Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-15
Terrible Mysteries Of tho Ku-Klur Khan,

Whlcn we eAtrhct tne iullo"ihs Ohaptct
describing the process preparatory to
initiation. We dare not go so far as TO
give the terrible initiation itself
THE DEN OF THE RED DEATH.
When / came to myself, | was in q
cave, lofty aud spacious, but only dimly
lighted. Little by little became accus'
toned to the dim half-light, and dis
tinguished the objects around me. The
center Of the cave was vacant. and IN 1t
was spread black cloth, with a huge
white skull sitting in the middle and a
pair of highly polished thigh bones
crossed in each corner. In a semi-circle,
before the face Of the skull, were three
KS, worked in glowing red, that seemed
to send out rays of light
On three sides, around this. cloth, but
not touching it, stood a crowd OF men,
all silent as the grave-each one with the
crimson mask and black hap, the Grim
son shirt and each one with the right arm
bare to the shoulder. They were close
together, and seemed to me to be thou
sands; but could only see line OF
heads gradually dying into the black
shadows that lined the sides of the cave.
On the fourth side Of the cave, just
facing where l stood, was a sort OF
throne, with three broad steps leading to
it, These steps were covered with black
cloth, and on each one was a huge X,
worked in the same dazzling shining red
as those on the center seat. On the
throne sat tall figure, shrouded from
head to foot in the folds of bloed red
drapery. The mask he wore YVES Of the
same Pickering, shining crimson as the
KS upon the cloth; and the flap that
fell from his mask was of duller blood
red color, and formed the drapery for
his whole figure. His head was shaven
clean, except three long locks of fiery
red hair-one upon the crown Of his
head and one upon each temple. The
only part of his figure showing was the
bare right arm, cleaning white among
the red drapery; and one bare white
foot, resting on the curly wool of ne
gro's head, freshly severed from its body.
The blood was still dripping from the
neck and mingling with the dark stains
of the black on which it rested.
Behind this figure was misty cloud
of half illuminated smoke, that seemed
rising from some gum, burnt at his back.
On the first step below him stood two
figures, dressed exactly like him, except
that each had upon its shaven head but
single lock of blood red hair. The
figure on the right had the starry flag OF
the Union-that on the left the tattered
and battle. stained flag of the Southern
rebels.
Both flags were draped with Grape;
and from both hung long tendrils OF
cypress leaves and willow.
On the second step stood three huge
brothers of the band, dressed like all the
others | had seen, and each holding alott
a naked sword, and carrying in his left
hand long brazen trumpet.
Upon the third or last step below the
throne stood four glistening and shining
skeletons, each holding in its heshless
arms jet black negro baby, squirming
and striving to get free.
From the eyes and nose and mouth of
each horrible skull cleaned dazzling
white light, that lit distinctly everything
around it, and threw its rays far into the
darkness of the Den.
There was dead stiffness in the cave.
Then the Red Figure on the throne rose,
and raised its arms aloft.
With single impulse, every brother
in the cave made the sign of the KS
above his head, and then dropped his
hand over his chest, the fingers forming
K over the heart.
Then the white foot of the Red Figure
pressed upon the severed head under it.
The eyes, protruding from the sockets,
rolled wildly, the black tongue thrust it
self out, and the white teeth clenched
upon it; and drops of blood ran faster
from the neck. At this hoarse murmur
ran through the cave, low but terrible.
death to the negro race Hail
Brother Red Death"
And the red figure answered:
Halt Brothers Ku- Klur KAN =
Then he dropped his arm, and the
long, white fore6nger pointed straight at
me.
Welcome, brother, if brother thou art
to be2" he said "Art thou ready"
And / answered in the dead silence:
81 am ready
"Thou fearest not the test
fear 1t not.
He turned to the figure that held the
Union flag:
mighty Starry Ku-Worshipful Broth
er of the frmament-interrogate the can
didats."
The giant standard.bearer slowly turned
to me, opened the flag, and waved 1t
slowly over the skeleton lamps.
At the first wave, the whole assemblage
cried, with the peculiar deep murmur:
Hail to the Ku
At the second wave all cried:
Hail to the Klux
At the third roar like thunder shook
the cave with the cry;
Hail All Hail to the KH-Ktur
Kldn 7"
At that cry, the skeletons crushed the
negro babies till they shrieked with
agony; and again all was still.
Slowly the Starry Ku advanced down
the steps and stood upon the centre cloth
at the right of the giant skull.
"Brother-ifbr brother thou art-answer,
and answer truly" he said.
81 will answer truly" said.
Thy name is Thomas -"
"Itis
"Thou vast born in Penobscot, Ne.
81 was"
"Thou art pretended traveller for a
business house in Boston."
al am a pretended business traveller"
"Thou art really secret agent for
William II. Seward, as a spy upon the
negro lodges Of the League"
Great wonder upsn upon me at my
mission being known. Ionly answered;
81 am."
"You have passes Of safeiy-the grips