The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-06-14


TEE KU KLux PROCLAMATION RE.
WARDS The following is the report OF
the Commission appointed by the Go.
vernon to examine Claims sad make the
awards: 80 3!
COLUMBIA, S. O., May 29. 1873.
To his Ercel9sncy Franklin j. Noses. Jr.
Gooernor:
BY your Excellency's commission, il
was referred to the undersigned to exa-
mine the papers pertaining to the claims
of sundry persons for the payment to
them OF the rewards offered by procla-
nation OF your predecessor, Governor
r. x. Scott, for the apprehension and
prosecution of parties who were partio.
pants in what was known as the "Kn
klux conspiracy"
Upon an examination OF the papers,
we found that the parties who had been
apprehended and prosecuted. in refer
enoe to whom the rewards were claimed,
we're of three classes. to wit:
l. Parties who had been apprehendnd
and prosecuted to conviction.
2. Parties who had been apprehendsl
as couspirators, but had been used as
witnesses for the prosecution Of others.
3. Parties who had been apprehended
| and were under Indictment, but not yet
| convicted, and others as to whose guilt
proof was furnished, but who are not
yet under indictment.
In the frst class, the parties for whom
the rewards are claimed numbered 1O2;
OF the second class, the number was 40;
| and Of the third class, the number was
| in excess Of 100
After very careful examination OF all
the papers pertaining to the several
claims, the Committee concluded to re-
commend to yonr E1oellenoy, that out
! of the appropriation made by the Gene
raj Assembly and placed at your Excel
lency's disposition for The payment of
the rewards, the claims for payment as
| to parties OF the 'hrat class shonld be
first paid:. that claims for pay mant as to
parties OF the second class should be
next paid, ahd that the remainder Of the
appropriation should be awarded to
olaidas as to parties Of Che third class.
The committee further report, after a
very patient and careful examination Of
the claims OF the several claimants, that
they have made the awards as follows:
To Major Lewis Merrill.
Convictions, At, 5000 each. $9,4OO
Accomplices. 40, 5000 each... 5000
Total. ........ .$17, 400
To MIR. Thomas NJ. Wilkes
Convictions. 35. 5000 each. $1,000
To Mr.. b. II. D. Byron
Convictions, 6. 5000 each -. 1000
Total awards. .S25, 600
In reference to fourteen Of the parties
enumerated as convictions, the commit
tee have made 40 award, the claims not
presenting satisfactory proof that the
claimants were entitled thereto.
The committee have not as yet been
able to consider fully the claims for the
rewards in reference to parties of the
third class, and must ask your Excel.
lency's further indulgence in the making
Of the awards.
Upon the conclusion Of Our labors, we
will report fully to your E1oellenoy and
in detail the results of our Investigations
and as to the rules which have governed
Us in our awards.
We respectfully recommend that the
several amounts, as hereinbefore stated,
be paid to the claimants, Major Merrill,
Air. Thomas NJ. Wilkes and Mr.. 81. H.
d. Byron. We have q record OF the
parties as to whom these awards are
made, which We will furnish 10 your Ex-
cellenoy with our final report Very re-
spectfully, &C.,
(Siguedl 9. d. MELTON.
JOSEPH DANIEL POPE,
r. B. ELLIOTT,
D. II. CHAMBERLAIN,
JAMES a. DUNBAR.
COLUMBIA, S. G., June 10. 1873.
!