New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-06-01
Fight with the Ku-klux In
POntOtOc Town.
From the ponto,oc Miss Equal Rights

From the Pontotoc Miss Equal Rights
On last Friday night, or rather Saturday
morning, between twelve and one o clock, the
writer was awoke by his name being called
and a knocking at his front door. 1t proved
to be two of his friends, who informed him thai
| there were between twenty five and thirty ku
klux in town, that few gentlemen had col
| iected and intended to demand their surren
| der, and requested the writer to get up and GO
with them, which was Immediately complied
with. As We approached where the other gen.
tiemen were standing, we heard about one hun
dred aud fifty yards of on a back street the
horn and singular and indescrible sound made
by the Khan, who were then coming in our
direction.
1t was proposed, and agreed to, that Chan.
cellor Pollard should demand their surrender.
He handed his gun to one of the party, and
advancing toward them, commanding that they
should surrender. A pistol was discharged by
one OF the Khan, which fire was Immediately
returned by our party, when the Ku-klux
turned and commenced a rapid retreat. They
were headed off at a cross street when they
again fired. and were fred upon, this time one
OF them was endorsed He was found lying
upon his back in street on which is the
courthouse square, apparently dead. After
removing his black mask it was discovered
he was not dead, and gave his name as Rich
ard billiard. He was white man living about
eight miles from this place. A physician was
sent for, who recommended his removal to
some place where his wounds could be ex-
amined and he was taken to room on the
lower floor Of the Jail.
His disguise was taken off. 1t consisted of
blouse and pantaloons of some kind of thin
black cloth. The pantaloons having a stripe
of white about one inch broad running down
all the way on each side, under these was his
ordinary clothing. His hat was made of some
white substance, high and round. After re-
moving the rest of his clothing it was found
that his shirt along the back was completely
saturated with blood caused by six buck OF
wounds, one In the back of the neck near the
shoulders one in the hip, and four in the
side. lie positively declined giving the names
OF any OF the Khan, said there were thirty in
town, and that he fell where he was shot. He
lived two or three hours, when death took
place. The proceedings of the inquest will be
found in this paper.
We cannot commend too highly the chival-
rous conduct of Judge Pollard and the rest of
the gentlemen engaged, eight of whom in open
fight and without shelter defeated thirty Ku-
klux. Five horses and mules were captured
three of them wounded. A pistol was found,
spurs, saddle, and two pair of saddle, bags,
containing four everyday hats, besides some
fifteen suits of DISCUSSES, hats, masks, &C.,
thrown away along their line of retreat for
miles. From the number of horses without
riders which portion of the Khan was seen
leading two or three miles from town, it is
reasonably supposed that several others were
killed and wounded.
Judge Pollard, with zeal deserving of hon.
orable consideration, assisted by Mr. Todd and
Mr.. Jesse Bell deputy sheriffs, aud others, are
taking such steps as will insure the arrest Of
Of AL a.
has been already arrested. The people of Pom
tOtoc town have exhibited the highest regard
for the maintenance of law and order but there
is a large and thickly settled portion OF the
county which is lawless and must be brought
to obedience Of the law. We stated that Ku-
Klux were here, that they were white men and
not Republicans. We have informed the
President Of the fact of such an organization
existing here. Many suppose there will be
trouble, the town burnt, &c. We must confess
we not among those who think so. But we
again assert that we cannot successfully pro-
coed in prosecutions unless witnesses are pro
tected and guaranteed protection after test
flying.
We have not looked for any protection from
Gov. Alcorn. We sincerely believe that his
course has encouraged the lawless spirit now
rampant. For ourselves We will not trust him
his threat of striking US down is too recent
to be forgotten. We have received and ex-
pect nothing but prosecution from him. And
the Government would do more towards re-
storing order and peace in this State by sus
pending him. than can be done with ton thou
sand men in six months. We stated to the
President We were in danger. The Khan in
quired for our residence, aud had started for it
when they were intercepted. The dying man
said they had come after u.s. The horses were
also disguised in white cloth, reaching down
to their knees the neck, ears, and head were
also covered some in Enthusiastically arranged
head-gear.