Fraternal organization makes presence felt across region
Red Men at New England
It appears that the Red Men have been stirred up again, and the scene of their action this time is in the vicinity of New England. Word comes to us that one day last week about half a dozen of them called on a man who had the failing of habitually lying about his neighbors, took him out and gave him a severe whipping with hickory withes, then gave him a short lecture on the evils of back-biting, and released him after he had solemnly promised to do better in the future.
Parkersburg Weekly Sentinel
March 12, 1881
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New England Ridge news
Those Red Men, the horrible hounds of war, have been very quiet since they called our blacksmith from his slumbers and tickled his ribs with a few hickory withes-just merely because he wanted to pay his compliments to the widow.
Ham says the time they gave him to marry in has not yet expired; but if we recollect right, the time is up. But is no use, boys; Ham will lie you out of it every time.
It is rumored that the Red Men will pay Parkersburg a flying visit in force, to clean out some of the houses of prostitution, as it appears the police are either unable or unwilling to rid the town of these nuisances. I don’t know how much truth there is in the rumor, not being a member of that honorable body. I can’t vouch for its truth, but venture to say if they come, Neal Street tenants had better vacate immediately if not sooner. Capt. Jim and his host of braves will not be expected to interfere; if they do, the Red Men mean business, and it will be made lively as well as interesting.
Parkersburg Weekly State Journal
May 19, 1881
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The Red Men again
A great deal of excitement has been caused at Tannersville, a small village on the edge of Gilmer County, near Ritchie, over warnings sent out by the Red Men to eleven prominent citizens of that locality to leave the State with their families. The warnings are surmounted with skulls and cross bones and labeled the “third and last.” Great indignation is felt over the matter, as it is thought to be part of a scheme to secure the farms of the persons warned. There is likely to be trouble up in that neighborhood soon.
Parkersburg Daily State Journal
August, 1886
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The Wood County Historical Society works to preserve yesterday for tomorrow. For more information, contact P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102