The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-08-23
Is KU KLUx KHAN.
q ~ adsss u me Iaausnee Of oar.
~ -nassers-A Terrier 70
\ the negro.

I{{i XJrm an organiSnti0n for self-protection
HI IND the great results following the estab
w Shment Of the nrst step Of the kind In
- Ittie town IN Tennessee evolved into wha
IL das STYLED the 'Ku Klux Klan." which
,I1} bread all over the South and was powe
MI decd while 1t lasted.
'fly M IL lease Of existence was Of sufficient
|l|A taratlon for the accomplishment Of thu
1 IA irposs for which 1t was intended. /: wal
t;f &e salvation Of tho South.
Ills III The country had been turned OYER to the
VIZ &ndcr tnercies OF lot Of mon, termed
6lf t&rpetbaggers, and being backed by the
tIk ,fmy c.jntinEent stationed In tho South,
liz tps1 possessed powers unlimited
W. III Tho majority Of them, being men Of
I I tnall caliber. abused their power outrage
\! ssasly. for instead Of protecting tho re-
NJ k*ntly free and ignorant negroes thoy taxed
81 tAelr Ingenuity inventing schemes whereby
eli ia fleece them.
T3B%Of course there were many exceptions,
VII pd many OF these carpetbaggors were
III zen who conscientiously believed they had
n III Christian duty to perform In reconclling
NJ tfse former master and former slave to
gi&5ie changed condition OF affairs. and when
Xxx section found itself blessed with such an
4, lftent matters worked smoothly and very
Nis fi~esDg-l iiiCiioh DctWctH INC Tutth
llt lfasued Wherever dishonest agent
III las located whether he leaned to-
tiffyards the whites or the blacks,
s2lerc was sure to be trouble. Often, the
M tnorant colored brother. imagining tnnt
tEy sip mad the law on his side. would rush
Hi the agent and fee him with his last
'llar IN order to get the best OF his white
,f.,sighbor
flfffiO Often after emptying his pocketbook into
i lat OF tho agent he would be told TO so
n tyout his business. Both white and black
tis 'fio frequently found themselves Financially
randed after settling with the otrLet-
IftIttgger.
III Arriving In Houston ono evening frtm
4 " interior town. where was then To-
- ttted. was requested to be on hand At a
'ftertaln locality, where | would meet some
u 1fends. Anticipating a jolly good time /
ls ,gpaired to the designated place Several
u va acuuantances stood about the Ell rance
NJ ,fld after hearty greetings | was rst,red
~ and tho door closed. This arTtarcd
\ lther suspicious. but presuming shat
- sAs among friends, paid little heed. Ri
~ sectly | was encrcled around The was,.
4 \ ttld handkerchief placed tightly opcr my
II Ives There was no use kicking and |
VI re only sensible course was 10 Accept tho |
.sAfevitable. found myself being led up
~ tJairs and down stairs over obstacles OF |
H; gerry description. In utter darkness. After
4 sing tired out with these proceedings | |
h LAS commanded In cultural tones 10 kneeI |
NJ mich of course did. nleekly as lamb |
liPtsing led to the slaughter
'fIOne OF my hands was placed ,n,pn a |
va Ibie, and the other upon a reyolYor. |
4 tier many promises TO obey any order |
u 3sven me. swearing undyng fidelity md |
assyp die II necessary in defense OK mo vows |
\, Is was taking, the bandagc was removed |
II ION my eyes. What sight was present |
litti Great numbers OF men, Wifi faces |
n Easked. and robed In long flowing black |
tllpwns, some with swords others with |
r. ttuwn dnggefS, while others hal pistols |
U Vehed at my intmidatod person. After /
nehiag myself to become assured that |
V, as alive, | heard deep hoarse tone |
ssfttclaiin Brother. you now belong TO the !
4, 4Asstc circle known as the "Ku KluX |
H ;Sah' After which had my arm shaken
~ limp condition.
Al FINDING myself in need OF bucer after
Il, len an ordeal, proceeded to indulge in
averal and retired to my couch to medi-
X ste upon the events Of the night.
I'll we had our grips and signs aud when
a hey We're exchanged with brother "Kr
}8 lux all was serene Many very peculiar
X lad wonderful incidents could relate as
M !, our experience on midnight expeditions
iiroughout the country surrounding our
.Ssilluee
IL Our captain on these visits to The homes
lsII the colored brethren wore u white robe.
II lhite the balance OF the command Vas
ifrbed IN black. the entire party mssled
Ills We would approach tho CABINS @. a
IFpantnton we could usually detect commo.
.on within. with smothered exclamation
irfJ Look er yonder, wat dat cumming TO
rashus dey's spirits. shuah. All nv 'cm
sflstg pistol In he hand"
VI On our captain calling In an unearthly
}4pne for tho head OF the house The friend
4 itnd brother would appear. more dead than
.trAive with fright. with "Yas, sab, boss;
iifSats me. Ennyfng ! ran do rso at yer
Il fskrvis.'
gftS Our leader in deep sepulchral voice,
naSpuld demand water--''Come to tho we'll
Ind proceed to draw us water. We are
IL YNiirsty." This was a prodigons task. for
e lise wore an India rubber sack, extending
Ss Tom under our mask, capable OF contain
,sf5te several buckets OF water, The daiky.
I, 9th eyes rolling. and Precipitation pouring
from hts race. would commence his task
& stth great energy. Our captain always
!, frank FIRST and 1t required several buckets
y satiate his thirst.
i VI When the darby would witness his ap-
aren't stomach swelling as bucket after
Z Aicket disappeared within him, the appear
* 4nce of the awe-stricken creature was
" 4omething to be remembered, when the
\ .iptain stepped aside and each successive
\ Aember OF the band began to hide away
* buckets OF water With a swelling stomach
n Ike unto our leader. tho darky's energy
I ifculd begin to flag. but nm intimation to
H Am to hurry up as We had houses to burn
Il md men and women to kill ere the
/ fln should shine again. he would, with
Z. Aperhuman effort. bring forth buckets OF
Il cater with great rapidity.
Js After every man had his turn. tho COM
4, 2lland to fall In would be heard The In
i, xinction was given to the coiored gentle-
ttSStbo flip and we would leave him, a picture
H%f despair and horror. 1t was amusing to
Sffear the c0iored people when they came
b town next day describing the curious
L. 49, -