Arkansas Gazette June 1, 1871 page 1 col 2: It will be remembered that a week or two since we published a ku-klux outrage story from the Pine Bluff Republican, and called on the good people of Bradley county to arrest the perpetrators of the deed, or clear their skirts from such foul charges by proving its untruthfulness. The Pine Bluff Press, of Thursday, contains the following, from citizens of Bradley, which completely annihilates the whole story: The statements contained in the Jefferson Republican of May 6 entitled, "Attempted Murder," published upon authority of one R.F. Foster, are without any foundation, in fact, and evidently intended for a sinister political effect. First--This Foster is not, as he is alleged to have stated, a citizen of St. John, but is proprietor of a small grocery or "doggery" some miles from that place, near the Jefferson county line. Second--If said Foster had any difficulty with any person or persons at the time stated, it had its origin in private differences, and was altogether of a private and personal character--not prompted by any party feeling or political animosity. Third--The statement of Foster that there is "a small gang of ku klux raiders, who are doing considerable mischief in that section," is without the shadow of truth and originated in his own wicked or distempered imagination. Fourth--In conclusion, we wish to state that there cannot be found a class of citizens more peaceable or law-abiding than those who reside at St. John, or in its vicinity, or any state of society more peaceful or orderly, and the same remark applies with equal truth, to the entire county of Bradley. Signed: G.W. Goolsby J.E. Whitehead J.W. Hall J. Covington J.J. Smith J.H. Reed The Pine Bluff Republican has the manliness to make the following acknowledgment of its error: We learn from Mr. G.W. Goolsby, Mrs. J.E. Whitehead, and other citizens living near St. John, that the statement recently made by one Foster that he had been attacked and fired upon by ku-klux, is without foundation, and that he did not keep any store at St. John as stated by him. We give the above a place in our columns in justice to the people of Bradley county, and are only to glad to learn that Foster's statements are incorrect. Other papers that have given publicity to Foster's yarns are requested to correct any false impressions that may have been made against Bradley County. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com