The San Francisco call., 1908-12-22

UNION CITY, Tenn, Dec 21.-Ine
state practically completed fits case to-
day against the eight alleged night
riders on trial for the murder of Cap
Tain Rankin, when it drew from Frank
Fehringer, a member of the band. a
detailed statement. not only of the
Ranken tragedy, but of score or more
of other outrages. 1t also called Mrs.
Emma Thurman Johnson, one of two
women whipped by the band, and had
her tell her story.
The startling testimony of Frank
Fehringer involving the men as actual
participants in the murder Of Captain
Rankin was given with an eXactitude
of detail that was amazing. As Mrs
Johnson's name was called murmur
of satisfaction arose. Nearly every one
knew she had been whipped, but ex-
cept the grand jury and prosecuting
officers no one had heard her story.
VISITED BY RIDERS
Mrs. johnson had married Joe John
son. a man 80 years older than. she,
and lived with him for four years,
when a child was born. Last August
she sued him for divorce, charging &
cruelty and asking maintenance Early
in September the riders visited her
fathers home and left word that she
must Withdraw the suit. She failed to
do so and on a second visit her father
was whipped.
Mrs johnson obstinately insisted
that she would press the case. Then
the men filed out into the yard to con-
suit In few minutes they returned
Pinion. she said. stepped over to- the
bed and said:
Come with us"
WOMAN Is WHIPPED
Two others of the band seized the
young woman, dragged her roughly
from the bed and hurried her about
$50 yards away They threw her on
beat her across the shoulders with a
strap After the first beating they
asked her If she would dismiss the
suit. She said no. Then she was again
whipped. This time her fighting spirit
was broken, and she sobbingly said
she would give in to their demands
Fehringer, who turned states evil
dence, knew all the defendants and had
accompanied them on many rides prior
to the killing of Captain Rankin. The
night riders garb consisted of long
black coats, black masks trimmed in
white and some had false boards at
tached to the bottom
Rankin and Taylor were at the Walnut
Log hotel.
JOHNSON WAS SPOKESMAN
Garrett Johnson was the spokesman.
who threw the rope and whip and gave
the orders to Rankin and Taylor to
dress.
On the march to the densely wooded
bank OF the slough. where Rankin was
slain, Johnson did all the talking, the
others. about SO in number. including
the defendants, following silently. AS
they put the rope on Rankin's neck,
Fehringer said to the victim: DO you
want to say anything to the Lord?
If you do, say it now" Rankin re-
piled: Il have attended to that"
Just as they pulled the rope Bob
Hoffman shot him and Sam Apple
white then said: 'T know he is dead,
into him..
Jesse Carter. one of the defendants,
and a man yet to be tried. put the rope
around Rankin's neck.
When Colonel Taylor jumped into
the slough Carter shot into the water
Meantime the men holding the rope
let go and Rankin's body crumpled
and dropped to the ground. His stiff
hat fell beneath his head holding it
off the ground. his glasses dropped
back into the hat. which rapidly filed
with blood from the wound in the
temple.
Fehringer was arrested by the militia
and taken before Governor Patterson,
who was personally in command.
Tell the truth" said Governor Pat
terson If you do I will give you an
absolute pardon
Fehringer then confessed.