The Mena weekly star., 1909-07-01

Forrest. Each state had it's individua
 commander, and Memphis was tht
 place in which the state commander,
 were convened in secret monthly ses.
 sions. At these meetings the situation
 was discussed, plans were prepared
 and the machinery of the organization
 was operated The condition of affair.
 became desperate and 1t was determined
 to make one broad, concerted movement The negro was the great source ol l trouble, and their inhuman oppression was most grievous in the states of Ar kansas. Louisiana and South Carolina | There was never any conflict or trouble with such of the regular federal troops as were stationed in the South, and none were ever contemplated or expected Calmly and deliberately the leaders faced the issue and the word was given The reconstruction government should | be brought to an end. The first blow should be struck in Arkansas.
 Marched 10000 Strong
 The carpetbag legislature was in session in Little Rock the memorial session of 1868 Murder. pillage and piunder were going on throughout the state. Suddenly, as if bombshell had been exploded in the rioting capitol, confusion spread through their ranks Word had come that a body of men variously estimated at from 1000 to 10000 had collected in one ot the nearby counties to the north had sprung into existence in a single night, had maneuvered. marched and counter marched in mysterious silence for day, bivOuacked beside 500 camp fires when night came. and with the dawn of another day had disappeared as mysteriously as they had come There were days of uncertainty and terror in the camps of the reconstruction government, but instead of strength ening their forces, there came from Washington headquarters positive though incomprehensiblc orders look ing to the disbanding of the notorious militia Though stubbornly opposed oy the local carpetbag authorities. those orders were enforced and soon the hated militia was a thing of the past not only in Arkansas but in every other Southern state
 ms much appeared upon the surface ana lhis only The carpetbag leaders m Arkansas have been as much in tha dark 70 this day as they were at the time the event took place. when with lear they heard of the gathering bost so near their headquarters and with surprise and consternation received tlle orders so summarily curtailing thelr much abused powers.
 beneath the surface. the details ol Wiiien such disturbing rumors were current in Little Rock. showed ner- uf lse'on oi organization and certainty v, S~eeution which gave promise of ih9gA ,yll remarkable results.
 when interviewed at his home recently, for the Commercial Anneat Gen Shaver smiled as he recountej tne circumstances. and his fine olJ eyes were bright with the freg of . iii''Ftiai spirit which time has failed to
 What did it all mcan2p ba renea.sd when asked to tell of the event "f, tbe ,i,ei't lhe capture of the Legislature s,'r saPiene court and the entire esi ss i'stpas government I had nv I,H IF ll si.e stTrup. in another none,3t nave been in the saddle and awav J Jusl III tune to stop us there came ,hessage from Gen Forrest order;ug T tPonenent of the movement and 0aiNig me to Memphis.
 ~ Flower of Manhood
 Mlth rare discr;ptive ..o,yar x. isa, L1i, ''sq9h t, followed, telling ot the Kn. -, Ni'sn' its organization and its -s'0" 'n Arkansas until late in 1868