The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-26

, November. 1890. in which month there
sailed from New Orleans for Philadel-
nhia the brig Vineyard, with William
] Thornby as captain. William Roberts
as mate. and crew consisting OF
Charles Gibbs John Brownrigg, Rob-
ert Dawes and others When the Vine
cook made il known that there were
$4,000 III specie on board.
The crew discussed the matter and
planned as 10 how they could secure
taken that as the master and mate
were old men, il was time they should
ule ana make room for younger blood.
The conSpiratorS agreed to commit the
hendish crime Of murder and piracy
on the night of November 2g The
murder OF the master was by agree
mcnt to he accomplished by Gibbs and
Wansley, ana that OF the mate by At
well and Church. This plan was car
ried out
The pirates took possession of the
husied himself III wiping up the blood
that had been spilled on the deck. The
money was secured ana distributed in
equal portions. They then steered a
nothWeSterly course toward Long Is
land. When they reached within
twenty miles OF the coast they took
TO the boats, and tho brig was scut-
tled Several of the party were drown
ed before reaching shore.
Gibbs. Wansley, Dawes and Brown
rEE succeeded in reaching shore Con
science-stricken. Hrownrigg Informed
the law of the murder. having himself
had no part in its planning or its car
ryins out. The other three were APP
prehendcd. ana the evidence OF their
guilt WAS fun and conclusive
Gibbs was arraigncd for the murder
Of Roberts and Wanslcy for that of
ment in accordance with the law was
Pronounced During the trial the iron
visnE" OF Gibbs was occasionally
changed by transient emotion. He
had evidently abandoned all hope OF
escape. and sat the greater part Of his
time with his hands between his knees
calmly surveying the scene before him
~ THIS trial all of the life story of
Gibbs and his piratical ventures were
ssr1uSht out, showing that he had been
following this vocation for fiftecn
years and SO many had been the muir
doris that he had committed that II
was Impossible to collect the list I;c. 1
SIDES ne had assisted in tho taking of
UPWARDS OF score of vessels and APP
proprlated their contents
AZ the trial Gibbs readily admitted
ms ms participation In the Vineyard mu-
murder of Thornby: and so Impressed
Was he with the universal destation
ana horror which his hcinous crimes
hah excited against him. that he often
incurred If he would not be murdered
IN the streets. IN case he had his lib
cry and. was recognized.
On being asked why. with such
cruelty, lac killed so many persons. af-
ter getting all their money. which was
/ AZ he wanted. he replied that the laws
themselves We're responsible for 40
many murders, and that by those laws
+ 1t man mas to suffer death for piracy
and the punishment for murder is no
more--bcsidcs. all witnesses are out OF
th- way, aud. consequently, III the pun
iShment Was different, there would not
he 50 many murders.
On Friday April %. 1891, Gibbs and
1 Nan*iey. the colored cook. paid the
/ penalty of their crimes Both prison
ers arrived at the gallows about IL
! O'clock. Gibbs addressed witnesses
acknowledging tho Nervousness of his
| career and begged forgiveness If any
were present Gibbs died hard but
/ Whnsicy with only Il few slight stlus-