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mezzoir's review against another edition
4.0
“Goat Castle” is much more than a highly entertaining historical true crime novel. It is also a “warts and all” window into the “Old South” of America post-civil war. Karen Cox illustrates throughout the book how despite emancipation for African-Americans occurring decades earlier, just how far away from freedom and justice they actually were with ultimately the only two people convicted for the crime being African-Americans.
“Goat Castle” gives the reader an insight into the workings of the police force and justice system and richly details the lives of those directly involved in the crime. This book brilliantly recreates the time in which a terrible crime took place, often overshadowed by the post-depression public’s appetite for antebellum Natchez, Mississippi.
I enjoyed this true crime book enormously. It is well written and excellently researched and shows the fallibility of the justice system for African-Americans that unfortunately continues to this day.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
“Goat Castle” gives the reader an insight into the workings of the police force and justice system and richly details the lives of those directly involved in the crime. This book brilliantly recreates the time in which a terrible crime took place, often overshadowed by the post-depression public’s appetite for antebellum Natchez, Mississippi.
I enjoyed this true crime book enormously. It is well written and excellently researched and shows the fallibility of the justice system for African-Americans that unfortunately continues to this day.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
s_shronda's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I wish there was more on the Emily Burns and the case but it was interesting to know about the spectacl of everything
karenleagermain's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to University of North Carolina Press for providing me with an advance copy of Karen L. Cox's book, Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- Historian and author, Karen L. Cox, explores the sensational true-crime case of Jennie Merrill, who was murdered in Natchez, Mississippi in 1932.
LIKE- Although I had never heard of the Jennie Merrill murder case, this was one of the top news stories during the Great Depression. One of the primary reasons that Merrill's murder captivated America, and one of the big reasons that this book was so fascinating, is the bizarre and colorful characters that were involved.
Merrill was a rich, recluse who lived in a mansion and aside from necessary trips to town and work-staff, she only socialized with her cousin, who was in love with her and lived in a nearby house. They were both older and there was gossip that they may have even secretly wed. Merrill was murdered in a robbery gone wrong and several people were involved.
Two of the suspects were Merrill's next door neighbors, Richard Dana and Octavia Dockery. They were essentially squatting in a crumbing mansion, where animals like goats and chickens freely roamed the rooms. The house should have been condemned, it was filled with vermin, mold and rotting animals. Dana and Dockery were eccentrics and went by the monikers; Mountain Man and Goat Woman. They had previous court dealings with Merrill over their goats destroying her property and there was zero love between neighbors.
Along with Dana and Dockery, George Pearls and Emily Burns were at the scene of the crime. Pearls was an African-American man who had recently returned to his hometown of Natchez, after having trouble finding a job up North. He quickly began a relationship with Burns, a local domestic, who became involved with the robbery/murder, after Pearls picked her up, giving her the impression that he was taking her on a date.
Burns ended up being the only person to serve time for Merrill's murder, even though she was the least involved of the four. Pearls ran away up North and although he was convicted for his involvement, he was presumed dead and didn't serve time. Dana and Dockery were initially jailed as suspects, but were set free, even though the evidence was against them. It's very likely that being white is what allowed them to escape, especially since lawyers were able to pin the crime on Burns. At that time in Natchez, they law held that if you were involved with a murder, whether or not you committed the actual crime, you were equally guilty by association. Burns served eight years of hard labor of a life sentence, a sentence that was overturned by a government official who decided to show her mercy and set her free for time served. It was very clear that Burns did not plan the crime and her guilt was one by association and for standing-by while the crime took place.
The craziest part of the story involved Dana and Dockery. When they were released, they capitalized on the fame of their story and started giving tours of their home. They had zero shame and hammed up their eccentricities, giving the public what they expected. Their living conditions shocked the nation. Although they were still technically squatters, Dana and Dockery did nothing to pay rent or use the money to fix up their home. They also had several different lawsuits for various matters, always trying to squeeze money from somewhere. They both died years after Merrill, still living at Goat Castle. The actual owners of the property were never able to evict them and when they were dead, Goat Castle was demolished.
