Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-07-27
'AKuhIux Trial In Louisville.

AKuflux Trial In Louisville.
LOUISVILLE, July-21-Nine meI
were brought before United States Com
missioner Beatty to-day, charged with be
ing concerned IN the recent Kuklux out
RACES near Feltburg. Estill County, n
which one man was killed and severn
wounded. all of the Kuklux party.
Bony Vaughn, one of the negroes Ku
kluxed- testified to the attack ON his home
in which Thomas Payne gave State.
evidence. He said he belonged to the
Kukluk gang ; had joined them to escape
their prosecutions; was with them in the
attack on Vaughn's house, and pointed
out six of the prisoners he recognized in
the party, mentioning the names of a mum.
Der of others not present. He had been
warned to leave by them, and was hunted
and his house searched for him, and Joined
the band In order to escape injury and
learn all about them, so he could inform
on them and get satisfaction for mis- wrongs.
He told of several of the band in Estilll
County, organized and under orders OF
their leaders, and repeated several instan-
ces of outrages by them when he was
forced to be present under threats. Ii
appears that the moving cause of these
organisations, which are local and known
to exist only in the mining districts of
Estill and Powell Counties was the en-
trance of an Ohio company into the district,
who employed a large number of negro
hands, thus arousing jealousy and illfeel-
ing among the whites of that vicinity.
Payne's evidence, if true. is more impor-
tant. as it is the first instance of a so-called
Kuklux exposing his organization and
companions.
The prisoners were held in 81, 900 bail
to answer at the October term Of the Fed
eral Court.
Payne was interviewed this evening by
the reporter of the Courier Journal to
whom he gave the following account ofthe
Kuklux Khan Il first signi6ed my intention
of joining the bands to Henry Adams who
was working in the same drift with me,
about the 18th of May. Harry then took
me to the middle of the drift in the pre-
sence of John Patrick, having me put my
left hand on my heart and hold up my
right, administered the following oath, to
which / assented You do solemnly
swear you will not reveal a sign or pass
word of this secret organization, to which
you now attach yourself; also, you will
aid and assist any brother in any difficulty
in which be may become involved, and
you viii support the Democracy. and may
you suffer your body be cut into four parts
and cast into the four quarters of the earth
before you Will reveal a sign or password
belonging to this secret organization" [
do not know the oath by heart, but the
above is about its substance. There is
also something about negro in it. Adams
also gives signs aud passwords to recog-
nize a brother at a distance. Weraise our
hat with the right hand and pull the brim
down over the right eye. The answer is
the same with the left hand. Both then
draw the left hand across the mouth as if
wiping it. and strike the breast with the
right The grip is made by grasping the
hands in the usual manner, with the thumb
pressing tightly between the other thumb
and fore-6nger, and giving only one shake,
Il I'm all right, how are you?"
He answers, Il am all right" l then
.how may l know you are all right?'
answers by word or letter? / ask,
which do you prefer? He may call for
If he asks for a letter / tell him
to spell. He says S. / say L. He says
Ho. 1 say P. He says u. 1 say p. All
out "'Slopup,' which is the least
word of the Order. If 1 want further
proof l say, Sick" when be answers,
''Bell' IF 1 still require further proof
say, "Avigilia." If he is all right be
Externally" A still further test
would be for me to ask "What is most
ike cedar?" He would answer, ga dead
1 would ask, Why? He to
Because it never dies" If 1
get into a difficulty and am oyerpowered
md desired to know If any brother was
/ lock arm across the breast as if
and say, Il wish ] knew if any of
st. Mary's children were about?" If any
is about, he. will Immediately
to my aid, and if my opponent is a
member of the band he will Immediately
and we become friends. When
travelling at night, on meeting a person and
to know IL be is a brother. I say.
Halt ]" and give loud slap with my
land on my thigh. He W with two
laps. When it is desired by the Captain
o call a meeting. he sends a Marshal to
each member. The place of meet
ng is always in some dense wood, without
ire or light of any kind. No man must
cave his home for the place of meeting
,efore dark. When the meeting is assem-
lied, the roll Is called and absentees sent
or and compelled to come under guard.
70 raid is made unless every member of
he band is along.