Question. With that statement in it about Rose, do you believe it came from the organization which appeared here and broke open the county treasury?

Answer. Some persons connected with the business of breaking open the county treasury or making the attack must have had some knowledge of the article.

Question. Approving, as you say you do, of the spirit of that proclamation, did you approve of the raid on the treasury?

Answer. No, sir; I did not approve of that, but I approved of the motive. The remedy I did not approve of. I say it should be our motive, whether republican or democrat, to place honest and intelligent men at the head of affairs.

Question. Have you ever denounced the Ku-Klux for their operations?

Answer. Often; I have often. I have told them it is not the remedy for our disease. Question. Did you denounce it in the way you now denounce it, by saying while you denounced the act you approved the motive?

Answer. No, sir; I have not approved of the motive. I have told you more than any man I have talked to before.

Question. Do you know the motive?

Answer. Only so far as these publications show.

Question. Do you know whether that is the true motive?

Answer. Yes, sir; if that article represents their true motive.

Question. Do you believe that is the true motive of that organization ?

Answer. So far as I know it, it is.

Question. Where did you get that?

Answer. From that article simply.

Question Have you had no communication with anybody to know the motive?
Answer. No, sir.

Question. Suppose this organization should be composed of outlaws and thieves, as some persons have said, do you ascribe to them such inotives?

Answer. If outlaws and thieves forget their principles, and express such sentiments and carry them out, I am bound to believe they are exercising these principles.

Question. You think it possible that the outlaws and thieves of South Carolina have taken up such lofty principles?

Answer. I say if they do denounce the principles of outlaws and protect white men and black men in the peaceful prosecution of labor under honest government, I approve of that motive.

Question. And you are willing to see the outlaws and thieves installed in place of those of those who are trying to put them there?

Answer. No, sir; I am not willing to see them do that.

Question. Is it your belief that they will place honest, virtuous men in power when they get control?

Answer. I cannot say; but I do say, that even if the outlaws and thieves published that article, I am willing to indorse those sentiments.

Question. Do you attribute it to outlaws and thieves?

Answer. I do not know who they are.

Question. Do you believe it is from a respectable class of society?

Answer. I cannot say whether they belong to the respectable or the lower class. I have no knowledge on that subject.

Question. Has no suspicion ever entered your mind in reference to a single individual as connected with this organization in this county?

Answer. I have no knowledge of any.

Question. You have never fixed upon any man in this county as connected with this organization?

Answer. I have never suspected any man. I cannot fix upon any man, who is, to my knowledge, a member of the Ku-Klux or any other organization.

Question. Have you ever heard of the Invisible Circle, or the Knights of the White Camelia in any part of the State.

Answer. No, sir.

Question. Have you heard of the White Brotherhood existing in North Carolina? Answer. I never have. I saw some of these names published in the newspapers, but so far as any practical association with such parties is concerned, I have none. Question. Have you taken enough interest in them to read them?

Answer. No, sir.

Question. Did you know that these outrages in this county were attributed to such an organization?

Answer. I did not. I do not know of any organization of that kind.
Question. Did you know that they were attributed to such an organization?

Answer. I did not.

Question. You have not taken enough interest to inform yourself whether they were

or not?

Answer. No, sir; I have never inquired.

Question. Then the public mind in this county is dead to the importance of inquiring who these parties are?

1352 CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.

Answer. No, sir; the public mind denounces these things.

Question. And you, with your extensive acquaintance in this town and county, think that no trial has ever taken place here of anybody for the murder of Roundtree?

Answer. I do not think there has. If there has, I would have known it. I do not know a single individual who was arrested.

Question. Have you any knowledge of the men who participated in the hanging of Captain Williams?

Answer. I have no knowledge of that fact.

Question. Has no man said anything to you about it?

Answer. No, sir; no man has said, "I did it," or "he did." I know nothing about it as to who hung him.

Question. Either from those who participated in it or from any other person?
Ansier. No, sir.

