Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1902 — JAIL FOR WHITECAPS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JAIL FOR WHITECAPS.

Indiana Authorities Promise toAvenge Recent Outrages. A cpndition bordering on anarchy has been revealed by the investigation into outrages committed by whiteeaps upon unoffending citizens Of Brown County, Ind. An agent of the Attorney General's office on the ground promises full retribution for the atrocities committed. Clues are being followed which will iu ail probability lead to the arrest of every member of the gang, a consummation eagerly awaited by the peace-able citizens. The worst feature seems to be that the best class of citizens are so cowed by the bands that they profess ignorance of the identity of the men who compose them, and grand juries have either refused to indict through fear of personal attack or. having indicted them, petit juries have refused to convict for a similar reason. Gov. Durbin has determined to in-

voke the authority of the State in the matter, and the investigation will cover five or six case* which have occurred within a year. Men have beeu known to boast openly of these crimes against society, and it is estimated by the State that twenty or thirty families have recently left Brown County after receiving whltecap notice* that a longer stay will he followed by a whipping. Some of these were industrious aud fairly well-to-do farmer*. Three of the six outrage* which the State’* agent ha* investigated were attended by exceptional brutality, one of them almost resulting In the death of the victim and another having dethroned the reason of the wife of the man who waa so severely punished. The grand Jury indicted several men. but they apparently established alibis and the jury acquitted them.

WORK OF THE WHITECAPS.