The Atlanta constitution., 1900-12-03

secret order. They were singled out Tor
arrest by Major Merrill. then command
ing the United States forces in the New
York district.
DIR Bratton was a thirty-third degree
Mason and there is no doubt this fact
caused him to be aroused at the dead OF
Night of his home in Yorkville by an un-
known horseman. whose steed was spent,
and given an important military secret
Thirty minutes later the Ku-Klux leader
was riding out of town. headed north
ward and leaving his wife and three
little children behind. Later in the night
detachment of cavalry surrounded the
Bratton home Pursuit was made IN
every direction, but with good morse,
ample funds and the friends he coulu
command wherever the secrets of Mason
ry were known. the fugitive made ms
way safely into Canada. taking up MS
residence in Montreal in the fan OF
1871.
DIR. Bratton opened an office in the "a
madam city. where he began the practice
of medicine His Whereabouts became
known soon as he wrote to his family
i'm Yorkville, and he was soon being
shadowed by agents of this government
He was joined bv his family few
months after reaching Canada and they
arranged to make that country their
home until their native state became
safer. But they We're not to remain in
security
mo offense on which Or. Bratton could
be eXtradited was charged. so he an
ticipated no further trouble from the
military authorities I'm this state who had
/ been on his track. and the idea Of being
kidnapped never occurred TO him. But
one evening, in the early spring of 1872.
I b., Il OIL
vas gotten into a carriage and driven
hurriedly out Of the city. Three men
had him in charge and during the night
tacv rot him into a boat and across the
ST. Lawrence river The captors imme-
diately brought their risoner back to the
old Jail NJ Yori<ville. where he was in
carCcratcd, pending the convention ot n
court specially arranged to try ku-kluX
cases But the DOCTOR was fortunate in
having powerful friends in all quarters
of the country. The facts of his forcible
abduction for an alleged political Of
f,nse we're promptly laid before the Brit
ish government, and this was followed
bv a demand by the government that ne
be released and returned under safe con-
due, +, the domicile of Canada from
which he had been taken. This demand
was in mediateiy complied with
Or. Bratton remained an exile in Can
tbe United States troops had been with
d,awn from South Carolina. Then receiV-
in, an lntimatioh that the case against
him would not be pushed he returned TO
his old home. where he resumed the prac-
lice of medicine. He continued there uh-
moloetod until his death IN 1887. For
number of years before mis- death ne was
president ol the South Carolina Medical
Association and OF the state board Of
health.
John S. Bratton, who was a gentleman
Of large means. left his home at the
sam,. time as his brother To avoid arrest
and remained abroad two years. during
mis- absence many witnesses in Ku-hluN
cases from York county We're eNai'iii'e"
,o connect John Bratton with the OF
panizatfon The only evidence obtained
ar.,fnst him was that parties of ku-kIuX
amor an aI-nights ride. codlc hnd at
cgrt.,fn sltut. near his home appeuSlhs
lnuches. which they. I'M their hapll 9al M ~
leuce. ate So ou his return to f.. OK ~ y,
Iohn Bratton was troubled no more;
''i'i w T. GONZALES.