Question. Did you learn that he was hanged?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. That that was the mode of his killing-that he was hung?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Were you upon the inquest of any one of these men who were murdered by violence in this county?

Answer. No, sir. I was engaged all the time in other business. Generally in these cases in the country they take the nearest physician.

By Mr. STEVENSON:

Question. This public meeting you have spoken of was the final meeting held by the colored people?

Answer. Yes, sir. The second meeting was the final meeting.

Question. On Saturday before that there had been a meeting of the whites, had there

not.

Answer. No; I think the colored people had their meeting first, and the same evening, I think, the whites had their meeting, too. They postponed their meeting. Question. Let us get at the history of the matter. The first meetings were held on the same day?

Question. What was done at this first meeting?

Answer. The first meeting the blacks had, they postponed it until the second meeting; they adjourned to meet after a week or ten days. The whites had a meeting immediately afterward, and adjourned to sales-day, I think."

Question. Here is an account of the meeting in the Yorkville Enquirer of March 30, 1871?

Answer. That is it.

Question. Meetings were held on Saturday, the 25th of March last?

Answer. That is the first meeting.

Question. Here is also the account of the meeting of the whites.

Answer. Yes, sir; and now take the next paper, and you will get the second meeting. [The proceedings above mentioned, as published in the Yorkville Enquirer of March 30, 1871, are as follows:]

"PUBLIC MEETING.

"At a meeting of a respectable number of colored people, held at the court-house in Yorkville, on Saturday, 25th instant, Charles Bessier was called to the chair and J. R. Bratton requested to act as secretary of their meeting.

"The chairman stated that he regretted he did not have information of the meeting sooner, the object of which was to adopt some measure on their part which would restore peace to the country, and good will and friendship among all classes, both white and black. He confessed that he, as well as many others, had been deceived by the radical party; that whereas he was once blind, he can now see his error, and was willing to use all his efforts to secure the object of the meeting. He regretted that there was not a full meeting of his colored friends present, and hoped that some one would suggest a postponement of final action on the subject of the meeting until some future day.

"On motion of Andrew Tims, it was agreed to adjourn the present meeting until Saturday next, the first day of April; and, in the mean time, the colored people in each township were requested to hold meetings and appoint delegates to meet in the court

house at Yorkville at the above-stated time, and to invite all other colored persons to attend the meeting who can possibly leave their business.

On motion, the white citizens having colored laborers in their employ were requested to extend this notice to all such as may be engaged on their farms, and encourage their attendance at the meeting.

George Byers then addressed the meeting, giving his experience in politics for the past few years; acknowledged the deception practiced upon him and others, and renounced all political parties and politicians, now and forever.

"It was moved that the Enquirer be requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting, and the same then adjourned to meet on Saturday next.

J. R. BRATTON, Secretary."

"CHARLES BESSIER, Chairman.

66 PUBLIC MEETING.

"At a meeting of white citizens of York County, held at the court-house in Yorkville, on Saturday, 25th instant, in pursuance of a previous call therefor, Colonel Cad. Jones was called to the chair, and J. S. R. Thomson elected secretary. It appeared that on account of the short notice which had been given, there had been no opportunity for a full attendance from the more remote portions of the county; on motion, it was, therefore,

Resolved, That this meeting do adjourn until the first Monday (sales-day) in April next, and that the chairman do appoint a committee, consisting of two persons from each election precinct, to prepare business for the next meeting, and that it be a portion of the business of said committee to use their endeavors to have as full an attendance as possible of the white citizens of this county to assemble in mass meeting at the court-house on said sales-day.

Resolved, That said committee be requested to meet at the court-house on Saturday (1st April) at 10 o'clock a. m., and that the chairman of this meeting do act as chairman of said committee.

"Under the first resolution the chairman appointed the following committee: "For Yorkville-W. B. Wilson, J. R. Bratton.

"For Bethel-J. L. Adams, J. C. Phillips.

"For Bethany-Wm. McGill, A. P. Campbell.

"For King's Creek-W. W. Gaffney, W. C. Black.

