Crawford County News
September 1889
A DESPERADO CAPTURED
Dick Castleberry at Last Falls Into the Law's Hands.
Green Castleberry a negro desperad, who has been at large for the past two years
in the Warrior district, was captured Monday In Crawford
county by a sheriff's posse and put In jail. thus ridding the community
of a dangerous citizen. The man had been hunted down by officers several times,
but each time he would manage to escape by some loophole until he became
convinced that no white man could arrest him. It was his frequent boast that he
had killed while men and feared no one, and more than once had appeared in large
meetings without being molested. Finally last Monday, a posse from Crawford
concluded to ring the man to justice. Securing the assistance of those who
were acquainted with his habits, they dogged his footsteps and captured him
while asleep. By his side lay a double-barrel
shotgun, a revolver and a dirk. As he slept his arm lay across the gun,
and it was only by quick work that the officers succeeded in snatching them away
before he awoke. Turning his eyes to the place where his weapons had been Castleberry
found that he had been outwitted. This did not cause him, however to submit
quietly to arrest. With the fury of a madman he fought and scratched his captors
until they overpowered him. He was handcuffed and carried to Knoxville, where he
was jailed to answer a number of warrants which have been sworn out against him.
In Crawford he was indicted for gambling and carrying
concealed weapons, At Byron several years ago he shot a negro and then
nearly beat him to death. Here he is charged with an assault with intent to
murder.
Bibb county has a double claim, Castleberry having been indicted for gambling
and carrying
concealed weapons. It is claimed that there is a reward for the man from
some point in Alabama, where he shot and killed a man. He is being carefully
guarded by Sheriff Harley in
Crawford's public hotel. The capture is considered among the officers who know
Castleberry as being fine work. He has outwitted many of them, and is considered
a dangerous character.
Source: The Weekly Telegraph, Wednesday,
September 18, 1889
Updated Wednesday September 02, 2009
Copyright ©
Kim Gordon
← Webmaster
All Rights Reserved