New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-07-26
ARKANSAS TROUBLES.
THE POPE COUNTY MURDERs-PRocEEDiN''
AGAINST AN EDITOR.

says; .,onoa on
The Circuit Court, Judge May presiding cep sher in
pro tenn Twenty -four of the number VINO Me we're
with the murder of tine shsp Williams the rnrleader
the criminals, was selected as en1l auonied were
four relatives of the defendants.
The Transcript also says: -.
The reason why Judge May postponed holding court
though dsbanded militia by GOV Hadey nave since
been well armed with improved m1SkeIsi i Svnari5
tendent and Williams, Deputy Sheriff, claim that they
have the right to 80 on the bond OF the PrsUdeTs anu
allowing them to run at large sense on III t ~
prevails in consequence We are informed tha1 mus VI
The best citizens OF Pope County have left the county
aud that the friends Of the murdered men VIII not APP
pear to testify IN the case
Yesterday order issued for the arrest OF capt
Barry editor of The Transcript for contempt OF court III
publishing the above He ordered TO report at Rus
sevie in the adjoining county, at the regular term Oh
the court next week Persons at Dardanele say that
Barry shall not report as ordered fears being enter
tanned that he Will be killed. Warrants have also been
issued for the arrest OF 40 citizens OF Dardanee,
charged with an attempt to assassDate Depuy-sherln
Williams and with treason against the State. The most
intense excitement prevails, and many OF the best el-
zens have left the county.
KU-KLUX HOAX.
To the EdftOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: Permit former resident OF one OF the
Northern States TO present few facts 10 Northern
people in gard to the condition Of political affairs III
this part of Arkansas Quite recently there has been
K-Kux panic In this county, and the result mas Deeh
that at the very time when labor most needed in
the cotton and fields the negroes were frightened
from their work. For few weeks IL seemed as these
important crops would be lost Good men and old
settlers were satisfied that there was no occasion Tor
such an alarm and declared but the adherents OF
Grant and Hadley (the Governor were equally loud in
their aflirmauons Of the existence of Ku-Klux. To
oarrv tlpir iufamOus
proclamation, declaring that affairs were in such
condition that the public peace was threatened and
giving warning that unless the lawess bands dispersed
he woud cali ont the militia and exhaust every means in
his power 10 subdue them. All this time he knew there
was not an outlaw in Woodruff County any man that
he or any of his deputies could lot arrest sngehanded
would send you one Of these famous "blood and
thunder" procamatiOns, but their scheme proving
aDortye they have taken good care to destroy every
one Of them.
While the Sheriff having this proclamation printed
and circulated other anxious for trouble went to
Little Rock solicit TO be put In the hands OF the
colored militia. While this going on, letter after
letter came in from different parts of the county, rela
ing the horrible doings Of the KuKlux One Justice Of
Peace appontee came to the city and reported
that on the Sunday night previous negro meeting had
broken up by the Kuhlux, and that he and three
other good and loyal citizens had been compelled to
leave their homes and sleep in the woods Rumor after
ing that some 20 of oldest and best citizens called
upon the she and rendered their services to 20 with
him to the reported infected district and ferret the mat
ter out and If there proofs OF the presence OF K-
Kux in the ncghborhOOd TO hunt them down and bring
them TO justice kill them. This party made up of
Democrats, ex-Rcbels. aud Republicans They spent
two days in the search during which time they
ined number Of persons white and black but failed TO
find q single KuKluX or the shadow OF one. And
now let me tell you how and why this Ku-Kux story
was started IL Woodruff County there are only two
officers who were elected by the people First there is
the Circuit Judge, former resident Of Chicago, who is
holding his position by appointment OF the Gov
ernor; the Circuit Attorney, Of Wisconsin, also an
appointee Of the Governor; County Judge, sal
airy $500 per year, of Indiana; City Justice,
Of the Peace, Pennsyyapan; County Attorney of In
dana County Assessor and Registrar Of voters former
barber and steamboat porter OF doubtful honesty later
volunteer scout in the Rebel army, and an aspi
rant for Congress hOnOrs on the Grant Clayton
uadey ticket AL these appointees Of the Governor.
OF all the officers In the County OF Woodruff only two
the County Clerk and Sherh-were elected by the votes
OF the people. Under this of affairs and general
Of COTruufOu and sWindliuQ the
think and inquire, and the result general protest
against such nalues. These appontees of a corrupt
state Administration began to that power to be
taken from them by the votes OF the people, and they
of their Union Leagues In disguise that broke up the
negro meeting spoken of above 1t the leader OF
that League thar STOOD by the coored preacher
gave the signal that the KnKlux were coming II
was leader of the League who came TO the
tho Peace above referred 10 and made oath
the breaking mp Of the negro meeting, and had the
document transmitted TO the Governor. At Deview a
plan arranged by which part of the Union League
that place and this has been sworn to- dis
guise themselves ana take certain position; another
portion IN ignorance of the presence OF the disguised
party TO pass along aud be fired upon. One two
men were TO DC Killed even OF ther Own party and the
man who WAS designated TO do the killing can be named
M S1t N 6 &c 9T n1e 70 5 duh
to their own liking or declaring the state OF affairs
sng here such as TO prevent the holding OF election
Some months ago the Central Committee OF this county
had meeting. That Committee is made up OF the |
County Attorney, County Judge, and or two others
all in place by appointment. In that meeting the !
vassed and it agreed that with peaceable quiet
election, the county woud go against them. 1t
agreed that the best men to be sacrificed would be their
own reslsuar ni Vo,efs Ihere were am glad TO- say
negative voters, ana then members of the Central Com
Tins is the condition OF affairs Woodruff County, |
Arkansas ana what is true OF Woodruff true OF every
other county in the state. travel great deal and
know whereof affirm. AS to this county can and do |
send the names OF number Of good men, old citi-
zens Who if necessary, will make oath to what write
native of the North For over three years car,
ried musket in the Union Army settling down after
Of KuKux this and other states with horror and
amszement taking for granted that the reports
all true. But have investigated them and find that
they ali manufactured by the friends OF Grant and
the state Administration solely for the perpeuaton of
their Own power. better cvilly disposed law
ABIDING people than the people OF the White River Valley
never mingled with In my life. If unmOesed and pro-
tected as all mon ought 20 be- and OverTidden and
trOdden down by adveDturers and carpcbag thieves,
ihey would make this valley the Grandest IN the world.
ead OF belng peaceable and awabding IL wonder
70 me they have not risen in long ere this aud
Neh h caes OF men have referred 10 from the State.
beloW nu the names To which you may refer II desired,
III thS sVatoulehls contained IN my communication
Or. Phil. II. Echols, IL IT. Frisbee
Col. A. w. Pickett, UombIett a. Penn Mer.
Major W. w. Cortland, cbants '
w CampDel. A. W. Jones,
- - VI hthsaui Alty G. W. Hurley,
MtyVi, w II, Gee, Col. j. r. Jelks,
.; d MGCuI9y, Z. W. Montague.