“For Hickory Grove-D. C. McKinney, Jno. W. Mitchell.

"For Bullock's Creek-J. P. Hood, S. C. Youngblood.

"For Sharon- Sam'l G. Brown R. A. Ross.

"For McConnellsville-J. P. Moore, L. P. Sadler.

"For Pride's Old Mill-Jno. S. Bratton, Daniel Williams.

"For Coates's Tavern-Jno, R. Patton, Alexander Black.

"For Rock Hill-Jno. Rattaree, F. H. Barber.

"For Fort Mills-J. H. Faulkner, Baxter Springs.

"For Clay Hill-W. B. Allison, David T. Partlow.

"For Buffalo-Jonathan Moore, Jos. G. Webber.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Yorkville Enquirer.

"On motion the meeting then adjourned.

"J. S. R. THOMSON, Secretary."

"CAD. JONES, Chairman.

Question. Now what was the object of those two meetings, in a word?

Answer. The object of the colored meeting, as I understand it, and as they expressed their wish to me, was to do something to restore peace and harmony between the whites and themselves, and they thought, as that resolution expressed it, that something of that kind would be the means of doing it-a resolution simply requesting those persons to resign.

Question. What was the object of the white meeting?

Answer. The object was to denounce this lawlessness that existed throughout the country, and, I think, their resolution expressed something of the kind.

Question. It was, then, in substance, on the part of the negroes, to do something to

restore quiet, and on the part of the whites, to meet them half way

Answer. Yes, sir; it was a harmonious meeting.

Question. It resulted, did it not, in the colored people renouncing politics?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. And parties?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. And the whites giving them assurance of order and quiet?

Answer. That they would be protected in all their rights. I think the resolution of the whites sets forth all those points. I think Colonel Cad. Jones got up the resolution. He was chairman of the committee.

Question. I notice that in the last meeting they requested the officers they had elected to resign?

Answer. That is the second and final meeting by the colored people.

Question. And in addition to that their speakers said, and it seemed the general sentiment, that they should renounce all parties and quit politics?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. And that was satisfactory to the whites?

Answer. Yes, sir. The whites had no objection to it; if you will read the resolutions of the whites you will see they meet the blacks on half-way ground. They are perfectly willing to enter into any measures that will restore peace and harmony to the country. Question. Have you any knowledge of the movement, in this county, among the colored people, to emigrate to Liberia?

Answer. Only from the last paper. I saw in the last paper a notice of some persons out in the west of the county intending to go to Liberia.

Question. Do you know Rev. Elias Hill?

Answer. Only by appearance. I know him when I see him.

Question. June Moore-are they leading colored men?

Answer. I believe in their neighborhood they are leading colored men or darkies. Question. Is that the article in the Yorkville Enquirer of July 20, 1871, headed, "Going to Liberia." [Showing the witness the following:]

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. Yes, sir; Elias Hill is a lame man out here. I do not know him personally. Question. Is the Yorkville Enquirer the democratic paper of the county? Answer. It is the only paper in the county.

Question. Is it democratic?

Answer. I don't think the editor has anything to do with politics in the world.
Question. Are the sentiments of the paper not democratic?

Answer. Yes, sir, pretty much so. I do not believe the editor has much to do with politics. Does not he say at the head of his paper neutral in politics? Does not he set forth that as his banner?

By the CHAIRMAN :

Question. He calls it "An independent family newspaper."

Answer. That is it. I think he publishes anything for either party.

By Mr. STEVENSON :

Question. Do you really think this is not a democratic paper?

Answer. I do not. I think he publishes for either side. I think republicans subscribe to that paper just as well as the other side.

Question. It being the only paper in the county. But I have some curiosity to know whether this is a democratic paper?

Answer. I think he is purely conservative.

Question. What do you mean by that?

Answer. He does not interfere with either party; he takes conservative groundpoints between the two.

Question. When this raid was made on the county treasurer's office, was there any other place or house in the town visited?

Answer. Not to my knowledge.

Question. Did you not hear of the visitation to the house of Wright?

