Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1912 — OR. REITMAN TELLS STORY OF TARRING [ARTICLE]

OR. REITMAN TELLS STORY OF TARRING

Details Experiencce With San Diego Vigilance l Committee. BEGGED THEM TO KILL HIM • 1 9 Investigation Into Alleged Outrage Begun by Federal Grand Jury—Authorities Have Documents Taken From Victim. Los Angeles, Cal., May 17.— “1 was taken from the U. S. Grant hotel Tuesday night by 14 men and placed In an automobile,” said Dr. Benjamin Reitman, manager of Emma Goldman, in telling of his experience with San Diego vigilantes, by whom he was given a coating of tar and feathers early Wednesday morning. “When I refused to go, four of them placed revolvers against my body. They were well-dressed and apparently refined. Ope clapped his hand over my mouth and the police cleared a path to the waiting machine. Fingers Thrust Into Eyes. “We drove 30 miles into the desert, followed by anoth,ec automobile, crowded’ by vigilafites. The torture began ‘at once. Fingers were thrust up my nose and into my eyes; they stuck pencils into my nostrils, tore out hair by the roots, stuffed filth in my mouth and applied epithets worse than I ever heard in the vilest criminal dens in the lowest countries on earth. “At a certain spot more men were awaiting us around a fire. The automobile searchlights illuminated the place. First my clothing was torn off. Then they committed upon me vile acts of fiendish, gross, barbaric Indecency, ithe details of which are unfit for publication. Begged for Death.

“Screaming in pain, I begged them to kill me. ‘No,’ they replied. They wanted me to go away and tell of how they received advocates of free speech in San Diego. Being unable to sing ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ 1“ was beaten with a club. I stood naked in a yelling circle of white, men who advanced in pairs, their eyes glittering In the searchlights, to Inflict pain. “Being of strong physique, I withstood their utmost efforts. “One asked me if I believed In God. I replied that no God could permit such desperate deeds. Each of the 14 stepped forward and propounded a question. I answered truthfully, and each smashed me In the face as I spoke. “Their final scheme, before the burning, was running the gauntlet. I ran through a double row of men, each beating me with a club as I passed. Seared With Burning Cigar. “Then, while six held me on the ground, another slowly traced figures on my back with a lighted cigar, searing the flesh horribly. Their one cry was, ‘We’re Americans, and we’U teach you to keep away from San Diego.’ I was smeared with filth, and then the American flag was thrust Into my throat until I strangled. “After enduring two hours of torture, the boiling tar was applied and desert grasses stuck to It. Then I was chased into the desert, one following and beating me with my own cane until he stopped exhausted. They said they’d treat Miss Goldman the same way If she was captured.

Loses Watch and Papers. “At dawn I reached a little town called Bernardo and entered it Before turning me loose, my underclothes, vest and S2O in money were given me. I didn’t get my watch or papers. I bought turpentine and these cJothes (indicating the clothing he wore), washed and dressed as well as I could. We cannot prosecute. Governor Johnson has been appealed to In vain. What are we going to do?” An investigation has been started by the federal grand jury at Los Angeles. 1 .. A large package of documents taken from Reitman by the vigilantes has been forwarded to the United States district attorney’s office here. Dr. Reitman and Emma Goldman spoke at the Walker theater here last night and left for San Francisco this morning, where they are scheduled to speak tonight in Golden Gate hall.