Civil War artifacts stolen from library
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“We’re all saddened by it,” said library director Mary Robbins of the theft which police believe happened in broad daylight while the library was open. “We hope the police will be able to find who did it and have the items returned.”
According to library historian Brad Walker, the pieces taken from a pair of locked display case in the library’s Carrier Room were all Civil War-era items, including a Confederate saber, scabbard and dress sword, all found in Woodbury and donated to the library in the 1930s. Also taken were a repeating rifle and shotgun, both over 150 years old. The last piece, Walker said, a side-by-side shotgun and rifle, belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather and had historical significance.
“Jess Coppinger used it to kill Hall Myers because Hall hung Coppinger’s son,” Walker said, noting Myers, a member of the Union guard, had hung the youth because he was a Confederate back in the Civil War.
According to investigator Mike Vann, police are looking at people of interest in the case, most notably two men, one of whom was caught by library officials with his hand inside the display case. The men were both questioned and denied taking the items. A check of their vehicle turned up nothing.
However, the circumstantial evidence has lawmen suspecting the items may have been smuggled out down a fire escape and hidden or placed in another vehicle. Given the estimated cost of the items, the case will be a felony and police say they are not through with the prime suspects yet.
Along with the memorabilia, thieves also took the place cards and articles which were displayed with them in the case. Library officials believe those were taken to prove authenticity should the thieves try to sell the items.