Goat Castle

A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Crimes & Criminals, Murder, True Crime, History, Americas, United States
Cover of the book Goat Castle by Karen L. Cox, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Karen L. Cox ISBN: 9781469635040
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: August 9, 2017
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Karen L. Cox
ISBN: 9781469635040
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: August 9, 2017
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

In 1932, the city of Natchez, Mississippi, reckoned with an unexpected influx of journalists and tourists as the lurid story of a local murder was splashed across headlines nationwide. Two eccentrics, Richard Dana and Octavia Dockery—known in the press as the "Wild Man" and the "Goat Woman"—enlisted an African American man named George Pearls to rob their reclusive neighbor, Jennie Merrill, at her estate. During the attempted robbery, Merrill was shot and killed. The crime drew national coverage when it came to light that Dana and Dockery, the alleged murderers, shared their huge, decaying antebellum mansion with their goats and other livestock, which prompted journalists to call the estate "Goat Castle." Pearls was killed by an Arkansas policeman in an unrelated incident before he could face trial. However, as was all too typical in the Jim Crow South, the white community demanded "justice," and an innocent black woman named Emily Burns was ultimately sent to prison for the murder of Merrill. Dana and Dockery not only avoided punishment but also lived to profit from the notoriety of the murder by opening their derelict home to tourists.

Strange, fascinating, and sobering, Goat Castle tells the story of this local feud, killing, investigation, and trial, showing how a true crime tale of fallen southern grandeur and murder obscured an all too familiar story of racial injustice.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1932, the city of Natchez, Mississippi, reckoned with an unexpected influx of journalists and tourists as the lurid story of a local murder was splashed across headlines nationwide. Two eccentrics, Richard Dana and Octavia Dockery—known in the press as the "Wild Man" and the "Goat Woman"—enlisted an African American man named George Pearls to rob their reclusive neighbor, Jennie Merrill, at her estate. During the attempted robbery, Merrill was shot and killed. The crime drew national coverage when it came to light that Dana and Dockery, the alleged murderers, shared their huge, decaying antebellum mansion with their goats and other livestock, which prompted journalists to call the estate "Goat Castle." Pearls was killed by an Arkansas policeman in an unrelated incident before he could face trial. However, as was all too typical in the Jim Crow South, the white community demanded "justice," and an innocent black woman named Emily Burns was ultimately sent to prison for the murder of Merrill. Dana and Dockery not only avoided punishment but also lived to profit from the notoriety of the murder by opening their derelict home to tourists.

Strange, fascinating, and sobering, Goat Castle tells the story of this local feud, killing, investigation, and trial, showing how a true crime tale of fallen southern grandeur and murder obscured an all too familiar story of racial injustice.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book Sounds of Change by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book The Wilderness Campaign by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book The Sin of Sloth by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Community Power Succession by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book A Campaign of Giants--The Battle for Petersburg by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Religion and the Racist Right by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Making Gullah by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book From People’s War to People’s Rule by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Stores by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book New Men, New Cities, New South by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Down Home by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Caliban and the Yankees by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Stormy Weather by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Lee and His Army in Confederate History by Karen L. Cox
Cover of the book Proudly We Can Be Africans by Karen L. Cox
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy