The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-18
THE KU-KLUX TRIALS.
THRE4TS OF THE NEGRO MILITIA
IND 4LIRM OF WHITE CITIZENS.
A Negro Captain Threatens to Kill
"from the Cradle Up''-E1pestatIon of
Arson and Murder-DIeasures of Self
Defence Taken by the Whites.
rFRoM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER !

Every seat in the court room was filed oil
the assembling OF the court this morning, the
interest manifested in the trial of Robert Hayes
Mitchell, of York County, becoming more In.
tense as witness after witness was placed upon
the stand by the defence, all of whom testified
In positive terms as to the reign of terror that
had existed in some portions Of The county ln
1868, and during the political campaign of 1870.
The evidence adduced to-day was princi-
pally cumulative testimony, agreeing In detail
as to the great fear that had prevailed among
the whites at the times named. Several col
ored witnesses corroborated the statement,
and all endeavor on the part of The prosecu-
tion to break down their testimony was una
vailing. The question, "Are you Demo-
craft" was put with singular regularity by the
prosecution to every colored witness the de-
fence put upon the stand. thereby contradict.
ing their own assertions regarding freedom OF
political principle.
william Bratton, co!ored, testified that
he was at one time lieutenant In the COM
pauy of which the notorious Jim Williams was
captain, and that he was depCsed from his
position because the two differed In politics;
he stated that Williams told him that he would
rnle the country, and If lie could not, he wOnd
Ku KluX the women and children, and Kill
from The cradle up; he stated that he had
heard Williams frequently make these threats
during the month OF January AID Just before
Williams was hung.
conversations with Williams, VINO said he had
been down to see Scout, and intimated that
he would have things his own way, or resort
TO violence.
Tbi. witness, who was q large property
owner, stated that there were, at the time the
conspiracy Is alleged, general reports through
out York County of threats Ut arson aud
murder made by colored people; that the peo-
ple were aIarme and panic stricken, and that
ne himself lived at that time In fear both Of
life and property, and had taken extraordl-
nary measures 10 have his insurance Increased.
Mr.. W. A. Atkins had heard Williams make
the threats, and knew that there!Was feeling
of terror throughout his neighborhood. This
witness said Jim Williams mad remarked 10
him that The best way 10 settle the difficulty y
was tor both parties 10 60 into the old held
and fight it out, and that If hls (Wiliam's)
side won they would murder from the cradle
up. and that he understood by this that Will
liams wanted "some fuss"
One colored witness was little muddy In
mis- description of breech-oader, and could
come no nearer 10 1t than to say It was one OF
those guns with the muzze OF the butt.
The defence flushed with their witnesses
shortly after one o'clock, several who had
been called not answering. Mr.. Hart, OF
counsel for the prisoners, stared TO
The court that there were several
important witnesses on the way to 81.
tend, who would give evidence upon vital
points that had not yet been Introduced and
which, Just then, he did not care to disclose.
The court Insisted that the counsel must ate
the points he wished to prove by these wit.
nesses before delay could be granted.
Mr.. Hart then said that the greater part OF
The additional testimony to be given by the
prisoners referred to was cumulative. but that
by several he could prove that the organiza-
tion of 1868 was purely one OF self-1efenct
aud protection, and that it had long ago
ceased to exist CT its own accord. The de-
fence Welded and here closed. The prosecu-
then placed upon the stand rebutting wtnes-
ses who were quite positive that Captain jim
Williams, of the militia, was ON lnoffenslve
citizen, and mustered his troops last In De-
cember, 1870, at the regular muster ground In
York.
The prosecution then asked for time TO eX.
anime the testimony and prepare their ar
gument, and until tomorrow, at IL A. d..
was granted, to which hour the court ad
journed.
The grand jury returned true bills against
James Barnett and others, and no bill In the
case OF Samuel ]. Harvey and others; also,
true bill against samuel G. Brown ana lour-
teen others, all OF York County
The quiet serenity oil the rear of the Sta'e-
house yard, In the corner where the dumb
rocks never speak, came very near being dis
turbed just before the meeting of the Leysla-
ture this morning. A couple OF dusky
Othellos. whose words were very thin dilu-
tlons of Ststthouse talk, resorted hther 10
settle their little difference, but were incon-
tlnently, though perhaps conveniently. taken
into custody before any great damage was
done.
Proceedings were commenced to-day on the
petition OF the taxpayers OF the city for re-
straint against the surrenderlng OF the city
bonds now In the Carolina National Bank, as
collateral for the Neage loan, tor the market
and city hall Jobs. The affidavits set forth
that sixty thousand dollars have been need
less y spent in the awarding of contracts, ex-
perenced bodies having been employed to
investigate the matter critically and thus re-
ported. One argument was delivered Today
in this case, and 1t is to be resumed tomorrow