The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-28
THE KU KLUX DAYS.

A TRUE SToRy-Hew GEN, BRaTToS
SAVED THE LIVES OF REPUBLICAN
Orrrc1ALs--WuY Our COUNTY SUI
rERED NOT As OTHERS.
There are many incidents in the dark
DAYS ef Radicalism and negro rule
which will make very interesting read
inc in few years to those who were
actively connected with the matters
pertsining to the country, surrounded
as it was at that time by the greatest
difficulties which ever beset . govern
ment in the history Of government
There are young men to-day in Fair
field County who have no conception
of what our people endured from 1868
to 1876. The Radical government was
50 baG in the State that an organ!zation
known as the Ku Klux klan was per
fec:ed for the suppression of crimes
and the protection of life and liberty
Of our people. Much gooo resulted
, 3. first, but like all secret organiza-
tiohs OF the kind, the tendency Waa
bad and The organization was abused
toward the last. Fairfield County
never suffered, however, like some OF
our sister counties for two reasons
mainly and fer other reasons largely
also.
In those days it WAS common sight
to see the streets On Saturday evening
filed with armed negroes who came
in nearly every Saturday for "a big
muster" Crops AID business had TO
wait. This brings US to our story.
There was trouble with some Of the
negroes cut about the Jack Gladney
country and all arrangement WAS
effected whereby they were to return
their guns to the State and disband
ths;r company. Mr.. L. W. Duval
was sheriff and the guns were put IN
his charge. They we're stored III the
iail or shenT's Office, and when the
Ku Klu1 learned that they had not been
sent 10 Columbia they met and deter
mined to put every county official TO
death, IS Cur narrative will afterwards
prove.
General Bratton was not member
of the Ku Klux. bat on account Of his
wi.dom. prudence and patriotism he
exerted aujnfuence by his very course
on all matters affecting the public vel
f4re of our depressed country. His
opiri>n was sought in mysterious
wsv.
On bright sunny morning as the
General vas crossing his backyard he
was hailed by stranger riding fiery
charger (of the Thickety stock). The
geutlema.. asked if this was General
Brat,on, and sta ed that he was lost,
but was truly glad that be vas lost at
t .e Generals home, for he wss proud OF
all opportunity Ct meeting him of whom
he had heard so much. The stranger
! ok,d fatigucd and his horse showed
i ~ Of hard "iding, and The General
n,ticed that the stranger did not intro
due, himse f. He stated that he was
goi < to Dr.. Thorn's, that re had
cre ssed Broad River at Shelton's, was
in hurry and wanted to find the way
to Dr.. Tborn's. Gen. Bratton had his
horse caugnt aid proceeded to ride a
near path leading to Dr.. Thorn's, TIE
stranger talked pleasantly-of crops
and things in general. Where the
paths diyerged Gen. Bratton pointed
the way out 10 tie lone horseman and
was about to ride away. The mans
countensnce became changed, an 2ll
OF deep concern u as very apparent
He asked Gen. Dratton 10 come 10 3
! secluded spot in the bushes, and al
though no humau was near them Le
: lowe, ed lis voice :nd said: "Ce.iel al
it is not altogether an acci ent tht' !
was lost al your place. have teen SEN
to You on a mission. I have been sen
because ytu d. not know me. Ii i!
against the rules Of the k!an, but il
YOU desire t, know lnt lame an
/ authorized to give it."
The General interrupted him by SAY
lug, "No, I do not want TO know you
: name. 1t is best perhaps that l d.
not l see it all; somebody is abou
5 to do something very rash; some o
nv aid &C cmTades are in trouble"
The man assented to the CORRECTNESS
of the Generals surmises and stated
that the klan had met and had passet
the death s'ntence on every count.