Cooping

In 1852, historian J. T. Scharf wrote in Chronicles of Baltimore:

"The Reform Association was organized to secure quiet and fairness at the polls, which at this time were scenes of the most disgraceful violence and disorder. In addition to the ordinary acts of intimidation, honest gentlemen as well as unfortunate wretches were frequently seized and 'cooped' in vile dens, drugged, stupefied with whiskey, and then carried round and 'voted' in ward after ward, the police offering no opposition, and the judges receiving the votes.

Edgar Allan Poe is thought by some to have been the victim of cooping before his mysterious death in early October 1849. He was found lying in the streets on election day wearing someone else's clothing in Baltimore, Maryland. Cooping is only one of many theories on Poe's death but is the one depicted in the film The Death of Poe.

See also

• Death of Edgar Allan Poe

References