The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-30
HAUNTS OF THE VIGILANTES
Results of an Exploration in the Wilds
of Orange and Crawford Counties.
Operations of Knights of the Golden Circle
During the War-FOur Sons Of Liberty
Awaiting Trial for Political Murder.

Orange county, Indiana, has been given promi-
hence ia the spasmodic and inaccurate reports
Of outraees by the alleged White Cap" orRani-
sation Ia southeast Indiana, that have been sent
put from Louisville Indianapolis, Evansville
md ether points remote from the theater of
sawlsss brutality. during the past year, which
careful investigation upon the part of your COR
respondent finds to be but ill-founded. Orange
county IS not OF the same physical character
sites as Crawford county, and visit to it after
he tour Of Crawford only confirms the truth of
he statement made by philosophical citizen of
England. who was quoted in previous letter
IS saying that ''bad land makes bad men,"
There have been numerous White Cap out
RACES in Orange county, but they have been con-
fined to the southern tier of townships on the
Crawford line, and are credited mainly to the
Crawford county vigilantes
Paoli, the countyseat OF Orange. is ten miles
Louisville, New Albany Il Chicago railroad. and
is reached by a branch railroad, which then
makes another run Of ten miles due west to
celebrated health resors of over thirty years
standing known as French Lick
The railroad is somewhat of triumph of en-
cheering, being mainly built towering
erestles, aud the single train which runs to the
springs and back again is moved with caution
Rnd conservatism as to speed which is begot by
frequent derailment of cars and other minor ac-.
cidents. There is, however, either SIDE
maks up the valley OF the Lost river. good
quality Of farming land, with large orchards in
terspersed, all IN high state of cultivation, and
the farm-houses and attendant buildings are
substantial and attractive in appearance, and
bespeak the prosperity of the population.
Paoli, after trip through Crawford and Har-
xison counties. is surprise. being as bright ard
attractive town could be found in western
New York or the northern portion OF Ohio. It
Is located on the hillside sloping down from
the railroad to the river which meanders IN the
valley, has first-class stone and brick court
house, with a tower and town clock, several
brick business buildings, white-painted resi-
oences, paved streets, two good country hotels,
two newspapers, the Republican and the Demo
crat, . dozen more thriving stores. that are
the daily objects of attention from drummers,
an imposing high school edifce that is the pride
OF TIE section, but two saloons both conducted
ia very orderly manner, and q clean, we'll
dressed population, that has no for
the white Caps" organization than it
would have for organized gang of burglars,
horse-thieves or other w-breakers.
This feeling was pretty well shown when,
during the last winter, decent young fellow,
resident of Paoli, went down into the southern
part OF the county, located at little settle
1neut called Newton and organized singing
school. Something about the cut of his cloth
ing. perhaps it leaked out that he
underwear and open-in-the-b back shirts,
cited the ire of the young men of that section,
who work so hard all day that they must ride
all night for recreation, and drag man and
women out Of bed to whip them for trivial
offenses; and morning when the young
music teacher opened DIS GOOf, ne found
bundle of switches on his doorstep. to which
was attached q rudely scrawled note. warning
him that the White Caps want yawlers
around here"
Conscious that he had committed no offense
the young man communicated with his friends
at Paoli The result was a mass-m Getting of the
best citizens held in the courthouse, at which
some strong speeches were made. The tenor
of them was that the white Caps" were run
ming wild IN their ideas of reform and
strong series of resolutions was passed, the con-
Ind nj init ms tad hat h0
young abused or maltreated for no
other reason than that he was '.yawler." then
white Caps" in hand themselves and do lit
Gle white Gaping" on their own account.
This action had the desired effect The music
teacher continued To direct his class until the
bluebirds began TO sing IN the spring, and, what
is more TO the point, there has not been a
of whipping in that section for nearly three
county white Caps" still yearniDg for excite
xnent of this wild and peculiar style, have lent
their services and experience to their brethren
in Crawford county.
Mr. William Farrell, the leading lawyer of
Orange county, in discussing the White Caps"
said TO your correspond nt
II have no patience with this so-callsd organ
ization. 1t has done this section Of the State an
incalculable amount OF harm. Our friends
down in Crawford county seem very anxious to
convey the impression that the White Caps
ramify through the entire southe asst bunch of
counties. Now, this IL not true. There have
bean cases of men, who were worthless dis
honest, having been whipped in the southern
part of the county. but that was on the border
line, and believe that Crawford county men
were In it There have been cases in Harrison
and Dubois and Perry, but they were all near
the Crawford line. have read what the citi-
gems of Crawford had to say to the Globe Demo-
crat correspondent in justification of the actions
OF the White Caps and am not prepared to ac-
eept their premises. Lawlessness can only beget
lawlessness Any self-constituted tribunal is
in time bound to abuse its power, and in turn
becomes the proper subject OF discipline itself
II De hat 81 .ruAn -.
so far are not men that any person seems TO care
much about. but persistence in such methods
will Lad to reign of serror, such as prevailed
here curing the war. and which it took the iron
hand II IndianA's great war Governor, Oliver p
Morton, backed ne was by the force and
majesty of Abraham Lincoln's administration,
TO putdown. From whipping who are
drunken and worthless characters, it is but q
steu tothe persecution of men who are over
jealous in the expression of their political
views.
take Orange county as a sample of its neigh
bors Political feeling always runs high. The
population is all native American. Orange,
with was one OF the original territorial
couties, was settled by North Carolinans and
ther children and chiIdren's children have grown
uDiere. The county at the last eleetion went
Republican by nearly 400 majority. yet / speak
postivoly when I say that there are not dozen
rolred men in the county, and
thE all told there are not TWEEN
W foreign-born voters in the coun-
ty The bitter feelings engendered lin the
edy days of the war made our people take very
pdtive sides for and against the Union. This
cdntv was the very hot bed of that reasonable
oganization known as the Knights OF the Golden
Cole. Order of American Law and Liberty.
u Bowles. one OF the head centers. lived here
iaaoli. He was tried by military eommis-
30 in October, 1864. along with Miiliean and
Hsey. The arrests were made by order of
On. A. L. Hovey, military commandant of the
IDartment of Indiana The trial took place in
IIanapolis, and during its progress all the
sret work OF this monster conspiracy against
Union was revealed. The prisoners. all men
chigh social and professional standing were
arged with 'conspiring against the govern
ynt,' 'afordinR aid and protection TO enemies
s=he governments in rebellion,' with incitinr
surrection,' with disloyal practices and svio-
ion Of the laws of war The specifications
eyed conspiracy To overthrow the govern
eut aud duly constituted authorities, holding
inverse with the enemies Of the government
onspirinR 10 seize munitions, arms and equip
ents OF war, the properly OF the government
onspirlng to liberate prisoners of war taken in
ebellon.' and 'conspiring TO resist the draft
THE prisoners were all duly convicted. after
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