The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-28
ILLINOIS KU KLUK
A Western Rival for South Caro-
lima Outragas.
a Rebel County IN Egypt-Delightsnl State q
Society in Southern Illinois-Thirty Murdsas
In Twelve Years-A septuagenarian
Adulterer Hung by the Ku Klux.

DU QUoIN, Ill, April "a. 1874
This portion OF Illinois, known al aKrvrt - ha.
never been noted either for tho culture OF its aha
tants for the respect which they evlnced for tho
laws; in fact, the census or 1860 showed an alarm
ing degree OF ignorance prevailing among the ON
settlers, and, as was to be expected. they obsyed
the laws about the same as other uneducated preju
diced frOntiersmen did This Congressional district
then comprised sixteen counties, and was good fer
10000 democratic majority. The "hardest" county
was Williamson. Att he outbreak OF the rebellion
1t was
HEADQUARTERS FOR SOUTHERN SYMPATHHERS
In this STATE and there were recruited two compo-
mes Tor the Southern army. The commander Of the
nrst company was brother-inlaw OF ex-CongrceB-
man Ahen who subsequently became colonel In
the rebel army. During the first year OF the war
innumerable Outrages were committed upon Union
men, and at least twenty OF them were murdered
because OF their Union sentiments A son and two
sons-inlaw OF one OF the wealthest capitalists in
the county have each committed a murder OF tho
most wanton character and have gone ''unwhipt OF
Justice" This state Of affairs induced the federal
authorities to declare the county
UNDER MARTIAL LAW,
and troops were stationed in Marion, the county
seat, for the preservation OF the peace. This SOON
caused reaction to take place. Union men, no
longer under fear OF assassination, began to show
themselves, and soon two companies were raised
for the Union army and finally, 80 great was tho
change of sentiment that, under the call for troops
In 1868, q full regiment was enlisted In Williamson
county. But the old rebel element was still strong
In the community; and, relieved from the pressure
of their Union neighbOrs very many farmers openly
proclaimed their secession procivites and aided
and protected deserters and desporadoes who
sought refuge among them. In the northern part
of the county in the bend Of the Muddy River, near
Six Mile Prairie
was regularly formed, when several hundred men
congregated, built small fort cultivated lands,
ance. subsequently band OF guerillas was organ
lied here, who prowled through the country from
the Wabash to. the Mississippi river, numbering
and robbing. The captains OF this gang of outlaws
were leading politicians, one OF them being county
army. In this neighborhool lived q rich old farmer
named Isaac vanc, who gave count anance to many
OF these outrages and aided materially in Keeping
up the deserters' camp. He claimed to be the first
white child born in the county and had always led
a reckless life having lived over fifty years in
state OF adultery with one woman. In such COM
munity laws are little respected--indeed every
man is a claw unto himself" AMI, frequently
Judge Lynch's code Is the only one respected. Van
Gil finally became very unpopular, and threats were
made against his life but being about seyenty-fvo
years Old, he believed his age would shield him
nom harm. On Sunday, the 4th inst,
BAND OF KU KLUx,
Masked and dressed in long white robes, with
black DOrders ana displaying the Skull anu CrOS8-
bones, rode up to his house and delivered to him
an 0mn0us looking document ornamental with .
large Ku Kux SEAL This paper ordered him to
make restitution OF property In certain cases, to
cease cohabitlng with the widow Of hts nephew,
and to perform number ofOther acts under penalty
OF death. This notice gave the old man great
alarm, and he faithfully promised to perform every
thing required OF him. He complied with every
demand, so far as he could and, thinking that no
danger was to be apprehended, Saturday last
returned to his home which he had temporarily
vacated. About eleven O'Clock on Monday night,
after he had retired to bed, Mr.. vancil aroused
by knocking at his door. accompanied with the
order to "come l0gth" Upon opening the door he
was confronted by
TWELVE MASKED MEN,
disguised as before, who instantly seized him. and,
despite his cries and the ent'eatins OF his wife, to
whom he had been married but short time, with
out aro-dng him time to dress. hurried him OH
through the woods, distance OF three-quarters OF
a mile where they hung him to limb OF tree.
against making any noise or OF following the Kin
Klux; consequently they remained quiet until day
light when search was made, and the body OF Mr..
Vancil was founded susp anlel from tree. Life
had been extinct several hours when the body WAS
found.
Murder has become 80 common in williamson
county as hardly to be considered crime, at least
thirty hOmcides having taken plac, within the Last
twelve years. beautiful state Of society this to
exist in the great State OF illin0isl Vancil was
ssventy.fve years OF age, quite infirm, and was
worth about $4,000.