University of South Carolina Libraries
WOMEN WERE F PIRAT Mary Read and Anne Roger for Years. Pirates U Long before ever the suffrage was an issue in England, in a time when women for the most part spent their lives by their own hearthstones, there flourished two women pirates, British born. Real buccaneers they were, who swaggered and swore right lustily and sailed the Spanish Main and slew folks with broad cutlasses and did all the other things that wellregulated pirates were in the habit of doing. Their names were Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and their recf ords are still to be read in certain ancient British court records, though they seldom are. Mary was one of those strange women who have gone through life dressed as men. She kept her secret from all except a very few. Before she was 18 she enlisted as a sailor in the British navy, and a history of pirates published in London in 1724 by Captain Charles Johnson tells all about her. She did well enough as a sailor, then enlisted in the army and went with a British regiment to Flanders, where she fought through a number of campaigns and was distinguished for reckless bravery and helped keep up tne reputation iur profanity which goes with soldiers in Flanders. She called herself Frank fRead, and A apparently no one suspected that she was a girl. But, being a woman, she could not refrain from falling in love, and finally was married to a fellow soldier of whom she had grown very fond. Then they both left the army, bought a little inn in Flanders and settled down to housekeeping. All this seems a long way from piracy? but do not be impatient. / i Mary's husband died in a year or two and she went back to her wild, masculine life, shipping as a sailor on a Dutch merchantman bound for the West Indies. Before the vessel reached its destination it was halted by British pirates, who, being in need of a sailor, took the lusty Mary, never suspecting that the recruit to their crew was a woman. Mary pirated for a little while with the boys, and then the ship put in at New Providence, one of the Bahama Islands, and took advantage of a gen ? eral pardon offered to every British fI pirate except Captain Kidd and Captain Avery. They all promised to be good, the crew disbanded, and there . f was Mary out of a job again. Now, the British governor of New Providence was fitting out a privteer&man at that time to harry Span- | ish commerce. Privateering, by the way, was the respectable and legal way of being a pirate, and was coun-1 tenanced because the owner of a pri- i vateer had to divide his spoils with ! the government. Well, our Mary became a member of the crew of this British privateersman, and incidentally, it was a very tough crew she joined. One member of it was a pirate named Backam. Another was I his wife, Anne Bonny, a buxom wench, who, like Mary, was disguis- j ed as a man. Anne was a real "tough kiddo," Captain Johnson tells us, while Mary was just an honest working girl whom cruel fate had made a pirate quite against her will. How$3s*. ever, Mary does not seem to have put up any very violent struggle against cruel fate. /k However that was the rough and a Tine Ronnv fell in love with t cauj Mary, who, she fancied, was a man. Of course, Mary had to explain and then Anne explained and they grew very chummy, and being women couldn't resist embracing each other frequently, so that Rackam, Anne's husband, grew very jealous of the supposed "Frank," and had to be let in on the secret for fear he would sneak bp on Mary and insert a dirk between her shoulders. R- ~ The bold Rackam couldn't bear the thought of being a subordinate and dividing up the spoils of war with the government, so he led a mutiny, soon tossed the officers of the fej' ship overboard and moved his belongings up the captain's cabin. It is not known whether he hoisted the Jolly Roger at the masthead, but probably be aid, ana 11 ne uiuu t be should have. Anyhow, they went plundering merrily over the southern seas, although they do not seem to have been as bad as some members of the profession. Generally the crew of a merchant ship was allowed to go its way after everything of value had been carried off. Necessarily men were killed occasionally, but wholesale plank walking was not a feature of this cruise. Maybe it was the refining influence of having two pirates of the gentler sex aboard, but the chances are it wasn't. In the first place there was nothing very gentle about Mary and Anne, and in the second place, few members of the crew AMOUS ES IN THE PAST. Bonny Flew the Jolly ?Did Everything sually Do. knew they were women. They brandished cutlasses and pistols, and what I they lacked in whiskers they made (up for in ferocity. And just at this stage of the game, j that soft-hearted Mary fell in love again. A young artist had been captured from a British ship?Rackam had an idea that he might be useful in sketching scenes and drawing charts. Pirates, you know were great at chart making?drawing mysterious maps showing location of buried treasure, with explanations