clothes off of me and caught me by one arm, while another man took me by the other and they carried me into the yard between the houses, my brother's and mine, and put me on the ground beside a boy. The first thing they asked me was, "Who did that burning? Who burned our houses?" gin-houses, dwelling-houses and such. Some had been burned in the neighborhood. I told them it was not me; I could not burn houses; it was unreasonable to ask me. Then they hit me with their fists, and said I did it, I ordered it. They went on asking me didn't I tell the black men to ravish all the white women. No, I answered them. They struck me again with their fists on my breast, and then they went on, "When did you hold a night-meeting of the Union League, and who were the officers? Who was the president?" I told them I had been the president, but that there had been no Union League meeting held at that place where they were formerly held since away in the fall. This was the 5th of May. They said that Jim Raney, that was hung, had been at my house since the time I had said the League was last held, and that he had made a speech. I told them he had not, because I did not know the man. I said, "Upon honor." They said I had no honor and hit me again. They went on asking me hadn't I been writing to Mr. A. S. Wallace, in Congress, to get letters from him. I told them I had. They asked what I had been writing about? I told them “Only tidings." They said, with an oath, “I know the tidings were d-d good, and you were writing something about the Ku-Klux, and haven't you been preaching and praying about the Ku-Klux?" One asked, "Haven't you been preaching political sermons?" Generally, one asked me all the questions, but the rest were squatting over me-some six men I counted as I lay there. Said one, "Didn't you preach against the Ku-Klux," and wasn't that what Mr. Wallace was writing to me about. "Not at all.” I said. "Let me see the letter," said he; "What was it about?" I said it was on the times. They wanted the letter. I told them if they would take me back into the house, and lay me in the bed, which was close adjoining my books and papers, I would try and get it. They said I would never go back to that bed, for they were going to kill me "Never expect to go back; tell us where the letters are." I told them they were on the shelf somewhere, and I hoped they would not kill me. Two of them went into the house. My sister says that as quick as they went into the house they struck the clock at the foot of the bed. I heard it shatter. One of the four around me called out, "Don't break any private property, gentlemen, if you please; we have got him we came for, and that's all we want." I did not hear them break anything else. They staid in there a good while hunting about and then came out and asked me for a lamp. I told them there was a lamp somewhere. They said "Where?" I was so confused I said I could not tell exactly. They caught my leg—you see what it is-and pulled me over the yard and then left me there, knowing I could not walk nor crawl, and all six went into the house. I was chilled with the cold lying in the yard at that time of night, for it was near 1 o'clock, and they had talked and beaten me and so on until half an hour had passed since they first approached. After they had staid in the house for a considerable time, they came back to where I lay and asked if I wasn't afraid at all. They pointed pistols at me all around my head once or twice, as if they were going to shoot me, telling me they were going to kill me, wasn't I ready to die? and willing to die? didn't I preach? that they came to kill me—all the time pointing pistols at me. This second time they came out of the house, after plundering the house, searching for letters, they came at me with these pistols, and asked if I was ready to die. I told them that I was not exactly ready; that I would rather live; that I hoped they would not kill me that time. They said they would; I had better prepare. One caught me by the leg and hurt me, for my leg for forty years has been drawn each year, more and more year by year, and I made moan when it hurt so. One said "G-d d- -n it, bush!" He had a horsewhip, and he told me to pull up my shirt and he hit me. He told me at every lick "Hold up your shirt." I made a moan every time he cut with the horsewhip. I reckon he struck me eight cuts right on the hip bone; it was almost the only place he could hit my body, my legs are so short-all my limbs drawn up and withered away with pain. I saw one of them standing over me or by me motion to them to quit. They all had disguises on. I then thought they would not kill me. One of them then took a strap and buckled it around my neck and said, "Let's take him to the river and drown him." "What course is the river?" they asked me. I told them, east. Then one of them went feeling about, as if he was looking for something, and said, "I don't see no east! Where is the d- -d thing?" as if he did not understand what I meant. After pulling the strap around my neck, he took it off and gave me a lick on my hip where he had struck me with the horsewhip. One of them said, "Now you see I've burned up the d-d letter of Wallace's and all," and he brought out a little book and says, "What's this for?" I told him I did not know; to let me see with a light and I could read it. They brought a lamp and I read it. It was a book in which I had kept an account of the school. I had been licensed to keep a school. I read them some of the names. He said that would do, and asked if I had been paid for those scholars I had put down? I said no. He said I would now have to die. I was somewhat afraid, but one said not to kill me. They said "Look here! Will you put a card in the paper next week like June Moore and Sol Hill?' They had been prevailed on to put a card in the paper to renounce all

