Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-22
Letter from Washington
IRON OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 20, 1870.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 20, 1870.
AKUKLUX VICTIM.
l remember very distinctly the impression
made on my mind by the sight of man who
had been tarred and feathercd, not like Flood
Ireson, for his hard heart, but for the reverse.
My victim was an abolitionist, or rather a free
state man on his way to Kansas. The picture of
that man with the evidence of indignity upon
him, is vivid in my memory yet. Though this
was the first case, it was by no means the last
l witnessed. remember man showing me
where the border ruf1ian "ball and chain" CALLED
and cut his ankle. For many long months
bore the red mark left on my arms by rope
with which gang of Buford's men once bound
| your correspondent 1t is probably these and
similar experiences that give me so lively a
sense Of 1.-THE character of the cold south" and
the devish ingenuity of terrorizing its dcyotees
are capable of manifesting towards those who
differ with them.
Going this morning into the bureau of educa
ton, was introduced by Commissioner Eaton,
to gentlemanly appearing Young man, who,
with a weary look and a travel worn appear
ance, sat near the commissioners desk. My at
tention was aroused by Gen. Eaton saying that
Mr.. Farmer,-that was the name,-had just es-
capped the kuklux in Mississippi. Mr. Farmer is a
man Of, should think, twenty-seven or twenty
eight years, well formed, tall, with strong and
well moulded features He had q decidedly
"clean" and honest expression about the eyes.
l felt old memories stir and the hot blood beat
faster as the tale was told and the scars were
Eoto cd tori nc oho
Here is the outline of his story:
Mr.. Farmer is a New Yorker who, | believe,
served in the army. At any rate he was in
Memphis when the war closed. There he was a
clerk in the government offices and taught
school. He was quite active in organizing Sum
day schools for the colored people. About two
years ago he went to Mississippi and taught
school until driven out on Friday last. For
some months past he had been in charge of
district colored school, on the military road to
Aberdeen, about seven miles north Of Columbus.
In order to be as free as possible, he had cabin
close to the school house and lived there by him
self. The land and building were the properly
of colored farmer The location is but few
miles from the Alabama line. In accordance
with the discipline of the kuklux, all outrages
in that part of Mississippi in fact all along the
line, are believed and reported to be per-
formed by Alabamians. Contrarywise, all
the troubles on the border of alabama
are caused by Mississippians. It is
shown in the recent North Carolina reports,
that one camp of kuklux plans deed, and
distant camp execute it, as a rule. So the state
lines prove convenient shelters for these assas-
sins. A good many difficulties had occurred all
around him. Mr.. Farmer was unmolested. A
coiored man, James Hicks, received 500 lashes,
severely applied, for no crime but that Of being
an active republican. The week before the ont
rage on Mr.. Farmer, two northern men, Rey-
nolds and Seator, were put in Jail on a false
charge, discharged by jury, and after their re-
lease, seized by the kukluX and whipped, each
getting 500 lashes. They were democrats, but
had been in some business troubles; despoilcd,
as Mr.. Farmer believes, by the planters and
Others with whom they came in contact. There
is an architect, northern dough.face, to whom
they wrote note, asking him to call at hotel
and see them. He handed this note to the chief
police officer, with declaration that he believed
it concealed plot to rob. Not the slightest thing
was shown then or afterwards to justify the
suspicion. However, they were arrested, ex-
amined, discharged and then whipped. Other
minor outrages had occurred.
THE TEACHER AND THE REBEL KHAN.
On the night of the eighth, about one O'Clock,
Mfr. Farmer was aroused by colored boy, who
told him that "white men were coming" mean
ing the kuklux. They go disguised in a white
robe, something like an Episcopal priests sur
plce; their horses are also covered with white
robe. The face is concealed by mask with a
long beard. Our teacher dressed himself hur-
riedly. By the time he had finished, his cabin
was surrounded. In answer to a summons be
stepped to the door. There were about fifty of
the Internal masqueraders about bis dwelling,
and score of shot guns and reyolvers were
leyeled at his head.
The conversation that ensucd was about as
follows:
Your name is Farmer and you are a Garnet
Dagger. What are you doing here2"
Teaching public school,"
"A Niger school, eh?"
y am teaching school for coored children. /"
why don't you teach white children ana
leave the did niggers alone?"
They ought to be educated, so as 10 make
them good citizens, ought they not2" was the
Yankee-like response. This produced storm
Of abuse, which was pushed by the leader re-
Stunning the interrogatories.
"Who employs youY
The county superintendent of education"
"WhOse land is this"
"It belongs to a colored farmer"
"Where did you live before coming here?"
Mr.. Farmer named some place in the state
when he was rudely interrupted with cries Of