The Last Pirate of New York: A Ghost Ship, a Killer, and the Birth of a Gangster Nation

by Rich Cohen

In fact, the only thing the police knew for sure about William Johnson was that he was not named William Johnson.

to live outside the law.

The way is narrow,

As in the Hank Williams tune, he wore a ball and a chain; a number, not a name. “I

tickets to the hanging.