Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-03-06
that California is the prospective granary of
nations. That paper says:


nations. That paper says:
"England to-day looks to the Pacific coast
as Rome of old did to Africa. The masses of
the imperial city were fed by the husbandmen
ofEgypt and Africa Propria, and so the masses
of the cities of Britain, if not of Europe, it is
claimed, will for the future be fed mainly
from the shores of the Pacific. The increase
of the wheat trade of California is one Of the
remarkable features of the history of that
State. 1t was not always known that It's gol:
den riches were to be sought above the soil
rather than below it, and the fact is not even
yet recognized as it ought to be. California
began exporting wheat only seventeen years
ago. In 1859-60 it exported about as much
as is now sent to Great Britain in single
week, and the largest quantity exported in
any harvest year prior to the present was in
1S69-70, the total quantity being less BY
300,0 900 centals than it has been during the
hast half year. Immense profits are realized
from the trade One firm, for instance, have
purchased nearly three:fourths ofall exported,
valued at 100000, and must have netted
an immense fortune. Others have been pro-
portionate lucky. 1t is estimated that at the
present time $50 vessels are engaged in the
California wheat trade, so that now, and for
the balance of this year, the Pacific, through
seventy, and the Atlantic through ninety de-
grees Of latitude, will be covered with this
feet, which will thus be spread, at about half
days sail from each other, over distance
equal to one-half the circumference of the
globe" ...
The Murder of Stanhens.
ALL newspaper readers are familiar with
the murder of John w. Stephens, Of Caswell
county, North Carolina, which occurred in
June, 1870, and which, from the mysterious
manner of ita committal, and being among
the FIRST of the ku-klux outrages perpetra-
ted in that State, created quite sensa-
ton throughout the country, Notwithstand-
ing the mystery which for so long time en-
veloped this affair, it would seem the adage
that murder will OUT is again verified, and
that by the confession of one Of the murder
srs, the names of all who were engaged in the
crime have been revealed. In the State Leg
islature, last week, pending discussion of
the bill granting amnesty to all persons in
the State who had committed crime in the
name of any political or secret organization,
Mr.. Bowman, who opposed the bill, in the
course of his speech, referred to the Stephens
outrage, and made the following statement,
which, it is said, fell in the House like clap
of thunder. He recited the incidents of the
affair as follows: Fl: H...., .....a
"a public Democratic meeting was in pro-
gress in the Court House at Yanceyville, tho
county-seat of Caswell; a, prominent Demo-
crat Of Caswell approached Stephens with a
smile, and asked him to 60 down stairs with
him. Stephens assented, and they went into
a room formerly occupied by the clerk Of the
court of equity; as soon as they entered the
room the door was locked; there were in the
room eight white men and one negro. Ste:
phens was surprised to find thereon full Of
men, and was struck with horror when rope,
fixed as q lasso, was thrown over his neck
from behind, and he was told by the spokes-
man of the ku-klux crowd that he must re-
nounce his Republican principles, leave the
country or die. Stephens said he could not
give up his Republican principles; that he
believed they were right, and that the Repub.
lie would prosper if they were carried out;
that he could not leave the county and State,
because all his were there; that the colored
people looked upon him as leader; that
they depended on him, and he, could not de-
sert them. Stephens was then told that be
must die. He then asked to be allowed to
take last look from the window of the Office,
at his home and any of his family that might
be in view. The request was granted, and
when Stephens stepped to the window he be.
held his two little children playing in front of
his house. He was then thrown down on
table, two of the ku-klux holding his arms.
The rope was ordered to be drawn tighter,
and the negro was ordered to get bucket to
catch the blood. This done, one ofthe crowd
severed the jugular vein, the negro caught
the blood in the bucket, and Stephens was
dead. His body was laid an pile of wood
in the room, and the murderers went upstairs
and took part in the meeting"
MIR. Bowman was asked if he made this
statement of his own knowledge. He replied
that he was in possession of the sworn evil
dence of one of the parties who was present
and assisted at the murder that the state
ment was made and sworn to before an officer
authorized to administer oaths and issue war.
rants Of arrest. ......,..
Tile Rewards for Catching Ku.Nux.
BY authority of Governor Moses, the
following official opinion, given to him by
James A. Dunbar, acting Attorney General,
in regard to "claims arising under the procla-
nation of the Governor of the State, dated
July %, 1871" is published in the Columbia
papers "for the information of all whom it
may concern" The proclamation promul.
eating the opinion, is dated February %,
1873: ...
DEAR SIR: Replying to your communica-
tion of the 9th instant, have the honor to
say that have carefully examined the act
to which you refer, entitled can act TO make an
appropriation to pay claims arising under the
proclamation of the Governor of the State,
dated July %, 1871, approved February rs,
1873.
The act requires on the part of claimants
that they shall submit to and file their claims
with the Governor. This presumes the fling
with their claims the evidence of their va.
lidity. :. ...-. d.
Itfurtber makes it the duty ofthe Governor
to Examine said claims and determine wheth.
er they are properly embraced within the
terms of said proclamation" He is, there
fore, the sole officer to judicially decide wheth.
er the claims submitted are "valid claims un.
der the terms of the said proclamation" The
remainder of the act simply defines the routine
by which the money shall be drawn in pay.
ment of such claims as he shall determine to