The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-09-15
Popular Wlistellany.
A REMARKABLE PRISONER.

In 1912 there lived in Monroe coun.
ty, Misslssippi,a planter named Woolcy.
lie was Il half-breed, ut least there was
a good deal Of Cherokee Indian in him.
lie owned about two hundred slaves,
and had all the worst habits OF the old.
time planter-drinkiDg, gambling and
horse racing. These pursuits alternatcd
formed his sole occupation, the planta.
tion being managed by an oversecr.-
lie had the sole virtue of possessing u
sort Of Indian veneration for the sacred
ness Of his word lie would not exc.
cute a note for any purchase whatever,
aud held all men in sovereign contempt
who violated their pledged word. He
had no eompunction in killing man in
what he deemed just quarrel; 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 hun.
dreds. At the tima we speak of he
had killed several persons in gambling
quarrels, aud lie was looked upon as a
man not to be crossed except at the risk
of life.
One night while playing cards in Co
lumbus, u qurrel arose about the game.
His opponent was a known desperate,
and he gave the lie to Wooley's state
ment about the game. Bowies flashed
out Simultaneous y-both were slightly
wounded, when luck 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 car.
ried his killing SO far that the Judge felt
bound to commit him, in order to avoid
the imputation Of being affected either
by fear of his desperadoism or wealth.
Accordingly to Jail went Wooley. The
jailor was n weak man-weak in cou.
rage and weak to resist the infence of
a douccur. After bearing his confne.
ment for day or too Wooley sent for
the jailor.
See here, Jim," said he, "you know
me; you know | never break my word.
Now, l want to go out and have a social
game with the boys. You can Just leave
me the key, and when ii gets bed time
| will come, lock myself 10, and it will
be all right"
This argument was enforced by ma.
terial considerations; and night after
night Wooley used to come out and en-.
joy his nocturnal liberty. The court
sitting soon, he got the case put of, and
giving bail in tho sum Of $4,000, was
released.
At the next term of court, Wooley
was put upon trial the jury returned a
verdict OF guilty, and the judge senteuc.
cd him one year in the peniteDtiary at
jackson. The papers were duly made
out, and the sheriff proposed to start with
him for jackson, but Wooley dcmurred.
:" You know, sheriff." said he shat
the county is poor-can't afford the trip
and so III JEST let my boy Caesar
drive mo down to jackson and save all
expense. Got the papers ?"
The sheriff produced them, and, ere
he was aware, Wooley seized them and
put them is his pocket.
" All right" said he, 81 shall be off
to omorrow morning.
The sheriff knew he had desperate
customer to deal with, but when he re.
tiected that Wooley never broke his
word and had, besides, over 500 600
worth OF property he could move, he
made 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 Mansion House he sailed out.
visited all the gambling hclls with
which that town even then abounded.
aud the next morning drove up to the
penltentiary, Entering the ward room, |
he inquired:
Where shall find the warden ?"
" l am the man." said Colonel Dick. |
son.
Well, I've brought you prisoner"
"Where is he p inquired the war.
den.
Here, | am the man." and Wooley |
handed over the sheriff mittimus.
The warden was amazed. Had he a |
lunatic 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, "let's go |
through this place and see how it looks" |
and through they went. As they re.
turned to the guard room, Wooley had |
talked SO pleasantly that the warden felt |
reassured aud said loosely:
q Now MIR Wnolov x.h, t....t NJ 4, /