The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-10-14

How 4 > poAAsSRe oopyl.he 81.
lowing article from The Raleigh .sen.tnesii
to show how the so.called Ku Klux trials
were carried on in the Old North State,
and what may be expected here:a -r
LEAVING IN Decentralization Soopeine.
the Ku Klnx Commissioner OF the ssbest
Government the world ever saw" who
has been 80 active in arresting men after
initiating them into the Ku Klux Klan.
was seen, after he left this city, crossing
into South Carolina. with loaded wa.
gon, at Nicholson's Ferry, at tie mouth
Of Sandy Run. Nathan has gray or
gander eyes, is five feet eight inches
high, and weighs 14316 pounds, avoir-
dupois. He had with him about 5000.
paid by the Government for detective
service. He is wanted here as a witness
to prove he initiated men into tho Ku
Klux Klan, telling them the purpose
was to support the Government and
maintain the peace and order of society.
RALEIGH, September 2S, 1871.
MEssRs. EDrToRs: Thursday night,
about 10 O'Clock. I was acquitted under
an indictment which chnrged me with
Ku Kluxing Aaron Biggerstaff The
persecution and oppression of an humble
man, like myself, is of little moment to
the public; but propose to give the
facts connected with it, if you will pub.
lish them. I never belonged to any
secret society, save that of the Free
Masons. was never member Of the
Ku Klux, White Brotherhood, or any
thing of the kind. This is my first, and
l hope my last appearance in court.
In April last 1 was arrested while
plowing in my field, upon wnrrnn.
issued upon the onth OF Mary Ann Nor
vile, whose true name is Ramsay, Il
daughter Of Aaron Biggerstaff I was
bound over to appear at Rntherfordton,
before Judge Logan, when it was known
the Judge would be absent, holding
court. attended and the clerk of the
court bound me over. to appear before
Judge Logan on tue 10Th of July. I
was then arrested by detective Bosller
and squad of United States soldiers
and brought to Raleigh and lodged in
Jail. l could have given bail at home,
but WINS not allowed to. When |
reached this citys Judge Bond required
$4,000 bail. l offered d bond, signed
by the best and wealthiest men Of
Cleaveland County. This Judge Bond
l.
week for want Of bail. Bringing mo
300 miles from home, and requiring mo
to give bail among strangers, was an net
of oppression not prnoticed by nny other
government on earth.
The night Biggerstaff wns whipped. I
was on a visit with my wife and family TO
my brother-in.law, William O. Depriest
Depriest aud his son were arrested for
Ku Kiuxing Biggerstaff. Until they
found out that was summoned as wit
ness to prove them ut home, I WAS not
arrested or charged by the Biggerstaff's
with Ku Kluxing. 1 am sure [ was ar.
rested to deprive Depriest and his son of
my evidence. William Depriest and his
son are now convicted of Ku Kluxing
Biggerstaf when I could huve proven
them at home, for while Biggerstaff was
being whipped, stood on the porch
with the Depriests and my wife listening
to the noise, which was some mile or
more distant. There Was not particle
of evidence to convict me of Ku Kluxing
Blggerstaff, or any other person, and
now that my blood is up defy the pro-
secntors to produce any. The worst of
this whole matter is. have no redress
1t IS Tho court and the officers of the
court who are turned into political per-
secutors. If bad been Republican I
would never have been indicted Those
who have wronged me are not worth
suing, or would seek redress in that
way. Mine has been political persecn-
tion and prosecution. have reason to
believe there are men convicted who are
as innocent as [ am, and there nre men
now III Jail for trial who are also inno-
cent. will close, for you may think
have made this too long, though I have
not told half. Respectfully yours.
j. w. CARLTON.
The seaboard town of Durien, Ga.
under negro rule, appenrs to have be
come the theatre OF unchecked rnffian-
ISM. Tho Seaport Appe,A reports TINT Al
lew days since au English sailor, named
Sweet, WIS knocked down and robbed of
all his money, some $40. by gang Of
negroes, who were allowed to escape l,y