Folks, First I'd like to make my support of Randi in her efforts known. I am not, as others are, a fan of the practice of just gathering birth, marriage and death dates and relationships. I am more interested in the family history, as I see it: the values, the character, the practices, rituals, and habits of our ancestors. These aspects help bring them alive for me. In all the discussion of whitecapping in Indiana, I think it's important to recognise that in our state organized racial hatred is more a mark of the 20th century in Indiana. In the 19th and early 20th century, this kind of hatred was more directed at immigrant groups. As an example, when the Ku Klux Klan most influenced the state, in the 1920 and 1924 elections, led by D. C. Stephenson, their target was not blacks. There were not that many black folks in Indiana to be an effective target to help their recruiting. The Klan focused on immigrant Catholics. In many ways, the Klan was ecumenical in its' hatreds: they focused on whoever was the 'best' local target. This whitecapping that Randi has found in late 19th century Indiana was most likely directed at Catholic immigrants and others who don't fit into the perceived 'mainstream' ways. Hope this is helpful. Hugh Miller Reply to: hthm2@comcast.net