The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-01-03
The Ku KuX Trials-Prisoners Sen,
fenced.


After four weeks session the United
States Court in Columbia is still engaged
in the trial of the Ku Klux prisoners.
The jury returned verdict of guilty
against Thomas B.Whitesides and John.
w. Mitchell, under the first and third
counts of the indictment. The first
contained charge Of general conspira-
cy to hinder and prevent divers male
citizens, Of African descent, from the
free exercise of the right of voting, at an
election to be held on third Wednesday
in October, 1872. The third count
charges a special conspiracy against
Charles Leach, colorcd, to hinder and
prevent his voting at the same election.
a motion for new trial, ard in arrest
of judgment, was overruled.
Upon motion in arrest of judgment
in the case Of Rob't Hayes Mitchell, Mr.
Stanbcrry argued the unconstitutionality
of the Enforcement Acts from their in-
reference with the rights of the States
to control and protect clcctions-regard-
ing this the most vital issue which has
yet presented itself in the trials, and de-
sired division of the Court, in order
thatit might 60 to the Supreme Court
for decision. The motion was overrulcF
On Thursday sentence waspronounced
by Judge Bondu upon the following pris-
oners, who plead guilty in the first case
Mr.. Hart, counsel for Murphy and
Montgomery, and Mr. Wilson, for Chill
ders and Porter, submitting aflldavits for
their clients in extenuation of sentences.
The following are the sentences:
Sherod Childers, aged twenty-threc.
\ fine of one hundred dollars and eish
teen months Imprisonment.
William Montgomery, aged nineteen.
One hundred dollars fine and eighteen
months imprisonment
HeZekiah Porter, aged nineteen. One
hundred dollars fine and eighteen
months imprisonment. -
The foregoing were in the AMI Raj
ney raid.
Robert Hayes Mitchell. Ono hundred
dollars fine, and eighteen months inn
prisonment. ,...l,. 80 a.. -, ..,,,
Squire Samuel Brown was called, and
asked time to tell all his connection with
the Klan, and the court gave him until
morning to prepare h!s aflidavits.
John w. Mitchell, formerly a chief,
Fine one, thousand dollars, and five
years. imprisonment. r -, l1
DR.. Thomas B: Whitcsides. 0nehun-
drcd dollars fine, and twelve months
imprisonment. .a., ara
John S. Miller. Fine twcnty!dollars,
and three months imprisonment d"
Sylvanius Shcarcr, William Ghcarcr,
Hugh shcarcr, and James b. shearer,
all contained in the samc indictment
with Robert Hayes Mitchell, withdrew
thcirplca of not guilty, and entered the
plea of guilty, by confession in open
court, and were sentenced each to pay a
fine Of one hundred dollars, and be i'm
prisoncd eighteen months.
The following named appeared and
withdrew the plea of "not guilty." and
pleaded guilty to conspiracy: Henry
Marley, Milus Carroll, Eli Ross Stewart,
Josiah Martin, pleaded being on one
raid, the Same being contained in tue
indictment against Robert Hayes Mitch
ell, the raid being on Jim Williams
The clerk entered the plea of guilty
The court sentenced each topay a fine Of
800, and to eighteen months imprison'
mcnt. r.. ~ 20
The case of Samuel G. Drown was ncx1
taken up. Hc submitted al!ida7its, and
made statement of his connection with
the Klan, and how he came in possession
of the oath, constitution and bylaws o1
! the organization. The court spoke o
the prominent position he held in life, af:
! ter which sentence of 81 900 fine and five
years. Imprisonment, was pronounced
upon him.