The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-11-24
HAMILToN FISH, Secretary of State.
KENTUCKY KU-KLUX.
The Conviction Of SmOOt, Ona a
and MeHert Of Louisville.
Two Former Sentenced 40 Ihe Pen
fGenGIary for Five and
Three Years.

LOUISVILLE, Nov. 14.-The verdict
of guilty was sadly received by the ku-
klux prisoners, SmOOt, Oman and Metiert.
When the convicted three were presented
before Judge Emmons to receive their
final sentence, the Judge first addressed
himself to Smoot He said, personally,
he did not consider him degraded man /;
he did not believe him thief he saw
nothing in his character that would cause
the belief that any mans property would
not be safe when in his reach. But he
had been carried away by local feeling
which caused combination of purpose to
commit high crime. He had perhaps
really no feeling in his heart, but the
strange circumstances surrounding the
feeling in the local community caused
him to join in common purpose and he
had committed one of the most dangerous
OF crimes. So far as the court is aware
he had never wronged any one in the
ordinary walks of life. After making
remarks to SmOOt, whom he had
sentenced for five years, Judge Emmons
turned to Jno. Oman and told him to
consider we'll what he had said to Smoot
He regretted that without violation Of
his public duty he could not impose a
lighter sentence upon him, but was
compelled to sentence him to not less
than three years imprisonment in the pen
itentiary. Judge Emmons next addressed
himself to George Mefert. He said that
in his case lie should take into considera-
ton the accidents that had befallcn him
the fact that he had been shot and badly
wounded, and was still suffering from his
wounds. The jury believed him guilty,
but in a less degree than the others, and had
recommended leniency upon his part. He
would take into consideration the acct.
dents which had occurred to him, and his
record, irrespective Of the recommend
alton of the jury. He would take
into consideration the evaporation
and excitement caused by his
wounds, and was therefore not prepared
Just then to sentence him. He
wished to make further inquiry into his
life since his arrest. RE therefore
suspended sentence for an indefinite
period. 1t would not be long before the
sentence would be given, but the time
would be deducted from the period of his
sentence
Counsel for the defence asked that the |
court allow the prisoner 10 be sent u
some other penitentiary outside Of Ken
lucky, for various personal reasons affect |
ing the family and relatives OF the sen
fenced parties. The court, however, said |
it knew nothing Of these reasons, and |.
could not send them to any other prison. /
The counts on which the prisoners were /
convicted, charge them with conspiring /
to injure Willis Russell while engaged in |
the lawful discharge of his duty rs
United States officer, and endeavoring TO |
execute thi. conspiracy by pursuing him
with armed bands of men with the purpose /
of killing him.
After the sentence the friends of the |
prisoners gathered around and shook |
hands with them, but few words passing
between them. Judge Emmons' words |
to Smoot, Oman and Meffert seemed to |
have some effect upon them, and were
evidently graciously received. Smoot and |
Oman will be taken within a few days to |
Frankfort there to serve out their |
sentences. A. w. Hall, the other Ku-
klux indicted with the aforesaid trio, was
found not guilty Of conspiracy.