in cipher that it takes a Sanskrit dictionary and an X-ray machine to make clear. Mary and the artist became good friends long before the artist suspected that 9he was anything but a slender and more than unusually handsome boy. At night, when other members of the crew were drunk or sleeping, these two would sit together in a sheltered corner of the deck and Mary would lean back with her head in the artist's lap, and listen to him .tell the story of his life and his ambitions. The artist seems never to have suspected his comrade was a girl, so at last Mary told him, and they were married?informally, it is true, and without priest or license. Pirate ships do not carry chaplains, although license is plentiful enough aboard them. After the marriage the cruise went on for months, and once Mary saved her husband's life when he had been challenged to a duel by one of the ruffians of the crew. Mary succeeded in quarreling with this man and I fought him a duel herself before her , isband had an opportunity to risk his life. The girl pirate?still known ! as Frank to her shipmates?went ashore on a little island, and the pirate with her. Both drew their pistols and fired; but neither was seriously wounded. Then they attacked each other with broadswords, and after a few minutes' fierce clashing Mary stabbed her enemy through the body and killed him. Then she wiped her sword on the grass and went back aboard ship and nobody thought anything of it. ^ But it was not long after the duel that the pirate ship was overtaken by a British frigate. A short fight followed, the pirates serving their stubby cannon until a storm of grapeshot drove them from the deck. Every one rushed to the hold except Mary Read and the redoubtable Anne Bonny, who continued to load and fire the cannon. Anne in rage rushed to the companionway of the ship and roared down to the men below to come up and fight, and when they refused jerked a great pistol rrom her belt and fired into the huddling cursing mass, killing one and wounding several others. But it was of no avail, and in a little while the crew of the man-of-war came tumbling and cheering over the side of the pirate ship and overwhelmed its cowering defenders. All the pirates, including Anne and Mary, were put in irons and carried | back to England. The artist was ali lowed to go free, as it was easily i proved that he was a member of the band against his will, but his pirate wife was tried and sentenced to the gallows. As she was expecting soon to become a mother, a reprieve was granted her, and before it expired she fell ill of a fever and died. Rackam, leader of the band, was hanged, but Anne, his roistering wife, was reprieved from time to time and finally allowed to go free.?Kansas City Star. Not Hard for Polly. The late Ned Harrigan, of Harrigan and Hart fame, was a great story-teller, and liked nothing better than to gather a congenial lot about him in some rathskeller and entertain them, says the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. His parrot story is one of the best. "An Irishman by the name of ; Burke ran a bird and goldfish store | in the Bowery and was noted for his | wit and the funny things he taught ! his parrots to say. One day a man | came in who stuttered very badly | and says to Burke: j T w-w-want t-to-o b-buy a p-p-par-r-ot!' " 'All roight, sir,' says Burke, 'I have a foine bi-r-d here for twenty ; dollars. j " 'C-a-an he t-t-a-alk,' asked the | man. " 'Well, be gorry,' says Burke. 'If j he culdn't talk better than ye can ; I'd cut his d? head off.' " Barber: "Well, this is the first time I've ever had a tip beforehand?" Customer: "That isn't a tip, you fool! Thats hush money."?Boston Transcript. FOUR WOMEN G. O. P. DELEGATES | All from Western States, at Convention in Cliicago. j Chicago, May 23.?Four women will occupy seats as delegates at the Republican National Convention, | June 18. Two will come from Cali! fornia and two from other Western States. "The first woman delegate to_sit in | a National Republican convention was at Minneapolis in 1892, when Wyoming sent one of the fair sex as one of its delegates," said Chairman Harry S. New, of the sub-committee on arrangements. At least eight hundred assistants will be employed by the sergeant-atarms, W. F. Stone. Already thousands of applications, including scores of requests from Western women, have been received. No wroman, how ever, will be employed tnis year. THOUGHT IT WAS HIS WIFE. "Unwritten Law" Wins Acquittal for >j[acon Manslayer. Macon, Ga., May 24.?On his own statement made to the jury, that when he saw a man embracing a woman in the dusk of the evening on his porch he thought it was Mrs. Tindall, and so fired on Charles H. Taylor, society blood, when he advanced on him, George F. Tindall, a laundry wagon driver, was acquitted of murder in the Superior Court here to-day. Two months ago Tindall shot and killed Taylor, a prominently connected young man, when he found him sitting on the porch of the Tindall home with his arm around Miss Lulu Carter, a sister of Tinciall's wife. The