Report of the Joint select committee appointed to inquire into the condition of affairs in the late insurrectionary states, so far as regards the execution of laws, and the safety of the lives and property of the citizens of the United States and Testimony taken.

ALABAMA-SUB-COMMITTEE. 1739
Question. What did these people say was said to them to induce them to vote the
democratic ticket?
Answ2er. They said if we voted the radical ticket-we had seen troubles with Ku-Klux,
but had never seen no troubles with Ku-Klux to what it would be if we voted against
their governor. I knew of once instance of that-that the Kul-Klux would be four
times worse; but if we should vote the democratic ticket, they would insure us KuKluxism would be done with, and there would be no more of it.
Qusstion. And a great many persons of your race finally consented to vote the democratic ticket, just to live in peace?
Answer. Yes, sir; just to live in peace. I reckon, by the next election, if they don't
do better, I will have it to do, as well as the rest, because I want to live as long as
I can.
Questionl. If your colored people were let alone, and not influenced by fear, how
would they vote?
Answer. They would all go to their own party (radical) I can tell you. Why shouldn't
we? Come to the sense of the matter, what is the reason we wouldn't? Only look,
will you, when we all voted right here at this place-I don't remember the year-I will
say when we voted for the convention first; see how the State and county went then.
And it would be just the same thing in case the thing had not been as it was.
Qu&etion. Did you ever see any Ku-Klux in disguise yourself?
Answer. I never did in my life.
Question. Have you ever talked with any colored people that had seen them?
Ansuwer. No, sir; I don't remember that I ever have. I don't think, sir, I ever have.
I don't think I remember of talking with colored persons that have, that I remember.
Now, Jim Garber told me, not long since, that a parcel came in to where he was, over
here at Pick Place, not long ago; I don't remember whether it was this year or last
year. Whether they were disguised or not, I can't tell; but they came in after a
woman-something concerning her silver spoons, or somethin_. I don't know whether
they were disguised or not. If they were not disguised, I ldol't remember of anybody
saying they saw any disguises. For myself, I have never been abused by none of them.
Question. You stay at home and mind your own business, and try to do right by all
men?
Answer. Yes, sir; that is my desire.
Question. You do not go abroad much?
Anstwer. No, sir.
Question. You have heard a great deal of Ku-Klux?
Answelr. Yes, sir; I have heard a good deal of them.
Question. Your people believe they are in this country?
Answer. Yes, sir; I think they do believe they are here. There was a gentleman told
me right face foremost; he asked me did I know anything about Free Masonry. I told
him I knew there was such persons, such a society. He asked mie did I ever hear that
any person could tell anything about the Mason's secrets. I told him I didn't. He told
me it was as impossible for us to find anything out about the Ku-Klux as it was about
Free Masonry, and I knew if that was so it must be a dead thing, sure.
Question. Do you send your children to colored school?
Answer. I have, what tine I have sent them; that is, I have been permitted the
privilege of sending my children to a white teacher; he taught a colored school.
Question. Have you heard of any colored school-houses being burned in this county?
Answer. Yes, sir; in the course of a short while there has been one burned at a place
called Pippin Hill-that I have been by, in times past, but not lately-up at Paynesville; and I have heard of one burned up in Choctaw. The man that used to own me
told me of that.
Question. Are the white people here generally in favor of colored schools?
Answer'. Some says so, and some says not; but, according to that, from the way that
work works, it looks like if they were they wouldn't burn up school-houses. But,
gentlemen, you can take it for your own sense, and decide.
Question. Are your people getting discouraged with the condition of things here, and
talking about going to some other country where they can live in peace?
Anzswer. Yes, sir; yes, sir.
Questiio. Is that pretty generally talked of?
Answer. Yes, sir; it is getting pretty free.
Question. Where are they talking of going to?
Answer. A place called Kansas, way up here somewhere. I've got it mighty strong
in my head. I don't know how it will end and come out, but that is my opinion now.
I have only got so long to live, and I want to live in the comfort of my life. while I do
live, and it is no comfort now. I am afraid to lie down, and if there is any other place
to go to and inherit the happiness of my life, I want to go, if it is only for ten days.
Question. Is that the general feeling of the colored people?
Answer. Yes, sir; that is the general feeling of the colored people of Sumter County,
so far as I can say about it.