New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-23
SAVED BY HIS COURTESY
EXPERIENCE OF \ NORTHERN PHYSI-
CLAN IN DAYS AFTER THE WAR WITH
KIIKIUX KHAN IN MISSOURI.

KUKLUX KHAN IN MISSOURI.
Riga n y Nov. % CspeciaD.-Dr. Robert Mac
Lane who one of the foremost citizens of this
township used to say that politeness and courtesy
were not only oil upon the wheels of life, but aIs0
in one ca Sc at least, bulwarks of life and liberty.
He was a remarkable man and had been through
adventures which made his hearers hair almost
bristle when he told them in his delightful fashion
Dr. MacLane and his family lived in Southern Mis-
souri, during the Civil War and for two years AFTER
II had closed When the fact Is added that ne was
known as loyal Northerner during all that period.
some idea of his position is easily gathered. Place
beside that the jealousy of local practitioner
whose sympa thes strongly and zealously Tor
the South and the situation is lighted up win
urid glare.
DR. MacLane and his young wife and daughter
moved 10 Southern Missouri several years before
the outbreak of hostilities. His home Was one of
the most beautiful i'm that part of the country ana
his estate particularly famous for oeahtllul
peach orchard, which, in a State widely known lor
its fruit farms maintained standard equalled ny
few growers in the peach belt of the West. This
orchard was destined to play an important part III
a tragedy upon whose outcome hung lie ana
fortune in later years
DR.. MacLane was kindly man and physician
of great ability His practice grew in spite oi ms
open political leanngs and seriously encroacheu
upon that of the Southern born physician, Who'
naturally hot headed and mpetuous person tooA
i'll the invasion of what he considered his lhaiie-
able rights by citizen OF tne Offensive 4'''''''
The war came and DIR. MacI4ane gave assistance to
wounded soldiers on both sides and sheltered
slaves I'm flight with mpartality. His actions now
ever were viewed by the more rabid Southerhers
with suspicion, and when the fighting ceased ana
the reconstruction period began he was marked
man and he knew it. He showed no rear III MS
daily life and went his rounds unconcerned as
ever But even the most careless of ears couid not
help hearing vague rumors or the most mSepeh-
dent of eyes fail to observe signs of impending
storm clouds. The KukIux klan was ORGANIZED
and its branches extended all through that part
of Missouri Stories of its outrages reached Dr.
MacLane, and he felt certain that before long MS
time would come.
At last one afternoon Coiored woman whose
husband he had hefriended stole into the house
and told his wife that a visitation had been
planned for that night. Mrs MacLane GREATNESS
with terror. informed her husband. upon his re-
turn. of the awful news. II was IN the hiuule o.
August and the nights cool and the twilight
still long. The doctor comforted his weeping Nhe
and told her to OBEY him in everything ne might
say and all would right he hoped he theu
set some Of his servants to picking the hesf ana
ripest of the peaches which hung in protuslon ana
richness on the trees. He told his wife to NIL the
decanters and cut cake and place 1t upon SAVERS
II for feast Then he went OUT ana say uos i
upon his front p9IG9 sun beaTd the sound Of
horses hoofs on the road; me aNeuseLs d .l
ness 10 ora, RAJ IN Sd boTsemen rode to the gate
and stopped Without a moments hesitation Dr.
MacI1sne rose and walked deliberately and alone
down 70 the gate lie opened II wide taxing OH HIS
Gentlemen" he said, with old school elegance
you have come unannounced. but nevertheless
bid you welcome" ,,r,
The horsemen drew rein nsde DR. Of M lac nne
With perfect politeness he led the way % IN
procession followed him. There upon the Forch
stood his wife and daughter. ... 49,. ,,,ovn.o,el
callers. Let US give them refreshments after their
SIN The mufIied riders stood without word. In
n moment servants appeared with dishes, heaped
high with luscious peaches Others carried ueG t
cults. II dramatic situation -
81 am TmrtherH born and bred but trust l am
not ignorant OF the dues OF h3spitahty' Deg you,
as y suss55 to n1Tt@Ne OF this SS yet 'D'
He bore hmsel; with GOODNESS, ease and fear
lossness which seemed TO exercise a strange power
upon the figures whom he confronted In his solitary
any Surprise M2{ 4s at sE her or 5om any
as TO their Personalites or any dread as 70 tneIr
hsps tWo minute M Then the man Who seemed
be the leader stopped and raised glass OF wine 10
his masked lips. \ deep voice broke the stiffness
4 drink 10 the health OF a brave and hospitaole
Each rider took sip Of wine Then they rode
away az silently as they had come. The doctor had
II was afterward learned that the leader of he
band who visited him that night was the rival
physician who had looked jealousy upon his
success. He received letter several weeks after
ward written in cultured hand. but unsigned;
which stated that 50 long as he might care 10 i've
where he Ola Dr lane might a. rest assured st IN
enough Southern blood left in the veins of Mis-
souris TO recognize and appreciate a brave
lived this held true, but he died suddenly and
others assumed the leadership. with lawlessness
part or he would be hanged and his hc me burned
lie refused to take TINS candid adyIce but aS9th
his life, but had the agony Of seeing his home in
ings of their flight that night left such a bitter
memory with his wife and daughter that it was
the shock