DISLIKE- The pacing was slow. I found the second half of the story to be more compelling than the first. It took me longer to read Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South, than it should have, simply because of the pacing.
RECOMMEND- Yes, if you're a fan of American history or true crime, Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South, is a great pick.. The story is outrageous and filled with fascinating characters. Although this happened in the 1930's, it's unfortunate to note that justice/incarceration issues for African-Americans in this country, has not changed much. The Goat Castle case remains relevant with regard to the treatment of race in America.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- Historian and author, Karen L. Cox, explores the sensational true-crime case of Jennie Merrill, who was murdered in Natchez, Mississippi in 1932.
LIKE- Although I had never heard of the Jennie Merrill murder case, this was one of the top news stories during the Great Depression. One of the primary reasons that Merrill's murder captivated America, and one of the big reasons that this book was so fascinating, is the bizarre and colorful characters that were involved.
Merrill was a rich, recluse who lived in a mansion and aside from necessary trips to town and work-staff, she only socialized with her cousin, who was in love with her and lived in a nearby house. They were both older and there was gossip that they may have even secretly wed. Merrill was murdered in a robbery gone wrong and several people were involved.
Two of the suspects were Merrill's next door neighbors, Richard Dana and Octavia Dockery. They were essentially squatting in a crumbing mansion, where animals like goats and chickens freely roamed the rooms. The house should have been condemned, it was filled with vermin, mold and rotting animals. Dana and Dockery were eccentrics and went by the monikers; Mountain Man and Goat Woman. They had previous court dealings with Merrill over their goats destroying her property and there was zero love between neighbors.
Along with Dana and Dockery, George Pearls and Emily Burns were at the scene of the crime. Pearls was an African-American man who had recently returned to his hometown of Natchez, after having trouble finding a job up North. He quickly began a relationship with Burns, a local domestic, who became involved with the robbery/murder, after Pearls picked her up, giving her the impression that he was taking her on a date.
Burns ended up being the only person to serve time for Merrill's murder, even though she was the least involved of the four. Pearls ran away up North and although he was convicted for his involvement, he was presumed dead and didn't serve time. Dana and Dockery were initially jailed as suspects, but were set free, even though the evidence was against them. It's very likely that being white is what allowed them to escape, especially since lawyers were able to pin the crime on Burns. At that time in Natchez, they law held that if you were involved with a murder, whether or not you committed the actual crime, you were equally guilty by association. Burns served eight years of hard labor of a life sentence, a sentence that was overturned by a government official who decided to show her mercy and set her free for time served. It was very clear that Burns did not plan the crime and her guilt was one by association and for standing-by while the crime took place.
The craziest part of the story involved Dana and Dockery. When they were released, they capitalized on the fame of their story and started giving tours of their home. They had zero shame and hammed up their eccentricities, giving the public what they expected. Their living conditions shocked the nation. Although they were still technically squatters, Dana and Dockery did nothing to pay rent or use the money to fix up their home. They also had several different lawsuits for various matters, always trying to squeeze money from somewhere. They both died years after Merrill, still living at Goat Castle. The actual owners of the property were never able to evict them and when they were dead, Goat Castle was demolished.
DISLIKE- The pacing was slow. I found the second half of the story to be more compelling than the first. It took me longer to read Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South, than it should have, simply because of the pacing.
RECOMMEND- Yes, if you're a fan of American history or true crime, Goat Castle: A True Story of Murder, Race, and the Gothic South, is a great pick.. The story is outrageous and filled with fascinating characters. Although this happened in the 1930's, it's unfortunate to note that justice/incarceration issues for African-Americans in this country, has not changed much. The Goat Castle case remains relevant with regard to the treatment of race in America.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
lawyerleah's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely, in fact annoyingly so repetitive. One gets the impression she repeats herself so much as filler. Content was good, writing was superfluous. Well researched but also perplexing.
kddidds's review against another edition
4.0
a very interesting read. The title really says all you need to know, but the book is filled with so much I couldn't stop reading, I found it very interesting.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The case that this book covers is one that took place in 1932 in Natchez, Mississippi. The author of this book started out researching some of the Antebellum homes that were offered for tours. The Natchez Pilgrimage was celebrating it's 80th anniversary of tours at the time the author began researching, and this is how she discovered Goat Castle. Goat Castle was the home of Richard Dana, which he shared with Octavia Dockery. The house was so named because the duo had several pet goats that just did as they pleased. Dana and Dockery enlisted the services of George Pearls, who happened to be an African American man. They wanted him to rob their neighbor, and longtime nemesis, Jennie Merrill. Mr. Pearls was unable to face trial, so somehow an innocent woman, Emily Burns, was put on trial for this crime instead. This whole story was wild.
