The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-04-02
A REMARKABLE PRISONER.
THE STORY OF A MAN WHO PASSED HIS
TIME IN THE PENIrENTIARY
PLEASANTLY.

I
Miss, planter named Wooley. He
was half breed-at least there was
good deal of Cherokee Indian blood in
him. He owned about two hundred
| slaves, and had ali the bad habits of an
old-time planter drinking, gambling
and horse racing. These pursuits alter
mated, formed his sole occupation, the
plantation being managed by an over
seer. He had the sole virtue OF possess
ing soul of Indian vcneration for the
sacredness of his word. He would not
execute note for any purchase what
ever, and held all men in sovereign con-
tempt 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
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 he
had killed several persons in gambling
quarrels, and he was looked upon as a
man not to be crossed except at the peril
of life.
One night, while playing cards in Co.
! lumbus, a quarrel arose about the game.
His opponent was a known desperado,
and he gave the lie to Wooley's state
ment about the game. Bowies flashed
out simultansously-both were slightly
wounded, when lucky blow laid Wool
ey'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 kill
ing so far that the judge felt bound to
commit him, in order to avoid the impu-
tation of being affected either by fear of
his 6esperadoism or wealth Accord
lngly 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 day
| or two, Wooley SEM for the jailor.
g 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 the boys. You can just leave
me the key, and when it gets bed time 1
viii. come back, lock myself in, and it
will be all right"
i This argument was enforced by mate
/ rial considerations and night after night
/ Wooley use to come out and enjoy his
nocturnal liberty. The court setting
soon, he got the case put off. and giving
bail in the sum of $4,000, was re-
/ leased.
/ At the next term of the cout, Wooley
was put upon trial the jury returned a
verdict of guilty, and the judge sentenc-
/ ed him to one year in the penitentiary at
Jackson. The papers were made out,
and the sheriff proposed to start with
him for Jackson, but Wooley demurred
"You know, sheriff. said he, "that
! the county 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
expenses. 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, " shall be off
/ in the morning"
/ The sheriff knew he had desperate
man to deal with, but when he reflected
that Wooley never broke his word, and
had besides over 100000 worth of
property he could not move, he made a
virtue of necessity, and left things to
| take their turn.
True to his word, Wooley left for Jack
son, and in time arrived. Putting up
at the Mansion House, he sailed out,
visited all the gambling hells with which
that city even then abounded, and the
next morning drove up to the Peniten-
/ tiary. Entering the ward room, he in
| quired:
{: Where shall I find the Warden ?''
81 am the man." said Colonel Dick
son.
Well, I've brought you prisoner
Where is he?" inquired the War
| den
Here; am the man." and Wooley
handed over the Sheriff's mitiimus.
The Warden was amazed. Had he
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
throug gh they went As they returned to
the guard room. Wooley 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 2"
"To tell you the truth, colonel" said
Wooley. 81 never did a days work In
my life, and I don't think I'd like any
of your cussed trades I'll tell you how
we can fix it'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 a man
who would go into prison of his own
accord, would not run away, and acqui-
Il esced Woolev sfaid his vear accordinp
ly: nominal clerk or companion by day
and gambler in Jackson by night He
kept the ward room supplied with Hav-
anas, and sly nook 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.
A SCHOOL OF HIS OwN.-The Colusa
Sun gets off many good things. and here
1 ia opas