Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-03-31
Hlisecllam,y.
The Ku-Klux Rebellion.
A FEDERAL OFFICER ASSAULTED AND
WARNED"

Col. Higgins, an officer in the war for
the Union, and now revenue collector in
the 50 distric. Of Mississippi, was the
recipient Of Ku Klux attentions on the
night of the 9th instant. He lives at
Aberdeen, where he was some time since
refused admission to the Presbyterian
church, simply for being a union man.
On the night Of the raid. at about ~
o'clock, having been in bed some time,
he was awakened by the noise of horses
and confusion of voices. Hearing Mr..
Ross parleying, Higgins dressed himself
hastily and stepped to the windows
There he counted 100 men, disguised as
usual in long white robes reaching near
" to their feet, with their heads and
faces concealed by loose covering of
the same color and material, in the front
half of which were holes for the eyes and
mouth, surrounded with red rings. Their
horses were drawn up outside the yard
fence, and the house was completely sur.
rounded. 1t was evident that they were
we'll disciplined. The leaderwasa large
burly man. As was afterwards seen,
they we're all armed with 6-inch revolt
vers of one pattern, and apparently near
ly or quite new.
Mr.. Ross expostulated with the Khan
against interfering with his guest, and
declared tha. they should not take him
out of the house with his consent Col.
Higgins went to the window and asked
what was wanted. the Ku-Klux cap
tain replied that he must come down -
they wanted TO warn and say some other
things to him. Mr.. Ross told Higgins
that he could do as he pleased about GO
ing down. The Colonel then informed
the Klux that he should defend himself
there, and that if they only desired to
warn him it could be done where he was.
This they refused to do, as their warnings
were never giveh in presence Of women
and children.
The Colonel refused to go down. The
Captain then ordered Mr.. Ross to bring
him down or put light in the room,
under penalty Of having his house burn
ed. He refused. Mrs. Ross and the
children screamed and cried, but the BAN
ditti did not hesitate to bring material
with which to set the building on fire.
Col. Higgins then went to the window
and told the Khan that if they would all
leave the yard he would come to the
fence accompanied by Mr.. Ross, and they
agreed to this and left the yard. As
soon, however, as the officer went to the
fence. they re-entered, and surrounded
and disarmed him.
The captain then told him, in sub
stance, that he must promise to leave
the County and State within two days,
or they would kill him that they had
no special or personal objections to him,
but they did not intend that the taxes
should be collected. They were deter
mined that they would not pay taxes to
support id set of Radical Office
holders, and that they were determined
no laws should be enforced in that coun.
ty but such as they made themselves -
they we're against law any how" the
captain declared with a strange oath.
During the is minutes consumed in
the yard, Col. Higgins repeatedly de-
clined to give the promise they asked.
He has no doubt that if he had made the
promise no bodily injury would have
been inflicted on him. But be gave no
pledges there or afterward. His refusal
angered them excessively. They order
ed him to go with them but he refused
unless By force. Mr.. Ross pleaded with
the Khan to remember their promise. -
Mr.. Higgins than demanded that Ross
should 60 with them, to which the cap
tain consented. Up to this point no per-
sonal violence had been offered the Col
onel, in fact, they treated him quite civ
lily, the captain rebuking one of the
gang who swore at the prisoner by say
ing that he was always gentleman and
should be treated decently They told
him several times that they had no par
ticular objection to him only they had
determined the taxes should not be col.
lected.
After carrying him 200 yards or more
he was ordered to take his coat of. This
he refused to do, when it was torn rude.
ly from his back. He was then whipped
with thick leather strap more then an
inch wide, doubled, and about three feet
or more in length. Fifty lashes, severe.
ly applied, we're then given, each ten
lashes being laid on by fresh man. He
was again asked several times to prom.
Use to leave, but refused. This exasper
ated the Khan still more, and the Can
tain took the strap and without stopping
laid on % lashes, with all the force of :
powerful man, swearing with every blow
1t the obstinacy Of the Colonel. In al