Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-03-17
A REMARKABLE PRISONER.
The Story of Man who Passed His
Time In tho Penitentisry Pleas
From the Jackson Citizen.


Time In tho Penitentisry Pleas
anuy.
From the Jackson Citizen.
In 1912 there lived in Monroe county,
Miss, a planter named Wooley. He was a
half-breed-at least here was good deal
of Cherokee Indian in him. He owned
about 200 slaves, and had all the worst
habits OF the old-time planter drinking
gambling, and horse racing. These pur-
suits alternated, formed his sole occrpa-
lion, the plantation being managed by an
overseer. He had the sole virtue of pos.
sessing soul of Indian veneration for the
sacredness of his word. He would not ex-
ecute a note for any purchase whatever,
ana held all men in sovereign contempt
who violated their pledged word. He had
no compunction in killing man in what
he deemed Just quarrel; but his word was
his bond. This was his well-known char
acter, and be could have got credit for
thousands on ms 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 oflife.
One night, while playing cards in Column
bus, a quarrel arose about the game. His
opponent was a known desperate, and he
| gave the lie to Wooley's statement about
the game. Bowies flashed out simutane-
ously-- both were slightly wounded, when
a lucky blow laid Wooley's opponent dead
upon the floor. Next morning Wooley was
arrested 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 bin, in order to avoid the
imputation of being affected either oy fear
of his desperadoism or wealth. Accord
| ingly to Jail went Wooley. The jailor was
weak man weak in courage and weak to
resist the Influence of doucer. After
bearing his confinement for a day or two
Wooey sent for the jAilor.
''See here, jim, +" said he, ''you know me ;
you know | never break my word. Now,
want to 90 out and have a social game
with the boys, You can Just leave me the
| key, and when il gets bed time | will come,
| lock myself in, and it will be all right"
This argument was enforced by material
consideration; and night after night Wool.
ey used to come out and enjoy his noctur-
nal liberty. The court sitting soon, he got
the case put off, and giving balm tne sum
OF $40 900 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 the penitentiary at Jack
son. The papers we're duly made out, and
the Sheriff proposed to start with him for
jackson, but Wooey demurred.
"You know, Sheriff, said he, "that the
country is poor can't afford the trip and
so I'll Just let my boy Caesar drive me
down to Jackson, and save all the expense
Got the papers"
The Sheriff produced them, and, ere he
was aware Wooley seized them and put
them into, his pocket.
"All right, said he, Il shall be off to-
morrow morning"
The Sheriff knew he had a desperate man
to deal with, but when he reflected that
Wooley never broke his word, and had, be-
sides, over $780, 900 worth of property be
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 the town even
then abounded, and the next NOR ing drove
up to the Penitentary. Entering the ward
room, he inquired:
"Where shall find the Warden?"
81 am the man, said Col Dickson.
"Well I've brought you prisoner.
"Where is he, inquired the Warden.
"Here; l am the man." and Wooley
handed over the Sheriff's mttimus.
The Wa len was amazed Had he a lu-
matte 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 to keep the man, since
! he offered himself
Now" said Wooley, "lets go through
this place and see how 1t looks" and
through they went. As they returned to
the board-room Wooley had talked so
pleasantly that the Warden felt treasured,
and said loosely:
"Now, Mr.. Wooley, what branch Of the
business do you think you would like best?"
''To tell you the truth, colonel said
Wooley, Il never did days work in my
life, and | don't think I'd like any of your
cussed trades. | tell you how we can fix
| it'll clerk for you, just for the name Of
the thing, and we'll live JOLLY together,
till the years un."
| The warden saw ne hau character 10
deal with, and concluded that 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 sly
nook in the Office always contained the best
of liquors. His year up, he left unregret-
ting but regretted, fer at heart he was a
good fellow, and made the warden a good
companion.
4 WOman's Presence Of Mind.
In the great snow storm in Maine on the