The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-30
A BLACK MASK ROMANCE.
sECRET HISTORY OF BALD-KNoB-
BERISM IN MISSOURI.
Actual Strength OF the Order-How Bill
Walkers Sweetheart's Brother Be-
trayed Him to the Law--The Intended
Lynching of Col Harrington.

trnyeu t1itn TO the Law no Ahbohuou
Lynching of Col. Harrington.
Ozark (SIo) correspondence Of the Globe Democrat
Col. Almus Harrington, of Ozark, asso-
ciate counsel for the State in the Bald
Knobber cases ON the oath instant, gave
the Globe Democrat correspondent some OF
the unwrtten history Of the black mask or
der in Christian county, and talked freely
OF the methods employed by the prosecu-
ton in the identification Of the Edcns-
Green murderers and the secret work used
in the capture OF Bill Walker.
81 have been too busy up TO this time to
talk TO newspaper men about the Bald
Knobbcrs," said the attorney as the Globe
Democrats correspondent made known his
interviewing inclnations, "and before the
conviction Of Chief Walker and the prin-
cipal actors in the Edcns-Green tragedy,
II would not have been policy for the pros
ecution TO make any statement TO the pub.
lie about the case. Now, since the Knob.
bers have been tried and convicted, will
give you some facts that up TO this time
have only been known inside the organi-
cation and by the prosecution aud few Of
the States secret allies. Among all the
stories OF criminal adventures ever read
there was not IA much material for gen.
uino romance rs in the bare fact of this
Bald Knobbcr movement. In this case,
at least, Truth is stranger than fiction.
know the whole history OF the organiza-
ton, from its inception in fancy county,
in 1885, down 20 the conviction OF the
knObber chief, Dave Walker, last week.
TIM FIRST KNoBnErs IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
'Iou want 10 know when aud where the
first Bald Knob organization was formed in
Christian county? Wei, the first company
was organized in April, 1886, ON bull
creek. Among the members OF that COM
pany who have since become prominent
IL the history Of the organization were
Dave Walker, VIM. Walker, Wiley Mat
tiuws, sherman Walker and VIM. stan.
ley. That company contained at first only
eleven, members. From that time tilI
the following June was the most active
period OF organization in Christian county.
judge X. l.. Hale joined the order in June,
1886. know the man who irst felt OF
the judge on the subjcc, OF joining the
knohhcN. Hale was then In his field
blowing but that Is not matter Of much
Interest. 49, said, most Of the Bald
Knob organizations in Christian county
wurc formed IN the spring and summer 81
1880. Only two companies were ~
cruiicd In 1887. There were eleven
companies organized In Christian
county, aggngliing n membership
oi about 400. Dave Walkers estimate, IL
which the chief placed the Bald knobbci
following in Christian county Mt 500, wa
fully double the actual strength Of the or
ganiniion. The frst Chadwick whisky
raid was the largest gathering Of Bald
knoblcn in Christian county hut the
chiefs figures are again false M 10 the
number participating In that nights opera.
lions. There wep not 800 marked Knob.
ber in Chadwick that night when the
tiluons were raidcd. The second raid On
tie Chadwick saloons was made by much
smaller number NJ knobbcH. The high
tide oi Bald knohbism in Christian county
was about the time OF the irst whisky
raid. The movement had not then dcvcl.
Uped ~ more savage tendencies, and the
pouring out Of the whisky gave a coloring
oi Justification 60 the order. hut one or
wv il'N WIN NNllIHl NflNff lilf ifnl
Chadwick whisky raid, and the people
generally had not rcalizcd the approaching
crisis
II had fought the organization irpm is
birth. and when the Edcns- Green murder
occurred determined not 10 take ico In
dtlvnsc Of one vi the mon engaged in that
crime. When Bud Roy was arrested ON
the affidavit oi Mrs Green, the Sunday
after the murder, he sent a friend 10 .cc
me. had been Roy's attorney in n mum.
Der Of cases and was on very intimate
terms with him. lie sent word 10 me that
he vas innocent Of the murder, hut had
attended the meeting NJ the smclter the
night Of the killing. ! went nj one, to SOC
Roy and told him his only salvation was
10 tell all bee knew about the meeting bc.
tore the raid on the E,lcns and Grrcns
Roy then gave the sheriff full lit Of the
names Of the men who attended tho
Emrltcr meeting, AMI on this information
Walker and his band wcrc arrested. Whcr
Walker and every man In the Edcns
Grcn raid were arrested aud brought I,
Ozark the knobbcrs knew that soncbod
had gwen the secret away, and Jos lnmai
foon broke down and told the frsi story q
the murder. Charley Graves iollowc
lnman aud made n confession, but thi
WIS kept n Gloss secret 10y the prosecution
THE CArTuBg or NIL wALETn.
"As soon ~ Il was positively known tia
I'LL Walker had been shot Ia the as-auI
on the Elens-Gccn family, and that IA
wounded young knobbor had been TAX G
o. Douglas county that night by his father
The capture Of the vicc-chici seemed 10 b
Niially necessary 10 complete the chain q
evidence against the murlcrcrs. Youn,
Walker was Also regarded as one Of "a
leading participants Ia the crime. Will
down ON Bull creek assisting the sheriff II
making the arrests, ] learned Of the rcla
iiuu between Bill Walker aud Miss Louis
Newton, Bill Newton's sister. | saw thi
Intimacy between tho Walkers and New
Ion family might be- turned Ia am adyan
iagc In the capture Of the fugitive vice
chief Of the knohbcr. Joe Newton cam
10 Ozark In few days 10 SEQ his brother
Who wa then confined In the court ous
with Dave Walkers and other Knoblors n,
r,sicd for the murder. told Joe NeWto
That II he ever expected his brother 10 p,
cciyc any meUy from the State be- mu,
hqisi Ia finding and capturing 1911 Wall
Dr. Joe Newton was also Bald knnbb,
aud had tho full confidence VI Dave Wall
r. Newton at once agrccd, under
promise from the prosecution that Ii
brother would be benefited by the cal
luro Of young Walker. TO undertake III
Erct work which be afterwards pei
armed ~ well. Newton then went
Dave Walker, by permission Of the shorif
tnd told him that the authorities were ~