Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-10-18
BONES OF PIRATE HICKS.
Story OF n Famous Execution on he'd
Ioe's Island Thirty Years
Ago Recalled.

Human bones and a skull, dug up
on Ellis island recently, serve to recall
the story OF Hicks, the pirate whose
execution on Bedloe's island. in 1850
was probably the most extensively at
tended unique affair Of the kind in the
history Of the city, says the New York
journal.
One OF the workmen engaged on an
sXcava tion for the new immigrant sta
tion unearthed the bones. Capt. John
Bradley, now Of the rsyenus sery-
ioe, says that the body Of Hislsf, the
pirate, was buried On tbe Epot WheTs
the bones were found, and there is
scarcely any doubt that the remains
dug mp by the workman are those Of
the noted murderer.
The sloop A. T.. johnson sailed from
the foot Of Spring street on March
Is, 1850, for Deeu Creek. Va. She was
commanded by Capt. George Burr. Al
bert W. Hicks-at that time travelling
uuder the alias Of William johnson
was shipped as mate just before the
sloop sailed. Two boys from Islip, L.
I.-Smith Watts and Oliver Watts
formed the crew Of the little craft.
On Sunday, March IS. the sloop put
into Keyport, y. j., where Capt Burr
collected some 5000 due him. Sac
sailed that same day for Deep Creek, and
nothing further was heard from her
until the morning Of the next Wednes-
day, when she came into collision with
a schooner of Sandy Hook. The
schooner was cut down to the waters
edge, but managed TO make quaran-
tine. The next day the sloop was
found floating about in the lower bay
The deck and cabin were spattered
with blood.
Suspicion attached TO the mate, and
after 4 short chase he was caught at
Stonington, Conn. When brought TO
this city he made a confession. lie
had killed the captain and crew 10
secure $500 on board. lie had first
killed the Watts boys on deck, he said,
the noise arousing Capt. Burr, who
came up 20 see about a. Catching the
captain unawares. he killed him, too.
The bodies be threw overheard about
90 miles of Sandy Hook. lie sailed the
floop alone until after the collision
with the schooner when he left In
yawl and made his way to Coney Is
land.
Hicks was tried and sentenced 10
death. While in jain he wrote a piece
OF doggerel about himself, the chorus
Of which ran a. folWs;
I stained my hands IN human blood,
Which / DO not deny;
] shed the blood OF innocence,
For which have 20 die.
10 was learned thar Hicks was one
Of mutinous crew Of seven who killed
the captain and five men on the sc hoon-
er Saladln, bouad from Valparaiso to
this port. IN 1914. and seized the ship
The leader OF the mutiny was q man
Of she name ~ Fielding. and after the
muiineers had control Of the ship thsy
tied bis hands and threw him oger
board. tossing bis son, a mere boy, after
him.
The schooner went ashore on the
coast OF Nova Scotin. and an the no
tlneers were captured and put to death.
Prom that lime uulp 1900 when be
ehipped on the A. 4. Johnson, he was
an oulrasi and murderer.
yhe hanging Of Hicks WIS great
s,enf. Zen thousand people surround.
"a ihc lrlnnd on every Kind Of 4 water
conveyance. The slop A. D. johnson,
on which the crime had been coumit-
lsd. nns anchored elose 20 The shore