Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-25
- - + : = - II ~
The story Of Man Who Passed His
Time I'm the Penitenttary Pleas.

Iim6 IN thc ~N~'-S
anily. a
From the jackson Citizen.l
In 1881 932 there lived in Monroe
county, Mississippi, planter named
Wooley. He was q half-breed, at least
there was good deal of Cherokee Indian
in him. He owned about two hundred
slaves, and had ell the worst habits of the
old-time planter-drinking, gambling and
horse-racing. These pursuits alternated
formed his sole occupation, the planta'
ton being managed by an overseer. he
had the sole virtue of possessing sort
of Indian veneration for the sacredness
Of his word, He would not execute q
Sote for any purchase whatever, and held
ali m an in sovereign contempt who .yio-
IL ted tk,-ir pledged word He had no
comnunction in killing q man in what be
deemed q Just quarrel; but his word vas
his bond. This was his well'known
character, and be could have got crsdit
for thousands on bis word easier than
otber men could have got hundreds. AT
he lime we speak of he hsd killed several
yersons in gambling qusrrels, ena ne
was looked upon as man not 70 De
crossed except at the risk OF lie.
One night, while playing cards In Co.
lumbus, o quarrel aross about the game.
His opponent was q known Desperate,
and he gave the lie to Wooley's ststeEent
about the game. Bowies flashed out ST.
multsneonaly-both were slightly wound
ad, when a,lueky blow laid Wooley's op-
penent dead upon the floor. Next morn
inc Wooley was arrested--srrested be-
cause be did not care that it shoSld be
otherwise. Wooley had carried his kill
ing SO far that the Judge felt bound to
commit him, in order to avoid the lmpu,
tation of being affected either by. fesr OF
his desueradoism or wealth. Accord
;nglv 10 iai! went Wooley. The Jaiior
was weak mRn-weak in courage aud
weak 10 resist the influence OF doucer.
After bearing bis confinement for a day
or two Wooley seat Cor the jailor.
"See here, Jim" said he. you know
me: Won know | never break NJ vord.
Now. / want to 60 out aud have social
game With the boys. You can just leave
me the key, and When it gets bed time L
will come, lock myself lD, and 1t Will De
all right"
) This argument was enforced by Etdts
rial considerations, aud night after night
WooIey used to come out and enjoy his
nocturual liberty. The court sitting
soon, be got the case put of, and giving
bail in the SUM Of $l0,0 900 was released.
At the next terra of the court, Wooley
was nut upon trial; the Jury returned a
verdict of guilty, and the Judge SEN
fenced him 70 one year IN the penitsn-
tiary at Jackson. The papers we're d1ly
made out, and the sheriff propossd to
start with him for Jackson, but Wooley
demurred.
"YoS know, sheriff" said he, that
the county Is peor--csnt afford the trip
and I'll jast let my BOY Cesar drive me
down to jackson, and save all tho eE-
pense. Got the papers z
The sheriff produced them, and ere he
was aware, Wooley seized them and put
,ssm into BIS loeket
"a q right" said hs, Il shall be of 10
norrow n-orning"
"PTso Tto sberiaf SueS be bad a desssrsts
nsn N deal with, at when he reflected
,hst Woolev never broke his word, and
h.d besides. oveE 500. 600 worth Of
propertT he conld Bst ssove, be msoe q
yirlns Of necessity, and lste tAiogs 70 tsKe
Tine To his uord, Wooley left for Jack
son apd - tirne arrived. Pulting up st
he Mansion House be sailed o1t, vitlted
All he gaming bells with which thst
town even then Abounded, spd the next