When the new officials of Rush County took their offices there was a
great deal of anxiety among the law violators in Wilford Springs and
not without reason. C.M. Stanton, the county attorney, and Dan Brown,
the sheriff, were both Klansmen, who would now have the backing of
fifteen hundred other Klansmen who would give them their loyal support
in the enforcement of law.
The governor's investigations for the purpose of gathering evidence
against the Klan had resulted in nothing of consequence except to
inform the public as to the identity of a few Klansmen and to reveal
a very few irregularities committed by some misguided Klansmen who
had not understood the nature of their obligations as Klansmen. After
spending a great deal of time and money in making these investigations
the attorney-general and governor had not produced one iota of evidence
to prove that the Klan committed acts of violence or took the law into
its own hands. On the contrary, they found that the organization was
doing much to assist the officers in the enforcement of law.
When Governor Slydell's term of office came to a close and he again
joined the ranks of private citizens the ouster suit was still pending
in the Supreme Court where it continued to be carried over from term
to term until finally dismissed. Meanwhile the Klan grew not only in
Wilford Springs but throughout the state.
Two weeks after the new attorney and sheriff were sworn into office
a raid was made on five houses where liquor was being sold. The raid
was made by the sheriff's force, unbeknown to the mayor and chief of
police. Much liquor was confiscated and destroyed, the proprietors
arrested and the following morning given a speedy trial and a long
jail sentence. When Hennesy found himself in jail he called for the
county attorney and made affidavit that the mayor and chief of police
patronized his place. Within two hours after this affidavit was made
the mayor and chief were given a chance to resign or face ouster
proceedings. They preferred to resign.
About one o'clock on this memorable day when Wilford Springs awoke to
the realization of the fact that 'a clean-up' was on, Pat McBryan came
to Stover's office.
"I guess we're in for it," he said.
"What's up now, Pat?" Stover asked, "nothing serious, is there? Nothing
really to worry about."
"Hell's just broke loose, that's all. Of course, that's nothing to
worry about."
"What do you mean?"
"I just heard that both Clark and Roberts have resigned."
"What's the matter with them?"
"Hennesy squealed."
"That's bad," said Stover, rubbing his hands together.
"Bad? It's hell."
"I'm going over to my office and write out my resignation as
commissioner at once."
"Why so?"
"The chances are that there is going to be a lot of investigation going
on around here. I am going to sell out and leave the country."
"Now, don't get scared and go to telling anything."
"I'm not telling, but I'm going to go while the going is good."
McBryan left the room. The sound of his footsteps had scarcely died
away when the banker's office door opened and someone entered without
knocking. The banker was surprised, and a cold chill ran down his
spinal column, when he looked up and saw Dan Brown, the new sheriff,
standing before him.
"How do you do, Mr. Stover?"
"Our new sheriff, I believe," said Stover, great drops of perspiration
coming out on his forehead.
"Mr. Stover, I'll have to trouble you to come with me. I have a warrant
for you."
"A warrant for me?" Stover was now rubbing his hands together violently.
"Yes, for you."
"What's the charge?"
"Forgery and obtaining money fraudulently."
"Who is the complaining witness?"
"You come on and when we get to the court house you can go into the
office of the clerk of the district court and read the entire charge."
About an hour later, after Stover had been released on bond, he called
Harold King over the 'phone.
"Is this King?" he asked.
"Yes, this is King."
"I wish you would come down to my office. I want to see you."
"If you want to see me it will be necessary to come to my office."
Stover hung up the receiver and muttered, "The insolent puppy."
However, he grabbed his hat and started for King's office without a
moment's delay.
When he reached the architect's office he announced himself by
demanding in a loud voice, which was unusual for him, "You young
upstart, what do you mean by making that absurd complaint against me?"
"Have a chair, Mr. Stover." Stover stared at him.
"Have a chair, I say," Harold indicated one with a gesture. Stover sat
down. The sangfroid of this young fellow discomfited him.
"I want to know what you mean?" Stover asked when he had recovered
himself.
"Mean about what?" Harold asked coolly.
"By those ridiculous charges you made against me."
"Have you read the complaint?"
"Yes, I have."
"Then you know all about it. I don't need to tell you anything."
"It's preposterous. Young man, you're making a fool of yourself. You
can't prove anything, and in the end you will be laughed at."
"Stover, I can prove all I have charged. At any rate the jury will
decide."
"What proof have you?"
"It will be time enough to present the proof when you come to trial."
"King, what do you and your friends want?"
"What do you mean?"
"This is simply a case of blackmail. How much do you and your friends
want?"
Harold sprang from his chair and stood in front of Stover, a fire of
anger flamed from his eyes, and he opened and shut his hands forcibly.
Harold King, the Klansman, fought hard with himself. He could scarce
restrain his hands from clutching Stover's skinny throat. When he had
mastered himself he walked back to his chair and sat down. "Stover," he
said, "don't repeat that unless you want them to try me for homicide
in the district court, and unless you want an immediate trial by the
Supreme Judge of the Universe."
Stover, now trembling and white, changed his attitude. "Mr. King,"
he said, rubbing his hands and swallowing hard, "it may be that the
girl does not understand the deal I had with her father. Babcock owed
me twenty thousand dollars and I bought his interest in the Zala bank
for that amount. I explained this to Ruth, but it is quite likely that
someone has been misrepresenting the transaction to her. The girl has
had a hard time. I feel sorry for her, and while I do not owe her a
cent I will make her a present of five thousand dollars to help her out
if you will have this case dismissed."
"Nothing doing. Stover, you are an unmitigated liar and crook. You
robbed Babcock and Watson; you tried to bribe me to betray the Klan.
Like the cowardly cur that you are you tried to fight me through your
dirty attack on a young woman. You talk of being sorry. You haven't the
capacity within your craven soul to be sorry for anybody but yourself.
You see that door. Get out of it at once or I may not be able to keep
my hands off you." Harold stood with his finger pointing to the door
while Stover left without looking back.