The Green Forest tribune., 1893-09-21
TERRIBLE DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
The elimination Of Whitecapism in
Drew County.


Morrell, this State, Sept. IA, details
terrible tragedy which was enacted
three miles west of there late the day
before.
Emanual Ferguson and companion
named Adair were driving together in
a wagon when the former killed the lat
ter and then killed himself.
AS soon as Ferguson killed Adair he
ran to negro house near by and asked
for u white man, and learning that
none was there he went in run across
field to Patterson's, white man. He
met Patterson's mother-in-law at the
door and called for the man Of the
house. She told him that he was away.
Ferguson then handed her his pocket
book, saying:
"There is $65. Give it to him and
tell him to send it to my wife. Two
men are after me and trying to kill me.
l have been out with some Whitecap-
pers and they tried to kill me but l
have done one of them and now am
going to kill myself"
With this he turned and placed his
gun on the ground with the muzzle to
his head. The woman fed and scream
ed, and in a moment heard the gun fire
and went out and found the man in a
dying condition with bullet hole
through his head. The authorities
were notified, and the bodies were cared
for and buried by friends to-day.
This double tragedy marks an epoch
in the history of. Drew county and is
the direct result and legitimate fruit of
Whitecapism. For two years or more
band of Whitecaps has been depredat-
ing over the county aud making life
and peace uncertain.
Abouta year ago band of them went
to see negro, and while they were
knocking his door down he shot and
killed the leader. The negro was jailed
and in few nights taken out and shot
by the Whitecaps Several of them
were indicted and two have been tried
and acquitted, while others are to be
tried yet.
It seems that Emanuel Ferguson had
some knowledge of the identity of the
Whitecaps, and he was forced to join
them under threats of violence. While
member he went. under protest, to
help mob the negro. When the indict-
ments were found one was against him
aud he ran away. A short time ago he
returned and said that he would stand
his trial, and to the authorities he in
dicated his willingness to make con-
fession.
There were also indictments against
Adair, Billie Woods, and Drew Grant
for the same ofense, though none had
been arrested. They were aware that
Ferguson was disposed to tell what he
knew, and they opposed his going to
court.
Court convened Monday at Mont ticel-
10, the coun ty-seat, and for couple of
weeks the ones implicated in the mob
had been talking to Ferguson, trying to
persuade him not to 60 to court and
threatened dire consequences if he
did.
Last week the thing came to climax
and on Thursday Adair, Drew Grant,
and Woods got Ferguson and told him
he could not go to court, though he in
sisted on going and promised not to i'm
plicate anyone.
Whether Ferguson was persuaded.or
forced by threats, he, at any rate, went
with them, ostensibly on hunt, but
in reality to evade the officers of the
court and to keep Ferguson from testi-
flying. They all went together to Big
Bayou, q desolate swamp east of here
and camped out.
In the meantime Ferguson got sick
and insisted on going home, so they
all started to return.
Yesterday they came across the coun-
try on their way and wanted to go by q
certain house near the bayou and stay
all night, but Ferguson would not gn
claiming he WAS afraid he would be
killed.
| They then changed their course, and
| Woods and Grant got out to walk down
through the forest q mile or 80, and
while they were out of the way ditii-
Guilty arose between Ferguson aud
Adair, presumably over the Whitecap
evidence, which resulted in the death
of the two men.
The whole county is getting worked
| A., hoAf thu M q ffor ond