Among other documents found was a court case brought before the Honorable Kelly Featherston Justice of the Peace for Carroll County Arkansas. The case was titled “The State of Arkansas vs. Knowledge of & Identity with Secret Treasonable Society” with testimony by Peter Tyler and Isaiah Ezell. It detailed their knowledge of a secret society held together by certain oaths and signs and tokens and pass words. P.A. Tyler claims that he was a member of this society and could receive the punishment of death for revealing his knowledge of said group. He had been initiated 3 weeks prior, swearing that he was not from the north and that now he would be given home protection. He was given the oath by ? Long and D. Jamison. He was also given the signs, tokens and passwords. The first sign was placing the three fingers of the left hand angling across the nose. The answer was carelessly feeling under the chin with one of the hands. The next sign was to place one finger in the shirt collar with the left hand and the answer was to put the right hand on the left breast. The next was to raise the hat with one hand and place it back on the head. The answer was to turn the back to the person moving the hat. Once sign was to hang a piece of red ribbon, calico, or flannel on the front door
of the house. Another token was if they were separated and
in order to get together was to Hoot like an Owl, and the answer was to howl
like a wolf. Peter’s testimony included that once he was initiated, he rode his
horse around and initiated more men. He gave a list of men and he included the
name of James Claiborne McNair and Claiborne Manes.
P. A. Tyler was Sworn
and subscribed to before the J.P. on this 18th day of Decr. 1861
Signed Kelly Featherston J P
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