The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-05-05
Written for the Citizen.)
BY Charles L. >hipley, Pikesville, Md

A story has recently been going
the rounds of the HeadleSs Man
of Annapolis, and of his appear
auce at Sundry times to the in
habitauts of that ancient city.
The writer of this article has
taken the liberty OF connecting the
history of this apparition with
that of the bloody career and
death of Captain John Edward
Teach. better known as "Black
Beard. the Pirate" one of the
most famous sea roverS of the
last century.
TO give the public the neceS.
sary introduction to our nara
tive We are compelled to carry
them back to the island of New
Providence. one of the fairest of
the West India Isles, and the one
that sheltered in the early part of
the eighteenth century the most
daring sea butcher known to
American history.
For some time previous to its
forcible occupation 10y the subject
of our sketch, a colony of English.
men had established themselves
there and were tlouriShing. Every
thing was quiet aud serene on the
little island. when one quiet morn
in early summer strange fleet
was seen entering the harbor.
AT the maStheadS hoated the
black flag with the blood red
skull and cross bones. 1t proved
to be the squadron of John Teach,
a sea rover of great ability and
desperate character. who had Just
entered upon an independent
career of blood and crime upon
the high seas. He had been a
trader with Jamaica, but it
proved unsuccessful financially,
he turned TO piracy and now had
acquired fleet of six fine vessels.
He felt that it was imperative for
him to select some port of his own
where he could reft and store the
spoil. and for this purpose he
chose New Providence as the
most desirable. Though the col.
Onists were by no means delighted
with the invasion of this pirate|
horde, they were to weak to offer
resistance, and Teach, without as
much as saying "by your leave,n
at once proceeded to take pos.
session and make that an am.
bush from which his cruiserSE
could spring forth and waylaN
the merchant vessels.
There be held high carnivald
there many a bloody deed wasi
wrought, and the ribald revelry
OF many a foul orgie profaned the
midnight stiffness of that beau
tiful island.
HIS Personal APPEARANCE.
The personal appearance of
this dreaded rover accords with
the description that is given in
romances of piratical life. He
was heavily built, broad should
cred and iron muscled. His com
plexion was tawny, his eyebrows
black and buShy. aud his looks
are said to have filled the heart
with terror What added TO his
fear inspiring aspect was a
bushy black beard that extended
to his waist aud which gave him
a title that extended far and
wide-Black Beard.
At his side he carried a heavy
cutlass and over his shoulders
hung a belt on which were hoSterS
for five pistols. He also wore,
when in action, a lighted match
cord tied around his head. He
was pirate of uncommon mag
nitude, and his deeds proved him
to be as fierce and daring as he
looked.
SEXES CHARLESTON.
For months he reigned over
New Providence and his plumber.
iDgs reached into the hundreds
of thousands. But the often
repeated outrages of the pirate
finally reached such a point that
the West India merchants called
upon the English government for
assistance. A feet too powerful
for him to resist was sent against
him. aud the pirate prince of the
Bahamas wisely decided to make
for safer port. He fed to the
coast of the Carolinas, and in the
dead of night established rem
devious at Cape Fear.
Bold as had been his previous