Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-08-04
A Ku-Klux Expose.

LOUISVILLE, KY, July 81.
Nine men were brought before
United States Commissioner Beatty
to-day, charged with being concern.
ed in the recent Ku.Klux outrages
near Fitchburg, E>tell County, in which
one man was killed and several wounded.
Bony Vaughn testified to the attack on his
house. One Thomas Payne gave States
evidence. He said he belonged to the
Ku-Klux gang, and had joined them to es
cape persecution. He was with them in
the attack on Vaughn's house, and pointed
out six prisoners he recognized in the
party, mentioning the names of others not
present He had been warned to leave by
them, and had been hunted and persecuted,
and joined the band in order to escape in
jury and learn all about them, so that he
could inform on them and get satisfaction
for his wrongs. He told of several bands in
Estell County, organized and under orders
of their leaders, and repeated several in
stances of outrages by them, where he was
forced to be present under threats.
II is stated that State Senator Cockerill
is at the bottom. He was frequently spoken
of By the members as their leader
Payne was interviewed this evening by
a reporter of the C0urier-,J0urndl, to whom
he gave the following account of the Sc
Crets of the ku-KluX Klan first signi-
fed my intention of joining the band to
Henry Adams, working in the same drift
with me, about the 18th of May. Henry
then took me to the middle of the drift
and in the presence of John Patrick, bav
ing me put my left hand on my heart, and
hold up my right, administered the follow
OATH TO which | assented: You do sol
emnly swear you will not reveal a sign or
password of this secret organization to
which you now attach yourself. Also, you
will aid and assist any brother in any off
| ficulty in which he may become involved /;
and you will support the Democracy; and
NAV you suffer your body to be cut in four
parts and cast into the four quarters of the
earth before you will reveal u sign or pass
word belonging to this secret organiza-
ton do not know the oath by heart,
but the above is about it. There is also
something about the negro in it. Adams
also gave the signs and passwords. To
recognize brother at distance we raise
our hat with the right hand, and pull the
brim down over the right eye. The an-
swer is with the same hand. Both then
draw the left hand across the mouth, as il
wiping it, and stroke the breast with the
right. The grip is made by grasping
hands in the usual manner, with the thumb
pushing tightly between the other thumb
and fore. finger, and giving only one shake,
saying: / am all right how are youy
He answers: I am all right l reply;
How may know you are all rightY He
answers By word or by letter | ask
Which do you preferY He may call fol
either. If he askes for a letter tell him
to spell He says 81 say L. He says
"A say 'P.' He says 'U.' say 'P.' all
spelling out slap up, which is the test word
of the order. If want any further proof
say sick when he answers, well If
still require further proof say "a vigilia.
If he is all right he replies 'eternally.' A
still further test would be for me TO ash
what is most like cedar?' when he would
answer "a dead rebel would ask why
and he would answer because it nevel
dies If get into difficulty and see an
overpoweTed and dt sire to know if any
brother was present, lock arms across 10y
breast as If cold, and say, Il visit l knew
if any of St. MaTy's children were about.
If any brother is about he will immediate
ly come to my aid, and If my opponent b,
a member of the band he will Immediately
desist and We become friends. Whel
travelling at night on meeting a persOl
and desiring TO know if he is brother,
say Hail and give loud slap With m!
hand on my thigh. He answers. with TIVE
slaps. When tits desired by captain Il
call meeting, he sends a marshal to mott
fy each member. The place of meeting
is usually in some dense wood, withou
fire or light of any kind. No man mus
leave his home for place of meeting befor
dark. When the meeting is assemblies
the roll is called aud absentees sent 70
and compelled to come under guard. N
raid is ever made unless every member O
the gang is along"