Alphabet File page 287
Editor Echo, Dear sir: The robbery of my store being an offense committed against the public and one therefore of general interest, I write to give a correct account of the affair to appease the minds of "those few" who have
"thought" little enough to judge me cruel in my action of the case.
As our city's means are inadequate to furnish a sufficient police force for the absolute protection of its citizens, the duty of ferreting the criminal devolved upon my son and myself and we therefore made it our duty to observe everything and everybody closely. It was a sacred duty we owed to every man and woman in this community to find the guilty party, that even the faintest suspicion might not hover over the innocent ones. Was it chance, luck or coincidence or was it the power of that "Strongest Will" that guided our footsteps, in a straight line to the criminal, in justice to those who were entitled to it?
Like all other evil doers he had little fear of detection and exposed one of the stolen articles, a hair brush, on his dressing table and on the night of his wedding, my son, being one of the invited guests, could not help noticing the peculiar smell from the fumes of a cigar the groom was smoking and its aroma and its shape showed that it was a Corono Victoria, one of the brands that we missed. Then commenced a closer inspection of the surroundings, and the brush alluded to above, showing that it had been little used induced my son to a closer examination and on the back he recognized my private cost mark, and reported his discovery to me. Mr. Maynard, our town marshal, was called in that night and arrangements were made for a search warrant and, with that paper, the next morning the arrest was made and the young man acknowledged his crime, producing some of the stolen goods and promised to reform and asked for mercy at my hands. His foster father's grief was such, that being a father myself, I could imagine his feelings and under the impulse of the moment promised him that I would not make my prosecution a bitter one. The first affidavit was made by my son Warren, and read for larceny only. On the evening of the arrest of the prisoner I was notified by the Marshal that I was wanted at the court house, at one for the purpose of making a second charge - that of buglary, and going there I was told to do so, to which I asked if it were compulsory or optional on my part, then I was answered that I could do as I pleased. Then I refused to make a second charge and said to all present that my reason was that I had given my promise to that effect to Mr. Thorn and the matter then rested in the hands of the State.
The Marshal then said he would have to assume the responsibility, as he was in duty bound to do, and entered the second charge of buglary. I know too well my position towards this community, to release a man (if it were in my power), who might repeat his offense, to say the least, if we are to judge his future by his past. It is a great deal that he has my forgiveness, as a Christian for the wrong he did to me personally, but as a citizen in the discharge of his duties, I cannot and will not make it the least effort to liberate him. To those whose hearts are bleeding and whose eyes are swollen by the sorrow he brought upon them, I offer my sincere sympathies, but for those who may censure my course in this matter, my contempt is unbounded. Respectfully, A.G. Pieri. (SCE 02/18/1893)
Thorn, W., charged with larceny and who escaped some weeks ago, was arrested in the Bay Tuesday night. He was before court Wednesday, and pleaded not guilty. The case was postponed to the next term of Circuit court. (SCE 04/08/1893)
Hancock County Circuit Court convened in Bay St. Louis, the county seat, for the spring term Monday morning, Judge
J.H. Neville on the bench, with Hon. J.H. Neville prosecuting attorney. The docket was remarkably light which speaks volumes to the credit of our people. The local attorneys and those of the sea coast and neighboring counties were in attendance. Court adjourned Wednesday morning. Among the cases disposed of was that of Wm.
Thorn, burglary, one year in State penitentiary; the case of Victor Landrieu was dismissed; the appeal of Dr. L.H. von Gohren, charged with trespassing by Miss Neige
Cannard, the jury reversed the decision of the lower court by bringing in a verdict of acquittal. Other cases of minor importance were disposed of. Mr. Reuben Brown was foreman of the Grand Jury. (SCE 04/29/1893)
Pieri, A.G., coming to Bay St. Louis in 1863, he opened up his drug establishment and he defied anyone to show a nicer line of pure drugs than he keeps in stock. He is the oldest druggist in the city in practice, and he is registered in both Alabama and Mississippi, being a pharmacist of great ability. Physicians find it to their advantage to send customers here to have prescriptions filled as they are always carefully compounded at any hour of the day or night, and when a prescription is laid on his prescription case, you may be rest assured that it will be filled accurately for he always keeps a stock of drugs that will admit of it, and as his drugs are fresh and full strength. One reason for this is that he has such a large (business) that he keeps nothing until it becomes stale, but if he finds he has that is not of the best quality, he prefers to sacrifice it rather than the good name of his store and his record as a prescriptionist. It is not often that one has the privilege of visiting such a complete drug store as this but Mr. Pieri knows the people will be pleased with and this he considers it his duty to give them and in that way is sure to receive a liberal patronage. As you enter the store you will see to the right the soda water department, and having drunk "the soda" here we think we may speak from experience, and it all goes on the plan "the proof of the pudding is the eating."
The location of the store is one of the best in the city, (In an article published this same date on Dr. G. L.
Mitchell, it is mentioned that Dr. Mitchell's home and office are on Front Street near Pieri's drug store - CHG), the interior is finished in native wood, and such a building and drugstore is a credit to any town. He keeps all kinds of patient medicines, mixed paints, lead and oil. Few drug stores have such a well selected stock and the courteous and urbane proprietor is enjoying the fruits of a handsome patronage.
Mr. Pieri has great hopes for the future of Bay St.
Louis and all must concede with him that nature has done all for the place that she could possibly have done, for on her she has lavished her choicest gifts, made the soil fruitful and imbedded in our waters the choicest varieties of fish furnishing our tables with the most delicious edibles, and in the way of flowers and trees, certainly Eden was not more beautiful, and when we stand where we view the white coast line divides the water from the land, the sight is one that makes an impression that will not readily be forgotten, but, yet as Mr. Pieri advises, there is no need for more work of man as many conveniences are not found here that are given in other places but with a comparatively small outlay of means, many of these could be secured, and men of capital are cordially invited to our city and asked to help us develop our city into the famous resort of the South. (SCE 05/20/1893)
Mr. Pieri's share in the building up of the city since 1863 has been no small part, but he is now just as anxious to see it keep on gaining prestige among Northern people who spend their winters in the South and to see it keep up a steady growth as has been in times past. He has some real bargains in real estate, having both vacant and improved lots and besides this city property some farms in the rear, and any of this property will be sold on time and terms to suit the purchaser. Real estate here is good property, will never be worth less money than you can buy it for and there seems to be no reason to think it will not continue to increase as it has for the past five years, for all Bay St. Louis needs is to be well advertised throughout the North and her hotels and boarding houses will be inadequate to furnish accommodations for those who have sought in vain for the desired climate in California and Florida, but will come to Bay St. Louis and find it wreathed in roses under a cap of white sea foam. Mr. Pieri thinks no place can equal this for a home so has prepared for himself an elegant home by the seaside. (SCE 05/20/1893)