Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-12
NORTH CAROLINA HU-KLUX.

A correspondent of the Tribune has been
giving that paper facts about the ku-Klux or
ganization in North Carolina. We copy the
following paragraphs from his account as a
specimen of what he knows and relates of
them:
have now before me the sworn atfidavits
of about twenty five persons confessing their
connection with the Ku-Kldx, and their knowl-
edge of its proceedings. Their names l am
not at liberty to make public, as they will
many of them be involved in legal proceed
ings, but by altering them can give the
readers of the Tribune fair idea of the testi-
mony without violating confidence.
John Smith says that twelve months ago he
was met by William Brown, who asked him
if he did not want to join the ku-klux, and
who insisted on his going with him. They
went to place in the woods, and there met IA
number of men, some of whom Smith names
Brown administered the Ku-Klux oath to
Smith and in the latters language, 'they told
me that if told anything about the organiza-
ton that would be put to death, and 10 stick
to the party and vote with the party" | un-
derstood the object Of the organization to he
to take the law in our own hands-''to whip
any one we thoughthad done anything mean
| He tells of several whipping affairs, and gives
| the names of various persons he knows to
have been engaged in them, dsavowing par
tcipation himself; he also gives other names
| of men ne knows to be connected with the
Ku-Klux.
6. Jones testified that Joseph Black came
to him eighteen months ago and tried to per-
suade him to join the Ku Klux. Jones at
first refused, but Black told him that he
" ould not be safe in the country if he did not.
II Al, IL
where they found men in white gowns and
masks, one of whom administered the oath.
Jones says: 81 don't recollect the oath alto
gether. The substance of it was to support
the White Brotherhood in opposition to the
Republican party, and to obey all orders that
might be issued; never understood whose
orders | was to obey, but that | was 10 obey
any and all orders that might get" He did
not attend subsequent meetings. and received
a summons in consequence, which l give
verbatim Git is pasted upon the aftidaviD;
George Jones if You donot appear at Boyd:
pines tuesday night and give sufficient reasons
fer neglgences viii have you severely delt WIN
Jones says, II was afraid to tell anything
about it for fear of being put to death; the
penalty was death for not attending their
meetings and obeying orders, and for divulg-
ing any of the secrets. ! was notified to have
gown made. but never did 500
Peter Robinson testifes that he was d year
ago approached by his own brother and an
other man, and told of a secret political or
ganization, that it was great thing, that the
whole neighborhood was in it, and that he
would not be thought well of if he did not
Join. He testifies that he went with them, at
tended meetings, and that they told him that
Andrew johnson was President of the Order,
and 10. Turner, editor of the Raleigh Senti
mel, at the head of the Order in the State.
Lewis Lowe testifes to having Joined the
Order and to being personally cognizant of
several whipping raids, in which negroes
we're severely whipped. He confesses to hay
ng himself joined with others in whipping
Carter Smith in Guilford county; thinks they
gave him about 40 stripes.