nd abusive as Bowen, but
was equally strong against the war for the Union. Strider spoke of it
as an unholy war on our part, and all the acts of Congress and the
President being 'unauthorized and unconstitutional,' and that the
war would be a failure and ought to be; that he would not see money
appropriated, if in his power to prevent, to carry it on; that if the
Government undertook to draft his friends in Indiana as soldiers,
he would defend any of them (free of charge) that resisted such an
unconstitutional proceeding. He continued in this vein for an hour.
These utterances were loudly applauded by the majority of the audience.
But, continuing, he stated that on that day he came across the three
escaped prisoners heretofore mentioned, and staid with them during the
speeches and agreed to all that was said, so as to satisfy them of his
strict adherence to their principles.

"They said to him that if he would remain that night they would initiate
him into their mysterious organization. He acceded to their proposition
without hesitation, and remained--not leaving them for an instant. In
the evening, shortly after dark, they were all conducted to a large
empty barn near by, and on entering it Dent found Thos. A. Strider
presiding, and Bowen lecturing on the designs and purposes of the
Knights of the Golden Circle.

"After he had explained the objects of the organization, an obligation
was administered to all who had not before been admitted and obligated.
Dent, being one who had not before joined, with others took the
obligation, and was then instructed in the signs, grips and passwords.
He said that he played it pretty well, so that he was thoroughly
instructed, and kept repeating them to himself, so that he might not
forget any part. The obligation pledged them to use all possible means
in their power to aid the rebels to gain their independence; to aid and
assist prisoners to escape; to vote for no one for office who was not
opposed to the further prosecution of the war, to encourage desertions
from the Union army; to protect the rebels in all things necessary to
carry out their designs, even to the burning and destroying of towns and
cities, if necessary, in order to produce the desired result. They were
also directed to give information at all times of any knowledge they
might have of the movements of our armies, and of the coming of soldiers
to their homes; to use their influence to prevent their return to the
ar