Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-05-11
A REMARKABLE PRISONER.

".
Mississippi, 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.fime planter drink
ing, gambling and horse-racing. These
pursuits alteraated formed his sole occupa-
ton, the plantation being managed by an
overseer He had the sole virtue of posses
sing sort of Indian veneration, for the sa-
credness OF his word. He would not exc
cute note for any purpose whatever, aud
held all men in sovereign contempt who vi
olated their pledged word. He had no CON-
Function In killing man IN what he deem
ed a just quarrel; but his word was good as
Was his bond. This was his well known
character, and he could have got 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 Wooley S statement about the
game. Bowies flashed cut simultaneously
both were slightly wounded, when lucky
blow laid " ooley opponent dead on the
fioor. Next morning Mo0ley was arrested
arrested because he did not care that it
should be otherwise. " ooley had carried
his killing so far that the judge felt bound
to commit him, in order to avoid the impu-
tation of being effected either by fear of his
desperadoism or wealth. Accordingly to
jail went Wooley. The jaiIor was weak
man-weak in courage aud weak to resist
the influence Of douceur. After bearing
his confinement for day or two Wooley sent
for the iailor.
See here Jim, said he, you know me
you know ] never break my word Now, |
want to go out and have a social game
with ,uy boys. You can just leave me the
key, and when it Get bed time will come,
This argument was enforced by material
considerations and night after night Woo
ley used to come out and enjoy his noctur-
nal liberty. The court sitting soon, he got
the case put of, and giving bail in the sum
Of $4,000, was released
At the next term of the court, Wooley
was put upon trial the jury returned YER
diet of guilty, and the judge sentenced him
to one year in the penitentiary at Jackson.
The papers We're duly made out, and the
sheriff proposed to start with him for Jack
son, but " ooley demurred.
You know, sheriff. said he, that the
county is poor-can't afford the trip-and
so ii just let my boy Caesar drive me down
TO Jackson, and save all expenses Got the
papers?"
The sheriff produced them, and ere he
was aware, Wooley seized them and put
them in his pocket.
''All right, said he, Il shall be off to
morrow morning.
The sheriff knew he had desperate Gus
u FL In
that " ooiey never broke his word, and had
besides, over 100000 worth of property he
could Mt move. he made virtue of necessi-
ty, and left things to take their turn.
True to his word Woolcy left for Jack
son, and in due time arrived. Putting up
at the Mansion House he sailed out, visit
ed all the gambling hells with which that
town even then abounded, and the next
morning drove up to the peni;entiary. En-.
tering the ward room, he inquired
''H here shall | find the warden ?''
II am the man, said Colonel Dickson.
well, / We brought you prisoner.
-''W here is he p inquired the warden.
Here, nj the man, and Wooley hand
ed over the sheriff mittimus.
The warden was amazed. Had he a lu-
the sheriff and then come to the prison tc
mined quickly to keep the man since he of
fered himself.
Nov, said Wooley, let go all through
this place and see how it looks anc
through they went. As they returned tc
the guard room, Wooley lad talked S,
pleasantly that the warden felt reassured
and said jocosely:
'Now, Mr.. Wocley, what branch of tht
business do you think you would like best ?
''To tell the truth, Colonel" said Woo
ley, Il never done days work in my life
and don think I'd like any of your cuss
ed trades. I'll tell you how We can fix it
/ IL clerk for you, just for the name of tn,
thing, and we'll live JOLLY together till tn,
years up.
The warden saw that he had character
| to deal with, and concluded that man wht
would go into prison on his own accord
would not run away, and acquiesced Woo
ley stayed his year accordingly, nominal cleri
or companion by day, and a gambler b,
night. He kept the ward supplied will
Havanas and sly nook i'll the office al
ways contained the best of liquors. Hi
year up. he left unregretting but regretted
for at heart he was good fellow, and mad
| the warden good companion.
Such was Justice in Mississippi fort.
years ago. but such an incident as this coult
/ have hardly occurred elsewhere.