New-York tribune., 1871-03-24
ANOTHER MISSISSIPPI VICTIM.

A REVENUE OFFICER IN THE HANDS Of Ihh
BANDITTI-HE Is HoRsEwHIPPED BY " GEN
TLEMEN r-SUFFERINGs OF A BRAVE MAN
KU-KLUX LITERATURE-THB SCHOOLS IN
MISSISSIPPI CLOSED.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-COl. Higgins of
Aberdeen Miss another victim Of Ku-Kux Outrage, ar
rived here last evening. He Ia Deputy U. {. As
SCISSOR in the lid Congress District, is native
OF Michigan, served first IN the sth Michigan Cav
airy and afterward a staff officer. AT the
close OF the war he settled in Mississippi where he has
resided ever since, chiefly in Monroe County during
years past he has been active In all good WORKS. as
Gen. Barry, who represents that district estnes IN the
strongest terms first settling in Aberdeen, he was
refused membership IN the Presbyterian Church. though
asked to Join time after His wife is now
waiting bis return home. On the night OF the
9th inst, Col. Huggns stopped at Ross hllis,
about ten miles from Aberdeen on the road 10 Coum
bus This was the night OF the former outrage reported
In these dispatches, and OF those on Seaton and Rey
nolds at Columbus. Charles G. Ross, the miller at
whose house he stopped, is Southern man OF Conserya
tive proclvities. Higgins when making assessments,
always stopped with him.
About 10 O'clock having been in bed some ime he was
awakened by the noise OF horses and confusion OF voices
Hearing Mr.. Ross pareyng, Huggins dressed himself
hastily and stepped TO the windows. There he counted
l2o men, disguised usual in long white robes reaching
nearly TO their feet with their heads and faces concealed
by loose covering OF the color and material In the
front half OF which were holes for the eyes
and mouth, surrounded with red rings. Their horses
were drawn up outside the yard fence, and the house
was completely surrounded. 1t evident that they
were well disciplined. The leader was large bury
man As was afterward seen, they all armed with
G-nch revolvers OF pattern and apparently nearly
\ or quito new. Mr.. Ross expostulatcd with the Khan
| against interfering with his guest, and declared
| that they should not take him out OF the house
with his consent. Col Higgins went TO the window and
| asked what was wanted. The KuKlux captain replied
that he must come down; they wanted 10 end
some other things 10 him. Mr.. Ross told Huggns that
he could do he pleased about going down The Col
onel then informed the Kux that he should defend him
self there and that they only desired to warn him 1t
could be where he This they refused 10 do az
their warnings never given IN presence OF women
| and children.
| The Colonel refused 20 20 down. The Captain then
ordered Mr. Ross to bring him down or put light in the
room, under penalty Of having his house burned. He
refused Mrs Ross aud the children screamed and cred
but the bandti did not hesitate TO bring material with
which TO set the building on fire. Col Huggins then
went to the window and told the Klan that they would
! all leave the yard he would come TO the fence
accompanied by Mr.. Ross, and they agreed TO this and
left the yard As however as the officer went TO
the fence they rentered and surrounded and dsamed
him. The captain then told him, in substance, that he
promise to leave the County and State within two
days OF they would kill him; that they had no special
| or personal objections to him, but they did not
intend that the taxes should be collected.
They determined that they would not pay taxes TO
support id set OF Radical oficer-hoders, and that
they were determined laws should be enforced In that
county but such they made themselves; they were
against law any how" the captain declared with
| strange oath.
During the Is minutes consumed In the yard Col. Hug
gins repeatedly declined give the promise they asked
He has doubt that II he had made the promise no
bodily injury would have been inflicted on him. But ne
gave no pledges there or afterwsrd Hsrefus angered
/ order
| with them but he refused unless by force
| Mr. Ross pleaded with the Klan to remember
their promise. Mr. Huggns then demanded that Ross
should 80 with them, TO which the Captain consented.
Jp 10 this point personal violence had been offered
the Colone In fact, they treated him quite ciyy, the
| Captain rebukng Of the gang who swore at the
prisoner by saying that he was always gentleman and
| should be treated decenty. They told him several
| times that they had no particular objection
| 70 him only they had determined the taxes
should not be collected After carrying him 400 yards
more he was ordered to take his coat OF This he
fused 10 do when torn rudely from his back He
was then whipped with thick leather strap more than
an inch wide, doubled, and about three feet or
more in length. Fifty lashes, severely applied
| were then given each ten lashes being laid on
| by fresh He was again asked several times to
promise TO leave but refused. This exasperated the
Kan still more, and the Captain took the strap and with
out stopping laid 26 lashes, with all the force OF
Il
OF the Colonel In all he received nearly 100 stripes
| Finding that he was growing faint, and would not
promise, they released him, declaring that if he
mained in Monroe County they would kill him. He went
to Rosss house, where he kindly cared for ana the
next day returned 10 Aberdeen. After being several
days under medical treatment he able 10 travel
| Col. Huggins has Commissioner Pleasonton and
etary Boutwell, and has been assured that he aud
other officers shall be protected at any cost Since his
arrival here he has received letter from Aberdeen
stating that the schools breaking that number
OF teachers are at Aberdeen for protection. No
disguise denial Is attempted except persons
the following letter from The 40 urdte Examiner Of the
! 18th will show:
| "MuDSIGHT March 10, 1871.
"Mdjor JONES Hearing great many things that are
the proceedings OF organization, have
concluded to give you a few facs, which you will please
who holds his tongue and attends to his own business,
leaves home only at proper times, ana Pts pr
vdes for his family decenty, and GO e9nTVa ,bas
the whites often the blacks. We undersanu T ~
Major Huggins says he did not promise us 70 ~, OK
such is the case he reports falsely. We ga goh leave
lashes gently. and then asked him II ne T9 9e rened
| this part OF the "moral vineyad., make any
| very independently that he could nor 1sH.d AZ
! such promise. one the that was nj I've
| Metz then took charge OF the SILK r,.sJ fo make
! him rs more, but he stiI ,hon tool charge
any such promises Count n The stairs with H. and
of the ribbon and went up among os truth I'm MIN he
belayed il out We gave him ten 1nn} 1n} mromise for
would lie gone. We hope he VIII I1ysses will have 20
~ We n"'o " oai u M Reyenne officer To MI ms paoo.
NJ undrrstand that the Major and o.hi ,. ,Iil n 80
To jackson To about y, ,hem 10 notify through
wno ,ney W. want 10 move theli '"na ,n w ~
an spinnge and spsoy We ", wa an ~ ~ entry wish
fertilihe Anu ,,i nl.ase call NJ oar o- ABOUT m