10/15/2024
THE GENTLEMAN THIEF OF OAKWOOD CEMETERY
James Chastaine was considered a handsome and charming man from Eufaula, Alabama. He was from a well respected family. No one would have guessed this finely mannered man could be a common thief. But unfortunately he had a very dark side. He was addicted to morphine. His dark side compelled him to steal. He used his considerable charm to mingle with prominent families and to get invited to parties. At these parties he would case their homes and return later to steal their valuables. His desperation finally got him caught. Adolphus Sanford Gerald was suspicious of James and decided to follow him. James was caught in the act of burglarizing a prominent residence. Mr. Gerald ordered him to stop and as James tried to escape, Mr. Gerald shot and killed him (March 30, 1881). Before his death James was living in a hotel on North Court Street.
James was buried under the cover of darkness in his family plot in Oakwood cemetery. Later his family disowned him. The members of his family that were buried in the family plot were moved from the plot and buried else where. James was to spend eternity in solitude. It is rumored his grave is visited by a woman wearing a long black dress and veil pausing for a few moments before leaving red roses on his grave. Many years have passed, but on occasion the woman in black appears leaving red roses on Jame's grave.
THE GENTLEMAN THIEF OF OAKWOOD CEMETERY
James Chastaine was considered a handsome and charming man from Eufaula, Alabama. He was from a well respected family. No one would have guessed this finely mannered man could be a common thief. But unfortunately he had a very dark side. He was addicted to morphine. His dark side compelled him to steal. He used his considerable charm to mingle with prominent families and to get invited to parties. At these parties he would case their homes and return later to steal their valuables. His desperation finally got him caught. Adolphus Sanford Gerald was suspicious of James and decided to follow him. James was caught in the act of burglarizing a prominent residence. Mr. Gerald ordered him to stop and as James tried to escape, Mr. Gerald shot and killed him (March 30, 1881). Before his death James was living in a hotel on North Court Street.
James was buried under the cover of darkness in his family plot in Oakwood cemetery. Later his family disowned him. The members of his family that were buried in the family plot were moved from the plot and buried else where. James was to spend eternity in solitude. It is rumored his grave is visited by a woman wearing a long black dress and veil pausing for a few moments before leaving red roses on his grave. Many years have passed, but on occasion the woman in black appears leaving red roses on Jame's grave.
