"A circumstance which occurred recently has been erroneously reported by the press, and an organization which is in no sense responsible for this incident has been blamed. Being in full possession of the facts in the case and not wishing to injure a worthy organization or the public, I feel it is my duty to tell under oath the facts concerning the Rastus Jones affair which occurred on October 3, 1922."
Ruth Babcock.
Then followed the oath:
"Ruth Babcock appeared before me, a notary public, and first being duly sworn, deposes and says:
"On the night of October 3rd, 1922, I hid behind the elevator in the Wilford State Bank for the purpose of frightening one Rastus Jones, a negro. I was clad in my usual attire with the addition of a sheet wrapped around me and a mask made of a pillow slip over my face. When Rastus Jones came down the corridor and was near the elevator I stepped in front of him and he uttered an exclamation and began to back off. I followed him. I was not armed with a revolver or any other weapon. I did point my finger at him under the sheet. I did not threaten his life. I referred to some church trouble of which I had heard him speak. I told him I would give him one more chance but did not threaten to injure him in any way. I was entirely alone. My only motive was amusement. No one but myself was directly or indirectly responsible."
Ruth Babcock.
"Subscribed and sworn to before me, a notary public in and for the County of Rush, this 12th day of October, 1922."
John P. Snider.
"My commission expires January 1st, 1924."
When Harold had finished reading, Reverend Benton remarked, "That certainly puts the Klan in the clear."
"I should say so," said the jeweler, "but it gives Springer a black eye as a news agent."
"His report of this incident was just about as reliable as most of the news reports found in his paper," Harold remarked.
Isaac Goldberg, whose place of business was next door to the jewelry store, had dropped in about the time Harold was through reading the affidavit. "I tell you vat I dink—the Klan or some von hired that girl to make the affidavit?"
Harold whirled around and faced the Jew, his face flushed and an angry light flashed from his eyes. He felt a strong desire to knock him down, but he controlled himself, and looking the little Jew straight in the eye, said, "Goldberg, I know this girl, and there isn't any man or group of men who could bribe her to make an affidavit to an untruth, and I warn you that you better not make a statement of that kind in my presence again or where it reaches me."
"Oh, of course I knows notings, notings at all about the young leddy. I shust think there is sometings wrong." The Jew gestured excitedly with both hands.
"You are like a great many others who speak from prejudice and not from knowledge," said Harold.