More 19th Century Reports of Captain Kidd's Treasure Buried Off Pelham Shores
Introduction
I have written before about the infamous 17th century pirate William Kidd, known as Captain Kidd, and rumors that he buried part of his storied treasure on Huckleberry Island off the shores of Pelham. See Fri., Jan. 22, 2016: Did the Notorious Captain Kidd Bury Treasure on an Island Off the Shores of Pelham? The story of Captain Kidd's buried treasure is merely part of Pelham's long and storied history of legends of buried treasure as well as actual discoveries of buried treasure. For examples, see:
Tue., Nov. 24, 2015: Another True Tale of Buried Gold Found in Pelham.
Wed., Sep. 23, 2015: Yet Another Tale of Buried Treasure in the Town of Pelham.
Thu., Aug. 20, 2015: Pre-Revolutionary War Pewter Plates Were Discovered in Pelham in 1938.
Mon., Jan. 26, 2015: Hidden Treasure that Once Belonged to the Father of John Hunter of Hunter's Island in Pelham Found in a Discarded Chest in the 19th Century.
Thu., Feb. 19, 2015: Another Account of Gold and Silver Treasure Found in a Pelham Manor Backyard in 1889.
Wed., Jun. 11, 2014: Buried Treasure Off the Shores of Pelham: The Legend of Pirate's Treasure.
Wed., Oct. 14, 2009: 1879 News Account Provides Additional Basis for Some Facts Underlying Ghost Story of Old Stone House in Pelhamville (tells legend that Mrs. James Parish hid gold on the grounds of the home).
Mon., Apr. 06, 2009: Paper Recounts Burial of the Bell of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester To Save it from the British During the Revolutionary War.
Mon., May 01, 2006: The Legend of the Recovery of Pirate's Treasure on an Island Off Pelham.
Mon., May 16, 2005: The Discovery of a Gold and Silver Treasure in the Backyard of a Pelham Home in 1889.
"William Kidd, Privateer, Pirate," an 18th Century Portrait by
Sir James Thornhill. Source: "William Kidd" in WIKIPEDIA --
The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jan. 16, 2016). NOTE: Click
on Image to Enlarge.
William Kidd
William Kidd (1645 - 23 May 1701) was a Scottish sailor who sailed as a privateer and became infamous as "Captain Kidd," a notorious pirate. According to one source: "Some modern historians deem his piratical reputation unjust, as there is evidence that Kidd acted only as a privateer. Kidd's fame springs largely from the sensational circumstances of his questioning before the English Parliament and the ensuing trial."
Source: "William Kidd" in WIKIPEDIA -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jun. 4, 2017).
As he neared the end of a lengthy career as a privateer, Kidd made his way back to the New York region. According to one account:
"Prior to returning to New York City, Kidd learned that he was a wanted pirate, and that several English men-of-war were searching for him. Realizing that Adventure Prize [a ship he was returning with as a captured prize] was a marked vessel, he cached it in the Caribbean Sea and continued toward New York aboard a sloop. He deposited some of his treasure on Gardiners Island, hoping to use his knowledge of its location as a bargaining tool. . . . Kidd found himself in Oyster Bay, as a way of avoiding his mutinous crew who gathered in New York. In order to avoid them, Kidd sailed 120 miles around the eastern tip of Long Island, and then doubled back 90 miles along the Sound to Oyster Bay. He felt this was a safer passage than the highly trafficked Narrows between Staten Island and Brooklyn." Source: Id.
"Captain Kidd in New York Harbor," A Painting Created Ca. 1920
by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. Source: "William Kidd" in WIKIPEDIA --
The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jan. 16, 2016).
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
His efforts were all to no avail. He was arrested and imprisoned in solitary confinement in Stone Prison until authorities sent him to England for questioning by Parliament. Thereafter, he was tried in the High Court of Admiralty in London on charges of murder and piracy on the high seas. He was convicted and, on May 23, 1701, he was hanged at Execution Dock in London. During the execution, the hangman's rope broke and Kidd had to be hanged a second time. His body was gibbeted over the River Thames for three years as a warning to "would-be pirates."
