Author making his escape from two of the Copeland Clan.—[See [Page 135].
At last becoming impatient, they decided to move on toward the Gulf; and, accordingly, stopped at Red Creek for the night following. But, let it be borne in mind, that they so arranged as to remain at different houses, one on the north, and the other on the south side of the creek, so as to be certain not to miss the Sheriff on his return by that way. The houses where they stopped at for the night were near the ferry—kept for the accommodation of travelers. If the Sheriff had left the coast that morning, as anticipated by the two, he, according to the day’s ride, would have been almost certain to have reached one of the houses here referred to, as no other suitable place near could have been found, which would have brought him in direct contact with the pursuers. But by being detained that morning at Mississippi City, he did not leave in time to reach either place where they were staying, and he of necessity stopped the night in question with an old gentleman by the name of Byrd—about fifteen or twenty miles from the ferry. This old gentleman had been a resident of that section of country for a great number of years, and was well acquainted with Wages and McGrath; also with the truth of many of the incidents as related in Copeland’s confessions.
After the usual breakfast hour next morning, the Sheriff availed himself of the earliest opportunity to resume his travel toward Augusta. On his way, some ten or fifteen miles distant from where he that morning started, to his great surprise, he suddenly came in contact with Shoemake and his colleague. They were seated within a one-horse buggy, with another very fine animal fastened to it, and with saddle and other necessaries ready for the rider in case any emergency might occur. They all met together on the top of a little hill, quite steep, with such other circumstances attending as obstructed sight until in quite close contact. The place of meeting was not more than fifty paces from an occupied dwelling house. This fact was, no doubt, the main cause of preventing them from making, perhaps, a fatal attack. The meeting was as of perfect strangers, though, in reality, each side knew the other again. The Sheriff well knew Shoemake, and, from his uneasy countenance, as well as the countenance of the other with him, the Sheriff was satisfied that they knew him.
He having passed, as he thought, a sufficient distance beyond their view, he increased the speed of his horse to a rate of about eight or nine miles an hour for the remainder of the day, which carried him some fifty miles or more from the spot of meeting. He was fully impressed with the idea, at the time of meeting, that they were in pursuit of him for evil and dangerous purposes, which idea was fully confirmed by information gathered that day on travel as to their very suspicious conduct at different points of progress; however, in his heart, he was thankful that he had so far made his escape. His rapid travel onwards for that day was lonely indeed—passing through a wild, desolate region of country, but very sparsely populated—for miles not a human being to be seen; stock in abundance on either side of the road, with here and there frightened deer at seeing him, as it were, flying through space for safety and repose. Night fast coming on, with exhausted fatigue from excessive exercise, and beginning to despair of reaching home that night, he resolved on going to the house of a well-known friend, J. T. Breeland, situated a distance from the highway, and had to be approached with the convenience of a by-path. He succeeded in reaching this house in time for late supper. Here he met with all the accommodations that heart could desire. Luxuries plenty, conversation agreeable, with a welcomeness which must ever be appreciated, and more than this, consolation afforded when most needed. The next was retirement for sleep, but little of sound repose was enjoyed; the ghastly scenes of the clan were before his eyes, with struggles for existence betwixt him and his pursuers.
Early next morning, an ample breakfast having been supplied, he, after having received many kindly admonitions from his friend by way of strict caution, left, and reached home, Augusta, about ten o’clock next morning; and about twelve o’clock, only two hours later, Shoemake, with his colleague, also reached the same place.
Immediately on their arrival, he made every preparation for battle, determined to repel force by force if that was their object. But collision was prevented by a timely notice from Hon. Wm. Simmons, to the effect that they had authority from the Governor of Mississippi for his arrest, and that he was at liberty to see the same.
In obedient response to this exhibited authority, Shoemake and his colleague were informed that if they would wait a sufficient length of time to make ready with a number of friends for protection to accompany, he would have no objection whatever to going with them. Their polite answer came to the following effect: “That if desired, they would wait any reasonable length of time to enable him to have all the conveniences wanted.”
The news and circumstances connected with his arrest spread throughout the country with almost the speed of electricity. In many instances the reports were very much exaggerated—causing many persons, on the spur of the moment, to become furiously incensed, to such an extent as to threaten the most formidable results of desperation; and but for his appeals for order and due process of law, the most fatal acts of violence might have been committed.
Within a period of three or four days, he had so arranged his business as to be in entire readiness for departure, and so gave notice accordingly. Punctual to the time, he, with about twenty volunteers, mounted and well equipped for protection, when arrangements were made for immediate departure for Mobile, Alabama, all leaving merrily, and soon reached the place of destination. Arriving at the Lafayette House, kept by a Mr. Fulton, in the city of Mobile, all fared while there very sumptuously.
As early as practicable the next morning, the Sheriff went to the office of Hon. Percy Walker, to procure his professional services. This object being accomplished by a compensating fee of five hundred dollars. The next thing to be done was for his counsel to ascertain the amount of the several bonds to be given as required by law. This task was quickly over, the bonds satisfactorily given, and he was immediately released. These last incidents transpired about or near the middle of January, 1859; and the City Court was to open on the 23d of February, following, allowing thirty or forty days to prepare for defence. But before continuing in the connected order, some comments are necessary on what has preceded already.