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

| lOuSSI. Liz OuUSe IuGQ QlScQAfR6Q Ll6m.
Judge Iourgee and Solicitor Bulla are both
Republicans heard Tourgee make re-
publican speech, and heard Mr.. Bulla de-
clare himself to be O republican.
Jesse Q. Griffith. sworn on behalf of the
managers, testified:
Questioned by MIR. MerrimoD.
L reside in Caswell, two miles from
1anceyVllle, am fifty-two years old. and
| sheriff OF the county. L am we'll acquainted
with the people Of the county, of both
races, and, so far as I know, the relations
are friendly. 7 know of no one being de-
MED employment on account of his po-
htical sentiments. [ have never been re-
sisted In the execution of any process, nor
have ever found it necessary to take
posse with me. Stevens was killed the 21st
of May. United States troops came the
9th day of July. They arrived on Satur.
day, and when they reached the town,
Nal. Rodney, who was commanding them,
rode up IN buggy with Mr.. Chambers,
and, after being introduced to me as the
sheriff Of the county, said that he had
been sent with troops to assist me in exc
cutting the law. thanked him and said I
did not think would have any need of
him, as had never failed to serve any
process entrusted to me, nor had I ever
been resisted in doing.
Kirk arrived on Thursday, the 18th of
July. A public meeting was announced
for that day for the Congressional candi-
dates, Gems. Leach and Scott to speak.
About 1 o'clock, p. m. 1 made proclama-
ton, and very large number of the citi-
zens went into the court house. In short
time the court house was surrounded by
armed men. came down, and as reached
the vestibule Of the court house, saw O
negro point me out to Kirk, who with two
or three Others, came up to me with
cooked pistols, and said was their pris-
oner. [ asked his authority for arresting
me. lie said d-n you, you are my pris-
Oner, so come along. Carried me into
a room ia the court house. Every few
moments they would bring in prisoners.
L soon heard Il great noise up stairs-yel-
ling and cnlsing-and some brought down
Mr.. BoWe. Arrestlng him occasiOned the
disturbance. They cursed and abused him
great deal, calling him d--n ku klux
son Of u b and such terms. Kept me
III prison some weeks, aud brought me to
Rrlegh and turned me over to Col. Clarke.
I wns tried before Judge Pearson, and there
being no evidence brought against me,
was discharged. States warrants were
saed out against several parties. Wiley was
bound over to answer at the next term of
Superior Court of CAswell for the murder
of Stevens. I heard nothing about his
being indicted for treason.
Kirk came mp into the courthouse while
We were imprisoned there, and said that
he had heard he was going to be attacked,
and if he was, he would kill every one of
the id prisoners, destroy the women and
children, and burn the town. He frequent
ly came up and cursed the prisoners for
being ID ku klux cursed Weldon terri
bly,. I heard him say he had orders 10
kill the prisoners, women and children and
burn the town if attacked or resisted, but
, don't recollect hearing him say who order.
ed it, His troops were very disorderly in
every articular-obscene and vulgar, in
! tones that could be easily heard by the
families living near. I saw them frequent
ly in orchards, piuaging, &c. The United
States troops behaved very orderly and
gentlemanly. Kinks men exposed their
persons at the public pump, in full view OF
the residences.
I was present at the inquest over Steven e
body. His body was fonnd Sunday morn
| ing. ] was sent for and reached town
carly that morning. The coroner was
summoning jury. The jury met that
: eral witnessee; They continued to sit
every day until Thursday. examining
| every witness that was suggested No evil
dence WAS produt cd. No accusation was
made against any one. [ concur with Mr..
Brandon in his statement about what
/ transpired at the court, and what Solicitor
t Bulla said about the lparties bound over
, to do with the election. He appointed
commissioners to receive the returns.-
About twenty voters were prisoners. They
/ were carried to the polls between file OF
soldiers.
Judge Tourgee issued warrants against
two young men for secretly whipping ne
gro. Stevens also issued warrants for
three for similar offence. arrested them
all without any difficulty, carried them be-
| kl0 $rr0 off oc tod md hoy
were bound over to courS. I heard Kirk
say twice that he would have a military
court; that he had been promised one by
the Gov. and was a little fretted that the
court did not arrive. He sent an ambu-
lance twice after the court. On one Qeoa-
sion Weldon was lying on the railing in
the court house, and one Of the soldiers
shot at him. saw where the ball struck
the rock Just under where he was sittin q
at the time heard tho report of the gun.
He got up and left.
Cross examined by Mr.. Boyden.
Stevens called on me to arrest party
once did it, and the party was put in
jail. He was arrested for stealing. The
parties bound over to appear at last term
of court did not have bill found against
them, as the witnesses all failed to appear.
They were rebound for next term. I saw
Stevens in the court room while speaking
was going on. Saw him leave the room.
; I saw no one talking with him. saw his
body in the room aftcr it was found. It
was sitting in a reel Ling position, rope
around the necx, two stabs in neck, one on
, each side Of windpipe, and one in Left
breast. The rope was nearly buTied in his
neck Mr.. Hodnet made no violent re-
marks about MIR. Stevens. His remarks
created no bitter feelings against him. /
don't know that Stevens was missed that
night. left town little after sunset. I
don't know that any one hunted him. /
know of no secret political society by name
of ku Klax or any other, except Loyal
League. I heard of tue White Brother
hood. The League may constitute that
society for all [ know.
Court adjourned.
SIXTEENTH DAY.
SENATE CHAMBER, Feb. 10, 1871.
| Samuel z. Hill, O witness sworn on be-
| ILL F,e a 4, foGfs Ho1