The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-15
THE KENTUCKY TRAGEDIES
THE KU-KLUX IN OWEN COUNTY.

THE OFFICIAL. REPORT OF THE DEPUTY MAR
sHAL-A FULL HISTORY or THE TROUBLE
ITS ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND TERMINATION.
Deputy Marshal Willis Russell, of Ken
lucky, has made very full report TO United
States Marshal Gen. L. III. Murray of the
late difficulties in owen and adjoining coun-
ties in Kentucky. The statement opens by
stating that about the year 1870 bands OF
armed men, disguised and masked, began
committing depredations in the vicinity
of Monterey and Guestville, two small viii
lagos, the former being in Owen, and the lat
ter immediately opposite, in Henry county.
They were known as Ku-Klux, and were in
the habit of visiting houses OF citizens, dis
guised as stated, in the night time, and in
flicting summary punishment, without
charge. reason, or excuse. The parties thus
visited by them were mostly poor colored
meI, living in humble cabins; but they
would some times attack white citizen of
the poorer class. Some times they would
xii. The parties whom they visited. Some
times they would whip their victims
severely, and would burn the houses in
which they lived. They would give no rea-
son for their conduct, but contented them
selves with these summary proceedings
without explanation.
About this time four men came to him 1.-THE
deputy marshaD and telling him that they
belonged to the Ku-Klux asked him to Join
them. They said that their object was
TO DRIVE THE NEGROES
from the State, and that for this pur-
pose they had organized as Ku- Klux.
They said that their organization was
composed of good, reliable men, and
that their object was not only to drive the
negroes from Kentucky, but also all radicals
TO join them the marshal took occasion to
tell them that, in his opinion it was most
infamous career, and that he could not join
them. Soon after he heard of outrages
against the negro people in the adjoining
districts, and be still continued to denounce
them. Reports soon reached him that his own
life was in danger, although he bad been
confederate soldier. Upon the deputy's re-
moval TO another part of the county, they
again made threatening demonstrations
against him, and once surrounded the house
and demanded his appearance. Still the
murders of the negroes continued. and
scarcely month passed without the record
of some horrid outrage OF this character.
Shortly after this they attacked an old man
named Williams. who resided near Guest
vile, in Henry county. Williams was six
ty-hve or seventy years OF age. He had
borne an excellent character all his life.
They wounded him terribly in the arm. He
was brave man, and returned their fire.
and, it is said, wounded Bill Smoot, who
was, no doubt, the leader of the party and
Smoot has never denied it. This Bill Smcot
$ considered the leader of the ku-KlUX
Klan. He is terror to the community.
Several years ago he killed a man named
John b. Roberts at Graft. This consti-
tuted him a hero in his own opinion,
and ever since then he seems TO take great
pride I'M being considered a desparado.
Hence he became prominent character in
this organization, whose name is terror
throughout the State. After williams suffi-
GENTLY recovered, he went to Frankfort and
applied to Gov. Leslie. The governor
PROMPTLY OFFERED REWARDS
for the apprehension OF Williams assail-
ants, and then, through the hands
of Deputy Marshal Russell, one of the
party being arrested and put in
Jail. Smoot threatened death to the
deputy, and followed him about with an
armed and masked band of Ku-KIux. The
governor said he could do nothing,
for the legislature had tied his
hands, but he offered all due
protection to Deputy Russell. In July, 1878,
the Ku-Klux murdered cOl0red man named
Lewis Wilson. Wilson was peaceful, inof-
fensive negro, and resided on the farm of
Mrs. Mason Brown, in Owen county. They
went to his house in the night, broke open
his door and Immediately shot him dead
There were seventeen men in this gang.
Alter numbering Wilson they set fire to his
house and burned it to the ground. Wilson,
in his dying declarations, mentioned the
names of several of the party, whom he rec
ogniZed.
At this point in the statement, the exact
words of the deputy marshal are given as
follows:z
After the murder of Wilson, the governor
offered reward of $500 each. for the appre-
hension and conviction of the II men en-
grged. A correspondent of the Courier
Journal was sent TO Owen county, who in
formed me that he had had conversation
with the governor, and that the governor
desired me to catch those men if possible
One of the parties engaged in this raid, hoy
about eighteen years of age, confessed that
he was one of the gang, and gave me names
of nearly all the parties engaged. then ar
rested one of the parties mentioned by the
boy, when he also made a confession. took
him before Judge Roberts, the county Judge
of Owen, where he made affidavit to all ex-
cept tour of the party. On the following day
arrested three of them and took them to
Owenton and placed them i'm Jail. The 9th
ers hearing OF this, went into the woods, and
three of them were shortly afterward taken
out TO Indiana by Bill Smoot A short time
sfterwsrd the governor of Kentucky
gave me a requisition and
SENT ME TO INDIANA
after them. caught one of them. John
Oman, who was at the time with Bill.
took Oman before Judge Roberts, and
he confessed he was in the gang who
killed f. Wilson, and made oath to
three more. The following day after 1 re-
turned with OhanI arrested Triplett, who
likewise confessed and gave the same names
as Oman. One of these men were admitted
to bail, and two were sent to the Louisville
Jail for safe keeping (having previously es-
capped from the Owenton Jail. Oman was
tried in November and acquitted. He did
not introduce any proof in his own behalf.
Two of his accomplices turned States evil
dence, and two witnesses were also intro
duced who proved his confession. Yet he
was acquitted. he was, however,
held to bail for burning the house
after being acquitted of the murder.
Similar outrages to the above are then de-
tailed, and, having at this time received the