I interviewed him for a book I started writing while in law school. He was an old cotton farmer with connections to a controversial political campaign. He was direct, candid, and as I was getting ready to leave he mentioned a newspaper story about an armed robbery.
"If I'd been there I guess I would have been killed," he said.
I asked him why.
He shook his head and replied, "Simply handing my money over to someone who hasn't earned it? I just couldn't do that. I would have been shot."
For many years later, my recollection of his remarks came with a certain amazement that he could be so far behind the times. He clearly did not understand the new etiquette of crime.
I no longer feel that way. My reaction now is one of admiration.
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