The Gibetted Body of Captain Kidd Hanging Over the River Thames
from "The Pirates Own Book" by Charles Ellms. Source: "William Kidd"
in WIKIPEDIA -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jan. 16, 2016).
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Nineteenth Century Reports of Kidd's Treasure Buried on Huckleberry Island
There is no doubt that Captain Kidd sailed in Long Island Sound and the waters of New York during the late 17th century. Of more dubious reliability are the long-whispered rumors that Captain Kidd buried part of his storied treasure on Huckleberry Island off the shores of Pelham.
Huckleberry Island, once known as "Whortleberry Island," lies in Long Island Sound about a mile east of David's Island. It is about ten acres in size. I have written before about the island that long has been used for celebrations of the "Huckleberry Indians" of the New York Athletic Club. See Fri., Dec. 04, 2015: Early Celebrations of the Huckleberry Indians of the New York Athletic Club.
Google Maps Detail Showing Location of Huckleberry
Island (On Far Right). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
As early as 1876 and 1877, newspapers as distant from New York City as The Kansas Chief in Troy, Kansas and the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser in Buffalo, New York were reporting rumors that part of Captain Kidd's buried treasure was hidden on Huckleberry Island in Long Island Sound. (See below.) Clearly, even before then the rumors had been around for years. Indeed, The Kansas Chief noted that the entire island had been dug up many times over the years in search of the treasure. According to the paper:
"[Captain Kidd] usually provisioned his vessel in this vicinity, and many men of desperate fortunes from the neighborhood flocked to him, hoping by so doing to secure great treasures. It was reported that he had buried great treasures in the islands in the sound and the shores around, and consequently almost every part of land and island has at some time or other been dug up by infatuated treasure seekers. Every few years this mania is revived, and we hear of those that are in search of the pirate's hidden gold, but, as yet I believe none has been discovered. Huckleberry island was a favorite resort of the renowned freebooter -- almost every inch of the soil of which has been turned up. Kidd's Point, on the opposite shore of Long Island, has also received attention in this way, much time and labor having been expended there." (See below.)
Huckleberry Indians Presented "The Kidding of Captain Kydd" in 1904
The longstanding rumors of Captain Kidd's treasure on Huckleberry Island prompted the Huckleberry Indians of the New York Athletic Club in 1904 to present a comical play based on the rumors during one of their famed celebrations on Huckleberry Island.
One news article, transcribed in full below, details the entire story line of the "burlesque" in which Captain Kidd appeared before the Huckleberry Indians of Huckleberry Island and dug up his storied treasure in their presence. That treasure included several amusing items as well as the "original" deed to the island proving that it belonged to the Huckleberry Indians, their heirs, and assigns forever.
Artist's Depiction of Captain Kidd Overseeing Members of His Crew
Burying Treasurer on Gardiner's Island in Long Island Sound. Illustration
by Howard Pyle Published by Harper's New Monthly Magazine in 1894.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
* * * * *
Below is the text of a number of items that form the basis of today's Historic Pelham article. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.
"Colonel Kane has changed the time of the Pelham coach and now leaves the Brunswick on alternate days at 5 P. M., for the Neptune House, New Rochelle, a fashionable summer resort on Long Island Sound, sixteen miles from the city via a very beautiful route. It will be, I fancy, quite the correct thing to go to New Rochelle on Saturday afternoon, spend Sunday at the Neptune House, and return to town, four-in-hand, on Monday morning. The hotel has a historical reputation and was the homestead of the Underhills, who descended from the Rhinelanders, who fled to the country with the Huguenots from La Rochelle, France, as long ago as 1689. Opposite the house is Locust Island, where Edgar A. Poe use [sic] to live, and just above is Huckleberry Island, which tradition gives as a rendezvous for Captain Kidd. Three changes of horses are made, and the fare has been put at $2 instead of $1.50, and the coach has
MORE WOULD-BE PASSENGERS
than it can carry. Mr. Augustus Whiting, and Mr. Hugo Fitsch, Vice-Consul of Austria, both of this city, have established a coach line at Newport in emulation of Col. Kane, the popularity of which no one can doubt. The fare has been put at one dollar."
