The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-23

Suddenly pistol shot rang from be-
hind the school house, and before Nc
Leod and his crowd knew what had hap
pened fifty white horsemen wheeled into
a circle about them. They were COM
pletely surprised and cowed.
Major Cameron rode up TO Mcleod
Young MAJ, you are the prisoner Of
the Chief of the Ku-Klux Khan Of Camp
hell county. Lift your hand now and
ri hang you in five minutes. You have
forfeited your life by disobedience to my
orders You go back to Hambright with
me under guard. Whether / execute you
depends on the outcome Of the next two
days' conferences with the chiefs of the
township lodges"
The major wheeled his horse and rode
home. The next day he ordered every
one Of the eleven township chiefs to re-
port in person to him, at different hours
the same day. TO each one his message
was the same. He dissolved the order and
issued perpetual injunction against any
division of the Khan ever going on an
other raid.
Within two weeks from the dissolution
OF the Khan by it's chief every lodge had
been reoreanized Some Of the older men
had dropped out, but more young men
were initiated to take their places. Al
Ian Mcleod led in this work of prompt
reorganization, and was elected chief Of
the county by the younger element which
now had g large majority.
He at once served notice on Maj. Dam
eron, the former chief that If he dared
to interfere with his work, even by open.
ing his mouth in criticism, he would order
q raid, and thrash him.
When the major found this note under
his door one morning he read and re-read
1t with increasing wrath. Springlng on
his horse he went in search of Mcleod.
He saw him leisurely crossing the street
going from the hotel TO the court house.
Throwing his horses rein to a passing
boy he walked rapidly to him, and, with
out a word, boxed his ears as father
would an impudent child. Mcleod was
so astonished he hesitated for moment
whether TO strike or to run. tie did
neither, but blushed red and STAN
mered:
What do you mean, sir?"
Read that letter. you young whelp!"
The major thrust the letter into his
hand.
Il know nothing OF this
You're a liar. You are its author. No
other fool in this county would have con-
ceived it. Now. let me give you little
notice. i am prepared for you and your
crowd. Call any time ! can whip a hum
dred puppies of your breed any time by
myself with one hand tied behind me,
and never get a scratch. Dare to lift
your finger against me OF any of the men
who refused TO go with your new fools
movement, and III shoot you on sight as
I would a mad dog" Before Mcleod
could reply the major turned on his
heels and left him.
Mcleod made no further attempt TO
modest the major, nor did he allow any
raids bent on murder. The sudden au-
thority placed in his hands in a measure
sobered him. He inaugurated a series Of
petty deyiltries, whipping negroes and
poor white men against whom some Of
his crowd had grudge, and annoying the
school teachers of negro schools.
Once more the public square at Ham
bright saw the bivouac OF the regular
troops Of the United States Army.
Sam Worth gave information that led
TO the immediate arrest of Allan Mcleod.
He was the first man led into the Jail
The officers had 3 long conference with
him that lasted four hours.
And then the bottom fell out. A wild
stampede of young men for the West!
Somebody who held the names of every
man in the order had proved traitor.
To save appearance Mcleod was re-
moved 10 Independence with the other
prisoners. and in a short time released,
with a number OF others against whom
insignificant charges were lodged
When he returned to Hambright the
people looked at him with suspicion.
How is 1t, young man." asked the
preacher. "that you are at home so soon
while brave boys are serving terms in
Northern prisons %
Had nothing against me-" lie replied
That's strange, when Sam Worth
swore that you organized the raid to kill
Rufe baltimore"
They didn't believe him"
We'll, I've an idea that you saved your
hide by puking. I'm not sure yet. but in
formation was given that only the man In
command of the whole county could have
possessed"
There We're a half dozen men knew as
much as / did. You mustn't think me ca
pable OF such thing, DR.. DurhaIn." pro
tested Mcleod with heightened color
ITS nasty suspicion. Ia rather see
a child OF mine transformed into .ur
dog. and killed for stealing sheep, than
fall TO the level of such q man But only
tine VIII prove the issue"
I've made UP my mind to turn over
new leaf said Mcleod "Tm sick OF
rowdyism. Pm going to be a law-abiding
loyal citizen"
That's just what I'm afraid of" en-
claimed the Preacher with sneer as he
turned and left him.
And his fears were soon confirmed.
Within month the Independence Obser-
Yer contained dispatch from Washing
ton announcing the appointment OF Allan
Mcleod Deputy United States Marshal
for the District of Western North Caro-
lima together with the information that
he had become an enthusiastic Republi-
cam and that henceforth he would labor
with might and main to establish peace
and further industrial progress OF the
South.
CHAPTER XIV.