The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-01-04
HON. VI. W. RANSOM.
A Leaf Of History From His Life
During North Cardinals Darkest

A Leaf Of history From His Life
During North Cardinals Darkest
Days.
From the Elizabeth City Economist
Falcon, whose editor, Col. r. B.
Creecy, is one Of the most accurate
and best informed editors in the State,
as well as one of the most conservative
and patriotic, we take the following
bit of reminiscent history which will
no doubt be read with interest by
many who are familiar with the
incidents alluded to:
North Carolina has had some or
deals Of suffering that makes Us love
her for the trials she has gone through,
but there has been no period of suffer
ing that has so aroused the indignation
of our people as the Kirk Burger
invasion of our State during the
administration of Governor Holden.
The counties in which Kirk and
Burger had their organized military
cut-throats were under a reign Of
terror. The best men in the State
had been subjected to torture to extort
confessions from them Of their
knowledge of the Ku Klux organiza-
ton. Some were imprisoned, denied
drinking water and suitable food, and
subjected to personal degradation.
10. Turner was put in cell with
felons. Judge Kerr was imprisoned,
Mr.. Roane, one of the best citizens in
Western North Carolina, was hung up
by the thumbs and otherwise tortured.
Many others received similar treat
ment. Further harshness was threat
ened.
The protection of the Courts was
appealed to. The writ of habeas
corpus was invoked. The Courts
were defed and overawed. They
were exhausted, as they said, in their
power of protection.
In this desperate condition of suffer
ing and terror, one man, North
Carolinian, born and bred, Unidentified
with the honor of the State from
earliest manhood, sympathizing in
every heart beat of sorrow with our
people, studied the case of our out
ragged citizens, though he saw an
| opening of relief for our strickened
people, and from his exalted position
in the United States Senate, hurried
home, consulted the highest legal
authority in the State, Judge William
II. Battle, showed him the National
statute that he supposed would afford
protection to our suffering people and
his opinions were approved by Judge
Battle and with leaf of the Govern
ment statutes cut out of Battles law
book, hurried to Elizabeth City. That
man was our beloved Senator, Matt.
| w. Ransom. He was here to see
Hon. George w. Brooks, Judge of
the Federal Court.
Senator Ransom came in the night,
came we think, in the stage, at great
Inconvenience at once sought the
oiilce of Judge Books, laid his appeal
before him, plead for their outraged
citizens, and asked of Judge Brooks a
writ of habeas corpus for the relief OF
the imprisoned citizens of North Caro-
lima. He was seconded in his appeal
by the earnest aid of Mrs Brooks
whose potent influence on that
occasion, we have private reasons for
knowing that Senator Ransom still
appreciates with gratitude.
Judge Brooks, with characteristic
deliberation, delayed a definite reply
until the morning. The morning
came and Ransom was early at his
house. Brooks issued his writ o.
habeas corpus, the prisoners were
released, the writ was heard at ar
early day and the prisoners discharged
That act of Senator Ransom placed
the citizens of North Carolina under
an obligation of gratitude that nc
good citizen can ever forget. 1t wa:
a we'll managed affair OF which ou1
people are justly proud and which
they should never forget. Thess
facts are true and we have PLACED
them on record that they might give
honor to whom honor is due