The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-09-26
OPPRESSION I'm THE SOUTH.
The EntOrcement of the Radical
Ku-KiuX Law.
The Ku-KluX Trial ut Raleigh, N.
C..-WhO Some of the Accused
Ara.-Their Arrest. Etc,

KluX trials now proceeding in that city,
before the United States District Court,
presided. over by Judges Bond and
Brooks. Of the jury the Sentinel says !:
The jurors summoned to the Federal
Court have been heard, on the train, ut
tering denunciations against the persons
they have been summoned to try. A
jury in which there was only a sprink-
ling OF Democrats has been discharged,
and jury Of Radicals substituted. we
have, up to the present writing, learned
the politics Of twelve jurors, and there
is not a Conservative or Democrat
among them"
or the prisoners the Sentinel says:
"a hundred men are brought three
hundred miles for trial, when the same
court sits a: Marion, within five miles
of the homes of many of the defend
ants, and within thirty miles of four
fifths of them. One prisoner was
brought three hundred miles at the last
court, charged with an assault and bat
terry upon the Biggerstaffs. Two thou
sand dollars bail was required; he ten
dered bail and the court refused it. AT
Iter being confined during the dog-days
in a filthy Jail, fifteen in a cell eight by
ten, one of the prosecutors declares that
he is the wrong man."
The same paper goes Oh to give the
following specifications among the ar
rests:
Wiley S. Walker, Esq !, a well known
citizen of Polk county,, was forced from
his door at a moments warning, leaving
his wife confined in bed, carried fifteen
miles to Rutherford Jail, where be suff-
cred much for food and water, and only
escaped by giving bail in $4,000 to ap-
pear at Raleigh this month. "Uncle
Wiley" is about seventy years of age,
and has scarcely physical strength
enough to sit on horse, and yet is
char ged with midnight raiding, whip
ping negroes, etc.
Captain Crowell Camp, a gentleman
Of wealth and standing, is charged by
an idle negro with having "Ku-Kluxed'
kim, and although the Captain proves
an aiibi by seven witnesses, he is bound
in $4,000 to appear at Raleigh.
Rev j. T. Campbell, e Baptist minis
ter in regular standing, row lies in Ra-
leigh Jail, Mr.. c. was arrested at church
three several times by three different
deputy marshals, each of whom hoped
to earn his fee for making the arrest
There is no doubt of his innocence.
Rev. Berry Rollins, well known all
over Western North Carolina, was ar,
rested, bound over to later date, and
put to great trouble, expense and indig
! nifty before his final release.
Jonathan Whiteside, gray. haired
confederate, who left leg at Peters
burg, now lies in Raleigh Jail. charged
with Ku-Kluxing, etc. When the deaf
and dumb and blind are taken in the act
of midnight raidihg, Mr.. Whiteside and
his crutch ought to be indicted, but sure
ly not until then
| N. Thornc, Esq an aged and much
esteemed gentleman, was arrested fol
interposing to save the life Of his son
but this case has been published hereto
fore.
Fred. A. Shotwell was arrested an(
has been held for nearly three month.
on bare suspicion, it being next to ;
certainty that he knew nothing of th,
o-called Ku Klux organization previous
t. his incarceration.
These are said to be mere specimen
cases in list which embraces scores o
victims. An incident of the method o
handling prisoners is given as follows
"One bright, beautiful Sabbath morn
ing august 20th) Andrew Scoggin
deputy marshal, made his appearance a
! Rutherford jail, and notified seven pris
oners to be ready to move in ten min
utes. Now, most of these persons wer
many miles from home, and had beel
ldeluded by the belief that they wouIt
not be removed for weeks, and conse
tquently were without extra clothing
! money, etc, necessary to be comlorta
BILE at a distance from their friends. Blu
there could he no delay. In ten minute
Messrs. j. H. Sweeney, j. r. Padget
and John Cooley were taken forth ant
handcuffed together, three to chain
afterwards Messrs. r. A. Shotwell, I
! A. Shotwell and William G. Egertol
were treated in like manner The las
named gentleman suffered from the irol
cutting his flesh for several hours, unit
the shaclSles were enlarged, at the sug
gestion of a humane gentleman, a mem
ber of the Radical party. The prison
ers were then brought down, thrust int
covered wagons, surrounded by guar'
!, Of twenty or thirty deputies. armed witt
cavalry carbines, when finally the caval
cade moved off with Colonel L. Harris
j. B. Carpenter, and others of like no
toriety in front, and many negroes e.
fear. Inspiring spectacle for fire.
country and civilized community! II
appreciate it you must understand tha
these prisoners were gentlemen Of re
spectability, education and social stand
ing.