Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-09
The Copperhead Assassirs in
Southern Illinois.
Thsir Plos 40 saardsr Union Msn--
s'uft Particulars Of the AfhtF, BY q
xkssponsfhts Men.
Edito rtal Correspondence Of the Chicago Post -
noHglas Demoeratic paper.


Edtte rial Correspondence Of the Chicago Post
nougias bemoeratic paper.
CHARLESTON, fI.I., April /.
am not under the necessity Of rely
Ing upon the hearsay statements for the
facts as 70 the origin as well as culmina.
ton Of this conspiracy to massacre
Union soldiers in the peaceful State Of
Illinois | say conspiraey--for the facts
suhstAntiated by the oashs of many wit
nesses Of undoubted credibili,y, as we'll
as BY the confessions Of a number Of
prisoners, who were engaged in il, prove
that il was nothing less Three days
have been spent In taking aihdavits OF
witnesses The testimony Is taken be-
fore notary public, as tbe suggestion
and Tor the future use Of the State Pro-
vost Marshal, Colonel oakes. The mum
Der Of witnesses already examined is up
wards Of ffty, and the investigation will.
90 on till the matter is thoroughly probed
to the bottom. But the facts already
elicited throw q food Of light upon the
character and purposes Of the disloyal
eonspirators in our midst who are using
the mantle Of the Democratic party 70
conceal the most infamous and treason
able designs.
History Of the Conspiracy.
The antecedent history of this out.
break relates to period of over q year
ago At that time the peace con-
spirators in this county organized them
selves into a military association, .elecl-
ed Nelson Wells their Captain, and pub.
II Ill al
tions and the use Of arms At these
meetings or trainings it was com
mon thing for these disciples Of che New
Gospel OF Peace to conclude their exer-
eises With three cheers for JEFF Dsvis,
for John Morgan, or for some other no.
torious leader IN the rebel army.
This organization, with It's military
trainings, and 80 on, wss kept up until
after The fall Of Vieksburg,- and ether
disasters 10 the rebel cause which oc-
81. red about the same time. The fact
that z was discontinued or fell into dis
usa affx these events Is sufficient indi-
"a ION os the disloyal spirit which
animated It's existence. Among its
pro minent aud ac..i;ve members was Mr.
job U 0'Hair, Sheriff Of his county, and
bis numerous family relations IN this
viein ity.
This organization was not revived an
iii after tie Sth Of March, at which tius
~eneraf eonclave Of the head men of
the az G. C's," the Mighty Host, "
The eIron Ring" or whstsver may be
their distius tive appellation, was held N
the city of Ghicago. A representative
from t6:s con. lty whose name have,
bat for certain ressous choose to wish'
hold at present) y as present st that meet
ing. and re,,,-,sA 10 bis home in the
northern part Of III, county, bringin
with him he eanv - document which
was concoeted at aud u icr.n oy 'oN.
meeting. / have been aaole 70 se'
hold S>.f this doeumens but q ,s = sFiss =.
enee am certain. Souse4A. ~, =,
parport, perhspS, may be inferreS 80. -
the fact that Immediately sfaerwasS =.
secret organization 10 this county -
revived 81
The "Aigaa Hot
The name By which this 0, .SanizHtion
is known smeng those who belo.7g 70 u
is, "The Mighty Hes" The me Nuoers
are sworn to secresy, and one o. IT'S
charges declares death to be the riak z
full penalty upon those who violate this
oath The members before initiation I
are assured that the organiEasica is
strictly loyal in its objects, and 10 con
arm this, ell are required TO take an
oath TO obey the Constitution and sup
port the laws passed in Conformity there
WIN Ans = the conscience quietsr
which neets the novitiate 9 1.-THE threshold.
ana All tne better prepares him to assume
the subsequent Obligations. auogg
which IS 3 pledge not TO submit 10 snS
military arrest, and 10 assist w;.h arr,.
and At the peril OF. life 70 rssene ar
member Of the Mighty Hosf vho nav
be thus arrested Another pledge is