I've heard of groups like that here in Escambia County too David. They weren't involved in any way with the 'Klan' but they felt they had to step in to protect the women, children and sometimes free people of Color. From everything I've ever read or heard, we really had no big problems in the racial area like there were in other states or counties.
Not sure the group even had a real leader. They just did what they felt needed to be done.

Pam