The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-08-30

This Band Of Indiana Ku Klux 10 bs Broked np--
4 Detective Initiated with the League.

This Band or Indiana Ku Klux 20 bs BrOked ap---
4 Detective Initiated with the League.
A short time ago a detective Was hired by
prominent Indiana men to investigate and
fpossible expose the workings OF the White
Cap" regulators. He Joined the Organization
In Harrison county about two months ago.
being sworn by q branch organization. The
ablood-curdling in its provisions, the penalty
OF it's violation being death, as well as re-
quiring the deposit Of 5000 in cash with the
superior or head Of the order as q forfeit for
the least violation Of any Of the bylaws. 1t
virtually makes o man swear that he is q
In the hands ofthe White Caps" But the de-
tective complied with all those conditions.
Once admitted he was again subjected to
many curious tests in order to test his
sincerity, one Of these being a frightful ordeal
In which he found himself convicted of having
entered the order with sinister motives and
condemned to be shot therefor. At the
NAL swamp, gagged and blindfolded
he was given an opportunity t g
confess and snve his life. These stages OF the
initiation being passed, the purposes of the
order were thon unfolded. These consist in
the enumerating of o long list Of mock NOR
virtue, the sanclity Of the domestic circle,
and the d%isapproval of drunkenness and
Righteousness in oil forms. Those were really
q cover to the chief design; which was the
prompt avenging of any wrong, real or
imaginary, to any member of the organize
ton. Upon any pretext which he deemed suf-
ficient, O superior officer could order the fog
giDg of any man orwoman, even though they
were unknown to the rest of the clan.
The members of the organization do not be-
lieve in the use of firearms except as q last
resort. The chief headquarters are near
English, though each county and even each
township have separate lodges. The mem
prominent names, including leading farmers,
merchants, and even many officials. There
are men belonging to the order whom the
general public would never dream of having
any such affiliations. It is this fact
which makes the conviction of mem
bers almost impossible. Being unknown
they con color a jury to their liking, thus
ter. A mistaken iden prevails regarding the
magnitude and membership of the organize
ton, for while 1t embraces many classes the
number OF members is not nearly SO large
as is supposed. Many raids are made BY
men desiring to throw the responsibility on
of the order live in and about L~eavensworth,
Corydon and English, with a few in Orange,
Martin and Dubois counties. Their mode of
operating is as follows: TIL head of the dis
trict is informed that q certain party shall
be warned, whipped or ordered to leave the
country. He coils a meeting, and with
out even putting the matter to q vote
delegates certain men to perform the work,
which they are compelled to do without hes
itation. Although the detectives took part
in several raids he refused to 60 into details
or give the names of those participating, butt
he will report to his employers and will
probably meet them at Louisiana. The pres
emit action of Gov. Gray has excited the
"White Caps" somewhat, and they have is
sued the following circular to members:
On the Ohio, Aug. $40 all "White-Caps:'
1t has been announced in the press that Gov.
Gray has seen fit to interfere with our or.
ganization. As our own counties are the best
judges of the cause of the "White-Caps,''
n they nave not %interposed their authority
to modest us, this interference upon the part
of the state authorities is unwarranted and
uncalled for. We are willing to be judged
by our acts and by our neighbors and fellow
citizens, but declare our unalterable opposi-
ton to the invasion of our counties by the
minions of Gov. Gray in order to prosecute
the "White Caps" 1t has therefore been de-
cided to resist this interference if necessary
with blood. The first one of our members
who ia subjected to inju stice shall either be
released or %revenged.
There was no SIGNATURE.