Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-08-22
The ALBANY aSiiie-A prisoDei' 4
Story

There are new sixty-6ve political pris-
oners from the South in the penitentisry
near Albany, n Y, which is country
not State prison, and supports itself by
the labor Of the prisoners. In behalf OF
some Of these prisoners, as stated some
days ago, Hon. Gerritt Smith has ad-
vised pardon, it having been established
to his satisfaction that they are innocent
OF the charges against them. The Presi-
den. has taken the matter il considera-
ton, and has sent q special messenger,
Col. W hiteley; chief Of the secret service;
to make thorough investigation as to
call Of tie prisoners, and upon the report
of this officer, it is stated. he will base
bis action. Hez.kiaa Porter, one Vt the
un fortunates recommended for pardon Dy
Mr.. Smith, it seems, is now pas: the
need of executive clelnedcy, having died
on Friday.
An interviewer of the World follows
Gerritt Smith in his exploration of the
secrets Of these prisoners, and he con-
firms the experience Of Gerritt Smith
that many of these so-called Ku-Klux es
are guilt ess Of the crimes charged against
them, and have been sent there solely
on account Of their politics. When the
secret Union negro leagers Of the South
were first organized under northern pol
i'ical agents, southern men in some OF
tue States, naturally enough. went into
the opposite direction Of organizing Ku-
Klux leagues with like signs. oaths, &c,
but there srs prisoners in this bastils who
were not even 10 the Ku.Klux leagues.
pRIsoNzh's STORY.
Samuel G. Brown, Of York, York
county, s. c., was ono Of the persons
interviewed, and to him said:
"Tell me Jour case. how you came to
be hero, and what you havo to complain
ot."
"The grea test hardship Of which I
complain is being arrested for being a
Ku-Klux when I never belonged to the
order at ell. Ny family are left in a
very destitute condition.
"Wbat family have your
II have wife and three daughter
and two sons. My wife and daugh tors
have no one to look after them; and
there is my stock and farm all left to
ruin without attendance.
when WAS you arrested 7"
"T was arrested on the 10Th of Octo-
Der, 1871, and BY the advice Of my couu-
sci pleaded guilty, which was a very
foolish thing to do, although gentleman
here yasterday-Col. Whitelsy-told me
that he did not believe me when | said
was innocent. vet such is the fact. II
was on the Goth of December, 1871. that
my counsel pleaded guilty for me, and l
am sentenced to Eve years"
"Did you have any connection with the
khan =
II knew of the order and I attended
one meeting of the klan, and that was
the hold they had on me, and that was
tie reason plead guilty.
For what purpose did you attend the
meeting; did you intend to join the klap
$40, not at ell. I had double pur-
pose in going there: / wanted to save the
life Of young man who had in drunken
lie lot out some Of the secrets Of the
order, aud also to induce my SOD to re-
sign his position as chief OF the klanY"
'Did you succeed Z"
II did in both objects. My son resign,
ed, and I saved the young mans life"
"Thst was all the connection you had
with the khan.
'ThAt was all. I never belonged to
It; never approved Of it. / had two sous
both members Of il. bat never wm."
"Were your sens arrested :" :.
"No, they got Of; they left the State. !"
s'Whcre are they now p
II don t know where they are now.
I think they have lsiA the United Sta tes.
Since I have been imprisoned my family