Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-07-22
KU-kLUx.
Kentucky Radicals Manufacturing EvIdenee
for their Friends In Washington.


LOUISVILLE, July 21.-Nine men
were brought to-day before United
States Commissioner Cealty, charged
with being concerned in the recent
Ku-Klux outrages near Fftchburg,
Estill county, In which one man
was killed and several wounded, all
of the Ku-Klux party.
BOny Vaughn, one Of the negroes
ku-kluxed, testified to the attack on
his home.
After this, Tomas Payne gave
States evidence. He said he belonged
| to the Ku-KluX 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, whom he recognized
among the party, mentioning the
names of a number Of others not pres
ent. He had been warned by them
| to leave, had been hunted and his
| house searched for him, and had
! Joined the band in order to escape in
| Jury. He had learned all about them,
and so could inform on them, and get
satisfaction for his wrongs. He told Of
several bands in EstiH county,
organized and under orders of
their leaders, and repeated several in
stances of Outrages committed by
them, when he was forced to be pres
ent under threats.
It appears the moving cause of these
organizations, which are local and
known to exist only in the mining
districts of EstilI and Powell cOun-
fioy vrvoS tho avfronoo ~ on Ohio nopo-
pany into the district, who employed
large number Of negro hands, thus
srousing jealousy and i'll feeling among
the whites Of that vicinity.
Payne's evidence, If true, is most
important, as it is the first instance Of
a so-called Ku-KIux exposing his
organization and companions.
1t is stated that Mr.. CockerilI, mem
Der of the Kentucky State Senate, is
at the bottom of the E5liu county Or
ganiZation. He was frequently re-
ferred to by members as leader, and
seemed to be generally understood
among them. He was one of the
prominent movers in their affairs.
The prisoners were held in $1,000 bail
to answer at the October term of the
Federal Court.
Payne was interviewed this even
ing by the reporter of the Courier
Journal, to whom he gave the follow
ing account Of
SECRETS OF KU-KLUX KLAN.
1 Rrst signified my intention of join
ing the band to Henry Adams, work
ing 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, having
me put my left hand On my heart and
held up my right, administered the
following oath, to which l assented:
"You do sOlemnly swear that you
will not reveal a sign or password of
this secret organization, to which you
now attach yourself; also that
you viii aid and assist any
brother in any difficulty 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 into four quarters
of the earth before you will reveal the
sign or password belonging to this Sc
cret organization" l do not know
the oath by heart, but the above is
about 1t. There is also something
about negro in it. Adams also gave
the signs and passwords to recognize
a brother at q distance. We raise 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
stroke the breast with the
right. The grip is made by
grasping hands in the usual man
ner, pressing tightly between the
others thumb and tOrefnger and CIV
ing only one stroke saying, "I am all |
right, how are yOu?' He answers, /
81 am all right" reply, chow may
l know that you are all right ?" He
answers, "by word or by letter." l |
answer, (which do YOU prefer?'' he
may call for either. If he asks for let |
ter tell him to spell; he says IS" I /
say 81" he says "a :" l say "P,n he
says so, )" say 'P," all spelling out
'Slap up" which is the test word of
the order. If want any further proof |
1 say ''Sick, }" when he answers ''Bell.' y /
II still require further proof l say
g A vigilia," If he is all right he re-
replies" "Eternally." A still further test |
WOulu Dc W dshy Wuhl NB nOSL ike |
cedar?" He would answer, "a dead
rebel" would ask, "Why?" He to |
answer, Because it never dies" III
get into difficulty and see am over
powered, and desire to know if any
brother is present, l lock my arms |
across my breast as if cold, and say:
81 wish knew if any of st. Mary's |
children were about" If any brother |
is about, he will Immediately come to |
my aid, and if my opponent be a |
member of the band, he will imme.
diately desist, and we become friends. |
When travelling at night, on meeting |
a person, to ascertain if he is brother, |
L say, shalt" and give loud slap |
with my hand on my thigh. He an
swers with two slaps.
When it is desired by the Captain |
to call meeting, he sends marshal /
to notify each member. The place of /
meeting is always in some dense wood,
without fire or light of any kind. |
No man must leave his house for the
place of meeting before dark. When |
q meeting is assembled the roll is
called and absentees sent for and
compelled to come under a guard. |
No raid is ever made unless every /
member of the band is along.