The New York herald., 1871-03-16
ORIGIN AVID PRESENT ASPECT OF THE
CaES Err TR 3UBLES.

The Town Pntr olIcd Regularly at Night by
Armed White Citzens-How and Why Arms
Were Placed in the Hands OF the NearOes-
singular Organization Of the MiIifiu-rhe
Officers Without C0nmissl0ns-War Of the
Ku KIux-.he Outrage nt Rock Hiil-StRte
Arms Broken U,-Nhippina of Negro
Militia Nlan-PoIitical rsuasions of the Ku
Klux-ihe Recent TrOubles-COn1ictina
Statements Of the Number Killed and
Woundcd-Thc Route to YorkviIle--rhe Dis
arnling oil the Negroes.
CHESTER, S. c., March 12, 1871.
There is still great deal OF excitement In this
community resulting from the recent hostile demon
strations made by the negro militia upon this village.
Armed patrols guard the town and suburbs at night
questioning every one found after a certain hour
as to his or her particular business that required
them up when all good citizens should have retired.
These patrols are COMPOSED exclusively OF whites,
armed with revovers. Last night took stroll
through the town as late eleven O'Clock. l had
not proceeded far when was accosted by two men
with revovers in their hands, who said:-
"Wnere are you going this time OF n!ghts"
"Where please"
'Are you a stranger here?''
"Yesn
'Well, then, you must know that it Is against
orders tor anybody TO be abroad after ten O'Clock
unless on important business"
my business is to see the state OF the town, and
satisfy myself whether there is any civil law or order
here. am a Northern mau.n
'Then if that be the case, you can 60 along"
/ mad scarcely walked 200 yards before two
more armed men accOsted me and similar con-
versaton ensued, my first nerrogators never losing
sight of me until / had reached the second party
and they likewise keeping me in view until
the beat OF another watch was reached
will
alarm and uncertainty that prevails here owing
to the unsettled state OF affairs that exists, which
has, beyond question of doubt, resulted from the
armament OF the negro militia These arms were
placed In the hands OF the negroes by the Governor
and State radical authorities prior to the fall elec-
ons, and for the purpose 1t Is said OF enabling the
negroes to defend themselves at the polls where it
1t anticipated Intimidation and violence would
be resOrted to by the whites. In view OF this action
large quantities Of the same kind OF arms known as
the
WINCHESTER SIXTEEN SHOOTER RIFLE
were also purchased and brought her by the whites
who, though they did not carry them openly to the
polls, had them conveniently located in case OF an
attack by the negroes-the latter having them In
companies stacked 10 full view OF each voting
place A strange feature. t0o In connection with
this armed militia organization is tnat, though the
eQuippped. with their captains lieutenants and non.
commissioned officers, none Of these oficers can be
found who have authenticated
COMMISSIONS
from the Governor, and Is almost safe TO say that
otlcia record OF the organization OF the militia
can be found. II appears tnat the arms were sent
here be used for political purposes placed In the
hands Of the negroes with supplies OF ammunition,
and they allowed to organize, elect their ocers and
carry out the orders OF such white men as became
attached to the radical party purely from mercenary
motives. The excitement OF the elections ever It
was believed the negroes would be disarmed. but
such Was not the case Every township In county
had its negro militia company, with Its irrespOnsi
Bile and In the majority OF cases. Ignorant officers,
who drilled them and had their regular public
parades,
STANDING MENACE
to the whites. Outrages by these armed bands be-
came Of such frequent occurrence that life and pro
perty In most neighb0rh0ods where the negroes
were controlled by bad and unprincipled men were
unsafe, and consequently a coun,er organization
was gotten up among the whites, which many take
to be branch OF the wcll-knOwn
KU KLUx KHAN.
This organization. at first one having for IT'S object
public safety and the defence Of life property
as 1t grew older became gradually aggressive and
more dangerous 10 Tho public peace than were the