The leader., 1904-12-28

PROSECUTION OF THE WHITE CAPS
WILL be LAUNCHED.
Detective HOyt IS engaged by The Gov
ernoF to Conduct the Work.

Detective a. j. Hoyt, Of the
PinkerEon agency, has been re-
ltained BY Governor Vardaman tol
run down the white capper organ
ization Ia Franklin county, and
there promises to be something
ldoing7 Ia that section of the State
before the next Circuit Court ses-
lsion conyenes at Meadville.
The Governor is convinced
from reports received at his Office,
land developments at the recent
Lincoln county Circuit Court ses-
lsion, that the white capper organ
lization in Franklin has only been
scotched' and not killed. Some
lof the evidence collected bY De
ltectiye Hoyt In Lincoln county
showed dilect connection be-
tween the white cappers Of that
and those of Franklin and adloin-
ing counties. In fact, the organ
lization seems to have a number
of rainifcations, and the Cover
nor is determined to continue a
vigorous prosecution until not the
slightest semblance of a white |
|capper organization exists in anyI
part of Mississippi.
Detective Hoyt returned last
night from q trip to Franklin
county. At Roxie he was met BY
a committee Of law-abiding citi-
zens, who pledged him moral and
financial support in the effort to
rid the county Of white cappers.
He was authorized to inform the
Governor that they are willing to
cooperate in every way possible
to bring the parties guilty of law
lessness to justice, and a formida-
bic organization was formed
which will Immediately commence
work in that county. Mr.. Hoyt1
will not be alone in the work this
time, but will have number of |
trusted lieutenants and assistants,
and they expect to make a quick
job OF it. Already some valuable
evidence has been collected which /
makes the outlook very unpleas
ant for the white cap leaders, |
some of whom are quite promi- |
nent in the affairs Of the county.
The last legislature placed 8
fund Of ~, 800 at the disposal Of /
the Governor to be used by the |
Governor of the State ID enforc-
ing the police regulations Of thel
State, and In suppressing white
Gaping and other laWlessness In /
which such action may be neces-
|sary. A good portion of this
sum was, expended III the Lincoln |
county crusade, but there is still |
"a balance remaining which, to-
|gether with the financial aid fur
nished by franklin county citi-
zens, will be sufficient TO conduct |
the prosecutions in that county.
Although no action on this
phase Of the matter has yet been
taken. it is probable taht Hon.
Thos. Brady, Jr., who was SO
successful in the Lincoln county
prosecutions, will be retained as
special counsel for the State in |
Franklin county. Mr.. Brady S
bold and fearless work elected Che
warmest coInmendation and he
will be a valuable aid ID the work.
The McCall's Creek neighbor-
hood Of Franklin county seems to
be the hotbed of white capism.
1t will be remembered that the
Federal grand jury, at its recent
session ii jackson, indicted quite
4 number Of citizens of that COM
Imunity on white Gaping charges
lof various kinds, chiefly the in
timidation of government home
steaders. The same evidence on
which the Federal grand jury
based its indictments is accessible
to the State authorities. Clarion
Ledger,