girl testified that at the time Taylor was killed lie had in nis pocKet a marriage license and that they were to have been married the next day. Fishing de Luxe. Captain George Walker, an amateur yachtsman of Savannah, says that he used to have a darky hand on his Georgia plantation who loved ease and fishing. When he wasn't fishing he was loafing. One night there was a rain almost heavy enough to be called a cloudburst, and the next morning all the low places on the plantation were flooded two feet deep. Passing the negro's cabin, Captain Walker found him seated in an easy chair at the kitchen door fishing in a small puddle of muddy water that had been formed there. "Henry, you old fool," said Capt. Walker, "what are you doing there?" "Boss," said Henry, "Ise jest fishin' a little." "Well, don't you know there are no fish there?" demanded Capt. Walker. "Yes, suh," said Henry, "I knows dat. But dis here place is so handy!"?Saturday Evening Post. A Boomerang of Criticism. Dr. Edwin A. Alderman, the president of the University of Virginia, tells this story, illustrating the importance of being careful in criticism: "I know or a certain instructor m i rhetoric who always impressed upon his students the necessity of clarity in what they wrote. A young man brought on one occasion a very carefully prepared essay. "A good piece of work," said the instructor, "but, Mr. Smith, you should remember to write every sentence so that the most ignorant person can understand every word you put down." The young man looked worried and asked anxiously: "What part of my essay was not clear to you, professor?"?Popular Magazine. BROUGHT BACK TO HAMPTON. Fred Golden Charged with Absconding with Church Money. Hampton, May 23.?Deputy Sheriff J. Herman Lightsey arrived yesterday afternoon from Columbus, Ohio, with Fred Golden, colored, who, several days ago, it is charged, skipped with about $75 belonging to the Methodist Church fund. Golden had undertaken the contract of building the edifice and had the work well under way, when the treasurer, it is stated, gave him a pay roll and $75 in cash. Soon afterward Golden left town, his whereabouts being unknown until a letter was received by his brother here and signed "James Golden," giving his address- in Coi lumbus, Ohio. ( Immediately when the contents of the letter became' known, Chief of Police G. W. Fennell wired the chief of police of Columbus, giving Golden's description, to arrest the negro at once. In a few hours Golden was arrested and placed in jail there, where he was kept until Sheriff Lightsey, armed with requisition papers from the Governor of South Carolina on the Governor of Ohio, arrived upon the scene and escorted the prisoner back to Hampton. A preliminary will be given him Saturday. FIVE MULES BURNED. Spartanburg County Farmer Sustains Loss of About $3,000. Spartanburg, May 25.?Fire believed to have been of incendiary origin incinerated five mules, /four hogs, and one calf at a barn belonging to L. Riebling, near Campobello last night. The barn, which was erected at a cost of $ 1,200, was one of the best in the county. The mules had recently been purchased for $1,600. The entire loss amounts to well over $3,000 and is covered by $500 insurance. The neighbors firmly believe that some one set the building afire. Mr. *n aVT.V fv 1 /\ri+ ft miilft It* O OITYlllo fi T*0 XVit: Ull JUg lust Cl JJLl U1C IU a. siuiuai Hi ill a smaller barn several weeks ago. The farm is located two miles from the Gibson place, where several months ago a house was destroyed by fire and three children burned to death. For this Alexander Gosnell is in jail here, facing a charge of arson. TRIAL LASTED EIGHT MINUTES, Breaks Record in Capital Cases Think Macon Lawyers. Macon, Ga., May 24.?A negro named John ?T:lllman was tried for his life and acquitted in eight minutes in the Bibb Superior Court today. This is believed by Macon lawyers to break all legal records for dispatch in the trial of a capital case. The jury was selected, the preliminary argument made by the solicitor, three witnesses examined and a verdict of not guilty returned. Tillman found his wife in a compromising position with another negro, whom he killed. The judge instructed the jury to acquit the defendant. The World's Debt for War. "The war debt of the world for borrowed money, practically all used for war purposes, amounts to nearly $37,000,000,000," says President Jordan, of Leland Stanford University, .in the June World's Work. "This sum is expressed in the 'Endless Caravan of Ciphers,' which carries no meaning to the average taxpayer, until he feels the pressure in the rising cost of living, and in his own difficulties in making both ends meet. The interest charges of the world on its national debt are about $1,500,000,000 a year, and about $2,500,000,000 are expended yearly on standing armies and on battleships. If we were to sell out the entire holdings of the United States, capitalize the returns, and put the whole sum at interest at 4 per cent., it would just about keep up the military expenses of