The Republican journal., 1870-04-21
A REMARKABLE PRISONER.

In 1892 there lived in Monroe county,
Mississippi, a planter named Wooley. He
was half-breed, at least there was good
deal OF Cherokee Indian in him. He owned
about two hundred slaves, and had all the
worst habits of the old-time planter-drink-
ing, gambling and horse-racine. These pur-
suits alternated formed his sole occupation.
the plantation being managed by an over
seer. He had the sole virtue of possessing
sort of Indian veneration for the sacredness
OF his word. He would not execute note
Tor any purchase whatever, and held all men
IN sovereign contempt who violated their
pledged word. He had no compunction in
killing man in what he deemed a Just quar-
rel but his word was his bond This was
his well-knOwn character, and he could have
got credit for thousands on his word easier
than other men could have got hundreds At
the time we speak of he had killed several
persons in gambling quarrels and he was
looked upon as man not to be crossed except
at the risk of life.
One night while playing cards in Colum
bus, quarrel arose about the game. His
opponent was known desperate, and he
gave the lie to Nooley's statement about the
game. Bowies flashed out Simultaneously
both We're slightly wounded, when a lucky
blow laid Wooley's opponent dead upon the
because he did not care that it should be
otherwise. Wooley had carried his killing
so far that the Judge felt bound to commit
him, IA order to avoid the imputation of be
ing affected either by fear of his desperate
ism or wealth. Accordingly to Jail went
Wooley. The iailor was u weak man, weak
in courage and weak to resist the influence of
a douceur After bearing his confinement
for Il day or two Wooley sent for the Tailor
"See here Jim," said he, ''you know me
you know | never break my word. Now
want to 90 out and have social game with
the boys. You can just leave me the key,
and when it gets bed time | will come, lock
myself in, and it will be all right"
This argument was enforced by material
considerations and night after night Wooley
usedto come out and enjoy his nocturnal lib
erty. The court sitting soon, he got the case
put off, and giving bail in the sum of $40, 900,
was released.
AT the next term of the Court, Wooley was
put upon trial the jury returned a verdict OF
guilty, and the Judge sentenced him to one
year in the penitentiary at Jackson. The pa
pers We're duly made out and the sheriff pro
posed to start with him for Jackson, but
Wooley demurred.
you know, sheriff." said he, ''that the
country is poor-cant afford the trip-and So
I'll let my boy Caesar drive me down tD
Jackson, and save all expense. Got the pa
pers ~
The sheriff produced them. and. ere he was
aware, Wooley seized them and put them in
to his pocket.
IAN right" said he; II shall be off tltomor-
row morning"
The sheriff knew he had desperate Gus
toner to deal with, but when he reflected that
Wooley never broke his word and had be-
sides over 100000 worth of property he
could move, he made a virtue OF necessity,
and left things to take their turn.
True to his word Wooley left for jackson
and in time arrived. Putting up at the Man
sion House he sailed out, visited all the
gambling hells which that town even then
abounded in, and the next morning drove up
to the penitentiary. Entering the ward room,
he inquired:
where shall find the warden? ?"
81 am the man, said Colonel Dickson.
'Well, Eve brought you a prisoner"
"Where is he ?" inquired the warden.
Here, | am the man." and Wooley hand
ed over the sheriff's mittimus
The warden was amazed, Had he n luna
tie to deal with, or had the man killed the
sheriff and then come to the prison to defy
him? He could not tell but he determined
quickly 10 keep llle man Sihcc ne oHcrcu NM
self
Now said Wooley; let's 90 through
this place and see how it look ?n and through
they went. AS they returned to the guard
room, Wooley had talked so pleasantly that
the warden felt reassured and said iocosely:
Now, Mr.. Wooley, what branch of the
business do you think you would like best ?"
''To tell the truth, colonel" said Wooley.
Il never did a days work in my life and
l don't think I'd like any of your cussed
trades. I'll tell you how we can fix it, I'll
clerk for you. Just for the name of the thing,
and We'll live JOLLY together, till the years up.
The warden saw he had character to deal
with, and concluded that . man who would
go into prison of his own accord would
not run away, and acquiesced Wooley stay
ed his year accordingly nominal clerk or
by day, and Il gambler in Jackson
by night. He kept the ward room supplied
with Havanas, and n sly nook in the office
always containing the best of liquors. His
year up, he left unregreting but regretted
for at heart he was a good fellow, and made
the warden good companion.
Such was ilstice in Mississippi forty years
ago; but such an incident As this could have
hardly occurred elsewhere.