The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1868-04-04

THE KU.KLUx.-This mysterious
order has risen as if by magic, into
frightful proportions, and assumed a
shape the most appalling. But a
week ago it was the subject Of joke
and laughter and regarded only as a
source of amusement; but in the
twinkling of an eye it has expanded
into the huge proportions of a giant
full of passion. But in its expansion
it has lost none Of its mysteries. On
the contrary, this element it is, that
has grown SO wonderfully. Twice
has this Klan made its appearance il
our midst within week, once at the
funeral and around the grave Of John
Bicknell, and once at the j6il to take
peaceable possession of the murderer;
but on neither occasion has the most
active inquiry or the quickest sus.
picion been able to point to any in
dividual as belonging to the Klan.
Who they are, no ore can even
surmise. But all know they are
great in numbers, and as determined
as men can be, if men they are.
Since the war closed this communi.
ty has not been SO profoundly agitated
as within the past week. At all
hours of the day men here gathered
in groups, and had serious converse
upon the terrible state of affairs.
Every face has worn a sad and serious
aspect, and scarcely ever a laugh has
been heard. Aud the occasion is one
that may we'll beget sorrow. First
came the revolving news of the bloody
death of John BicknelI, and when the
first numbing sense Of horror had
given place to the fercest indigntion
and thirst for vengeance, when stores
Of the murdered mans companions
and acquaintances we're scouting the
country in every direction in search
Of the foul fiend that had taken his
life-the community was again
agitated with the very deepest sorrow
and heartiest sympathy by the news
Of the death of Col, Bicknell, the
father Of the murdered man. And
to add a deeper coloring to the sad
picture, IL was announced that the
beloved mother and wife was pros.
tfated under the terrible affection and
held on to life ouly by thread.
Such were the feelings Of the com-
munity on Sunday when the tolling
bell announced the burial Of John
Bicknsll. Although it rained cold
sleeting torrents, hundreds and huns
dreds Joined the sorrowing procession
and gathered at the grave to testify
at once their esteem for the departed,
and their indignation at the crime Of
which he Was the victim. The scene
ut the grave added the element Of
mysteries that alone was wanting TO
wind up the public feeling 10 the
highest pitsh Of excitement. The
appearance in the procession Of a
body Of horsenen shFOuded in all the
mystery Of the most complete and
fantastical DISCUSSES, and their silent
solemn ceremonies at the grave,
kneeling and, with uplifed hands,
voWing vengeance on the murderer,
completed the act.
Everybody bad wished the murder,
or caught and executed, but all felt
an uncertainty and fear that he might
escape, or if taken and condemned by
the courts that pardon might BE- sx-
tended 10 him. But theneeforth there
was no such fear. The mysterious
band, coming from no one knew
where, going no one knew whittier,
hslipped in and took tho place ia the
public estimation that the avenging
fates held in the minds of the Greeks,