Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-06-10
THE BERKs COUNTY c ,ysp1R sroRs.

Messrs- Huber, Oxenrider, Phifhert IiIig
Seidle, Reed and Moothart. charged with for
ming secret societies in Bprks county. Penn
sylvania, to resist the Government in the ad
ministration of the laws contrary to ar act of
Congress, passed July, 1862, were arrafgned
on the 2d June, before the United States COM
missioner at Philadelphia. for final hearing.
The officers of the law have had very diff
cult time in procuring the attendance OF wit
nesscs, and, in some instances were resisted
with such force and rnepaces that they had TO
fee for their lives. Society seems to he al
most unhinged among the ignorant or super
stitous portion of the people of Berks county.
The hearing was conducted in the new room
OF the United States Courts the place being
pretty we'll crowded with people from Berlls
Amongst the evidence taken was the follow
ing
Miss Sarah Bauer, sworn.--I live in Lower
Heidelberg, Berks county: know Huber
was at honse where he was a private meet
ing was held by him and other men, did not
see OXenrider and Mootbart there; | think the
meeting was held in the first part OF March
was in the kitchen when the people came in
and went into the room there were about for
ty persons there; heard Huaer tel them that
if they should get drafted they should get pis
tolls and resist being taken; this was after
they were sworn in did not hear all that
was said they We're standing with their hands
upifted; Was looking through d knot hale
in the door pf the room; Huber standing
by table six feet long he was talking against
, the Repubiicans-heard him say ii the Seces-
sionists were ever TO come North, then the
members were to raise their hats three times !:
this would lead to their recognition by the Sc
cessiouists, and their property would not be
disturbed. If one member met another he
should say u O. and if the other man was a
member he would reply ID. The grip was
given to each man by Huber, and he explain
ed it. (Here witness shook hands with the in
terpreter, to show the sign. 1t seems 10 be
the pressing of the forefinger on the wrist a.
bout where the pulse beats Hlber said that
whenever meeting was desired to be held
they must write to him, and he would come
They must not mention anything about the
meeting, but merely say in their note the
words. ssCome and gsay yoar debfs.'' He would
understand by this what they meant kuea
nearly all the men who were there. there the
witness mentioned over the names of mum
Der of them I they all lived in the neighbor-
hood. AT the time the meeting was held,
when the men were sworn | was seated on a
wood chest aud looked through knot hole ;
could see pretty well. but could not bear
everything that was said ; don't know, bat
suppose the hole is in the door yet
Jacob Werner sworn.-I live in Berks coun-
ty; know Jacob Huber; he has been holding
meetings up there; gave my name to him
i and paid my dollar and went into the secret
meeting, in the kitchen, at Bonneville Oxen
riders: this was in April lasti | was at two
meetings. did not hold np my hand like the
I other members, and therefore do not consider
thatI was sworn in. The oath that was ad
ministered was that the members must go a.
gaias' the emancipation procla nation, against
the confiscdfioa bill, aud must resist the draft /;
l did NOT take the oath. The signs are. that
when you meet person you are TO extend
your right hand little forward OF your BODY.