The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-11-23
Letter from South Carolina.


SOLUMBih .. u NOV. 10, lNl
DEAR SIR:-When met you in Boston,
on my way South, promised to write re-
garding the ku-kux trials, which |
thought l should witness during my stay
here.
l found, however, on my arrival q few
days ago, that these trials would not com
mence for about two weeks, and as my
stay here is limited shall not be able to
attend them, very much to my disappoint-
ment.
| yesterday visited the Jail in this city,
where some sixty OF seventy of the Ku-
klux are confined. They are principally
of the poorer class Of country people and
resemble in dress and appearance the
confederate prisoners of the war All
whom [ talked with protested their inno-
cence OF any crime, and appeared conf
dent that their innocence would soon he
indicated.
In room apart from the others, were
four prisoners of more distinction, viz:
the Probate Judge, of Union County; q
Scotchman and his partner. quite intelli-
gent men, stcre-keepers in Union, and the
Scotchmans sor, a pleasing appearing
young man some nineteen Years of age.
The Probate Judge had one LEG ampu-
tated above the knee, hobbed about on
crutches, and had the appearance OF an
inoffensive man. They acknowledged
that there was 4 ku-Klux organization
hut contended it was merely vigilance
committee, and had for its object the pro
lection of the community against robbery
and murder, and to afford pecuniary as
sistance to poor and unfortunate members
of the former confederate army. They
stated freely that outrages had been com
mitted in many instances upon negroes.
and in some instances on white men in
their vicinity, by bad men for purposes of
revenge or gain, and it might be by men
who hal some connection with the society,
but these outrages had been committed by
individuals on their own responsibility,
and they should be amenable to the laws
for their offences in the proper manner,
and not by interference on the part of the
United States The State, they argued,
was controlled by the Republican party,
and it lay in the power of the Legislature
to provide for a change of venue in case
Justice could not be had in the County
where the offence was committed.
They of course protested their limo
cence Of any offence against the Ia WIS. and
felt no fear of conviction, if tried by an
impartial Jury. They had fear, however
that the Jury would be prejudiced
one | next proceeded to the office of
the United States Commissioner, before
whom number of Ku Klux We're to be
examined. They We're marched to the
Commissioners room in the State House
about half mile from the JAIL guarded
by q corporal and eight soldiers of the
18th [. s. Infantry They were charged
with conspiracy and murder, Their
names were J. Rice Rodgers, Sheriff of
Union County Charles .Jener, John Beyis,
Robert Hawkins, William Bently, Rich
ard Parr, Robert Grier, Edward Morgan,
Harrison Hawkins, and Isaac McCusick
Jr. A colorad man, called Major Palmer,
was the first witness for the government.
His testimony was as follows
81 was in iail when the first raid was made
on the iail in Union County | was confined in
me same 1 cen wlln 1osepn a s an!
the night OF the first raid. l saw the persons
who took him out; | saw Charles Jener in the
cell that night he came in with paper in his
hand; there Were two other men with him; he
said to Joe Nanderpool: Get up. God damn
you and walk out; .jener then took his pistol
and walked him OUT. They then went into an-
other cell; | heard them there calling the
names; | saw Nanderpool in Jail again the
next morning; he was wounded in the arm
Robert Grier was in the cell that night with
Jener; he STOOD behind lcner in the debtors
room; | see no others i'll this room that were
in the cell that night; Mr. Rice Rogers was the
TAILOR; saw him unlock the cell, and heard
him say "wat till the Sheriff goes down before
you go in"
I heard some conversation between Rice
Rodgers and some other men. They said to
Rodgers, we want them Jail KEYS. He sIii
can't give you the keys for am responsible
for the men in mil. They said we will take the
kevs and be responsible ourselves anl swear
We wont saw n word about it. few minutes
after they came up into the iail. there were i've
men taken from the iail that hight, two were
brought back next dav, one a tlay or two after.
was in iail 1t the time the second raid wis
made uDon if; this was about five weeks after
fine first raid | saw the pcrsons who came
into fine mil at ,his Time ! Saw Harrison
Hawkins. Robert Grier. William Brntly. John
Rpyis- Edward MORGAN. ISaac NcCuSicL, md
Richard Parr there have known these men
4 great while They had pistols and guns with
them. | saw great many other men about
there that night, They took some men ont of
the cell where was. and then went into other
rooms I heard them call other names. alter
which thew wont down. | Ii,Iu't Sen thnrl
AGAIN that NIGHT
Gross examined. There was 4 l,bf IN my
coli when thcv camt, in. rcc ooniar.I I'm fhos,4
Who have named. rs there thc mi niohf. !
saw Charles Jcncr the first NIGHT. He Ind =
rot,er face on. II covered his whole face. M
had nistol in his hand, had rown arounJ
him. + didn't see his hat: / RECOGNIZED him III
his voice, his feet, and the back of his neck
lie smoke n Great many times ! couldn't SEE
anvthin9 bIf the share of Ill facc. I b.lyr
oiways hnpu well acnnainted with him saw