The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-16

witnesses on the part Of the defence was
then commenced.
William Bratton. colored, was placed
upon the stand and testified as follows:
I live in York County. I was we'll ac.
quainted with Jim Williams; I was q
private In his company at the time he
was hung. I was the first lieutenant in
the company until the arms we're re-
ceived.
Mr.; stanberry-why were you de-
posed?
Mr.. Corbin objected to the question
as being irrelevant.
The court inquired of Mr.. Stanberry
what vas the object OF the question?
! Mr. Stanberry-I simply wish to
ascertain why he was deposed. It may
have been because he was unwilling to
engage in the subsequent operations OF
the company; or it may have been that
he was deposed on account of his DO
litical opinions.
| The court sustained the objection.
Mr.. Stanberry-Did you ever have
any conversation with Jim Williams
shortly before his death?
Wltness-Yes, sir; had conversa-
tion with him not long before he was
hung. He said: II intend to rule this
country; I'll Ku Klux white women and
children, and il l can't manage things
then, Ill kill from the cradle to the
grave" The conversation occurred at
Mr.. BrattOns plantation, along some.
time in January. He was talking in an
angry manner. have heard him make
the same threat over and often at Mr..
Bratton's place. We both lived on that
place; we were much together; spoke
OF the threats to others: it was along
about the last of January last.
Cross-examined-Ih have always passed
for colored man. didn't like being
deposed; but wasn't mad at the COM
pany for it. There had been Ku Klux
raids before had that conversation with
Jim Williams. He was talking about
Au kinx bothering tho colored people.
he said If any came down in that neigh
borhood, he would kill from the cradle
up; that he had the means OF carrying
on war, and he would do it.
Scott Wilson, white-I lived in York
County. near Jim Williams. There was
q general rumor throughout the neigh
borhood, prior to Jim Williams death
that he had made threats to burn, and so
forth. The only raid, first and last, in
that neigbborhood, was when Jim Will
!iG:'s |';:s hung.
Cross-examined-Id did hear report
OF raids in the North Invest part of the
!, County. I think heard of them in
January. l never heard of Jim Will
hams burning any house. did hear of
his receiving brides to burn from Mr.
} Rose. l was not alarmed for my per-
sonal safety. 1 wns uneasy about my
property, and had it insured. I never
insured it before. I didn't lay out dur
J ing the night from the fear of Jim Will
! liams' company; but I watched at night
i. didn't vote the Democratic ticket
altogether; there we're some Republicans
on it. voted the Reform ticket.
w. d. Atkins, white-I live in York
County. about nine miles from the viii
lage. lived in five miles of Jim Will
liams. I heard him make threats one
day at Gordon's Mill. He said: "hir.
, Atkins, the way to decide this fuss be.
} tween the blacks and the whites is to 90
into an old field and fight it out, and if
my side gains the day, LII take from the
cradle up"
Oross-examined- This conversation
was along towards the last of February,
week or ten days before he was killed.
J did hear Of Ku Klux raiding about.
The first that heard of WAS in Decem-
ber. 1 cant say that was afraid OF Jim
Williams company.
@. j. Fride-I live in York County,
near Rock Hill. I belonged to an asso-
} citation in 1868. It was called the Coun
oil OF Safety; some called it Ku Klux.
: joined in Mr.. Morris room, in open
daylight. was told to come in when
danger was Immediately apprehended.
There was no politics whatever in the
matter. We had another meeting at a
wood yard. 1t was proposed to take
away shot-gnns from the negroes, from
| q hot hoy 1o
meeting broke up, and that was all
ever heard of it. I am Trial Justice.
appointed by Gov. Scott, on the 18th Of
February last.
Cross-examined- Corbin read from
a paper purporting TO be the constitu-
ton and bylaws of the Ku Klux, and
asked witness if the organization he
joined had such constitution, &c.
Witness-There was constitution and
an obligation, but don't recollect any
thing about death, death, DEATH Ire
dell Jones ofiicated at the meeting.
There were about twenty-five persons
present. 1 am and always was square,
out-andout Republican. don't know
that the society ever met at nights, or
went on any raids. Mr.. Rattaree did
tell me that be was on the Ferris raid.
MIR. Ferris is quiet, respectable man.
| don't know what his politics are. Mr..
Rattaree said he was wounded on the
raid; saw the wound on his face. I
have talked with Iredell Jones frequent
ly. don't know that he was chief;
only know that lie officiated as chairman
or presiding officer at the meeting. The
only time attended was in July, 1868.
l did not know, nor did I understand,
that the society had any political signifi-
cance whatever. / was not arrested by
| the militnrY I reoaiua n mascano from