the world in time of peace." ACQUITTED IX FEW MIXUTES. Jury Frees Townville Men Charged With Killing Welborn. Anderson, May 24.?In less than ? - n-i J. - J."U ^ five minutes alter retiring iu me juij rcom, the jury with the case of H. W. Holcomb, Justin E. Wolbright, James Baldwin and I. B. Sears, charged with the murder of Doc Welborn, a mountaineer, on the night of November 12; 1911, at Townville, this county, returned a verdict of not guilty. Holcomb was chief of police at Townville at the time, and he, with the assistance of the three other defendants, arrested and locked up Welborn for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Soon after Welborn was placed in the guard house, the calaboose was discovered to be on fire. The building was completely consumed, and in the ashes were found the charred remains of Welborn. A detective was engaged and he worked up sufficient evidence to cause the arrest of Holcomb and his assistants. The case was called for trial yesterday morning, and was concluded late this evening. Many witnesses testified for the State and defence. The State attempted to prove that Welborn was beaten up by the officers, and that he died from the wounds mnictea; iuai mc 5 uai u house was fired to hide the crime. The evidence adduced did not convince the jury that such was the case, for as soon as a pen could be had the verdict of not guilty - was rendered. The case attracted intense interest in the Townville section, and the sessions of Court yesterday and to-day have been largely attended, many ladies being present. "Lady Cops" for Indianapolis. "Lady cops"?that's what Indianapolis is to have, and just a fun proposition on the part of Mayoi Samuel L. Shank caused it. He told members of the Women's club committee that he believed a few feminine faces on the police force would help some. The women have been after him ever since. After a conference, he ordered Superintendent Hyland to issue police powers to as many women as the committee wanted. The women offer to serve the city in this capacity without cost. * i - . ' ' wmrnxmrvrnmammmmmv iDONT THROW AWAYl yj Good Wearing Apparell and Household Furnishings ; fp simply because they have become stained or faded. jf We can make them like new by our modern process ? ? of CLEANING or DYEING. We quote a few prices: ' ' Cleaned and Pressed: Dyed and Pressed: zt ' tb Gentlemen's Suits $1.25 up $2.50 up $ } ?X? Ladies' Coat Suits 1.50 up 2.50 up ? ? ifc Ladies' Waists 75 up 1.50 up ZZ if! Ladies' Skirts 1.00 up 1.50 up *' itl 1 iitnmrvhila Cnata 1 .nrt IIn 2.Srt Tin ? ? 9im ^uiA/iiix/wnv -r -r wA? '-m Is! Chenille Portieres 1.50 up 2.50 up ^ ?J? Blankets, Double 75 cleaned tcf T For further information write for free booklet. 3? I DEAL CLEANERS AND DYERS I | King Street & Burns Lane CHARLESTON, S. C. ? CITY PRESSING CLUB, AGENTS, BAMBERG, S. C. A &DlBgllplDlplpglgIg>ffllpaffiQattaiPipiaOaoS ===Bg great iner uuu C/\, when Vs timely qiverik.^, # Deuluioii Has n rujlif 6 expect - <f\; ^ssisfeVicc jr<m.attars. '"8|| hvw toiXlx. R/KI&UJ U<t)? <wul tkt Wdfotts that will prtpure. him Sim caM the hfii ksh tfk his omb ittm. m iaXvr U3fe. bu stortvn^ %f|f ci s<u>vvujs axcoM/nt" tfti boM m. Mpi; b<vnil_. '. t; |||p; TV\e. iroio? of- <wU rfr %J|j wnma DMoer (* taught ;$? . > .\ . . I .i.j-J iHfl iu.Sv P-T,/t4.6. ^V\.?\ r65pCMStt)(A.UM wime. Interest en s<umujs w. eru^T1 ? S|j|g K/?/vii? i< P/rvu nfitu/nApA if yv i i/iVJ "?/ , I FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK . : I 4 per ct. Paid Quarterly on Savings Accounts. Ehrhardt, S. O. m l if rHE BEg l | | I We don't claim to have the best : 9 M H Horses and Mules ever brought to Mil | p this market in our stables at this _ ? | | | time, for we have had some mighty W i | XI J^UVU V11CO UCl^WiVIV) VUV no UV | " | | ** ^ V8li | i claim these to be just as good as any | j ^ ^ we have ever handled, and if you will TJ* | j| xU I*j come and look we know we can ill r jj I please you. See ours before buying ? | JONES BROS J j BAMBERG, . .. .. .. ^^ SOUTH CAROLINA, j j M. sufficient number of them will stop a locomotive. Your MX 11 small change may seem unimportant to you, but if you ? 9 S-J open a savings account here, and constantly add to the ^ ^ amount, the accumulation will surprise you and prove | a great help to you when WANT tries to run you down. | | jgK We pay 4 per cent, on Savings Deposits. gj ? || PEOPLES BANK ----- Bamberg, S. C. {| Repaint Your Furniture ^ a Didn't somebody scratch, scar or bung up some of your furni- | 5 ture during that Xnias jollification? U"Le = Mo = L,ac" I is a mighty good tonic for ailing furniture. Easy to apply and 4 . V.' Q quick to dry. Try it for floors also, nothing better. , % We have just received a nice assortment of Screen Doors andi j Windows, Flower Pots, Jardinieres, etc., and they are going at i M | i Summer Prices. , - J 1 We give S. & H. Green Trading Stamps for all cash pure liases Jjflj and for all bills paid on or before the 10th of each month.1 U A. HUNTER |] 1 H THE HARDWARE MAN. BAMBERG, 8. C. M ? ligfi TOBQOBQI 3BI J * ^ 1