Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-02-24

years OF oee COufts nave Eeen regularly
and uninterruptedly held ever since I can
remember, until last summer, when dis
turbed by the invasion of Colonel Kirk. /
know of DO instance when application for
any process was refused when properly
made. Magistrates and Constables in all
! the townships, and have never known an
| instance of refusal on the part of any one
to do the duty required of them;by law.
| Col. Kirk arrived in Yanceyville on the
18th of July. There was q public meet
ing called for that day for the Congression-
al candidates to speak-Gen. J. III. Leach
| Dem, and Gen. Scott, Rep. While the
| speaking was going on the troops arrived,
marched in the enclosure of the Court
| House square, surrounded the Court
| House, the men pointing their guns up
at the windows. A large audience was
in the Court House hearing the speak
ing was in my Office when the troops
came. They placed guards at the gates
| of the enclosure, aud at each door of
court house. I went to the door and asked
the sentinel if I could go out. I then went
to the court room. Scott spoke about one
aud avhalf hours Leach was replying. and
was about half through, when a squad of
soldiers went up ana arrested Doojor5
Roam and Yancey. Then went to arrest
Mr.. Bowe. He asked by what authority
| they arrested him. They told him never
He again demanded the authority, for his
arrest, when Kirk drew his pistol, cursed
Bowe, aud they then took hold of him and
| forced him out. About twenty-five soldiers
were III the room at this time, and such
yells and cursos-shouting, "KiiI the id
rebel Ku KluX, 1T was u terrible time
One Banner and Lieutenant Brown then
said, while they were arresting parties.
''Let any Id rebel open his mouth and
we will put him through" When the SOL
dieis first surrounded the court house they
snapped good many caps. L asked Kirk
to allow me the use of my ol1ice-to retain
possession of it. He did SO until the fol
lowing Thursday night That night a
Lieutenant and three men Came 10 my
house after the key, said Kllk wnnted it.
[ teut ii. The ue4t morning l asked
Kirk forit and was folused. l found the
door had hecn forced open before they cot
the key. When Kirk left with the PRISON
| ers, l.o left Ma or Yates in command with
detachment. l then asked Yates for the
key. He replied that l could not got it
| was kept out until Yates left. I was al
lowed to go i'll under guard 1 found some
papers as / LETT them many others scat
| tered over the house, DaHement lot AMI
outside grounds. Even found some in the
streets important papers. [ Uent about
and picked up as much as | could. /
reckon / got from peck TO half bushei
in the lots, street and basement, and as
much flour barrelEfull off the floor and
scattered over the Courthouse. Book IN
of record lost, and can't be found. I had
a correspondence with Gov. Holden upon
the matter. Here Mr.. Graham gave wit
ness two letters, and asked him to lead.-
He then read the letter from himself tC
the Governor, detailing condition of affairs
and asking that he (the Governor) order
that the keys and Office be turned over tC
him. Then read Governors reply, declin
ing to turn over office, Gas Caswell is still
in military possession, and need the Court
house for quarterlng troops.
The buildings were very much abused
walls and ratings broken. The court house
was an elegant building, and I think it
| was damaged to the amount Of 81. OOO.-
The troops left about the middle of Sep
tember. [ know of no resistance to the
lawful authority in the county. DR.. Roam
is about sixty four years of age-one oi
the best men in the county stan1s very
high, both as Il man aud as physical H.
! Mr.. Bowe Is one of tne most exemp larry
men ever knew, is sixty-fve or seVe s ty
years of age. Was q magistrate for n I'M
btr of years, member OF the county "nd
special courts. member of tie Legislature
since the var, and was a magistrate at the
| time of his arrest.
| Kirk broke up the meeting, Ii per feel
terror prevailed for a while. The Court
House was surrounded about O'Clock p.
m. and not citizen was allowed to &c
out until 5 p. M. Mr.. Bowe succeeded j.
W. Stevens as Magistrate-was appoint
| ed When Kirk arrested Bowe he said ii
he was resisted he would shoot the prison
ers, destroy the men, women and children
of the town and burn it. He made q
speech to O crowd tho day before the
election, in which he said he had come
to put down the Ku KJux, and that he
would do it if he had to stay there until
the youngest baby was gray. Said that
he had a number, that he was going to try
them, and if they were found guilty they
would swing. If resisted he would kill
the prisoners, murder the women and chill
dren, and burn the town. United States
troops came to Yanceyville ten day before
Kirk did. Behaved themselves very we'll,
and were on very good terms with the
citizens. They did not pilage or plunder,
but Kinks did. His men went into my
garden and orchard aud took iust what
they wanted. L never heard SO much
swearing by anybody III my life as these
troops INDUCED in and they Were very 90.
scene in the hearing of ladies and gentle
men. Exposed themselves to the public
would go to the public pump on the court
square and pull off their drawers and wash
them, and then pull eff their shirt and
wash that-ln full view of several residen
ces and business places. Kirk said thai
he had orders from Governor Holden tC
hold The prisoners; was also ordered by
Holden that ii 81 hair Of the head of any
of his men was hurt to kill all the prison
ers, butcher the women and children, and
burn the town. United States troops were
in their camp on the day of election
Kinks were parading the streets III organ
lied squads, with bayonets fixed. EIcc-
ton was held at Mr.. Mitchcll's store, the
military having possession of the court
house. Detachments left town the day
before the election in various directions, -
in direction of all precincts in the county.
Eight squads left. There are nine town.
ships in ali in the county.
4Cross-examined by Mr.. Boyden.
l am aware of but one secret political
society in the county, and that is the 10y
al League. know of no other. L never
saw any person in disguise. No bill Of
Indictment was found against the murder
ers of Stevens. 4 number of gentlemen
were bound over to Court by Judges OF
| ~ I,uF AM