republicanism and never vote. I said, "If I had the money to pay the expense, I could." They said I could borrow, and gave me another lick. They asked me, "Will you quit preaching?" I told them I did not know. I said that to save my life. They said I must stop that republican paper that was coming to Clay Hill. It has been only a few weeks since it stopped. The republican weekly paper was then coming to me from Charleston. It came to my name. They said I must stop it, quit preaching, and put a card in the newspaper renouncing republicanism, and they would not kill me; but if I did not they would come back the next week and kill me. With that one of them went into the house where my brother and my sister-in-law lived, and brought her to pick me up. As she stooped down to pick me up one of them struck her, and as she was carrying me into the house another struck her with a strap. She carried me into the house and laid me on the bed. Then they gathered around and told me to pray for them. I tried to pray. They said "Don't you pray against KuKlux, but pray that God may forgive Ku-Klux. Don't pray against us. Pray that God may bless and save us." I was so chilled with cold lying out of doors so long and in such pain I could not speak to pray, but I tried to, and they said that would do very well, and all went out of the house except one. He handed me back a little book, that schoolbook, saying, "Here's that little book;" but it seemed that he forgot to speak in that outlandish tone that they use to disguise their voices. He spoke in his common, plain voice. and then he went out.

Question. How were they disguised?

Answer. With coverings over their faces. Some had a kind of check disguise on their heads. One had black oil-cloth over his head, and something like gloves covering his hands and wrists. When they brought the lamp to read that little book I could see his face all around his eyes, and he seemed a red-whiskered man.

Question. Did you know any of them?

Answer. No, sir, I cannot say I know any one of them.

Question. Who was this red-whiskered man?

Answer. From what I have heard since I believe it was a Max Steele, who lives right below us.

Question. Are you confident of it, or is it a mere opinion?

Answer. From what I have heard since, to the best of my knowledge it was him. Question. From what you saw there?

Answer. No, sir, I only saw through the eye-holes of his disguise.

Question. Had you been president of the Union League?

Answer. Yes, sir. They charged that, and I owned it.

Question. Had there been political meetings held at your house.

Answer. Yes, sir, and I owned that; but they were not this year.

Question. Had you been preaching?

Answer. Yes, sir, regularly.

Question. For how long?

Answer. Every month. I have been preaching regularly for some ten years or more, with a license to preach.

Question. To what church do you belong?

Answer. To the Baptist church.

Question. Were you ever able to go out at all and attend to any other business than to teach a school?

Answer. I once went to a place in North Carolina and taught a temporary school. Question. Had you to be carried then?

Answer. Yes, sir, as I am here. I could sit here for three or four hours comfortably teaching or preaching.

Question. Had you anything to do with anybody who was connected with the burning of property-gin-houses and barns?

Answer. No, sir. I heard of the burning going on, but I never knew who did it, neither did I inquire. I only heard of the burnings as everybody else did.

Question. You spoke of others who were visited in your neighborhood by the Ku-Klux? Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. How many were there?

Answer. From what I heard before and since, on the same night they were at June Moore's and Sol. Hill's. I heard them; they broke in the door and searched the house; and at Jesse McGill's, too, on widow Mary Watson's plantation; they live in the yard; then down by Ross Watson's they came. He heard them and ran out. They threw his bed in the fire. Then they came on to me. The only damage to property they did me was what I have said. I missed some pencils-a slate pencil and the lead pencil with which I mark the school lessons.

Question. How many persons in your neighborhood have been whipped, according to your information and belief?

Answer. I have been mentioning only what occurred that night.

Question. You did not see that?

Answer. No, sir; only what took place at my own house; but I heard it myself. Question. State how many have been whipped, according to information which you believe to be true?

Answer. They went on and whipped J. P. Hill's wife the same night they were at my house.

Question. Who else?

Answer. Julia, Miles Barron's wife. Rumor says they committed a rape on her. Question. That you do not know?

Answer. No, sir.

Question. Are those all in your neighborhood?

Answer. Those are all that I heard were whipped that night. Samuel Simrell's house was burned down that night.

Question. Do you know of anybody being whipped at any other time?

Answer. Yes, sir; Sam Simrell and Addison Woods, who live not far from me; Jack Garrison, who is out here now; his clothes were taken and he had to get away. Addison was beaten.

Question. Were all those persons whipped or abused by persons in disguise?
Answer. Yes, sir; that is my information.

Question. What effect did this have on the colored people up there were they alarmed?

Answer. Yes, sir; so alarmed that they did not sleep in their houses at night.
Question. How many slept out?

Answer. I did not hear of any who did not sleep out-none at all; during last winter and spring all slept out from the effect of this excitement and fear.

