Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-09
B%ELLBUCKLE'S TROUBLE.
A New Crop of Scrub Ku.Klux-
SO-0alled.
A Vigorous Proclamation from Gov.
eTnor Porter.

The following correspondence. which
appears in the American of yesterday,
shows how much trouble q few reckless
rntians a cause in a quiet community
BELLBUcKLE, Tenn, May 8.
To His Excellency. Governor ]. D. Porter:
HONORABLE S~IR-Some month or six
weeks past, and several times since, our
town was visited BY companies Of masked
or disguised men on horseback, and in
the neighborhood where also there il
complaint Of the same kind. Some clti.
zens were logged some weeks ago
Whereupon the mayor Of our town issued
a proclamation hat the people meet al
Bellbuckle for the purpose of disapprov.
ing such conduct, and if possible per
suade them TO desist. There was a large
assemblsge or the day appointed
Several speeches we're delivered and
resolutions adopted against the proceed.
ings had By the so-cslled Ku Klux."
On the Both of April last we had a
prisoner in the lock up here for a viola.
ton Of the laws, aud at night these dis
guised men, some dozen in number,
broke open the prison, took the prisoner
out and whipped him outrageoasly, and
made other threats, as the prisoner a
de presented himself the next day
within the corporation. We had him ex-
amined and found his statement true.
We desire not only to disapproVe Of
such conduct, but to put a stop to it If
we can; and a. the good citizens Of the
vicinity desire the same, and that we do
something in the matter, we pray your
excelleucy to assist US by using your
privilege and authority under the code
Of laws See sec. 4770.
Since writing these lines we have
found posted up in our town the inclosed
notice au4 threats, which you can read
and govern yourself accordingly, anC
have this communication published.
By order of the board OF mayor and
aldermen Of the town Of B~elIbuekle.
G.. B. NOOK, Secretary.
The following is the notice alluded L
above:
WooDoocE Co., PEoKERwoOD grove.
We, the well-known and said.to.be
ka klug, after due consideration. thinL
it our duty to the citizens of Bellbuckle
10 say this in regard to our organization
and alsO to our REORGANIZATION. We
have been told that a few of the men OIL
%Bellbuckle say that we only consist Of a
few wild, rafting boys, and that if we
don't quit raiding they mill make US.
Now, let US correct that mistake. Az
to our numbers, it is somewhat near a
thousaud, aud that it is of the best citi
zens of the county, aud when you thinb
You a capture US, be sure you are
right, and then 20 ahead. We haven't
any fears whatever. If you think 80.
give us a challenge. We don't propose
to rebel against the United States;
neither do We propose to have any hard
feelings with our friends, for we are
friends to some of you; but il there is
not less talk 10 Bellbuckle than there
has been, we will turn your damn little
town over, and declare our independ.
ence. Now, we mean just what we say,
and the least you can say will be best;
and beside, we want your advice-we
will call on you for il We will give
some OF you a call, anyhow, if you dom
keep your peace. There is one thing
that has to be stopped, and that ia white
men aging negroes to shoot the d-u
Ku'Klux, or we will play hell with your
ducks. Now, we know who you are, anG
propose to make long lawsuits aud shori
answers"
In response to the letter signed by Mr..
Moon for the board OF aldermen of Bell
buckle, Governor Porter has forwarded
the following:
EXECUTIVE 0FFIoF, May 9th.
G. B. Moon. Secretary. etc., Bellbuokle, Ten.
nessee:
SIR-Enclosed is a copy Of my pro.
clamation, issued in answer to your
communication of the 81 inst. l intend
it as an earnest and emphatic assnrauc CT
10 the good people Of your county that
lawlessness shall not be tolerated in Ten.
nessee if my efforts can prevent it. You
must remember, however, that no amount
Of official zeal will accomplish anything
unless the officers of the law have the
active moral support of the people.
Very respectfully,