The Portland daily press., 1871-01-17
A STRANGE TALE.-Samuel Hageett
swears to the truth Of the following state

A STRANGE TALE.-Samuel Haeoetl
swears to the truth. of the following state.
ment:
About seven weeks ago Col. Baker, on
the staff OF Gov. Scott of South Carolina. an.
peared in saloon known as the Chystal, stu
ated in the Bowery, between Broome and
Grand Streets. He inquired for men who
were willing to 60 to South Carolina, where
they were to be appointed Deputy State Con.
stables, and be employed at the Union gold
mines for the protection OF the negro miners
He wanted fifty men, he said, and showed
his authorization from Gov. Scott for procur-
ing them. Their transportation expenses
were to be paid, and after reaching their des-
tination they were to receive three dollars a
day and mileage. On these representations
Baker secured twenty-five men, among them
myself, and on the 22d of last November. he
started for South Carolina with his recruits
making the voyage on the steamer James Ad.
ger. We arrived at Columbia, November 20
and there were sworn in as deputy consta-
bles by Chief Constable Hubbard. We were
gwen commission badges and heavy Colt re-
volvers." Then follows a copy of the COM
mission, and the names of the TWENTY-FIVE re-
cruits, all of whom are wellknown characters
in this city. Haggett says the party was
commanded by Colonel Jim Kerrigan. On
arriving in Columbia, they were regarded by
the people as representative New York
roughs. They then learned that Governor
Scott and many of the members of the South
Carolina Legislature were afraid of assassina.
tion by the Ku-Klux. They dared hardly
leave Columbia. The Ku-Klux CONSTANTLY
watched their movements. They could moi
get the Ku Klux leaders in their grasp, though
they knew who they were and where they
were to be found. Senator Crews, who lived
in Laurens, was afraid TO 90 home without a
strong guard. While the party were at Roses
Hotel, in Columbia, a State Senator, accom-.
panied by another official, had several conver.
sations with John Barrett, John Corcoran
John O'Bren and Haggett, offering them
$4,000 and State protection it they would
60 to the house of Mr.. Todd in Laurens, and
attack aud kill the supposed leaders OF the
Ku-Kiux harbored there. They were said to
be men named Todd, Clure and McCurley.-
They were told that feet hcrses would be
provided for their escape, and that they might
have $4,000 which they would find in a safe
in Todds house. Meantime the remainder of
the party were to attack David Gest, Jasper
Gibbs, ex sheriff Smith, j. Rice Rogers, a
men named Sumner, and Henry West, all
supposed leaders of the Ku.Klax, who lived
In Union, twenty miles from Columbia. Ten
thousand dollars were to be paid for each one
OF the men who were killed. 1t was under
stood THAT Governor Scott authorized the
proposition. The party say they assented,
without any intention of attacking the Ku-
Klux. Haggett says: "We accordingly start
ed for Union by rail, were there armed with
Winchester repeating rifles. and then journey
ed by wagon to the Union GOLD mines, which
are some seventeen miles distant from Union
proper On the way we were Joined by fif-
teen United States reeuIars. nnder T,iant
FauI. On reaching the mines which the Ku-
abont VS. for tho neoro ~ %;nsrs we lookea
to protect, but not solitary black or white
was to be seen in the neipbborhood. Under