The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-04
THE OLD STORY


1t was the old. old story. and Gibbs in
ms frenzy gave up all his good resolutions.
de mad thought to give up his career as
pirate TO settle down with the woman
whom he loved and be an element OF re-
spectaoillty in the community But leal-
olsly drove him to drink, and his money
was fast shipping away
lie determined to take up his old bust
mass again, to forever forget womankind,
10 trample upon virtue lin which he did
not belleve), and to become more than
ever a "scouFge of the seas" But drink
has dwindled his resources, and for a
long time he lived in Liverpool, hoping to
Ret commission on a richly freighted
snip with crew which could be pur-
suaded into mutiny. Failing in this, he
came back to America. aud soon found
himself roor man, willing to go TO sea
as a common sailor. IN COTTON, i'll goes
was an adage quickly verified in the eX-
perience OF Gibbs, and in 1880 he shipped
on the brig named Vineyard, bound from
New Orleans to philadelphia.
Along with Gibbs was another sailor
named Wansley, who began at once to
corrupt the crew. He told them that
>oO,UOO in specie was aboard, locked up in
the captains cabin. and that they ought
TO have it. Finally the sailors agreed
with Wansley, and entered into a mu-
tlnoLs plot to get the money. OF course,
II was necessary to do some killing, but
Gibbs and Wansley did not think much of
that, and agreed TO Kill the captain if
two others would make away with the
mate. The murders were soon committed
and the bodies of the two victims were
pitched overheard, and the decks were
scrubbed 10 efface the stains of blood
Two sailors, named Brownrigg and Tai
bolt, were not taken into the original
plot but were assured of their own safety
they would keep silent
The ship was steered to Southampton.
Long Island, and when a few miles from
land was scuttled. the crew taking to the
boats, and each having the plumber all in
money securely beneath their belts and in
bags. Even then they had hard time
in making landing. In fact, to their
great sorrow, they had to throw several
bags OF silver overheard Finally when
once on shore, they buried the treasure in
true piratical fashion. When once ashore
the sailor Brownrigg felt safe, and told
who his companions were and the history
Of their crime. In his anger Gibbs tried
to kill the sailor, but alas. for Gibbs, the
pirate he was on land, and all ofhis muir
ders were committed at sea. He was a
terror on board ship but powerless on
shore. He and his fellow assassins were
arrested and conviction was easy z.
linen OlDUS ColItSStu. no man unuer
the shadow of the gibbet ever told such
remarkable tale of crime
Once he knew that death was certain
he seemed to reyel in the relation of
awful stories about his "adventures. " as
he was pleased 10 term his record OF muir
ders.
And So in April, 1881 Gibbs and
Wansley were hanged at Flatbush, Long
Island.
Gibbs, in all of his confessions, blamed
liquor and unfaithful women for his
career, and embraced religion before he
died.
Ills was a horrible death by strangula-
ton, and his grave is still pointed out to
curious vi7itors If all the stories which
he told of his own career were true no
pirate ever deserved death so much, and
the tame of Capt. Kidd is far below that
of Gibbs, "ScOurge of the Seas