Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1908 — SHE TELLS HOW RIDERS BEAT HER [ARTICLE]

SHE TELLS HOW RIDERS BEAT HER

Dragged From Side of Babe In Dead of Night OATH PART OF EVIDENCE Court Orders Handcuffed and Placed Under Military Guard Eight Men on Trial at Union City, Tsnn., for Mur der of Captain Ranken —Member of Band Keeps Promise to State and Telle Secrets of Organization While on Btand. Union City, Tenn., Dec. 22.—The state practically completed its case against the eight alleged night ridero on trial for the murder of Captain Ram ken. when U draw from Frank Fehr Inger. a member of the band, a detailed statement, net only of the murder Itself and those who committed it, bat of a score or more of other outrages. Mrs. Emma Thurman Johnson, one of tbe two women known to bave been whipped by tbe band, also was a witness. Mrs. Johnson had married Joe Johnson, a man thirty years older than she was She lived with him four years, and a child was born. She sued him for divorce, charging cruelty and asking maintenance. Dragged From Her Bed. At 11 o’clock at night they went to her sister’s home and Mrs. Johnson awoke with her babe to nnd her bedroom filled with masked men. “We have come to tell you for the last time that you must dismiss that divorce suit.” said Fred Pinion, one of the defendants. Mrs. Johnson obstinately insisted that she would press the case. Pinion stepped over to the young woman’s bed and said: “Come with us.” Two others of the band seized her and dragged her toughly from the bed in her night clothes. They threw her on a log in the woods and one of them beat her across the shoulders with a strap. 'After the first beating they asked her if she would dismiss the suit. She said no. Then she was whipped again. This time her fighting spirit was broken, and she sobbingiy said she would give in to their demands. Afterward she took her case to court and won it. Orders Men Handcuffed. Judge Jones sent out the jury before court adjourned and said: “There are eight defendants here charged with a capital offense. They are not handcuffed and are under guard of only two deputies. I do not think this safe. I order the sheriff to handcuff these men and ask the military to detail ten armed men to serve as guards.” Fehringer arrived at court guarded by six soldiers. He said the oath of the riders in full was as follows: “You do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses that you desire to become a night rider: that you will not write, talk or tell to any one of the secrets of this order of night riders; that If you dtf talk, write or tell- to any person any of the secrets of the order we are permtted to do with you as we see fit. You know death, hell and destruction will be your portion and that your body will not be buried in a graveyard. Do you w illingly and freely submit to all this, to help you God?” “Old Man Bogus.” Old Man Bogus (no other name known) testified as to the burning of fish docks by the riders The outlaws met and got into a row as to whether to hang Eogus or only whip him. but Bogus was never at home when the riders called The witness then told of the killing of Captain Ranken He said Rob Hoffman shot him Jess Carter put the rope around nts neck.