Life and bloody career of the executed criminal, James Copeland, the great Southern land pirate

by J. R. S. Pitts

S. S. SHOEMAKE, THE ARCH-MONSTER OF ATROCITY AND THE PERFECTION OF DECEPTION, WITH HIS JOHN R. GARLAND LETTER.

An organization may soon come to naught, even though founded on principles in every respect sound, healthy and legitimate, if the individuals composing it are defective in brains and energy, the exercise of which are essentially necessary for continued existence. But an organization, based on the contrary of such principles, may continue for years to perpetrate the darkest of human atrocities—spreading terror or devastation both far and wide, if its members, or the leaders, possess the mental force requisite to plan, to command and to execute according to the proper definitions of skill, disguised treachery, and firm intrepidity brought to bear against the less suspecting, but the more honest members of society.

The unfolding of the character of S. S. Shoemake will reveal all the traits of vice, of meanness, of guilt, and of all which contributes to the perfection of human treason and perfidy.

Some of the most masterly strokes of guile and consummate deception are to be found in his John R. Garland letter and the subsequent circumstances with it connected. The ancient Judas fell very far short in comparison with this modern specimen of cruelty, of plunder, and of hypocritical imposture. A marauder, a being destitute of honor, pride or principle, and the very incarnation of all that is vile and abhorrent. This is the man whose character, to some extent, will next be unveiled in detail.

But a short time elapsed after the publication of Copeland’s confessions until a letter, signed John R. Garland, was received by the Sheriff of Perry county, making inquiry about S. S. Shoemake and two others by the names of J. and D. Doty—all implicated in Copeland’s confessions. This letter, as will afterward be shown, was written by Shoemake himself, and was mailed at DeKalb, Kemper county, Mississippi, the substance of which will next be given:

DeKalb, Miss., October —, 1858.

J. R. S. Pitts, Sheriff Perry County, Miss.:

Dear Sir—As I feel very much interested in the future welfare of this immediate section of our country, and am desirous of ascertaining the names of all men of degraded character, so far as practicable, who might chance to live among us, and more especially those characters as represented to you by Copeland, in his recent confessions as a united band of land pirates, which fact has been apparent with me for some years past of the existence of such a clan throughout our entire country. And believing that we have some of the same characters residing within our midst, I thus communicate in confidence to you, trusting that you will be kind enough, on the reception of this, to answer the same, and inform me whether or not the names of S. S. Shoemake, and two other men here, J. Doty and D. Doty, are the same persons as implicated by Copeland in his confessions to you.

So far as the former character is concerned, there is no doubt existing in the minds of the people here but that he belongs to some secret clan. His conduct, and every action through life, go to establish this conclusion. He spends the greater portion of his time away from home, and at times is absent from home for months, none knowing here anything of his whereabouts. And in this way, to the mystery of every one, he makes his peregrinations throughout the country, but whether near or distant is unknown to us. Frequently after having been absent until the community would begin to wonder and ask the question as to the cause of such continued detention, as well as the actuating motives for so much of absence, but none can give any solution—none any intelligence in reference to him. To say the least, there is great suspicion mingled with much curiosity.

Generally when he returns home from making those protracted journeys, he manages so as to arrive some time during the night, bringing with him droves of horses, mules, and sometimes more or less negroes. After his return, the first thing that is known of him, he is seen in the grog-shop bright and early in the morning, waiting the arrival of the bar-keeper for his morning bitters. In this way he seems to be continually whiling away his time—claiming to be acting in behalf of a State committee. On meeting this person, S. S. Shoemake, one that is not personally acquainted with him would not for a moment suspect anything wrong, for he is calculated by his affable deportment, on first acquaintance to make a very favorable impression on the mind.

As we feel much interested in this vicinity relative to this matter, I trust that you will, on receipt of this, give us the desired information above asked for, as there is no favor within your power that you could at this time extend to us that would be received with so much gratitude.

When addressing your communication, you will please remember not to direct to me, but simply address your letter to box, No. 27, DeKalb, Kemper County, Mississippi.

I make the above request in order that my designs may not be frustrated—also, you will please suffer no person to see this communication.

Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain,

Very respectfully,
John R. Garland.

This extraordinary letter elicited the following reply:

Augusta, Mississippi, ——, 1858.

John R. Garland, DeKalb, Miss.:

Dear Sir—I am in receipt of yours bearing a recent date, asking me for information relative to certain characters within your vicinity. Giving three names, you wish to know if they are the same persons who were implicated by Copeland in his confession to me.

In answer, at the time of writing the confession, I could have located all the parties given me as members belonging to the Wages and Copeland clan, but did not at the time deem it expedient to do so, because believing that the people in the different sections of the country wherever they might live would be very apt to know them from their general character. But from the description you give of S. S. Shoemake, and from one memorable remark that Copeland made at the time he gave me this name, I am constrained to favor the opinion that he is the same person as both he and yourself have pointed out.

Very respectfully,
J. R. S. Pitts.