The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-11-20
IN. Y. independently
A Ku-KluX Story as Told by Southern
LADY.
BY ORA LANGHORNE.

BY ORA LANGHORNE.
Like the old woman in Western
Virginia who declared, three months
after the end of the war, that she ''did
not believe that Lee had surrendered,
because she had never heard of it ex-
cept through Yankee papers," [ have
always felt incredulous about the Ku-
Klux. We have known nothing of
the kind in the Valley and Piedmont
Virginia, where my life has been
spent; and, as the Virginia press has
always stoutly denied that Negroes
have ever been murdered for political
causes, [ have felt serious doubts as to
such things having really occurred.
In a Journey North, however, three
years ago, I met with a lady from
South Carolina, who has quite altered
my opinion on this subject. This
lady was evidently of that class term
ed by the Negroes ''quality.' Her
somewhat naughty manners told of
aristocratic birth and association;
and, although | did not agree with
her, I could well believe that she
spoke honestly when she said 1T was
a good thing to have been born in
South Carolina" [ am fain to con-
fess that | expressed no Republican
sentiments while in her society, know
ing full we'll that word of that kind
would have ended abruptly the con-
versation, which to me, at least, was
very interesting. We Travelled to-
gether all night and part of a day,
and, as my new friends escort left her
at Washington, had ample oppor-
tunity to gain the long-desired in
formation as to the true state of af-
fairs in Carolina
One or two carefully worded ex-
pressions Of sympathy, which every
feeling heart must entertain for the
sad condition of her native state, had
the effect of making my companion
talk freely, and she told dismal story
of the changes wrought by the results
of the war [ lstended silently and
without surprise while she denounced
the Centennial Celebration as Yam
kee humbug," invented to draw mon
ey from the suffering South, adding
that she was going to New York and
felt no desire to see the Exhibition.
Pride and prejudice are sorry sight
at best, and when clothed in sack
cloth and ashes, as so often in the
South to-day, the aspect presented is
pitiable indeed.
In answer to my inquiry whether
she believed that Negroes had ever
been killed for political reasons, she
replied: Eyes. Some have, of course;
but the number has been greatly ex-
aggerated. It has only been done
when necessary. know Of two OR
three occasions where one Or some
times more Negroes have been killed
during political campaign; but. of
course, it was positively necessary or
it would not have been DONE" Here
| judiciously expressed incredulity;
and she continued, confdentially:
"Yes, [ know of one case in my own
family I mean the Negro had been
one of our old family servants. He
belonged to my uncle, Judge -,
had been my uncle's own servant
from boyhood, was a great favorlte IN
the family, could read before the war,
and was allowed many privileges.
After he became free he turned poll
tician, grew to be very influential
with the other Negroes, and went to
the legislature. He was leader in
all the Radical meetings and nothing
could induce him to leave the party.
At last the Conservative Committee
decided that he must be killed, and
warned my uncle not to Interfere.
"Was all this soon after the warp"
| asked.
ooh! no." said the lady. ut occur
red about two or three years ago"
Did your family know Of it at the
time?" | inquired.
"Oh! yes" said she. "The old man
had a share in the crop and lived on
my uncle's estate. His house was not
far from Uncle's. The night he died
the committee came at the hour ap-
pointed, all masked; and one of them
shot old Uncle Dick. He ran toward
my uncle's house, and we could dis
tinctly hear him begging for his life
and screaming: oh. master, save me,
Mas William! For Gods sake, save
me! The party all fired into his
body, and it was found completely
riddled with bullets next morning at
Uncle's door, where he had crawled.
What did your uncle think of the
AFFAIR." | inquired.
why, he knew that it was neces-
sary," was the answer.
Forbearing comments on her story.
asked If there were any respectable
| white Republicans in that rerinn-