Shadow Chasers : The Woolfolk Tragedy Revisited

by Carolyn Deloach

It was called the "Murder of the Century". Years before Lizzie Borden used an axe to kill her family, or Jack The Ripper stalked his prey, a famous murder case occurred in Macon, Georgia, that was known world-wide. It was one of the most horrendous murders ever recorded in the state of Georgia. Reporters from around the world chronicled the case...it was well documented. This is the story...In the early morning hours of August 6, 1887, a respected gentleman farmer, Captain Richard F. Woolfolk, was savagely murdered along with his wife, their six children and his wife's eighty-four-year old great aunt. At day break, local authorities, crippled by mass hysteria, made an arrest. The state of Georgia abruptly awakened itself from its simmering post Civil War stupor amid rampant yellow journalism, unfounded rumors, prejudice, lies, and blatant confessions, struggled to prove the one survivor of that tragic night, Thomas G. Woolfolk, the Captain's eldest son, to be the lone axe murderer. Tom's fate placed him in the turbulent epicenter of the South's racial, moral, social, political and economic tempest. Unconvinced of Woolfolk's guilt, a single reporter fought the prejudiced system for the sake of justice. In the end, they all went to their deaths carrying the burden of the Woolfolk tragedy on their shoulders.  On October 29, 1890, after languishing in jail, chained to the wall of his cell for more than three years, enduring countless trials, Thomas G. Woolfolk, sentenced to die by hanging, calmly climbed the steps to the gallows, proclaimed his innocence for one last time, and forgave those who were about to kill him. Seventeen minutes later, he was declared dead, not by a broken neck, but by strangulation due to a poorly tied noose. To order click here. That is the way history has viewed this case for over a century. Now, after almost 30 years of research and in vivid descriptions, Carolyn DeLoach proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Tom Woolfolk was innocent of the crimes for which he was hanged. In fact, Ms. DeLoach has documented evidence who the real killers were, that they were protected by the political forces of the state, and went on to kill again. This talented writer uses stunning descriptions that make you feel a part of the case, an impartial onlooker, ready to form your own opinion of guilt or innocence. Millie C. Stewart, a great granddaughter of one of the murder victims states "Immediately, I was drawn into the events as a participant. I was seeing, hearing, feeling it all as if I were actually there, standing beside my ancestors and the other residents of this region, experiencing this tragic drama as it unfolded." Shadow Chasers is a factual account of the Woolfolk case, as told by some of the actual participants, in their own words. This story is based on eyewitness accounts, trial testimonies, and exhaustive coverage by the news reporters of the day. Every important fact, every quotation, every shred of information presented in this book was documented in the original records. Join us on that warm summer's night in 1887.....buy your copy today!

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2000

Reviews

[Harriman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man charged in gruesome murder of nine family members . Takes place following the War Between the States and has political and racial overtones . Public hysteria and prejudiced legal system seems to influence the course of Justice . A bit detailed in the repetitive legal testimonies and courtroom procedures. However this is the way our legal system works. It is worth reading through the entire book to form your own opinion based on testimonies and court rulings presented. Be sure to read the epilogue. You may be surprised.

[Jim Giddens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating! Over 20 years of research went into this well written account of the murder of the century and the events that followed. If you live in Macon, Georgia, it's a must-read part of the history of Macon-Bibb County. I call it captivating because the action kept going throughout the entire book. Well done, Mrs. Deloach!

[Patricia Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

You would think if a book has an updated edition that someone, perhaps an editor or a proofreader, would catch all the misspellings and grammar mistakes. Every single time I came across another one, it would completely pull me out of the narration as I rolled my eyes so hard you could probably have heard them all the way down to Macon. I'll give the book a 4 for content, but am marking it down to a 3 for apparent lack of proofreading. (Note that I'm not referring to dialogue or transcripts from any of the trials. These errors are in the author's narration.)

As the murders took place about an hour's drive from where I currently live, I was interested in the subject matter. It certainly appears that the judge was prejudiced against the defendant and made every effort to thwart the efforts of his attorneys. It was quite difficult to see this play out in each successive trial.

[Pamela Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a well written book, but a sad story.

[Tasha Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is absolutely fascinating but most of the book consists of the trial arguments presented in a dull manner. This story and book would have been far better if it had more information about Simon Cooper or more emphasis placed on story lines that keep you on the edge of your seat. I wanted those who manipulated details to serve their own purpose to be exposed for their opportunistic actions and what factors led to a possibly innocent man being put to death in such a cruel manner. I think the idea and story are great but the book could have been made more exciting.

[Lori Inouye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing book... so dumbfounded at the bias shown against the defense throughout the entire proceedings. Kept thinking how things would most likely have turned out very differently if he had been tried in the court system today. Highly recommend this book.

[Danath01 · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible