Year: 1869




II We cal attention to the following


extracts from private letter pub
-iishetl in the Toledo Blade, and


written by gentleman doing duty


as State Constable in South Caro-


lima: it '.f


''We left here on the morning of


the 26sh ult. to see some freedmen at


Dark Corners, X. K. X. The first


we came to was Reuben Smiley, an
aged man, 81 years, white haired
He was too near dead to tell US any
thing about his case, but his wife and
daughter (eye witnesses) gave US the
following account: On the 25th of
May an election for coroner took
place in this county, an uaimportant
office. A Republican who was very
popular with the freedmen was the
candidate, which induced an unusual
turnout of the freedmen. About
nine o'clock of that evening four
men stopped at Reubeu's cabin, call
ed for him and were told he was not
at home. Procuringa long pole they
burst in his door, curslDg him as a
d-n Radical son of b.. Uncle
Reuben at first sound of danger
sought safety underneath his floor,
but, one of the planks not fitting
closely, was observed by the ruffians,
who attempted to set the house on
fire, but as it was too slow q work
for them they dragged him up and
out on the cross roads, beat him for
one hour by the watch, and then pro-
ceeded to another place. Reuben
Smiley died yesterday from his
jrubbing on the 25th of May. We
next saw one April Blocker, who was
visited three times by them. OG the
first occasion he was absent, but at
last be too was caught and treed un-
derneath his floor, and was dragged
out, but being a powerful man he
succeeded in breaking away from
them, trusting to his heels to save
him. He was closely followed by
his enemies, who succeeded in shoot
ing him just as he entered the w BOD.
This man recovered, but, being shot
through the shoulders, is helpless
We next went to place where they
had been and found a man at home
whom they killed in his loft. The
fourth man we found shot through
the bowels and cannot recover. The
sun appearing lew down in the west,
we began to think Dark Corner none
the safest place for carpet-baggers
aud turned towards our headquar-
ters. Yet for such crime there Is no
punishment. If there be but one
white man on the jury he will stand
ous. Conviction is, therefore, impos-
sible.


We are not especial favorites in
this country; we are hardly quoted at
par; we cannot toady to them. /
cannot drink corn whiskey, talk dog
or describe cock fights with the vol
ability OF native Carolinian. Yet
this is the headquarters of the Ku
KluX Kian for South Carolina, one
Gen. Geary being commander in chief
and others high up. On last evening
word was transmitted to US from
these fellows that we were known and
divers threats, pictures of collins, fu-
neral professions, DC, occasioning
great alarm among our brethren of
The visible admixture, but did not
disturb either our appetite or rest.


We live with scalawag named
Phil Eicheberger, who was burned
IN etfigy on his declaring himself q
Scalawag is the name
given to all native Southern men who
become Republicans, and on them as
we'll as the carpet bagger falls alike
.he vengeance of this oppressed peo-
pie. l could give you score or
'wo of cases where the Klans have
attempted to murder and otherwise
ntimidate men from joining the par
y, but will not, supposing it would
not interest citizen os the future
great city. / often think these acts
should be reported north, and will
willingly and cheerfully report them
% any paper that will arrange and
publish them. arH