The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 378

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

ANs. By being initiated by Dr. Henry Childs, representing himself
as an initiating officer, from whom I learned the secrets, plans, etc.
QUES. Did you learn anything concerning this Order from any
others of its members, if so, state what you heard.
ANS. I cannot say that I learned anything further than stated from
other members, but I have the same signs, grip and password received
from Dr. Childs given me by quite a number of men in this county.
I answered the signs and was recognized as a member in good and
regular standing. And since the arrest and the members of the Order
have learned of my exposition of the plot, they have talked to me
in prison freely, in regard to their plans and some of them stated
they were initiated by the accused, Dr. Childs.
A. D. Scott"' Sworn
QUEs. Do you know of Dr. [Henry Childs].
ANSWER. I was sworn into this organization by Dr. Henry Childs.
I took an obligation to keep secret all information given me and to
fight for the establishment of the Old Constitution, and defend the
members of the order and rescue them from prison. He gave me the
signs, grip and password, and said the punishment of revelation was
certain death. He said the object was to drive the rebels out of the
country or kill them, and that the first thing to do was to get posses-
sion of plenty of ammunition-that there was a quantity of powder
in Gainesville and a load on the way from Jefferson and probably
had arrived in Sherman. I do not remember the day I was initiated.
Dr. Childs stated the attack might be made the next night to get the
powder. He said the signs would protect us when the Northern Army
should come in, and enable the members to act together in any
emergency.
THE COURT. Dr. Henry Childs, Do you know of a secret organiza-
tion in this county, of the character referred to by the witnesses.
ANS. I know there is a secret organization in this county organized
for the purpose of protecting life and property and to prevent the
shedding of blood, mobs, Jay-hawking, etc.
QUES. Does this organization have signs, grips and passwords by
which the members know each other?
ANS. It has not.
The testimony here closed, the prisoner is found guilty and
the accused remanded to prison.
51A. D. Scott, one of the prisoners tried before the "Citizens Court," was born
in Kentucky in 1821 and came to Texas, probably by way of Tennessee, sometime
before 186o. U. S. Eighth Census, 186o (Returns of Schedule 1, Free Inhabitants,
for Cooke County, Texas, microfilm, Dallas Public Library), family no. 389.

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