The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-10-16
Gen. Bratton and the X. X. K.

Wu1Cu Will Mah0 fCi y 4ueo4SoViu6 ASoo
ing in few years to those who were
actively connected with the matters
pertaining to the country, surrounded
as it was at that time by the greatest
difficulties which ever beset a gov
ernment in the history of govern
ment.
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 so bad in the State that an organ
ization known as the Kuklux Klan
was perfected for the suppression of
crimes and the protection Of life and
liberty Of our people. Much good re-
suited at first, but like all secret Or
CARNATIONS of the kind, the tendency
was 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 for other reasons
largely also. In those days it was a
common sight to see the streets on
Saturday evening filled with armed
negroes, who came in nearly every
Saturday for "a big muster" Crops
and business had to wait. This brings
us to our story.
There was trouble with some Of the
negroes out about the Jack Gladney
country and an arrangement was effect
| ed whereby they were to return their
guns to the State and disband their
company. Mr.. L. W. Duval was
sheriff and the guns were put in his
charge. They were stored in the jail
or sheriff. office, and when the Ku
hlux learned that they had not been
sent to Columbia they met and deter
mined to put every County official to
death, as our narrative will afterwards
prove.
Gen. Bratton was not member Of
the Kuklux, but on account Of his
wisdom, prudence and patriotism he
exerted an infuence$oy his very course
on all matters affecting the public
welfare of our depressed county. His
opinion was sought in mysterious
way.
On bright, sunny morning, as the
General was crossing his back yard, he
was hailed by stranger riding fiery
charger Of the Thickety stock. The
gentleman asked if this was Gen. Brat
ton, and stated that he was lost, but
was truly glad that he was lost at the
Generals home, for he was proud of
an opportunity Of meeting him of
whom he had heard so much. The
stranger looked fatigued and his horse
showed signs Of hard riding, and the
General noticed that the stranger did
not introduce himself. He stated
that he was going to DR.. Thorn's, that
he had crossed Broad River at Shell
tons, was in hurry and wanted to
find the way to DR.. Thorn's. Gen.
Bratton had his horse caught and pro-
ceeded to ride near path leading to
DR.. Thorn's, the stranger talking
pleasantly of crops and things in gen.
eral. Where the paths diverged Gen.
Bratton pointed the way out to the
lone horseman and was about to ride
away. The man 8 countenance became
changed, an air Of deep concern was
very apparent. He asked Gen. Brat
| ton to come to secluded spot in the
bushes, and, although no human was
near them, he lowered his voice and
said: General, it is not altogether
an accident that I was lost at your
place. have been sent to you on a
mission. I have been sent because
you do not know me. 1t is against
the rules of the Klan, but if you de.
sire to know my name I am authorized
to give it.
The General interrupted him by
saying, "No, do not want to know
your name. 1t is best, perhaps, that
| do not. I see it all; somebody is
about to do something very rash; some
of my old comrades are in trouble. ;.
The man assented to the correctness
of the Generals surmises and stated
that the Klan had met and had passed
the death sentence on every County
! official in Fairfield County because
those negro guns were still in Winns-
boro in reach of the negroes, that the
promises had been broken, and that
one of his old command had been de-
tailed to lead this terrible expedition.
That although against the rules to de-
cline, the penalty Of death attaching
to any man who would question orders
from the Klan, this member Of Gen.
Bratton's old regiment boldly rose in
the meeting and said he would not
lead the expedition unless certain
man is consulted. "If he approves it
[ will act" No name was called, it
being against the rule to call any
names in a meeting Of the Klan. Con-
trary to all precedent and prestige the
Klan agreed that this certain man was
to be consulted. The lone horseman
lost himself at Gen. Bratton's place.
The General was also told that if he
demanded the name Of his old comrade
he might have it-another infraction
of the rules. To this Gen. Bratton
declined; but he told the stranger that
there was no necessity for it; that
Fairfield had "star Sc" Of County
officials compared TO York and other
Counties: they were conducting their
Offices properly and it was wrong, un :
just and fearful piece Of work they
were contemplating. He said to the
stranger that there has been a long.
standing threat that the negroes will
rise up and "kill from the cradle to
the grave and then apply the torch;
"But," said the General, that will
never happen in Fairfield County un-
less I am warned in plenty of time;
There are two members OF my old
regiment (the 6th) who are among the
County officials, and whenever there is
any attempt Of the kind or anything
else going wrong I will be the first
man notified, for these two men will
warn me Of any danger to our people;
and as to the guns, they are safer in
Duval's hands than anywhere. else,
for he of all men wants no trouble to
come to our people"
The stranger rode off without intro
ducing himself or giving any Kuklux 8
name, and the County officials were
| J.L..L.I DIT IN oono waV