I really enjoyed learning about the Antebellum homes. Southern culture is something else entirely, and I say that as a born and raised Southern person. People are of two mindsets here- you must love and celebrate everything SOUTHERN, or you must denounce it. It really isn't that simple. There is a medium area. You must look at the whole. The actions of the south created and caused a lot of things, lasting things, and not all of them are good. You can enjoy the architecture of a place, while also learning about the things that happened on the property. You cannot erase the things that happened, because that serves no historical purpose, and also really does a disservice to the memories of those who endured who knows what on the properties. Anyway, that is a digression from the purpose of this review, but I encourage any readers of this review, those who are interested in Civil War history, to really look at the establishment of properties and homes like this. Not all Antebellum homes were Plantation Homes, but looking into the family wealth and where it came from is something that should be considered when touring or learning about these homes. Just because the façade is beautiful, what is behind closed doors may not be.
This book is currently available on the Audible Plus catalogue. The author really did a great deal of research on this book. The case was not one that I was familiar with prior to reading this book. People have heard about the Jim Crow laws and all of the other racist nonsense that goes on down here. (Certainly, if it wasn't believable to people before, it should be now, in light of many recent events.) This case is a prime example of society in the south. It doesn't matter WHO did the crime, as long as SOMEONE pays for it, especially if that SOMEONE can be African American. It furthers the belief that all African Americans are miscreants and untrustworthy in some way. This case and this book is a reminder that racial injustice was absolutely taking place- not only taking place, it was COMMON PLACE. I think this book was interesting for several different reasons. My history major heart was pleased to learn about the social aspects of this time period, the homes, etc. My true crime loving heart was very interested in the case, the outcome, and the injustice. This was a spur of the moment download for me, and I am very pleased with this selection.
I really enjoyed learning about the Antebellum homes. Southern culture is something else entirely, and I say that as a born and raised Southern person. People are of two mindsets here- you must love and celebrate everything SOUTHERN, or you must denounce it. It really isn't that simple. There is a medium area. You must look at the whole. The actions of the south created and caused a lot of things, lasting things, and not all of them are good. You can enjoy the architecture of a place, while also learning about the things that happened on the property. You cannot erase the things that happened, because that serves no historical purpose, and also really does a disservice to the memories of those who endured who knows what on the properties. Anyway, that is a digression from the purpose of this review, but I encourage any readers of this review, those who are interested in Civil War history, to really look at the establishment of properties and homes like this. Not all Antebellum homes were Plantation Homes, but looking into the family wealth and where it came from is something that should be considered when touring or learning about these homes. Just because the façade is beautiful, what is behind closed doors may not be.
This book is currently available on the Audible Plus catalogue. The author really did a great deal of research on this book. The case was not one that I was familiar with prior to reading this book. People have heard about the Jim Crow laws and all of the other racist nonsense that goes on down here. (Certainly, if it wasn't believable to people before, it should be now, in light of many recent events.) This case is a prime example of society in the south. It doesn't matter WHO did the crime, as long as SOMEONE pays for it, especially if that SOMEONE can be African American. It furthers the belief that all African Americans are miscreants and untrustworthy in some way. This case and this book is a reminder that racial injustice was absolutely taking place- not only taking place, it was COMMON PLACE. I think this book was interesting for several different reasons. My history major heart was pleased to learn about the social aspects of this time period, the homes, etc. My true crime loving heart was very interested in the case, the outcome, and the injustice. This was a spur of the moment download for me, and I am very pleased with this selection.