Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1892-02-04
1 Society Of Assassins Discovered In
Southwest Kansas.
BOUND BY MOST TERRIBLE oATHS
The County Seat Troubles Are Not Yet Over.
Startling Developments 10 10 Made.
4 Powerful Organization.

three men residing In adjoining counties
who have furnished information, and
whose forecasts have always been correct.
While they are not ready at this time TO
reveal the full enormity of this criminal
organization, they have detailed enough
of its workings TO show that three sepa-
rate oaths bind the members to obey the
orders OF the inner council. even though
these orders involve the taking Of lite.
The members swear to obey these orders
without question, even though they may
be commanded to take the life of their
dearest relative. In the counties of Has
kell, Grant, Stevens and Seward, there
are sixty.five members, oil Of whose
names have been furnished Judge Bot
kin These men are taken only from the
alliance, and oven then the utmost care
10 used in selecting the proper material.
The meetings are held ut Springfield and
Woodsdale, where the three degrees are
conferred. The first degree binds the
members to stand by each other at the
risk Of life il necessary. TIE applicant
ia pledged. under penalty Of having his
residence burned and his stock and crops
destroyed, never to reveal aught that
may come 10 his knowledge concerning
the actions Of any member When TAX
ing the second degree he sweare to join
any member or members in the protec-
ton of their rights or In resenting any
personal stfront or injury. II he fails
in responding when called on, or reveals
any contemplated action on the part Of a
fellow member, his life may be forfeited
by the action OF the council to which ne
belongs. 1t will be noticed in these two
degrees there IL no provision for enforc-
ing ,he penalty. Every member is ex.
pecttd to take all thre degrees and is
then fully prepared for the tinal degree.
He places himself at the disposal OF the
inner council in life and in death. He
swears faithfully to execute any orders
issued him by the council, even though
he be commanded to tske the life Of his
dearest friend or relative. He IL given
to understand that the power of this &C.
cret order Of justice will be directed
against the enemies of one or all of the
organization. lie fn, Their swears that
when ordered to destroy any member
proven to be traitor, or even suspected
Of such, he will unhesitxtingly obey such
command. When called out by the in
ner council, or by one member thereof,
he swears to obey, holding himself in
readiness at all times to join any party
for the determination Of common enc.
mics. Failing in any part ef his. oblga-
tons, he places his life at the disposal Of
his comrades. 1t has been learned that
in deserted building at Springfield the
night before the Dunn murder. There
are no rituals or written work. The
oa,hs are administered by one Of the
men, who Ia now definitely located. In
formation comes from one of the three
men who joined the society, who gave
it's contemplated action in two cases, and
who have been spirited away to a place
of safety. The other two are still in that
county, apparently bitter enemies OF the
opposing factions, pursuing conrse il
which lies their only safety. They are
also enabled to strengthen the evidences
which they will give 40 aoon as the
proper time arrives. 1t was only yester-
day that parties were in Topeka con-
nected with this murderous organization,
but they have so guarded their
tracks that they will escape arrest and
trial. Within two weeks the plans of the
prosecutor will DO go fully matured that
arrests will bpgin. when all details will
be given, The conspirators, under the
PR sent lava, are reasonably secure from
trial for murder. which has made them
bold If they should he tried there
would not be men enough in the entire
district, let alone the county in which
the murder was committed, to form q
jury after the peremptory challenges had
been made. II Judge Botkin, Who is
now in this city, succeeds in getting all
the evidence against the secret order of
justice in proper shape, and can convict
the members even in the public mind, he
will have done much to restore order, for
the lawless element p, omises further de.
velo fments within two weeks.