Source: [Untitled], Buffalo Commercial Advertiser [Buffalo, NY], Jul. 11, 1876, Vol. XLV, No. 15,018, p. 1, col. 6 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
"THE HUGUENOTS.
-----
The Settlement and History of New Rochelle. . . .
CAPTAIN KIDD.
The harbors of the sound here and on Long Island, were frequented by the notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. He was employed in 1690 to suppress the 'buccaneers,' from the knowledge he possessed of their numbers, strength and places of resort. It is said he was unable to govern such a horde of men under no pay, as composed his crew, and therefore he was in a measure compelled to engage in the very business he was employed to suppress. This, however, is more than doubtful.
After a short but desperate career of a few years, he was captured at Boston, and sent to England, where he was executed in 1701.
He usually provisioned his vessel in this vicinity, and many men of desperate fortunes from the neighborhood flocked to him, hoping by so doing to secure great treasures. It was reported that he had buried great treasures in the islands in the sound and the shores around, and consequently almost every part of land and island has at some time or other been dug up by infatuated treasure seekers.
Every few years this mania is revived, and we hear of those that are in search of the pirate's hidden gold, but, as yet I believe none has been discovered.
Huckleberry island was a favorite resort of the renowned freebooter -- almost every inch of the soil of which has been turned up. Kidd's Point, on the opposite shore of Long Island, has also received attention in this way, much time and labor having been expended there.
The superstitious firmly believe that Kidd's ghost guards his treasures to this day, and many amusing stories are told of the adventures of those who have essayed to rob him. Men have declared that they have reached and would have secured the gold harvest but for the sudden apparition of Kidd himself seated on his boxes, guarding them with a drawn sword.
M. M. T."
Source: THE HUGUENOTS -- The Settlement and History of New Rochelle. . . . CAPTAIN KIDD, The Kansas Chief [Troy Kansas], Jan. 18, 1877, Vol. XX, No. 31, p. 1, cols. 4-5 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
"HUCKLEBERRY POWWOW.
-----
INDIANS AND FLUB DUBS.
-----
Treasure of Captain Kidd Comes to Light at Last.
Yachtsmen from all of the clubs along the Sound gathered at Huckleberry Island yesterday to attend the annual powwow of the Huckleberry Indians of the New-York Athletic Club, and the Flub Dubs, of the Larchmont Club, which marks the close of the season. For their burlesque this year the yachtsmen produced a comedy entitled 'The Kidding of Captain Kydd, a Komical Kid for Komical Kidders,' by Klay M. Greene. About two hundred yachtsmen took part. Owing to the prominence of the performers, a guard was stationed at the island during the performance to warn off all pale faces and inquisitive persons, such as reporters.
The performance was held in the open air in front of a log cabin. It opened with the appearance of Chief Rudee, who emerged dejectedly from his wigwam, carrying a siphon of vichy and a glass. He stalked feebly to his seat on the lawn, and putting his hand to his forehead, complained to the braves that he felt terrible, and was going to swear off drinking.
'What got you soused last night?' asked the medicine man.
'Whiskey,' replied Chief Rudee.
'And what saw the great chief in his dreams?' asked the medicine man.
'Sea serpents!' yelled Rudee.
