Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1871 — A Ku-Klux Expose. [ARTICLE]

A Ku-Klux Expose.

Nine men were brought before United States Commissioner Beatty to-day, charged with being concerned in the recent Ku-Klux outrages near Fitchburg, Estell County, in which one man was killed and several wounded. Bony Vaughn testified to the attack on his house. One Thomas Payne gave State’s evidence. He said he belonged to the Ku-Klux gang, and had joined them to es cape persecution. He was with them in the attack on Vaughn’s house, and pointed out six prisoners he recognized in the party, mentioning the names of others not present. He had been warned to leave by them, and had been hunted and persecuted, ami joined the band in order to escaper in jury and learn all about them, so that he could inform on them and get satisfaction for his wrongs. He told of several bandsin Estell County, organized and under ordeis of their leaders, and repeated several instances of outrages by them, where he was forced to be present under threats. It is stated that State Senator Cockerill is at the bottom. He was frequently spoken of by the members as their leader. Payne was* interviewed this evening by a reporter of the Courier-Journal, to whom he gave the following account of the secrets of the Ku-Klux Klan: “ I first signified my intention of joining the band to Henry Adams, working in the same drift with me, about the v l7th of May. Henry then took me to the noddle of the drift, and in the presence of John Patrick, having me put my left hand on my heart, and hold up my right, administered the followoath, to which I assented: 1 You do solemnly swear you will not reveal a sign or password of this secret organization to which you now attach yourself. Also, you will aid and assist any brother in any difficulty in which he may become involved; and you will support the Democracy; and may you suffer your body to be cut in four parts and cast into the four quarters of the earth before you will reveal a sign or password belonging to this secret organization.’ Ido not know the oath by heart, but the above is about it There is also something about the negro in it. Adams also gave the signs ana passwords. To recognize a brother at a distance we raise our hat with the right hand, and pull the brim down over the right eye. The answer is with the same hanci. Both then draw the left hand across the mouth, as if wiping it, and stroke the breast with the right. The grip is made by grasping hands in the usual manner, with the thumb pushing tightly between the other thumb and fore-finger, and giving only one shake, saying: ‘I am all right; how are you ?’ He answers: *I am all right’ I rcplyi * How may I know you are all right?’ He answers: ‘By word or by letter.’ I ask : * Which do you prefer?’ lie may call for either. If he askes for a letter I tell him to spell. He says *B.’ I say ‘L.’ He says ‘A.’ I say ‘P.’ He says *U.’ I say ‘P.’ all spelling out slap up, which is the test word of the order. If I want any further proof I say ‘sick,’ Arhen he answers, ‘well.’ If I still require further proof I say ‘a vigilia.’ If he is all right he replies ‘eternally.’ A still further test would be for me to ask ‘what is most like cedar?* when he would answer ‘a dead rebel.’ I would ask ‘why ?’ and he wotild answer ‘because it never dies.’ If I get into difficulty and see lam overpowered and I desire to know if any brother was present, I lock arms across my breast, as if cold, and say. ‘I wish I knew if anyuf St. Mary’s children were about.’ If any brother is about he will immediately come to my aid, and if my opponent be a member of the bamt he will immediately desist and we become friends. When traveling at night on meeting a person and desiring to know if he is a brother, I say ‘Hail’ and give a loud slap with my i hand on mv thigh. He answers with two I slaps. When it is desired by a captain to call a meeting, he sends a marshal to notify each member. The place of meeting is usually In some dense wood, without fire or light of any kind- No man must

leave his home for place of meeting before dark. When the meeting is assembled the roll is called and absentees Bent for and compelled to come under guard. No raid is ever made unless every member of the gang is along." ,