Question. Of this whipping?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Was that a general thing among the colored men in that neighborhood? / Answer. Yes, sir; with men and women both. Some women would sleep out with their husbands. The women would be so excited when their husbands left that they would go too with the children, and one staid in the rain-storm while her husband was fleeing for his life, as they were about to kill him. There is June Moore; his wife went out with her little babe in the rain every night until late in the spring, and many, many of them did the same.

Question. Do you know any reason why these men whipped you that night?

Answer. No other than what they stated-that I had been president of the Union League- hat I had incited burnings and had advised colored men to ravish white women and to rule white people. It was of these things they accused me that night with the fist and the pistol. My breast is now sore from their blows, and there is one place on my head where I feel the effect of it still. I cannot point it out to you, because I cannot touch my head with my hands, but it seems to me here as well as Í can point it out, [pointing with a stick, held in the fingers, towards the upper part of the left temple.]

Question. What effect had the whipping on your hip?

Answer. I am not certain whether the scar is there yet or not. It raised blisters and sores that were there a long time, and may be seen yet.

By Mr. STEVENSON:

Question. Who is June Moore?

Answer. He is the man whom you saw carry me in here and place me in this chair. Question. Is he a leading colored man in that neighborhood?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Is he a preacher?

Answer. No, sir.

Question. Who is Sol. Hill?

Answer. His brother-in-law.

Question. Who is Francis Johnson?

Answer. He is my brother's son.

Question. Is he a leading man?

Answer. No, sir; but a man well-to-do in property; he increases in wealth. Question. You spoke of a card which June Moore and Sol. Hill put in the paper-do you mean the published proceedings of a meeting held in that place?

Answer. No, sir; merely a card stating that they would renounce the republican party and have no more to do with the Union League. That is what they were advised to put in the paper, publishing to the world that they would interfere no more with politics.

Question. When was that published?

Answer. A week or two before they whipped me."

Question. Do you recollect when that meeting was held at Tates's store, at Clay Hill? Answer. That was some time in February, as near as I recollect.

Question. Was it Saturday, February 11?

Answer. I think so.

Question. Was that before or after they published their cards?

Answer. It was after that. They were accused of burning some houses, and while under that accusation they were persuaded to put a card in the paper renouncing republicanism and denying all burnings.

Question. Afterwards this meeting was held?

Answer. No, sir; before they put the card in the paper the meeting was held.

Question. Do you know what induced them to join in this meeting?

Answer. You mean in that meeting at the forks of the road?

Question. Yes, sir; at Tates's store?

Answer. We thought that would pacify the neighborhood. The colored people called a meeting with the hope that it would be the means of compromising or of pacifying the whites.

Question. Was it because the colored people had really become tired of the republican party?

Answer. No, sir; it was not. It was only to pacify the neighborhood and stop the outrages that had not reached that side of the creek.

Question. I see the following article in the Yorkville Inquirer of July 20, 1871: "GOING TO LIBERIA.-We learn that a large number of negroes-comprising sixty or eighty families-in the vicinity of Clay Hill, in the northeast part of this county, have determined to emigrate to Liberia, and are now making their arrangements to embark in the vessel of the Colonization Society which will sail from Charleston or Baltimore early in November next. Rev. Elias Hill and June Moore (two colored men of this county) are at the head of the movement, and it is the intention of the emigrants to locate in that part of Liberia known as the North Carolina Colony. These emigrants are to be received at Rock Hill, and will be furnished transportation to Liberia by the Colonization Society. We understand that several hundred other negroes in this county are making preparations to follow in the vessel which sails next May."

Answer. That did come out in last week's paper, but it surprised me very much when I saw that after I had made preparation, and had been writing and inquiring in this matter merely for myself personally, it should be taken up in a public print in such a manner calling me a leader. It was because of the outrages of the Ku-Klux that I took the resolution and made and am making preparations, and others are doing the like; but in that article June Moore and myself, who only acted for ourselves, are put before the world as leaders influencing others.

Question. Is it a fact that you are making arrangements to go?

Answer. Yes, sir; that is the fact.

Question. And others are making arrangements to follow you?

Answer. Yes, sir; to go to the same place, whether because I am going or for some other cause I cannot tell; but we all ascribe the same cause for this movement; we do not believe it possible, from the past history and present aspect of affairs, for our people to live in this country peaceably, and educate and elevate their children to that degree which they desire. They do not believe it possible-neither do I. I think so from reading history and from the present state of things around us. The number of families

there stated, seventy or eighty, assign their own reasons for their going, which are those I have stated, but not my advice.

Question. It is done on their own motion?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Do you not believe that, now that the white people have pledged themselves in a public meeting to be quiet and protect you, they will do it?

