The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-17
GIVENCOATOFTAR
"Prophet" Huffman, at Perth,
in Hands of Mob.
Terrible Punishment Applied to
Smooth Fakir.
CWINDIEn A EARMER
SWINDLED A FARMER
Made Sumner County Family
Think Him a Disciple.
Securing Their Possessions En-
ragged the NeighbOrs.

Wellington, Kan, Dec. 10 Brother
George Huffman, representing himself
to be the true prophet of Christ was
tarred and feathered. at Perth, a small
town near here, last night by a mob.
After the terrible punishment was ap-
piled the man was left to find refuge,
which he did after walking all nigh
when he reached Renfrow, Grant coun-
ty, Oklahoma, 20 miles south of here. He
must have suffered greatly from the
cold, as he was without clothes.
Fooled a Farmer.
For the last three months Huffman
had been living with a family named
Talkington and had induced the elderly
head of the household into the belief
that the world is coming to an end in
five years. He finally induced Talk
ington to give up all his earthly posses
sions to him, so that he could regener-
ate the world. Talkington complied,
going so far as to accept forfeit money
for his farm from a Wellington real es-
tate dealer. The sons of Talkington,
young fellows Is and 10 years old, were
incensed. They were determined to pre-
vent the sale of any of the property,
and to that end filed information in
lunacy against their father. That was
the way the matter stood yesterday.
The Prophet Warned.
Huffman was still at the Talkington
home, striving to retrieve his lost for
tunes The Indignation among the
neighbors was intense when the story
of the prophet" was revealed. For
coy or two there were smoldering
threats of lynching and tar and feath-
ers, but Huffman refused to leave, de-
claring that he would trust in the
Lord Yesterday afternoon a final
warning was sent him. He was order
ed to leave the state or take the conSe-
auences. At 6 o'clock last night he was
the organizers of the band of avengers
gathered. Fifty or more men and boys
assembled in Perth, disguised them
selves with masks and the other regu-
lation paraphernalia of the vigilantes
and about 10 o'clock went out to The
TaIkington home. The leader knocked.
There was no answer. A second sum-
mons, more strenuous. was given. This
time Talkington appeared and inquired
what was wanted.
Begged for Mercy.
eve want Huffman" said the leader
of the vigiIantes.
HE is not here said Talkington.
The members of the avenging band
did not wish to invade the house, and
a consultation was held. Two of their
number went boldly into the house The
other formed a circle ahout the building,
so that if their victim attempted to es-
caue he could be intercepted. In a mo-
Tnent the two delegated as q searching
Huffman who still called upon Divine
succor. His prayers became a cry for
mercy when he saw the enormous ring
of masked men that closed about him.
The captors were inexorable.
Getting the Tar Ready.
Not a word was spoken as the captive
was quickly bound hand and foot. Sew
eral of the men guarded Huffman, while
the others set about the further pre-
parations A fire was built. A kettle
was taken from the washhouse adjoin-
ing the residence and into this was
poured several gallons of coal tar. An
other member of the avengers had gone
to his home after the requisite amount
of feathers. He returned with feather
bed, which was slit from end to end
and placed on the ground beside the
fire.
Huffman's implications for mercy
were wild and oft reiterated. He prom
ised to leave the state never to return,
to do anything if only they would not
treat him to the coat of hot tar and
feathers. Not a word was spoken to
him. Still the fire was fed with bits Of
dry wood. By the time the tar was hot
enough to meet with the approval of
the chieftain of the band Huffman was
almost insensibIe from fear. His voice
had grown too weak and tremulous to
enunciate more than a succession of
groans.
Applied the Feathers.
The final work of the mob was done
quickly and quietly. Every shred of
clothing was stripped from the wretch
ed victim and with a whiteWash brush
the hot tar was applied from head to
foot Care was taken that it was not
so hot as to burn him to death. Then,