Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-15
From the New York Herald.
Secret Society of Traitors in Indi-
ann.


In the District Court ofhe United States
for the. District of Indiana, 4Hay term
1S62.-The Grand Jurors Of the United
States of America, within and for the dis.
trict of Indiana. empanneiled, sworn and
charged in said district at said May term
thereof, having about completed their labors
land being now ready to adjourn), feel it
their imperative duty to announce in res
pectfnl manner to this honorable court the
general features of some startling deyolop-
ments made during their investigations.
These developments, when considered in
connection with the disturbed condition Of
the country by reason of the causIess and
atrocious rebellion against the constitution
and laws ofthe land, are deemed of the orav.
est importance and should be made known.
that prompt and efficient measures NAV be
taken by the civil and military authorities
to meet and word off the effect of the wick
ed and reasonable designs of those con-
nected with such developments. A recent
act of Congress made it the duty of the
Grand Jury to inquire into any combina-
tons or conspiracies formed by individuals
within the jurisdiction of The court to pre-
vent the execution of any law of the United
States. Having heard that organizations.
with this object in view, existed in certain
Localities, witnesses were sen. for. and
brought before the Grand Jury. These
witnesses came from many counties and liv-
ed IN various parts of the State. After a
careful and deligent examination of the
testimony from witnesses well acquainted
with the facts deposed, and having a per-
sonal knowledge of the matters. said Grand
Jury are constrained to say that secret
and oath bound organization exists. number
ing some fifteen thousand in Indiana. as
estimated BY the members of their order.
commonly known as Knights of the Golden
Circle, and even in the same localities by
different names. Their lodges, or Castles"
as they deneminate them, are located in
various parts of the State, yet they have
common signs, grips and words, whereby
the members are able 10 distinguish each
other, and passwords to enable the member
TO enter the castle in which he was initiated.
or any other which such member NAV
choose to visit. They have signs by which
they can communicate with each other in
the day or the night time, and, above all.
they have signal or sign which NAV be
recognized at great distance from the per-
son giving it. This last signal, we regret to
say, was invented for the use Of such mem
bers as should, by means of the drsft or
otherwise, be compelled to serve in the
ranks OF the army. In such case members
OF the order serving in opposing armies, re-
ceivIng the sign, are reminded of their OBJ
legation not TO injure the member giving II.
This signal is given in every instance upon
the initiation OF a new member, and lis OBJ
servance IS strictly enjoined upon every in
diViduai belonging to the order. By the
teachings OF the organization it is the duty
OF IT'S members engaged in The present war.
although arrayed on opposite sides, UPON
the signal being given, if they shoot at an.
to shoot over each other| Many men,
oers OF the order examined before Us ADM;
The binding force Of the obligation, and pre-
tend to justify il as correct in principle.