Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-23
Examination of Persons Charged With
Being knights of the Golden Circle Con.

Being knights of the Golden Circle Con.
cluded,
Frederic W. Court, of Marion County, hav-
ing been held to bail on Thursday, October
II, by United States Commissioner White,
at Cleveland, the examination of DR.. j. NJ.
Christian, also of Marion County, was COM
menced. Such testimony as had been offered
in the case Of Court, and was considered ap.
plicable in that of DR.. Christian, was by
agreement admitted. Other testimony was
offered, but as it does not, so far as we have
been able TO examine it, develop any new
facts of importance to the public, we refrain
from incumbering our columns with it in
detail.
AS there may be some curiosity to see the
testimony of Frederic W. Court as given on
the examination of DR.. Christian, we give it
in full from the report of the Cleveland
Leader:
"Frederic W. Court sworn-First heard Of
the organization of Democrats about the first
or second week in July. Mr.. Travis asked
me the question, 'Were you out last night?'
didn't know what he meant. He then told
me that the Democrats of Marion County had
organized to put down the mob spirit. Next
day Bickerstaff met me and told me the same
thing, and read to me paper similar to the
first obligation | assented to the contents of
the paper. At that time it was generally re-
ported that Holder had been misused and
his press attacked the paper was not given
me by Bickerstaff; he explained the pass
words and signs to me; did not give the grip;
never went through any other ceremony of
initiation never knew of any other degree
or obligation, or of any officers, bylaws,
meetings or records. Met Fletcher in Ber-
wick, near the store, and knowing him to be
a Democrat, asked him if he was in favor Of
putting down the mob spirit; he said yes;
then took him to the mill-yard, where we sat
down upon log, and read the paper to him;
he assented to it; did not ask him to sign it,
had no other paper with me explained the
signs and passwords to him; did not give any
grip; did not repeat any other obligation to
him; saw the second obligation in the
printed slip for the first time Never heard
of il before. Did not repeat any such thing
10 Fletcher. Never introduced Dugan to
Fletcher as a higher member of the order.
Remembered the conversation with Kepler in
Berwick. Told him the Democrats were or
ganiziDg against mobs. Kepler did not agree
to Join the organization. Did not tell him
what the pledge was. Did not give the So
ciety any name in speaking to Fletcher.
Never mentioned the Knights of the Golden
Circle to Fletcher or Repler. Never knew
Of the existence of such an order in Marion
County.
Cross -examined--Copied my paper from
one Travis had. Burnt up my copy some
three or four weeks ago. Never initiated
but three or four-Fetcher, DR.. Adams,
Perry and Grant. Probably Grant was the
last man initiated. That was few days
after l got the paper, in the first or second
week in July. Dugan was standing with me
when Kepler commenced the conversation
with me-"
The cases of Dr. ]. NJ. Christian and Thos.
Holder were decided by Commissioner
White on Saturday, the 10th inst, each
being required to enter into his recognizance
for 81 900, without surety, for bis appearance
at the November term of the United States
Court.
The case of Owen Travis was also taken
up, examination waived, and the defendant
bound over in the sUm of $4,000 for his ap-
pearance at the same term.