Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-10-25
MIR. Hod ddsr's Testimony !.

In the Cyisis Of yesterday, Oct. "a, we find
the following at the close Of . long editorial on
the subject of the testimony takenfat Cleye-
land, in the investigation in relation TO ana
legged REASONABLE organization, said to exist in
Marion county s-g ,.5 srtotst
Why does the Statesman omit to publish Mr.
Holders testimony explaining how our name
became mixed with, this affair2 ls7 'sy
. The Stafesman omitted to publish the testi-
mony Of Mr.. HoDDrR for thereason that il pub
liAhed the testimony taken on the examination
Of FREpERiCK CouRr Only, with the single ex-l
ception Of the evidence Of CouRr himself, given
on the examination Of DR.. CHRIsrrAN. As there
was in the testimony on COuRr's examination, q
reference to Gov. MEDxRY, editor Of the Crisis,
in justice to him we give below Mr.. HoDpER's
testimons, which e1plaihs near its close the
occasion of that reference. 1 lfrut .
Thomas H. Holder sworn: have lived IN
Marion two years last June. Am editor of the
Democratic Mirror. Three or four weeks from
the fall of Sumter first heard of this order. was
attacked about the time of the fall of Sumter.
About three weeks alter this met Mr.. Sauls-
bury. He suggested the existence Of q society
for the mutual protection Of Democrats, and
handed paper to me. The paper was similar
in substance to that known as the "First Opli.
CATION" I have lost that paper. Don't re-.
member whether Salisbury read the paper to me
or ScofeId first on fhat day. Mr.. Salisbury ar
rived IN Marion The evening before the conver-
sation with me. did not know of the pevious
existence Of the organization. took the
pledge about the first or second week In May.
He read over the paper to me and ] saw no oh.
lection to IL and told him Thought It was nee
esssry. Christian got the paper from me. !
administered what is known as the "First Obli-
gation'' to him. Never heard Of any. further
obligation until saw it on printed slip, circu-
lated very extensively on the Friday before the
election. The paper containing what ia known
as the "First Obligation" contains the only
pledge of the association. ! originated the
signs of lifting the hat and the grip, as / could
not see the efficacy OF the order without some
signs. The passwords were given to me when
I took the obligation. The change in the word;
log of the obligation from "sign" to "seal, y
was made after l took il. Don't know how
the change vas made. Witness proceeded to
Lnasrate in detail the attack made on him pre-
yious 70 his Joining the organization J. The or.
eapization was composed entirely OF Democrats.
Never knew Of any officers, places Of meeting,
or records, or any signing Of documents. New
er knew Of the existence Ia Marion county Of
the Order Of tho Knights Of the Golden Circle.
The organization to which belonged was never
heard Of % branch Of that Order until 1t was
so charged In the Republiedn. The organizs.
zion had no connection with that or any other
Order. afof' tstAo 81. .., -, VI
Cross examined .ni Don't know when lost
the paper I got from Salisbury Read II at the
invitation Of DR.. Christian, Osborne and Van
vieet Made copies TO use in the initiation OF
Others. Gave one copy to Dickerson, another
to DR.. Christian, another to Dr.. Devore, after
initiating them. Il gave them the papers 80
that they could initiate others. Have not seen
the original paper for some two months or
more. Il was very mucn worn, and threw h
into q drawer. Probably, 4 burnt 1t up with
some other old pspers some time sinces The
last man which initiated was q young man
from the country, about six weeks since. Don't
remember his name. Did not give HIM q pa
per- Initiated Osborne before / invented the
signs The sign Of tipping the hat meant gem
orally that there. was danger, The answering
sign ,wasa merely TO show. that the members
were ready to fulfill the pledge Of proteciion.---
Might have told Christian that presumed that
the Organization extended into Franklin county
Tor the protection Of Medary.n Didn't know
thatit actually did So Don't remember tell-
log how many members we're in the State
Might have said how. many were in MQrroW
county but don't remember. Don't know
anything about arrangements for arms for the
order. ~ eitnT plf ~ 8t.Siti y ~