Life and bloody career of the executed criminal, James Copeland, the great Southern land piratePitts, J. R. S. (James Robert Soda)
History
Life and bloody career of the executed criminal, James Copeland, the great Southern land pirate
Pitts, J. R. S. (James Robert Soda)
Copeland, James, 1823-1857; Criminals -- Gulf States -- Biography
There must be something remarkable about this man, otherwise he
could not so long have escaped the last penalties of the law and the
vengeance of an outraged population. The last heard of him, of import,
was his visit to Escatawpa, Ala., a short time before the foul murder
of W. C. Stanley, of this place, particulars of which the reader will
now examine, as related to Dr. Pitts by one of the main witnesses
involved in the case; but it should be first remembered that “Calico
Dick” made a visit to Escatawpa, then left for Mobile, Ala., and in a
few days after his nephew, Frost, came to Escatawpa. The current belief
is that he was induced to do so under the influence of his uncle.
REFLECTIONS ON THE FOREGOING, AND ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF INABILITY TO
REPRESS SUCH FLAGRANT AND WELL KNOWN CRIMES.
The masterly description of the terrible clans as they have heretofore
existed, and as given by the natural as well as artistical pen of the
Jackson county correspondent, cannot be overestimated. It will well
pay for perusal and re-perusal again and again. Let the following
quotations never be forgotten:
“The worst of human crimes had been reduced to a system, and it was
rare that anybody was brought to justice. If any party was arrested
some of the clan was always on hand to prove an alibi. Suspicions
often pointed to an individual, but people were afraid to hint
their suspicions lest they might draw down upon them some secret
vengeance—the burning of their dwellings or assassination. Thus crime
was committed with impunity. A peddler, known to have considerable
money, was found murdered in Hancock, and though there was but one
opinion as to who committed the deed, no one was arrested. McArthur,
though personally known to be an abject coward, became, through
desperate men which he commanded, an object of terror to the timid;
and even respectable men were weak enough to court his favor. The late
Colonel Glenn would often say, after his attendance on the Hancock
Circuit Courts, that he was shocked to see decent men jesting and
drinking with such a wretch! The secret was that these men dreaded him
and his gang.”
The above is a whole volume for contemplation. Decent, respectable, and
distinguished persons jesting and drinking with renowned and scientific
criminals through fear of conflagration and assassination. No efforts
made to bring to justice—crime passing with respectable impunity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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