Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-07-15
KU-KLUX.


from the Nashville Banner (dem. July u
There seems to have been general
uprising of the Ku-Klux at all points
where thew are organized in this state, on
the night of the 4 b of July. A number
of the larger towns were visited by cav
airy of the ghostly horsemen, and their
appearance created great deal of excite
ment. A company of about one hundred
rode into Columbia in the new Uniform of
the Khan. which is said to consist of
Jacket with half cape, ike wing, and
ordinary pantaloons and hat. They re-
tired after short parade. There was
sudden dash of disguised men, who were
taken to be Ku-Klux, at Nolensville.
Some of the Inhabitants declared their
horses were white, with black heads;
others said that the horses had bald
heads, and black stripe down their
backs, with black tails, and spotted like
leopard. The riders seemed to be large,
stout men, who moved with the rapidity
and precision of European cavalry. This
body of spirits, as they termed themsel-
yes, entered the town at the north end,
turned up the main and only street, OPP
posite the stand of Murray, Green & Co.,
and then divided and surrounded some
negro cabins. Here they left few or
ders with the colored men Of the cabins
whom they thought had participated in
the negro riot at that place a few days
previous. Then two, loud, keen whistles
were heard, and as promptly as veterans
every one was at his place, aud the cagal.
ry moved up the street to place oppos-
lite to the residence of Willis X. Green.
gave long, loud whistle, and as quick as
thought formed one of the handsomest
lines imaginable, fronting towards Mr.,
Green's house. They remained here for
one or two minutes, when they wlistled
two more shrill signals and suddenly dis
appeared from the town. The next day
Ku-Klux was the general topic. No one
being aware of the existence Of such an
organization, none could tell who they
belonged to or when or where they Or
ganized. Various were the conjectures;
some went SO far as to say they recogn-
lied one of the party as Confederate
scout killed just before the close Of the
war.
Shelbyville was similarly visited We
are permitted to make the following ex-
tract from a private letter to parties in
this city, written by Northern man in
reference to their appearance there:
''About 10 o'clock p. ~, considerable
excitement was created by the arrival of a
large body Of Ku Klux dressed up in all
their cabalistic array, their very horses be.
ing covered and disguised. After gailop-
ing around town for about half an hou.,
they visited house occupied by white
man named Dunlop, and carried him and
couple of negroes out into the woods
and whipped them, and then set them
loose, and they got home near y o'clock
in very sore condition, especially Dunlop,
who, it appears, has been making himself
obnoxious by his association with the
negroes, he being teach er in their school
The Khan ordered him to pack his buds
an! leave town, which he says he will do
forthwith. The number of the Klau is
variously estimated at from two hundred
to one thousand, They were in separate
squads, / saw about one hundred of them
The main force remained on the west side
of Duck river. They created great deal
Of excitement, but did no damage, and no
one appears to know who they are or where
they come from. ...
There was grand Ku-Klux parade at
Pulaski, at 10 o'clock on the night of the
Fourth. The procession was composed Of
some three hundred horsemen, and peacea-
bly, retired at the conclusion of the 2hostly
demonstration.