The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-10-05
ASeCReT CONCLAVE.
At which Some thing Horrible fs Sun
posed 50 Have Heen Done.
Chicago Time.

i'HlcAsO llmt-.
The member. OF the Cook county cen
'r2l committee of the secret order OF
Democrats met in secret session in the
lott Of The building at No. - Clark street,
on yesterday afternoon. for the purpose
OF taking into consideration the congro =
sional and legislative nominations OF the
county.
Only those who could give the grin
and password were allowed 10 enter the
gloomy precincts OF the dark and dismal
chamber in which the session was held.
soon after O'Clock Chief Sachem Perry
III. Smith appeared among the crowd
which had assembled in the lover room
belonging 10 the organization. and in
vltcd those who possessed the mystic
signs Of the order To proceed with him TO
The cock-ioft above. In response 10 this
invitation. dozen or more patriots with
long boards and slOuchcd hats followed
the lead Of Mr.. Smith and clambered
up the stairs alter him with
silent looks but with noisy
steps. Having reached their re-
tired chamber, the guards were properly
stationed and the doors locked against all
intruders. Occasionally a tardy member
OF The secret organization would appear
at the door. give three distinct knocks.
and pause tor reply. Then masked
figure appeared at the door, with red and
green stripes OF paint across the face. the
head covered with the disguise of an IN
dian warrior, bearing a sanguinary-look-
ing battle-axe, black bottle, and long
scalping knife fastened to his belt. II the
member could give the proper signal and
utter Tie magic password he was allowed
10 enter The august presence Of the grand
hn I.as a. 10
he could not give the signs and words he
was rudcly turned away.
Among those who were seen 10 enter
this ghostly chamber was John II.
Obcrly, OF the Cairo BULLETIN, who han.
pened to be in the city on visit. A
blood-curdlng shrek shook the musty
AIR and quivered in the rafters Of the
building some moments aiterward, and il
ls supposed that the dauntless young ed.
itoT met hapless fate. He was never
seen to leave the horrible chamber by the
awe'struck reporters who fingered on the
steps without. II he WAS really
beheaded by the masked monster within,
1t Is supposed he met his fate
maniully, for he possessed a bold and
intrepid spirit that shrinks from no dan
ger. however appalling il may appear.
Some two hours later the reporters he
hcld "a Misunderstanding man stealing
away from the vicinity with huge sack
on his shoulders, STOPPING under the
weight OF the load, and apparently seek
ing to avoid observation. The reporters
thought that it contained the body of the
unfortunate Oberly and Immediately
gave the alarm. The suspicious indlyld-
uality was overhaulcd, but the sack was
found to contain nothing but rags. Mr..
Oberly is well known Throughout the
state, and il he has fallen victim OF these
political ogres, as appears to DO the case
now. his sangulnary demise will he
deeply regretted by his many steadfast
friends. 1t seems that this secret conclave
on yesterday passed no edicts. Chief
Sachem smith, the knight Of the golden
eye-glass, presided. 4 war-dance was
executed by the assembled braves.
and the assembly adjourned to meet
again one week from Wednesday at
8 o'clock. The masks and paints
were laid aside and the company emer-
ged frointhe chamber. Among the braves
We're, Chief Sachem Perry nj. smith. A.
Z. Storey, Miles kehoe, William Law,
and many others. 1t is understood that
they decided to do nothing until after the
county convention.