiints. We also had
cutlasses. They were big things, as keen
as a razor. They weighed about five pounds.
When one OF those knives came down it
was goOd-by. Coly."
'What sort of crew did you have; pretty
rough"
I'VE had the same discipline as on board
meD-of-war We couldn't have done what
we did If it hadn't been SO. Any man who
misbehayed was punished"
Which Is the truth. In fact Laftte
hanged one of his fayorite captains for
plundering an American vessel. In the
State Capitol at Baton Rouge hangs a large
oil painting commemorative Of the battle
OF New Orleans. In the very thickest of
the fight, directing the work Of a battery
is a gigantic figure which is pointed out to
the visitor as that of "Latitte, the pirate"
1t Is history that Laftte fought most
brayely under General jackson in that de-
cisiye battle of the war Of 1912 aud that
pardon was Issued TO him for ii. Before
that price had been set upon Laftte's
head.
The British commander, on approaching
New Orleans. offered Lafitte captains
commission in the British service. but the
latter sent TO New Orleans an offer Of SER
vice and letter beginning thus:
al am a stray sheep wishing TO return to
the sheepfOld. Ii you were thoroughly ac-
qualnted with the nature Of my offenseS l
should appear 10 you much less guilty and
still worthy to discharge the duties of good
citizen. / have never sailed under any flag
but the Republic of Carthagens, and my
vessels are perfectly regular in that r.
spect."
be served and was pardoned. but returned
TO his cid tricks. A much worse lot gath
cred around him and finally plundered an
American chip. so an American brig was
sent TO deal with him. He entertained the
commanding hands only. but his blandsh-
ments were without avail. The torch was
applied to the buildings and the fire burned
until the camp was in ruins.
Then the fleet OF pirate ships was brought
together. Laftte's fayorite ship, the Bride,
was put 10 readii ess. Those freeboOierS
who wished went with Laftte. The others
scattered. The king pirate in his flagship
with the fleet following, sailed away. He
never returned to Texas. He settled on the
coast of 1ucatan, where he was given
concession OF land for his services on be-
hall OF Mexican independence" and where
he lived in peace till he died" In his old
age he reformed. So did many Of his fol-
lowers.
CrOnea joined the Texan army. took part
In the battle of San Jacinto, married and
located on the seashOTe and now has ninety
living descendants, including many great
grandchildren. All these were born in
three counties in Texas, the Oldest, Mrs.
Matilda Stouch, being 56. In conclusion
Mr.. Cronea adds with pride that sOUn after
leaving Latltte he became q good American
citizen at PlaquemiBe, La, and cast his first
vote for Andrew Jackson in 1923.