New-York tribune., 1870-04-09
TIE KU-KLUX IN TENNESSEE.
STATEMENTS OF A. J. FLETCHER, SECRETARY OF
THE STATE, BEFORE THE RECONSIRUCIION
COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE.

THE STATE, BEFORE THE RECONSTRUCTION
COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE.
Before testifying as to particular instances OF
violence perperaed by the KuKux in the state OF Ten
nessee within the past two years, Mr. Fletcher made
preliminary statement before the Reconstruction Com
mttee Of which we give the following summary: 1t is
quite impossible to furnish anything like complete st
OF the of personal violence which have occurred IN
Tennessee within the time above specified There has
been available record Of such cases Kept ana is
necessary to depend on the memory OF men and sueh
chance data happen to be within reach for the very
imperfect enumeration OF outrages which lie lays before
them Almost every day intelligence has been coming OF
some Of violence oppression directed against ne
groes Northern settlers loyal residents sometimes In
the shape Of local item in newspaper merely stating
the fact OF the hanging, shooting whipping OF certain
persons by citizens in masks with no names mentioned
and sometimes it Is told the authorities IN strict cOni-
dence, with an earnest injunction never to reveal the
name OF the informant.
In Middle and West Tennessee every shade OF crime,
from simple murder by slow torture has been
committed with impunity and there is not county In
those parts OF the State which There have been no ex
hibons of this kind. In the mountain County or over
ton the Ku.Klux easily assembled in few hours eighty
or hundred persons take the life Of two citizens. In
tho planting county OF OblOn they had as little difficulty
In raising sufficient force to murder eight or ten negroes
on the farm Of Mr. Jones. In the loyal county OF Car
roll they collected force Of hundred ana fifty to take
their number in Tennessee at 10000 The hu'
Klux is O military organization, with departments,
divisions districts. beats, each with own commander
1t acts with ceeriy and precon and rarely fails OF &C
com pEshilg its object
Early In the year 1861 acts Of violence had become so
frequent that the Legislature passed an act authorizing
tho organization OF state militia of loyal citizens, and
Is or 20 companies were accordingly Quarered in various
localities throughout the State. and quiet partially
restored In the latter part Of that year th arrange
mcnt was mcGfed and the state Guard law passed,
under which about 90 companies were organized aud
posted in different quarters Ia the Winter OF 1869 what
was termed the Ku.Kux law passed tho Legislature.
which made the wearing Of the mask high misde-
meanor, and all jurors and public officers were required
to deny oath that they belonged to such an order
These laws were all repealed at the late session Of the
Legislature and the result has been revival OF kukux
ourages The Legislature having become alarmed, Dill
was passed after much opposition " TO punish masked
marauders" which merely increased the penalties OF the
common law but gave additional powers 10 the Gov
ernor or sherf II there any hope OF the enforce
ment of this law. 1t might prove sufficient; but the dill
Guilty in enforcing such laws is that one seems willing
to the hazard Of prosecuting When man is exc
cuted by the KuKlux, his friends only anxious TO
avoid a similar fate. When subjected to outrage, the
injured person usually fees from tho State glad TO escape
with his e Grand jurors make no presentments either
because they do these Ofenses committed. or
because they could not identify the offenders II they did.
Thus although these outrages have been going on for
three years. single Of punishment under the
law has occurred
In February last asked power Of the Le gs
ature the appointment of Marshas to pursue and
capture these public offenders, but by legislative pro-
cedure and by clause Of the Constitution, this
plan was rendered frutess In this state Of affairs the
Governor has applied the President for military aid to
enable him put down domestic violence in the State
1t has been repeatedly asserted that the KuKux Klan
was disbanded year ago, but in Tennesseei is well
understood to have only changed its name TO that OF
" "Pae-Faces." Upon the accession OF Gov Senter to
Office year ago. applications made to him to dis
band the military. He willing TO do so II prominent
and influential Rebels would undertake to keep the
peace repress the operations Of the Kan Meetings
of the Confederate Generals State held and
solemn pledges made that II tho Governor would dis
band the militia they would sec that the peace was pre-
served. The newspapers made similar promises. The
Governor disbsnded the militia, and for short time
violence abated, but did not entirely The order
still claimed tho right 10 execute criminals and
nued open jals and to the law in masks and
IN darkness. Mr.. Fletcher, himself, masked and
armed Ku-Klux at two points on the Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad within few weeks past, the
evening" and also heard their peculiar whistle at
third point. The KuKlux whistle is said to be FOR sale
tho hardware stores OF Nashville. Mr. Fletcher states
however. that for few months past there has been so
much said OF Federal interference in Tennessee that
violence has somewhat abated there. Mr. Fletcher
considers the following enumeration Of outrages very
small proportion Of those which have been reported 10
say nothing OF those which have not been known or
heard OF outside Of the immediate vicinity oil their
occurrence.
STATEMENT or / ., rlrrcHER. ,,,
The following 70 Il Memorandum OF Such cases -
Tce In the State OF Tennessee as am able TO recall to
mcmory occurring within the years. and far
as have heard they have been entirely unpunsed and
generally without any Judicial investigation. The first
two cases occurred In lS67. over two years ago;
First: The Hon. Almon Case Senator from Obion ard
other counties was wayaid and shot his residence
In ODon County in the Autumn OF His only oifense
60 far as was known was that OF being Republican
Senator lie was gentleman OF the mildest manners,
and quite liberal In lis political sentiments.
Sec0ld: Of Senator Case, barely Of age. was assas
snated abon the same tine for no other onense than
his UniOnism
The Hon. Wtu. Hyatt Senator from Lincoln and other
counticswas taken from his bed at night subjected 10
many indignes, and beaten on the head wih pistol
TIL his night clothes were cory with his own blood HIS
family forced To manufacture masks for the h u
kux. Mr.. Hyatt was an aged gentleman OF harmless
life his only oicnse being that he Republican legis
lator To his life he promised his toenors never
70 tell OF tho and he only did In the strctes
hdence
In the Summer OF 1868 the streets OF Nashville were
thrOnged with colorcd men from Marry County. They
exhibited beaten backs, fold "A number OF
Of the hanging negroes that county rcmen
Der three four OF hanging and shooting but
not give names OF tho victims In one woman MAS
said 10 have been shot
In the year. remember 10 have seen a report Of
MajorGon. Carhn to Gen Howard. In which no says "a
reg OF terror existed IN four five counties. and speci
hes large number Of OF violence, especially 10
General says IN his report that OF the Of vo
lence had not been reported 70 him because the Injured
par ties afraid.
In the latter part Of 1863 negro was hung by men In
mask, at Franklin, on charge Of rape believe Soon
after, merchant Of the town surrounded by men In
MASKS ana shOl IN MS own house. because IL was SAID no
usappo.eu S ,e mn gihg Oh tlo negro ~ hlhs tle
merchant whose name romenbGr as Hearold, negtO
aaa sa0t Was halI Ny accident" Eealuell waa