The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-05-22
KUKLUx KHAN.
Origin of the Order-Letter from an
Original Member.

To the Editors Of the Enquirer azd Exam
i'aer, Richmond:
Honor to whom honor is due. - is an
accepted maxim. Now, as there has been
some curiosity and, perhaps, more surmise
as 10 the origin of the Kuklux Khan, as
solution of the question give you the fol- |
los ing facts, which by the way, will show
that late article in one of your city pa
pers, giving assurance that the Organiza-
ton was foreign one and introduced in
to the United States by Humphrey Mar
shall, is all bosb.
Several young men 0, this place. 'hun-
gering and thirsting' after amusement, re-
solved upon incorporating, parading
through the streets at night, visiting pub
lie assemblies, and occasionally appearing
at agricultural fairs in the day time. Their
attire was exceedingly gFotesque, but not
very alarming. The principal feature was
the apparent great height of the character,
made so by an enormous hat or cap. rising
lofiily in the shape Of cone. Long and
flowing robes of divers colors were mostly
worn, but few ofthe masqueraders might
be seen clad in Spanish jackets and wide
trowsers, with ca p and feathers. The watch
call was a child's whistle, and the move
ments of the party were directed by ba-
ton of wood aourished by the Grand Cy-
clops. Marching in single file few present
ed the appearance of many. Their place
of meeting was where they could most eas-
ly conceal themselves while dressing, and
preparing for the evening" entertainment.
Their i6Eous aspect for while created
ss but The performances becOm-
actors retired from the stage,
klux Klan gradually faded away.
incident occurring during the
the Kuklux which occasioned
oion of tie being an organizatiOn-and
7Stical at thst-arose from the natural
J rs Of the negroes. aud iears Of another
kind on the part Of the squad of Tennessee
militia who we're ct that time stationed
here. The "boys" one night marched in
the direction of the place of meeting Of che
League. and then diVerging. approached
within some half mile of the militia camp,
and very foolishly fired few pistol shots
| in the air. Then Tiers was q call 'to arms, ,
aud in few days an Investigation was had
by military official from Nashville, which
resulted in nothing. The incident, how
ever, was nOised abroad, and public atten-
ton was arrested. Other boys, also wish
ing fun, masqueraded in various localities,
until the KukIux became an institution of
amusement in almost every neighbOrhOod
to the great dread of the aforesaid '.per-
sons of African descent" and militia men.
This is the true expose OF the rise and
progress" of the Kuklux Kan.
A very near neighbor has the honor oil
being the first Grand CyoOlps, and it at
fords him no little amusement, in reading
the papers of the day. in which the doings
of his followers are so amply displayed
One thing is certain, its beginning was fol
fun. What ii has becOms, elsewhere, this
deponent further saith not.
a few more words: There are no such
wOrds as ''Kuklux" to be found in any Ian
guage. They mean nothing. They were
used because they meant nothing just a
the originator has introduced another wore
"Gewhillikins.
It is to be regretted that the simple OBJ
iect of the original Kukluxes should be 81
perverted as to become political and PERM
cious in its demonstrations. The first de
, parturs in this section from its purpose re
suited in the death of very worthy younl
man. If it has become aregulsr organize
> ton, with guerrilla and ''lynch-laW" sttri
butes, then better the Kuklux had neve
been heard of, and the sooner such organi
r cation is dissolved the better for the COUP
q try at large-especialy for the South. Al
f secret political orders, clubs, clans or asso
T eiations are pernicious in their tsnden cies
and every good and sensible patriot shOul'
Z persistendy express his disapPrObatiOn 0
g them.
. How fOrcibly the exclamation, "BehOl,
r how great e matter little FIRE kindleth.
! In csst vert. XXX.
A Matter Of Interest to Bankrupts
= T. Latham, Register of Bankruptc
in the Memphis district, writes under dat
!, of the 10th inst
: am asked almost every day il Congress
g has postponed the operation Of the fifty pc
9 cent clause of the Bankrupt Act. Il ha
1 net. and those wishing to avail themselve
of the act have but little time left them
+ No discharges can be ebtained on petition
3 fled after the close of the 6rat day in June
unless the assets will pay half the indebt