The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-28
THREE PIRATES HUNG.
rHEY PAID THE PEN<LTr IN RICH
woyD FOR CRfMEs ON THE SEA.
Day Of Intense Excitement for this oh'
usually Quiet Ctr The Procession W
Main Street to the GslIows'

Portuguese Pirates named fePe' S"'V' "
,c,ix who were living number OF yea
ago on Candles Hili." Such is histor
In the year 1921 occurred an event whi'
stirred the emotional part Of Richmond
inhabitants TO the depth. For many yea
alter It took place the people had not 10
gotten It, Children, who had heard a.
counts from older lips and old people WI
had witnessed the scenes OF that Angus
day, took equal pleasure IN referIln
10 what they had known ana heard
that occasion. The facts, theh SO VIC
known, became In time tradition.
tradition. ever capricious and willing I
indulge the fancy OF her worshippefs
varied the accounts 10 suit occasions. On
might easily suppose that somewhere u
The mast pirates might have Inhabited IN
rocky haunts OF the island opposite Gam
ble's mn. which now divides James rive
I'm twain, and where IL rs SAID the lhulaii'
made their last stand when vending thei
way westward before the advance OF th'
white man IN this region. Whether Broau
rock Island, as IL was once called. OF
lelI Isle. as now known. ever gave refuge
20 murderers We cannot say, but II is
quite certain that No pirate ever lived on
or near Candles Hi.
The Crime.
The INJURY referred 10, doubtless, has
grown out Of the fact that In the month
of August M. three pirates were eXecut-
ed I'm the ravinc near the penitcntiary' %
far as we have been able to get the lac's
of this notable event. they are as follows;
In the spring Of 1871 the brig Crawford
of Troy. Massachusetts, was taking in a
cargo of sugar and other freight from a
port OF Cuba, and was on her way TO Eu-
rome. IL Is said that she sailed from
Matanzas, and had on board besides her
freight several well 20 do passengers.
Among these were four Spaniards and one
Frenchman. No one knew or suspected the
character OF any Of these. II was custOma-
~ at that time for trading vessels 10 take
passengers, especially il the latter would
agree 10 furnish their own supplies.
There were few regular ''Dacquets," as
they were called, and, Of course, no
ocean steamers.
when the Crawford had been out few
days the four Spaniards took advantage
OF their unsuspec'ing fcllow-voyagers,
and I'm one night killed The captain and
his entire crew, except the mate. The
latter I'm the midst of the cruel cmeute
took refuge in the upper rigging Of the
vessel, out Of the way Of the murderers
until they had disposed Of his defenceless
friends. The passenger Frenchman was
about 20 be murdered by one OF the pirates
when ne gave "a signal well known 20 the
Masonic fraternity. This fortunate cir
cumstance saved his life. 1t proved
in his case a much more important factor
than even honesty among thieves" lie
was allowed 10 live. not only because he
was n Mason. but because he spoke seve-
Interpreter. After all but the mate and
the Frenchman had been disposed Of one
OF the Spaniards took charge OF the vessel,
and endeaVored 10 navigate her. This was
Capt. Alexander Tardy chief Of the gang
After some days OF struggling with the
waves and drifting out Of their course.
he captain found il necessary TO make
some neighboring port. where he could
NIP n crew, who, of course, would know
lothing OF the bloody event which had
20 lately occurred In the meantime Tardy
lad found ii necessary TO make terms |
vita the mate; and while the latter was |
't bay IN the rigging, had agreed to |
pare his life If he would join the gang
md undertake to direct the movements |
u the vessel. This, of course, met the |
Jews or the mate so far as appearances |
vent. He determined however, TO bring I
ne murdererS To justice If It were pos
IDLE, and shaped his policy accordingly |
When Capt. Tardy found 1t necessary TO
nd crew he advised with the mate. who
leerfully agreed TO his suggestions. Tardy
as ignorant of the American coast and |
llilng 10 trust the mate. The latter de-
rmined TO take the brig into Hampton
Dads, and with this intention persuaded
Re pirate that the only way to secure the
'sSei and cargo was TO commit them 10
$ control. Meantime the decks had been
eaned. and every sign OF the recent mur-
n ofiiterated In a few DAYS the vessel
tered the capes of Virginia, and arriv-
late III the evening near Old Point
oppeo her anchor close TO the Fortress.
The Mate Ashore.
Early next morning the mate ba,,,,,.
deceived Tardy as to his mn
'se' TOOK boat with the supposed
'en.ioh Oh gong ashore TO get the nro.
,Seu Crew AS soon as he had stenned
TO the boat, and without yVaitins, foa ,
~ OF the othsrs, he vigorously slSriIod
towards land The captain hoiio1
IN In vain. Before ne could reali1s ~
lrpose OF the mate, the boat was too
: away 10 be reached by firearms. They I
"a no other available weapons. II was {
"ppdIeit 10 Iardy that he and his {
ae VIZ ABOUT TO be betrayed. While
.n., =. -, -" making MS prepare
g cabin arranging his morning totat s
q razor In hand, was prenarirg 10 I
rye "nen Informed of the mates move
- re rushed on deck, and, las just
~ haheu the mate. Ii was In vain.
'ooh III the situation at once. saw at
oiance ms impending fate, and in a
'ihent OF despair returned TO the cabin.
!, "" Nh tue same razor cut his throat
died on the spot. :
Is soon as the death of the captain
known the other three pirates threw
''podru all the arms on board the yes b
ana jumping into the sea, swan v
'ore ana ma themselves in the neigh q
Us SWaihps' The mate had succeeded q
MS designs. He gave the alarm To [
oineers at Fortress Monroe. who [
N erected the capture of Felix Pene O
euro. These three We're brourht ii
Richmond. and OF course tried In Tho n
lted states Court. the offence HAVING . /
'sel. ga -N'"'i io"h q
nis Dr. Alexandra Tardy. IT was diScov- !,
y curing the trial OF his associates y
n~.eu ana experienced man G
'er had been heard TO boast that II
mad committed more murders ,haa u
one man in the world lie wss b
oniy Wen educated one OF his gang.
saio 10 have been large. handsome b.
powerful man. His body was buried c,
inc neishooring shore, II is said. win !,
race downward. Why this was don I,
3 not appear. "VNe u
ne trial OK the three pirates took place oil
the hall OF the House OF DELEGATES Il
short one. but excited the greatest d
rest In the town, not only on account p
the enormity OF the crime. but from W
character OF those engaged In II. The c,
used were defended a., ..h.x.-.--- ~,