Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-03-10


A number of other witness wore called
but their testimony was unimrortant.
THIRTY FIRST DAY.
SENATE CHAMBER, March 7. 1871.
Court met. Hon. Chief Justice Pearson
in the chair.
Roll called. and forty two Senators pre-
sent.
William j. Clarke, witness for the re-
spOndent, sworn and testified.
Questioned by Mr.. Smith
AS Colonel OF the 1st regiment of State
troops, | had my headquarters in IA room
i'll this capitol. On one occasion William
Patten came TO my Office and expressed "a
desire to make a confession relative to his
connection with the Ku Klux. He did not
come under guard. L did not have on any
uniform, nor WAS thero any guard about
my office except my Orderly. [ conrersed
with Patten-commenced by say 1g there
was a bad state of things in Alamance, and
the Governor desired it should be broken
up. That the Governor desired me to DO
all in my power to put stop to this order
of things. I impressed upon him his duty
to make full confession. He did not do
SO then indeed, L dismissed him without
taking it, telling him to come the next
day. The next day he came back no one
with him, or in the room, unless it was his
friend, Mr.. W. A. Albright. l again dis
missed him, wishing him to feel that L was
not anxious that he shoald confess. The
third dcy he came, and took down pro
ciscly what he ggegted-asked him no
questions-just let him relate tho whole
matter in his own way. I read over every
sentence to him, and he expressed salts
faction with its correctness. 7 think If
there was ever n confession freely and vol
UNFAIRLY made, it was TINT one. L regard
cd Patten a. half wiIted. About two llays
after the confession hc came t. rao ana
said he wanted to tell me about Bcrgen'R
hanging him up. Ito said tlInt Enfgen
took him ont, put rope around his nock,
threw it over limb, and pulled linn up q
little, took him down and he tainted on his
way to camp. Also tied him out all night
l communicated this to the Governor, bu.
dOn'trccOllect his remark. ] don't know
who first communicated !hc news of Ber-
gems conduct to the Governor. I rccoIIcct
on one occasion that tho Governor and
myself were walking down Fayetteville
street. and met Mr.. Joe Holden, who re
marked, 4" Have you heard the news from
Alamance ?" The Governor replied no.
MIR. Joe Holden then stated that 1T was re-
ported that Bergen had hanged some pria-
Oners until they wore quito dead and I'll
be Id If this tortdring Of prisoners
mustn't stop" The Governor said Ger
tainly ! do you suppose [ conld counter
ancc such n thing ! ! remarked, " Oh
certainly not" We thon walked on, talk
ing, the Governor expressing his iaan-
Drnbation of all such outragea.
[ recOIlect being in tho executive ol.ira
on one occasion. when several Other gen
tiemen were present, we discussed as H.
the proper fOrco to use, the Governor stat
ing that no had previously callod into use
q detachment of militia, and they condnct
cd themselves so badly, that ho did not
want any moro such.
This was objected to.
On the 18th Of June, was III tho cxecu-
tive office, when General Abbott, Adiutant
General Fisher, Col. w. Il. Henderson.
and General Willie ID. Jones were present.
L told him that military force well dieci-
pinned and well kept in hand, was the very
thing to put down these Outrages in Ala
nance. Ny opinion was cOncurred in by
all present. The outrages were discussed
q little It was purely military meeting.
The Governor said he regretted the ncccs-
51ty for such course, but he felt compelled
10 resort to it. [ suggested this character
Of troops, because L have perfect con
Tempt for militia as commonly organized,
and l. did not want to be identified as IL
common militia colonel. [ suggested that
they DO organized as United States troops.
regularly sworn in.
Cross examination.
by Mr.. Graham.
At that meeting not one word was said
about Kirk, Bergen, or tho Tenncsseeans.
expected to have entire control OF the
military. [ considered the militia rs a5I
mob, and urged The employ
nent of special troops. / did not say Que
word us TO the legality of such an organi-
1atiOn, was not asked for legal opinion,
md did not VOluntppr OF, D1irIn,, ,,TC,, If
question. After L had been in Washington
md procured an outfit for my regiment,
heard OF kirk as Il member of this troop.
Had have known that Kirk would he en-
)lOyed / would not have accepted the com
mission. The news of tho outragcs by
Bergen was communicated TO tire Govern
II before election, sometime. Patten was
lot before mo rs prisoner, though he
vas under military surveillance / exam
ned hun at tho request of the Governor.
lie seemed to be nervous when be first
came before me, and l refused to take his
evidence while in that condition. L heard
lim told if he would make q confession
he might go home-indeed ] told him 50
myself. The paper 1 wrote for him con
aimed nothing about tho hanging. ]
1ut down what he said, without making q
singlo suggestion to him. 1 had heard the
tory OF his being hanged, bus Eaid nothing
10 him as to what L should put down i'll
lis confession. I don't know that while
aero he vas under guard or locked up, or
hat the correspondent OF the New IorI.
Herald called to see him and was refused
1y guard. put an officer OF my regi-
nent to watch him, but don't think he
Patten) knew anything about it. The
irst interview with the Governor, all
present were strong republican politician,
second time, found Senator Pool there
alkiDg with the Governor The first time
was rendered the colonelcy declined
t, not knowing that wound L had re-
,eived in previous war would justify my
acceptance of the commission and to again
enter military life; but I was to answer
he next day. The next day / went t.
he executive oflice-thcrc found Senator
Pool, and consented TO accept the com
grid on my sword for tho
bird time, at the call of my native
'tate-.)
Mr.. Albert johnson, Superintendent
O. Il r. tpatife1 tO tho rhippir,r Of