{"petition":[{"petition_analysis_number":"11085703","petition_url":"https:\/\/dlas.uncg.edu\/petitions\/petition\/11085703","state":"Mississippi","county":"Oktibbeha","location_type":"County","file_day":10,"file_month":11,"file_year":1857,"filing_court":"Petition","enslaved_count":0,"fpoc_count":0,"total_people_count":1,"repository":"Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Mississippi","abstract":"William Bell requests compensation for expenses incurred during the prosecution of J. J. Rainwater, convicted of \"trafficing & bartering with slaves.\"  Rainwater was \"a dangerous man in a slave community,\" inducing slaves to steal from their owners.  One of Bell's slaves, for example, stole $260 from him and took the money to Rainwater, who \"appropriated it to his own use.\"  Bell retained attorneys and paid their fees.  When a criminal indictment was handed down, Rainwater fled to parts unknown, forfeiting $500 in securities.  Bell seeks a portion of the forfeiture.","subjects":[{"subject":"Clandestine economy "},{"subject":"Theft of enslaved"}]}]}