Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-02-24
feb IS
IMPEACHMENT.
FIFTEENTH DAY.

Paul Crutchfield, William Patton, Jerry
Albright, sworn on behalf of the mana
gers.
William Patton called and testified
Questioned by Mr.. Graham.
live in Alamance, am forty years of
age and am q farmer. In July last was
arrested by body of armed men, COM
manded by one Hunneycutt. A negro by
the name of Alex. Ruffin was in the squad.
I was on the road going to Bridges, when
eight armed men. one black. approached
me, and said to me that might consider
myself under arrest Said l was wanted
for q witness. l was then marched off to
camp. That night Bergen called me into
| his tent, told me was q Au KIux. that /
was along the night Outlaw was hung, and
that I knew all about it. Asked me if
Dolph Moore did not tie the rope around
Outlaws neck. / told him l wasnot Ku
Klux and that l was not present at the
thing about it. He then put n pistol to
my breast and said that If did not tell all
about it he would blow my brains out. [
again said knew nothing about it. lie
then called for rope, remarking
that he would hang me if 1 did
not tell. Hunneycutt handed him the
rope, He then put it around my neck.
and followed by guard, carried me out to
the woods, threw the rope over IL limb.
and pulled rne up, not quite off the ground.
but enough to choke me. Let me down
and told me to confess Pulled me up
again, and went through the same process
| for three times. After which, be started
back to camp with me. On the way l
tainted. When / came to. he and guard
were standing around me cursing violently.
Bergen then told the men to take me to
camp, and said he would make me tell all
| about it. He then took the rope Oft my
neck, tied it around my rists, tied me to
box near by, and left me there all night
Next morning Bergen called me in his
| tent, showed me q paper, and SAID 1t was
what had told him the night before
Through excitement, / signed the paper.
I don't know what was in the paper. 1
staid in camp then, but was positively or
dered not to talk 10 any one about my
treatment that night. was then brought
down to Raleigh to Governor Holden, but
I did not tell him all that was done to me,
for fear of again being punished. Gov.
Holden and Douglass examined me-
I don't recollect the exact time of my ar
rest it was in July, but was brought
down to Raleigh the day before the cleo
ton in August. I also signed paper IN
COL Clarks room. 1t was presented TO
me by Capt. MorrisS. 1t was about the
treatment of Col Clark and Hunneycutt
to me. / went home; was not put under
guard again. Governor Holden said he
wanted me to come out and tell him all
knew about Ku KluX in Alamance. L cold
him knew but very little. The Govern
or then said that it was his purpose to put
down the disturbances which had taken
place in that county. Douglass wrote and
presented paper for me to sign at the
National Hotel. No one was with me ex-
cept the guard. No threats were used
then. Capt. Morriss told me if l signed
the paper might go home. Capt. Nor
=. in nj
form.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Boyden-
I signed two papers here, some words
, of which were read oyer to me. signed
first in Douglas room l was asked to
sign one before that, in one Of the rooms
of this Capitol. Douglass asked me tO
sign that. 1 did so. I don't recollect that
it was read to me. / signed a paper in
AIamance, before Bergen and guard. ]
4 think did not sign paper before William
Albright. (Mr. Boyden here shows wit
ness paper, and asked him if the signature
to it was not his own.
Mr.. Graham objected to such proof, as
papers signed by the witness under duress,
} and after he had been hung.
Mr. Boyden insisted that it was compe-
: tent. He denied the truth of the state
ments of witness. and proposed to prove
it, The paper. signed by himself. was
testimony against a party. If it turn out
that it was signed under duress, then the
, evidence gees for naught; but said ne
! would provo that witness heard contents
read ove-, before signing it, and did sc
willingly.
It was further argued by Messrs. Ora
ham and Merrimon, and Messrs. Smith
and Boyden.
The Chief Justice decided the question
competent.
Senator Graham, of Orange, asked the
vote of the Senate on the question.
Senator Robbins, OF Rowan, asked foi
ayes and nays.
1t was decided the question be put, g
ayes, 10 nsys,
J Proceeded with testimony
lido not recollect signing paper before
Albright. I signed the paper before
J Clarke on 9th August. I only recolleci
having heard portion OF the paper read
that portion relating to the white brother
hood. At the time signed it was very
much in fear of more harsh treatment, and
; was excited. was told to come out and
! tell all knew about the white brother.
! hood. Mr.. Clarke wrote down what told
him-I understood it contained what i
r said. (Here Mr.. Boyden read the paper
drawn mp by Col. Clarke, and witness &C
knowledged having signed it in his pres
! euce. 1t stated that witness Joined White
: Brotherhood about one year before that
/ date, stated the place at which he joined.
the number present, who they were, &c.
The whole object OF which was to protect
themselves from the depredations Of barn
out who perpetrated any crimes. whether
they were white or black, to have sucl
person or persons arrested and punished
Inv lawA The wiknAnS then nrOcaadg: