The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-21

Inc rest or the crew, VINO, terrorizeu,
had secreted themselves in the forecastle
or fed aloft. were summoned by the con-
spirators, who purchased their silence with
an equal division of the bloodstained
booty. The vessel was rihed. the specie
divided. and Gibbs, being the only one
who understood navigation. was put In
command. lie consulted the chart and
laid the course of the vessel for Long
Island.
When about twenty miles from South
ampton the brig was scuuled, set on fire
and the pirates took to their boats. Gibbs,
Wamsey Browning and DAVIS. with $751;,
600 OF the money. were IN the long boat,
and Church. Talbot and Atwell carried
1900 in the jolly boat.
AS they pulled away on the stormy
night with the sea running mountains
high. the glare of the burning vessel IN
up their pathway untn the sea swallowed
her up. An effort was made TO reach
land near Rockaway bar, when the jolly
boat with its occupants and plumber upset
and all were lost
The surviving quartet, fearful of a
similar fate changed their course and. to
tighten their boat threw over $4,000 OF
their blood money. and finally made a
! landing on the shores Of Pelican beach,
now portion of Coney Island. at the
extreme eastern end.
The little plumber that was left, some
now cause of great trouble. II was 90
bulky to be carried on the person, and
the great crime which had been commit
ted haunted the men.
The walked back silently long dis
lance from the water. selected spot in
the sand, and, taking sufficient money
for their temporary wants, dug hole
with an oar and buried their treasure.
On Pelican Beach shortly after they
met Nicholas 5. Williamson OF Crave
send, one of the early settlers and sought
the shelter. under his directions, Of joan
Johnson's roof on Dooley's bay, on the
northeast shore Of the island.
While his companion slept. Browning
became conscioncc-stricken, and revealed
the secret Of the piracy and murder 10
Johnson and his brother william. Early
In the morning the pirates desired the
Johnsons to take them over to Sleeps
head bay so that they might hire con
veyance in which 10 reach Fulton Gerry.
After they had departed, the Johnsons
sought the spot as described by Brown
ing dug up the specie and sccreted It IN
another hiding place, and by walking In
the water destroyed all foot prints that
would show the course they had taken.
Meanwhile a thrilling scene was being
enacted at Samuel Leonards hotel, at
Sheepshead bay Browrig refused 70 80
any further with his companions, d.
nounced item as pirates and murderers,
and made a fun confession of the de-
struction of the Vineyard and the tragic
fate Of the captain. mate and part of the
crew Wamsley. becoming alarmed, ran
TO the woods. and Gibbs and DAVIS were
arrested and tied with ropes by the inn
keeper and his friends. The only con-
stable IN the place was compelled TO re-
main rs guard over the TWO prisoners ana
called for help TO capture the dusky fuei-
tive.
Robert Greenwood Of Shecpshead Bay,
a stalwart rustic gave chase. IT was
lively race. but finally the game was tried.
Then Greenwood, with a mammoth OLD
fashioned horse pistol, presented # at the
head of the half dead negro and ordered
him to fall on his face and cross mis- hands
behind his back. Greenwood tied his arms.
marched his back at the pistol point, and
surrendered him TO legal authorities. The
three conspirators were conveyed TO Flat
bush, where the county jail was then stu
ated, and were locked up.
When the news Of his arrest was known
In the village of Gravesend. there was a
grand rush for Coney Island Beach in
search Of the treasure. Squire Van Dyke.
the dignifed justice of the town, with
Browning as a guide visited the pirates
hiding place. but the money was gone.
Browning was then sent to jail. Gibbs
and Wamsley were convicted on the testi-
mony of Browning and DAVIS, and on April
%, 1882, they were hanged.
John Johnson and his wife determined
to get possession OF the money. and one
dark night while insurance officers, who
were watching, were asleep. they stole
out. dug up the money, made il into two
large packages Of So. 100 and sl,Ge0, dug
fresh hole and redepOsited il.
The only mark they made of the hiding
place was by tying knots in the long slcdge
grass, which only the most careful scrut-
my would discover. William Johnson was
so indignant at being outwitted by his
brother that he turned informer, and had
the insurance companies bring suit 10 re-
cover the money.
Judge DeaE held court at that time n
the Apprentices library and presided over
the trial. The Johnsons were acquitted by
reason Of lack Of competent evidence.
John then settled in Brooklyn and his
brother William went 70 Canarsie.
The search for the treasure afterward
resulted IN the recovery OF only 3,400 by
John johnson. an unusually high sea
having either swept away or changed the
location of the 1850 parcel. Ten years
afterward Jacob skidmore was walking
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