The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-02-09
"KU KLUX KHAN" IN NEWBERRY, 5. c.
written For The Dayon Rutherford Chapter, No. l52, u D.
C., by Col. D. A. Gckert)

early days just negroes
their newound freedom and of the 18th amend
the Constitution granting them the full benefit Of citizen
Ship that gratitude country
atrocities Murders committed dwellings and barns
burned what all ese melted their ncendiary feel
ngs the Nine houses burned during
few months within radius of less than thirteen miles These
burning confined buildings the but often
those of widows with house full Of orphan children.
The citizens yielded gracefully nev
tabthe freeing slavbut reluctantly allowed them the
Upon the Souths troubles
right negro this ali
This spirit people of the South while
abetted the Federal authorities still that
spirit fostere bitterness engendered by
possible In town and county seat the State was
stationed Federal soldiers whose duty
that justice black white
But instead of this the people kept in constant turmoil by
being dragged provost marshal these
frivolous charge made by the laborer against the employer
the housewife her servants 1t maered not how
complaint overwhelmingly refu heavy
atty money imposed little
the infringement of their personal rights
promptly reported the squadron of cavalry
to make arrests.
To prevent stop origin Of the secret
negroes the nsgaon of the Federal authorities,
forming clubs military companies all the State
wherever leader scawag white could be found organize
being child of today only thinking Of yester
being Of supersttous nature
first determined act the the race Inat
is reason gotesque disguise white with
hdeous false faces to cover their heads.
organization Newberry the Of u Kux Kan
organized about eight
Newberr Pomaria Confederate officer
slight distinction in the by general
acclaim its logical leader Auxiliary clans sprang up
everywhere in the lower part county, extending
river to Saluda through Fork" within few miles of
Newberry clans were also organized under
officer the whole being under the leadership OF the
could abundance into the
the attributes for such UNDER
taking-couage fidelity loyalty his elow-members When
young man expressed join the can committee
appointed inquire his such as honor moral and
physical courage willingness sacrifice himself for the good
the safety the country If found worthy ne was
notified appear the night at road
or lonely out-house answering signal those who would
approach appointed time body of disguised horsemen
would receive him. bndfod him. and lead him, often miles away
There regulations, and
laws were with permission reca at this point
Or drew back when the banGage was taken
himself surrounded by body OF sepuchra
looking beings white with hideous headgear
The initiation degrees ludcous in the extreme but
impressive and bood-curdng noviate He g7en the
sign grip Every oahbound to obey or
drs secrecy beay member under pen
atty of death his comrades
meaning origin of the name has been dlspuIeo question:
with many gve correct The disguise
of white white headcoVer1ng that COM
pey covered the with eyeits trimmed red
while at the imitation horns made of white
cloth stuffed with cotton, at the tip being red tasse
places meeting the depth of some solitary wood
from habtation
sometimes Of the little mountain then in some
Sauda river bottoms From these
places they would ride out singfe SILENT grim
and determined certain sections of the county until
daylight to allow each member to reach MS
home unobserved these SILENT dismal and awenp
ing upon the had sauary effect Ihere was
never spoken the had the least inmaon OF
the coming clankng the horses
feet they generally woods bacaded their houses
and put their lights.
No violence unless the charges OF wrong
member Of the can and then an
impartial investigation If the charges found correct
and it was thought the evdoe should leave the country
miniature his door, as warning 1or
warning seldom unheeded Many acts
Of outrage inofene negroes 10 vent some Pr
va grudge the country that were laid at the
doors these committed Dy assassns 1ro
other States hired AS the Ku kux an was