The Black Hawk War in 1872 was a series of confrontations involving the Klan and former slaves. In one fatal confrontation in Osceola, African Americans were attacked by white residents and Klan members. Sheriff J. B. Murray was killed by a white judge, Charles Fitzpatrick, who was an appointee of the governor. The judge was arrested, bound over for the next term of court, and released. He escaped across the river and was not brought to justice. A number of black residents were killed during these years of disturbance, and many simply left the county.