River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-08-23
The WHITE GAPS.

Acknowledgement Kitchener. of Indiana,
Investigates the HoOsier -KIux- More
OutraGes Found to Have Been Conn
mitted Than Have Been Reported
Banded Together for the Purpose of
Gratifying Personal Revenge-Hc Pa
vOrs Vigorous Action Against the Of
tenders, Who Threaten to Resist Inter
ference with BIoodshed.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Aug. 20 -Attorney-
General Kitchener has returned from an in
vestigation under instruction from the Gov
nor into the White Cap outrages in the
counties Of Harrison, Crawford and Perry
He was absent three days, and conferred
with court officials and numerous citizens
regarding the status of affairs in
the counties named He will submit
his report TO the Governor this week
aud will take strong grounds against the
White Cap organization. as well as against
tee public sentiment which made such out
RACES possible. In a conference with Judge
Zenor. Of the circuit in which those coun-
ties lie. it was learned that fourteen in
dictments had been found in Crawford
County, but so far no one has suffered
conviction. Two parties We're acquitted
before a jury on account Of insCficieucy
of evidence Eleven indictments were
dismissed at the suggestion Of the prosecut-
ing attorney. who declared that the evil
dence against the parties was insufficient,
and one is still under Indictment but is
serving a term IN the ponitcutiary for an
other offensc. Judge Zenor gave it
as his opinion that the condition of
public sent meut was gradually improving
aud that the people of his circuit were
becoming more and more earnest in their
demands for the enforcement of the law.
Some appear TO think there is really no
such organization as the White Caps. and
that the outrages are the consequence Of
individual spite The better opinion, how
ever. is that the bands are regu-
larly organ zcd are bound together
by oaths, hold regular meetings and
formally adopt a course of action. The
better class of people criticise the local
newspapers severely, and claim that these
are to a large extent responsible for the
crimes that have been committed in
Southern Indiana. Instead of criti-
cising the Gction Of these lawless
bands and condemning their deeds
Of violence the newspapers have really
been made parties TO the crimes By pub
fishing notices wan ming citizens to leave
and also by publishing accounts of out
RACES without appearing to condemn
them.
The Attorney General will report strong
~ against the Outrages which have been
committed, aud win recommend that the
Governor adopt measures at once for sup
pressing the White Cap organization. He
regards the people of a large portion Of
Harrison. Crawford and Perry counties
as being terrorized. the juries 10 a certain
extent being under this influence. He will
sos erely criticise the action Of the local
papers, which he believes have been
instrumental in bringing about the
disgraceful condition Of affairs in
those counties His observations
have convinced him that the White
Caps are regularly organized, aud that the
outrages committed by them are the result
OF private enmities rather than of any de-
sire to rid the section of unworthy citi-
zens. In an interview Mr., Kitchener spoke
freely of the impressions made by his visit,
and said
"Ihaven't the slightest doubt that there is
such an organization. and a powerful one NJ
that. In Harrison County il is thought the
outrages are OF a mere spontaneous ma
ture. Where q citizen has not acted
properly a party of ncighbors gather
and whip him. In Crawford County,
however, there seems TO be strong
central organization with a well maintained
branches. In this way they manage 10 have a
man punished by strangers who have come
from another ueighburhoOd for the purpose.
Until recently the better class Of people rather
looked upon the performances OF the Vigilantes
as irregular but upon the whole salutary and
seemed to think only those persons were pun
fshed who really deserved such treatment, but
of late there has been some glariug cruelty
and such continual reports OF White Cap
operations that a strong sentiment is spring
ing up in favor Of ferreting out the leaders
ment. I think the officers OF the law have
OF all tunes been anxious TO DO their duty,
but there has been a reluctance on the part
OF grand 1ur.es 10 find indictments Not
half OF the story Of White Can out
RACES has been told. held many confidential
conversations with citizens OF the regions
where the ouIra-vs have been most numerous,
and uHdcr my pledge not 10 reveal their Iden-
tfty they talked very freely OF tie matter. l
ind that many whiIplHrs and other punish
ments have been inflicted which have never
been published, the parties who suffered fear
fng 10 tell of them. Tacn the Establishments
are usually FOR very travail ohcnscs, and are
severe out o. all proportion TO the intraction
Of order Goa. mittcd by the victims. The DO
sition Of tho press Of that region has
been most deplorabe. The papers have not
had a single word of condemnation 10 say. In
many instances they have given direct support
to the regulators, and have published their
mysterious notices ard WARNINGS for them.
Much Of the blame or the extent to which the
outrageous proceedings have been carried is
doubtless due TO TINS pos ton Of the papers.
II is said the White Caps have issued a
circular threatening with bloodshcd 70
resist any interference with their organiza-