Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-06-19
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 20, 1873:

To his EzcsNency Franklin j. Moses, Jr., Gov
By your Excelencys commission, it was
referred to the undersigne to examine the
papers pertaining to the claims Of sundry per-
sons for the payment to them Of the rewards
offered by proclamation of your predecessor,
Governor r. K. Scott, for the apprehension
and prosecution of parties who we're partici-
pants in what was known as the "ku.klux
conspiracy"
Upon an examination of the papers, we
found that the parties who had been appre.
hended and prosecuted, in reference to whom
the rewards were claimed, we're of three class
es, to wit:
l. Parties who had been apprehended and
prosecuted to conviction.
2. Parties who had been apprehended as
consprators but had been used as witnesses
for the prosecution of others.
8. Parties who had been apprehended and
were under indictment but not yet convicted,
and others as to whose guilt proof was fur.
nished but who are not yet under indict-
ment.
In the first class, the parties for whom the
rewards are claimed numbered 1902; of the
second class, the number was 40; and of the
third class, the number was in excess OF
100.
After a very careful examination of all the
papers pertaining to the several claims, the
committee concluded to recommend to your
Excellency that, out of the appropriation
made by the General Assembly and placed at
your Excellency's disposition for the payment
of the rewards, the claims for payment as to
parties of the first class should be first paid
that claims for payment as to parties of the
second class should be next paid and that the
remainder of the appropriation should be
awarded to claims as to parties of the third
class.
The committee further report, after 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 A. at 5000 each, ,......... 80 4OO
Accomplices, 40, at 5000 each, ,."..""... 5000
Total w .. -. -. . -. 81, 400
To Mr.. Thomas NJ. Wilkes
Convictions 35, at 5000 each, ."..."... $1,000
To Mr.. H. H. D. Byron
Convictions, 6, at 5000 each, ,.."."".... 1900
Total awards, ......."".."......."....."S S25,OOO
In reference to fourteen of the parties emu
merated as convictions, the committee have
made no award, the claims not presenting sat-
isfactory proof that the claimants we're enti-
tied 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 Excellency's further indul-
gence in the making of the awards. -.
Upon the conclusion of our labors, we will
report fully to your Excellency 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 sever
al amounts, as hereinbefore stated, be paid to
the claimants, Major Merrill, Mr.. Thomas M.
Wilkes and Mr. H. H. D. Byron. We have
a record of the ,rt;e as to whom these awards
are made, which ne will furnish to your Ex'
cellency with our final report.
Very respectfully, &C.,
(Signed,) G. D. MELTON,
JOS. DANIEL POPE,
R. B. ELLIOTT,
D. H. CHAMBERLAIN,
JAMES A. DUNBAR.