Coronado Eagle and Journal, Volume 2, Number 30, 13 December 1913 — THE CASE OF BILL M’COY. He Redeemed His Promise Almost at the Cost of Hie Life. [ARTICLE]

THE CASE OF BILL M’COY. He Redeemed His Promise Almost at the Cost of Hie Life.

The code of honor in force among the boatmen of the Mississippi. river in early days was rude, perhaps, but strict, so far as it went. There, for instance, was the case of Bill McCoy, who fell into the clutches of the law eighty years ago. Brought before one of the courts at Natchez, he was committed to jail. The vacation of court was just beginning, and unless McCoy could find a bondsman in the sum of $lO,OOO he must swelter in jail throughout the long summer months. At the last moment Colonel W., a wealthy citizen of Natchez, came to the rescue and agreed to pay $lO,OOO if McCoy did not present himself to stand trial an the fall. In vain the colonel’s friends tried to persuade him not to take the responsibility, even “the court’s” advice that he let the matter alone was unheeded. McCoy was released, shouldered his rifle and in due time reached his home in “Old Kaintuck.” Months rolled on and the time of the trial approached. Everywhere the chances of McCoy’s return were 'discussed. The colonel had not heard from him since his departure. The morning of the appointed dav came, but the prisoner did not present himself. The court had transacted its other business and was on the point of adjourping when McCoy, his beard long and matted, his hands scarred and bleeding, rushed into the courtroom. Colonel W. embraced him as if he were a long lost brother, and eyes unused to tears filled to overflowing when McCoy told his story. Starting from Louisville as a “hand” on a flatboat, he found in a few days that, owing to unexpected delays, he could not reach Natchez at the appointed time. No other craft presented itself, and so McCoy abandoned the “flat” and, with the aid of rough tools, shaped a canoe from the trunk of a fallen tree. He rowed or paddled his canoe with only the briefest stops for food and rest 1,300 miles and redeemed his promise almost at the expense of his life. His trial became a mere form. His chivalrous conduct and the want of anv positive testimony won for him a quick verdict of “not guilty.”—Youth’s Companion.