Answer. They pledged themselves at that meeting in February at the cross-roads, to protect the colored people in case of outrage, and that they would come to their assistance, and use their influence in keeping it from that side of the creek which is our neighborhood especially. I will tell you how we proved them. When the KuKlux crossed the creek and came into our neighborhood, approaching nearer and nearer to where we lived, they were heard to prophesy where they would come, and why they would come to such and to such a house. And when they came to my house and beat my sister-in-law and me, a young man, her son, rushed off to Mr. James L. Bigger, telling him to wake up, that there was distress at our house on his mother and me, his uncle, and asking him to come to our relief; but he refused to come, and the next day he was heard to say that he had known of their coming; that he knew they were coming; he knew well what they came for; and that we might never expect anything else. All my white neighbors, after pledging themselves on the 11th of February to give us aid in time of trouble, every one of them was heard to rejoice, every one that spoke at all rejoiced that so many were whipped, and telling all the causes and reasons-all this they did, their pledge to the contrary. That is why we do not now take their pledges as good in every case.

Question. I see that April 1, 1871, there was a public meeting here in Yorkville? Answer. There was.

Question. The Saturday before there had been a meeting of whites in which they thought they had made peace?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Have there been any troubles since?

Answer. Yes, sir; that was the 1st of April; and did they not afterward beat me, and June Moore and Ross Watson and Francis Johnson and Billy Barron, and others besides? Since that Samuel Simmons's house was burned. All these things were since that resolution was drawn up and passed in Yorkville for making peace among white and black; and long since that resolution at the meeting at the forks of the road in which they pledged themselves to come to the black people's assistance.

By Mr. VAN TRUMP:

Question. All that was done by six men, was it not?
Answer. Yes, sir. There were six men at my house.

By Mr. STEVENSON:

Question. When were they at your house?

Answer. On the night of the 5th of May.

Question. What is the feeling out there now among the colored people?

Answer. Those that are not arranging to go to Liberia have some hope, through the operation of this sub-committee here and elsewhere, and that they will pacify the whites, who will cast off the Ku-Klux in such degree that we hope the times will be better for them. We hope for much through the operation of this sub-committee, and through the punishment of the Ku-Klux, who are the neighbors generally, so that the times will eventually come that those who want to go away now may stay, finding that they can live in peace. But for certain of us, we have lost hope entirely since the whites pledged themselves at the meeting at the forks of the road three miles from where I live, and then broke all those pledges; those whites that professed to be our friends then have since cried out and rejoiced in our hearing over our injuries and sufferings. That is the reason we have arranged to go away. Others are still hoping, as I said, for relief through the means of this sub-committee.

Question. What is the temper of the white people, do they rejoice over these outrages? Answer. They did, from what they said.

Question. What is their temper now?

Answer. I cannot tell you from what I have seen myself, for this is the first time I have been carried out.

Question. What is your information on that subject?

Answer. I will tell you the impression: They are so afraid just now that, with the exception of one in a hundred, they cannot bear to see a blue-coat coming out there; they cannot bear to hear of the officers bringing them up here; it frightens them. The other day, when the summons came for me to come here, a young man that I had thought was innocent was seen to jump out of his father's house and run, without coat or hat, as if for his life. Hearing of so many Ku-Klux having been taken up in other counties, and expecting that these men were after him, he did not wait to be halted, but ran. Not one in fifty of them now but is uneasy and trembling at the sight of an officer or a blue-coat, and staying out in the woods by day, and some by night, like we used tonot myself, but our people. I thought my pitiful condition would screen me, but all our colored people that could walk, males and females, and many children, staid out during last winter and spring. Now the white men, the young men and boys, from fifteen to the gray-headed, are out, some by night and hunting by day, an excuse that if a summons should come for them they would be absent. Some in my neighborhood have fled the State, and others are ready to go.

Question. What, in your judgment, would be the condition of affairs if the United States troops were not here?

Answer. Î would not then have come up here to report for anything in the world, for I would have expected to have been killed to-night if I had. Men have been run out of the State for reporting outrages. Major Merrill knows of men having been run out for reporting to him. Addison Woods had to leave his home in my neighborhood because they accused him of reporting. There is Jack Garrison; he is here in town now. Why? Because he could not stay in his own home. They accused him of reporting what they had done to him, and he had to flee.

Question. Reporting to whom?

Answer. To the troops, the first troops that came here. They accused him of reporting to them and run him out. There was Abraham Broomfield. You sent a summons for him to testify here, but he has had to flee the State.

By Mr. VAN TRUMP:

Question. Why was that?

Answer. Because he could not stay at home, being a leading man and a republican. I am not naming whites now. These are black men. There is James Bynum; he has

been beaten in Ebenezer.