Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-26
THE KU.KLUX.

Louisville, Ky, July Is. Nine men were
brought before United States Commissioner
Beatty to-day, charged with being concerned
in recent Ku-Klux outrages near Fitchburg,
Estill county, KY, in which one man was
killed and several wounded-all of the Ku-
Klux party.
Benny Vaughan, negro, testified to an
attack on his house, in which one of the Ku-
Klux was killed, and recognized one Of the
prisoners as engaged in it. Thomas, Paine,
one of the Ku-Klux party, turned States evil
dence. He said he belonged to Ku-Klux
gang and had joined to escape their perse.
cutions. He was with the party who attacked
Vaughan's house, and pointed out six Of the
prisoners whom he recognized in the party,
and mentioned the names of number of
others not present. He had been warned by
them to leave the State, his house had been
searched for him. He had joined the band to-
escape injury and learn all about them, 80
that he could inform on them, and get salts
faction for his wrongs. lie told Of several
bands of ku-klux in Estill county, organized
and under orders of their leaders. He re-
peated several instances of outrages by them
when he was forced to be present.
1t appears that the cause Of their organixa-
ton, which is known to exist only in the mid
die district in Estill and Powell counties, was
the entrance of an Ohio company into the dis
trict, who employed a large number of negro
employees, thus arOusing Jealousy and ILL.,
feeling among the whites in that vicinity.
Paine's evidence, if true, is most important,
as it is the first instance of . so-called Ku.
klux exposing his organization and compan-
ions.
1t is stated that Cockerill, a member Of the
Kentucky State Senate, is at the head Of the
organization. He was frequently referred to
by the members as their leader, and it seemed
to &C generally understood among them that
he was a prominent mover in their affairs.
The prisoners were held in 81 900 bail each
to answer at the October term of the Federal
Court.
Paine was Intercepted this evening, and
gave an account of the secrets of the Khan,
as follows:
first signfied my intention of joining the
band to Henry Adams, working in the same
drift with me. He took me to the middle of
the drift, and in presence of John Patricking,
after asking me to put my left hand on my
breast and hold up my right, he administered
the following oath:
You solemnly swear that you will not reveal
to which you now attach yourself; also, you
will aid and assist my brother in any dif3cul-
ty in which he may become involved; and
you will support the Democracy; and may
you suffer your body to be cut in four parts
and cast to the four quarters of the earth be-
fore you will reveal q sign or password of
this secret organization.
There was also something about negroes
in it. Adams also gave me signs and pass
dc 90
We raise the hat with our right hand, pull
the brim down over the right eye. The
answer is the same with the left hand. Both
then draw their left hands across. their
mouths. as if washing, and strike their
breasts with their right. The grip 10 made
by grasping hands in the usual manner, with
the thumb pressing slightly between the others
thumb and fore finger, giving one shake say
ing 81 am all right, how are your" He
answers, II am all right" 1 reply, Glow
may l know you are all right?" He answers,
''By word or letter" l ask (which do you
prefer?' He may call for either. If he asks
for a.letter tell him ''spell." He says 49,"
say IL" he says ga, say 'P," he says
"U," say ''P," he says, spelling out ''Slap
Up" which is the test word of the order. If
get into difficulty and am overpowered, and
desire to know if any brother is present /
lock my arms across my breast as if cold,
saying, 81 wish knew if any of St. Mary's
children were about" If any brother is
about he will come to my aid. If my OPP
ponent be member of the band he will inn
mediately desist. When travelling at night,
on meeting person., and desiring to know if
he is a brother, say ''halt," and give a loud
slap with my hand on my thigh. He answers
with two slaps. When it is desired by the
Captain to call meeting, he sends the mar
shall to inform each member. The place of
meeting is always in some dense woods. with
out fire or light of any kind.
No man must leave home for the place of
meeting before dark. When the meeting is
assembled and the roll called, the absentees
are sent for and compelled to come under
guard. No raid is ever made unless every
member of the band is along