New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-12
A REMARkABLR PRISONER.
Tho Story OF q Man Who Passed His
Time N the PenitentiAry Pleasantly.

from the jackson Citizen.l
In 1892 there lived in Monroe county,
Mississippi, o planter named Wooley. He was
a half.breed, at least there was great deal
two hundred slaves, and had all the worst
habits of the old.tlme plapter-drinking,
gambling, and horse racing. These pursuits
alternated formed his sole occupation, the
plantation being managed by an overseer.
He had the sole virtue of possessing soul
of Indian veneration for the saCredness OF
his word.
He would not execute note for any pur.
chase whatever, and held all men in sover-
eign contempt who violated their pledged
word. He had no compunction in killing
a man in what he deemed a just quarrel !;
but his word was his bond. This was his
we'll 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 ne had killed several
persons in gambling quarreis, and he was
Cept at the risk OF life.
One night, while playing cards in Colum.
bus, quarrel arose about the game. His
opponent was known desperado, and he
gave the lie to WoOley's statement about the
game. Bowies flashed out sim ultaneously;
both we're slightly wounded, when lucky
blow laid Wooley's opponent dead upon the
arrested 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, in or
der to avoid the imputation of being affect
ed either by fear of his desperadoism or
wealth. Accordingly to Jail went Wooley.
The TAILOR was weak man-weak in courage
and weak to resist the influence of a doucer.
After bearing his confinement for day or
two WOOley sent for the iaiiCr.
"See here, Jim," said he, "you know me !;
you know l never break my Yord. Now,
want to 60 out and have social time with
the boys. You can just leave me the key.
and when it gets bed time I will come, lock
myself in, and it will be all right
This argument was enforced by material
considerations; and night after night
Wooley used to come out and enjoy his noe
turnal liberty. The court sitting soon, ne
got the case put off, and giving bail in the
sum of Sl00 900 was released.
At the next term of the Court, Wooley was
put upon trial; the jury returned verdict
of guilty, and the Judge sentenced him to
one year in 1.-THE penitentiary at Jackson.
The papers were duly made cut, and the
Sheriff proposed to start with him for Jack
son, but Wooley demurred.
"You know, Sheriff. said he, "that the
country is poor-can't afford the trip-and
so I'll Just let my boy Cesar drive me down
to Jackson, and save all the expense. Got
the papers?"
The Sheriff produced them, and, ere he
waslaware, Wooley seized them and put
them into his pocket.
"All right" ssid he, ~ shall be of to-
morrow morning.
The Sheriff knew he had desperate man
to deal with, but when he reflected that
Wooley never broke his word, and had. be-
sides, over 500, 900 worth of property, he
could not move; he made virtue OF neces-
sity, and left things to take their turn.
True to his word, Wooley left for Jackson,
and in time arrived. Putting up at the
Mansion House, he sailed out, visited all
the gambling hells with which that town
even then abounded, and the next morning
drove up to the penitentiary. Entering the
ward room, he inquired:
"Where shall ind the Warden2n
81 am the man" said Colonel Dickson.
swell, I've brought you prisoner
"Where is he ?" inquired the Warden.
"Here; l am the man." and Woo.ey
handed over the Sherid's mittimus.
The warden was amazed. Had he luna
tic to deal with. or had the man killed the
Sheriff and then come to the prison to d ely
him? He could not tell; but he determined
quickly to keep the man, since. he offered
himself.
'Now,r said Wooley, sIet's 90 through
this place and see how it l0oks;' and
through they went. AS they returned to
the guard room, Wooley had talked SO pleas.
antly that the Warden felt reassured, and
said jocosely:
"Now, Mr.. Wooley, what branch Of the
business do you think you would like
best?r
ITO tell you the truth, Colonel" said
Wooley, Il never did days work in my
life, land don't think I'd like any of your
cussed trades. III tell you how we can fix
it; I'll clerk for you, Just for the name of
the thing, and we'll live >jollily together. till
the years up"
The warden saw he had character to deal
with, and concluded that q man who would
go into prison Of his own accord, would
not run away, and acquiesced. Wooley
staid his year accordingly nominal clerk or
companion by day, and gambler in Jackson
by night. He kept the ward room supplied
with Havanas, and a sly mock in the office
always contained the best Of liquors. His
year up, he left unregretting but regretted,
for at heart he was good fellow, and made
the Warden good companion.
rfto Fot Of noroholIa -oaopfJx, found