Answer. That was the rumor-the report next day.

Question. You are, of course, giving your information?

Answer. It is from rumor, not from personal knowledge.

Question. You do not know anything about it personally?

Answer. No, sir; that was the rumor the next day, that they had visited the colored man, Tom Wright.

Question. Did you hear what they did there?

Answer. I do not remember what they did. I do not think, from what I could learn and remember now, that he was at home. I do not think he was at home.

Question. Did you not hear what they did at his house?

Answer. I did not.

Question. That they went into the house and fired their guns and broke up the furniture?

Answer. No, sir.

Question. You did not even hear that?

Answer. No, sir, I did not hear that.

Question. Did you hear of another Ku-Klux visitation to this place by some persons who took some ammunition?

Answer. Yes, sir. I heard ammunition was taken out of the ordnance office.
Question. What did you hear about that?

Answer. I simply heard the ammunition was taken out and some little boys found some of it over here in the old field.

Question. Did you hear what they did with the cases in which it had been kept? Answer. No, sir.

Question. You did not hear that they left them on the steps of the Presbyterian church?

Answer. Yes, sir; I heard they left them on the steps of the Presbyterian church and had taken the ammunition out; that the boxes which had held the ammunition were left on the Presbyterian church steps.

Question. You spoke of the killing of a negro man named Brown?

Auswer. Yes, sir; I understood he was killed. It was so reported.

Question. Did you understand whether that was done by men in disguise?
Answer. That was proved at the coroner's inquest.

Question. How many?

Answer. I do not remember the number of men, sir.

Question. Do you remember how many shots were fired?

Answer. No, sir, I do not remember that, either. It strikes me that the evidence adduced on the trial was that he was shot in the head, if I remember aright. I was not at the inquest.

Question. I see by this paper that twelve shots were counted.

Answer. Yes, sir, it so says. Twelve shots.

Question. You spoke of the murder of a negro named Black?

Answer. Yes, sir; John Black or Roundtree. He has two or three names.

That was

simply a rumor that he was killed. They had two reports about that. One that he was killed by the negroes who lived with him, for his money. I cannot say who did it. It looks to me like he was killed for his money, because he was not killed until he got back from Charlotte, after selling his cotton.

Question. Do you know who Samuel Randall of North Carolina is?

Answer. No, sir.

Question. John Hicks, of this county?

Answer. I do not know him?

Question. Mac Byers?

Answer. No, sir.

Question. Are they colored persons or white?

Answer. I do not know.

Question. I am asking for your information.

Answer. I do not know.

Question. Do you not know that the coroner's jury found that there was evidence against them?

Answer. I do not know the fact, sir.

Question. Do you know at what number the party was estimated that killed him? Answer. I do not, sir. I do not remember all the points of the evidence brought forth by the coroner's inquest.

Question. You say this man Thomas Black is also called Roundtree?

Answer. Yes, sir; he had those two names.

The article above referred to in the Yorkville Enquirer of March 30, 1871, is as follows:

66 INHUMAN MURDER OF A NEGRO.

"A negro, named Thomas Black, who lived near Harmony, in this county, three or four miles from the State line, was murdered at his house on Saturday morning last. The testimony adduced before the coroner's investigation elicited the facts, that at about 1 o'clock on Saturday morning the inmates of Black's house were aroused by the firing of guns in his yard. Surmising trouble, Black attempted to conceal himself in the loft of his house, but was discovered, when he attempted to make his escape by flight, but was fired upon and fell in his yard pierced by a number of balls, after which his throat was cut. The party, estimated at sixty in number, was recognized to consist of white men with the exception of three who were disguised and whose complexion could not be distinguished. They rode off in the direction of North Carolina. The jury rendered a verdict that 'the deceased, Thomas Black, came to his death by gunshot wounds and having his throat cut by persons unknown, though it is in evidence that Samuel Randall, of North Carolina, and John Hicks and Mac Byers, of York County, South Carolina, were in the company.' On a warrant issued by J. H. Fayssoux,