As the chief spoke a sea serpent, fifteen feet long came floating from behind a cliff, manned by two boys with canoe paddles. Seated on its back were Neptune and Aphrodite, the latter clothed in pink tights with a sea grass skirt, and her flaming red hair floating in the breeze. At the sight of the sea serpent the braves set up a war whoop and made a rush for the shore to carry off Aphrodite. This fair maiden finally was carried off blushingly to the tepee of Chief Rudee.
A confidence man and a broker named Chinchenheimer, accompanied by Miss Broadway, Miss Metropole, Miss Stanley and a bevy of upper Broadway countesses then visited the island in an automobile and wanted to buy it. Chinchenheimer offered as high as $100,000 for it, 1 per cent down, but Neptune advised the Indians not to sell their island because it contained the treasure of Captain Kidd.
The confidence man angrily told Neptune to go back to the briny deep and chase crabs and lobsters. While the broker and the Indians were haggling about the price of the island a loud explosion was heard, and Captain Kidd and his crew of pirates, armed with cutlasses and pistols, came defiling through a pass. The pirates were made up entirely of yachtsmen from Larchmont, and they came down the Sound on Lloyd Phoenix's big black schooner Intrepid. Their first shout as they rushed on the island was: 'Drink, give us drink to warm our blood in this icy air!'
After warming his blood and washing away the thirst of his crew, Captain Kidd made a speech. 'Historians call me a pirate,' said he. 'Romance has made me a hero. History is as good romance romance is good history, and both are liars. I did exist somewhere about the time they wrote of, but there are more crooks, pirates, bandits and grafters here within the sound of my voice than all the Kidds ever written about. None of my crew, to say nothing of myself, ever were hanged on Execution Rock, and there never was a treasure enough in the whole country at that time to make a decent bank roll.'
Captain Kidd then borrowed a spade and began digging up the hidden treasure. The first thing he took out was an axe. 'This,' said he, 'is what President Van Wormer uses to enforce the payment of dues at the New-York Athletic Club.' He then took out the boots with which 'Jimmy' Haslin does most of his kicking, and next followed a file which somebody else was sent to have used on his voice. Thee last find among the treasure was the original deed for the island, showing that it was the property of the 'Huckleberry Indians.'
When Captain Kidd read the document, which declared that the title was invested in them, their heirs and assigns forever, a big shout went up from the tribe, and they took the pirates by the hand and escorted them to their reservation, where they treated them to refreshments and a clambake, while the band played the stirring refrain, 'The Ghost That Never Walked.'
The characters in the burlesque were:
Captain Kidd...................................Joseph Grisman
Fusejoti, his Bos'n's mate...............Peter J. Kane
Rock and Rye, his first lieutenant...Frank Unger
Applejack, his boatswain................W. A. Stadelman
IMMORTALS
Father Neptune, his dopes of the danky deep...........Forest Robinson
Aphrodite, her nymphs of the wooing waves.............Newton Linde
MORTALS
Con Wall Street, a Wall Street 'con'........................... ----------------
Cinchenheimer, a sure thing promoter......................Frank Hardy
Other promoters and 'cons.'
HUCKLEBERRY INDIANS.
Chief Rudee.................................Rudolph Shaffer
Medicine Man..............................W. E. Hinsdale
Sachem Fullgraff.........................Frank Fullgraff
Little Chief Haubold.....................E. W. Haubold
Sachems, squaws, and the balance of the tribe.
During the festivities a large fleet of yachts anchored off the island, among them William E. Iselin's Emerald, Wilson Marshall's Atlantic, Paul G. Thebaud's Normona and Arthur Cary's Wahneta."
Source: HUCKLEBERRY POWWOW -- INDIANS AND FLUB DUBS -- Treasure of Captain Kidd Comes to Light at Last, New-York Tribune, Sep. 19, 1904, p. 9, col. 5.
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Labels: 1876, 1877, 1904, Buried Treasure, Captain Kidd, Huckleberry Indians, Huckleberry Island, New York Athletic Club, Treasure, William Kidd
posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:46 AM
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