The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-24
List ACT Of
TIE PIRATES
in American Waters Was to
Burn Brig Mexican.
JUST SEVENTY YEARS AGO
They Got Away With 900
in Spanish Money.

" nile acts OF piracy are sui committed,
If reports may be credited. in foreign wa
tiers such as the Indian Ocean and the
seen in this hemisphere for more than
half a century. Sporadic attempts, to be
sure, have been made upon vessels along
the Venezuelan coast by the fierce Goajiri
Indians, who have been noted as impla-
cable robbers ever since the Spaniards
hrts appeared in that region. Not long
aga, in fact our consul at Maracaibc re-
ported an attack they made upon Ger
man trade bark near the shoals of the
gulf, only twelve miles distant from Fort
San Carlos, where the captain and crew
were driven ashore and compelled TO
leave their vessel prey to these modern
pirates, who were led by a half-bred
known as Cachimbo. This was the fourth
case Of piracy, the consul stated, that he
knew had been committed on large for
eign sailing vessels. and he recommended
that the masters Of such trading along
the coast of Venezuela should provide
themselves with breeeh-Ioading rifles and
ammunition, especially with a signal gun,
for warning and defense.
The very last act of piracy committed
In American waters, 1t is said. in which
the intent of the pirates was to burn, kill
and destroy. occurred just seventy years
ago, when the good brig Mexican. bound
from Salem. Mass, for Rio de Janeiro.
vas overhauled by Spanish pirates when
abreast the West Indies. The Caribbean
Sea, as is well known, was for many
years a fayorite cruising place not only
for the brethren of the black flag and
crossbones. but with those quasi pirates
buccaneers. These last made their head
quarters at the island OF Tortuga, which
lies just off the north coast of Hayti land
which, by the way, is as pretty a bit of
paradise as the writer has ever SEEM
Here gathered such gallant gentlemen as
Henry Morgan, Mansveldt, and Peter
the Great" who long as they confined
their depredations TO Spanish galleons,
and the King of SPANS sailors and cities
were not regarded with great disfavor by
either France OF England. But when their
successors looked upon all merchant craft
in the caribbean as fish for their net
and made no discrimination as to colors
OF nationality. their case took on differ
tltl CAST anu iLltg hGAS PlOpNAAg (OA-
sidered as pirates.
Buccaneering and piracy may be said
10 have been in a most flourishing con-
Clifton, and by many looked upon in the
light of legitimate caIIings, during three
quarters OF the century 1850 and l750. The
buccaneers generally confined their ex-
cursions to the borders Of the Caribbean
Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. but the real
and truly pirates, such as Capt. Kidd
end the notorious Blackboard" ravaged
the American coast regardless Of the I'M
written word that had been passed
amongst the brethren of the sea" Most
% the rascals were finally rounded up
before the first quarter of the eighteenth
century ended, Kids trial taking place
in May. I7Gl and the Gorgon-like head of
Captain Teach. alias Blackboard, being
horne into port at the end of bowsprit.
on a morning OF November. III.
Had the Danes followed their first sane
Impulse and transferred to the United
States their West Indian possessions. St.
Thomas, St John and St. Cruz, we should
now own. among other assets of the
frst-named island. the veritable tower
which. according to local tradition. Black
OF his criminal career. 1t stands Upon
OF the three shapely hills that serve as
addresses for the beautiful port OF Char
iotte Amalia. ABOUT 500 feet above the
iand-locked hsrbor which Uncle Sam erst-
while coveted as a coating station. AS
the tower dominate both. the port and
the little red fort erected there by the
compatriots of the immortal Hamlet, the
pirates were allowed to remain (again
referring to traditfen). and as the island
abounded IN secluded harbors, reef-guard-
ed inlets. and other retreats to a pirate
liking, here Blackboard and his compan-
ions made their headquarters as long as
they chose to stay The local historian
Is voluble as TO the dreadful carvings
or of The redoubtable Blackboard and
his merry men. making especial mention
Of the nineteen beautiful wives Of the
nitrate chief who were confined in the
castle under savage dGenna while their
lord and master was at sea bent on
Village and massacre. When Blackboard
vas at home there was high revel in
the tower. as may be imagined and the
character of which may be inferred from
the accounts Of what the pirate was
vas left on record that when time hung
heavy on his kands-that is, when no
piey and 20 spoils were in sight-Blaek-
beard had a habit of crossing his arms
with q pistol in each hand, firins indis-
criminately at members of his assembled
crew. His favorite pastinle was play
ing he'll" as he called it. by lighting hrin-
stone in the hold OF his ship, where he
always had the material ready at hand
around which .al1er fastening down the
patches he would range his men. 10 their
great discomfort. If any attempted to
holt. they were promptly shot on the
spot or later made TO walk the plank.
It was merely 4 way. re had. a pretty
psstir,e Of his own: but his men could
never get used To il. ard when Lieut.
Maynard OF the Kings navy finally over
came him In single combat and after
cutting OF his head. displayed II as
CORY trophy. it may be believed that they
felt relieved: even though the prospect OF
being hung as pirates stared them IN the
face
II Is cherished belief In ST Thomas
That Blackboard left vast amount Of
treasure buried in the island On one OF
the writer's visits he was introduced 10
two aged geatlewomen whose grsnifath-
er. then a prosperous planter on the north
shore nearest TO St Johns. once discov-
cred q great chest alled with Spanish
coubloons. submerged In the cove before
his house. The Danish government clam
ed this treasure. sad 10 say. and the
finder received only empty thanks for his