The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-12-25

SulilLSSl Sdlu 1e was Olle u tue
first members Of the band.
fFehringer's Testimony.
FeEringer knew all the defendants
and had accompanied them on man!
rides prior to the killing Of Capt.
Rankin. The night riders garb con-
sisted Of long black coats. black masks
trimmed in white, and some had false
boards attached to the bottom. On
one occasion Deputy Sheriff Mays.
since resigned, and who was one of
the riders, came to a meeting unmask-
ed. At this meeting Garrett johnson
was chosen chief and other captains
we're named for different localities
and authorized to order raids when
ever the riders Of a certain locality
thought something needed regulating.
Sometimes a few riders failed to ap-
pear for rides. and upon those occas-
ions the riders went after the miss
ing men and forced them to go on the
raids.
The night rider oath in full was:
''You do solemnly swear in the
presence of Almighty God and these
witnesses, that you desire to become
a Night Rider; that you will not
write, talk or tell to anyone the Sc
crets of this order Of Night Riders;
that if you do talk, write or tell
to any person any Of the secrets Of
the Order, we are permitted to do
with you as we see it. You know
death, hell and destruction will be
your portion and that your body will
not be buried in a graveyard. Do
you willingly and freely submit to all
this, so help you God?''
Fehringer frankly admitted that he
had sold liquor illegally. had been
indicted, tried and convicted for this
offence, both in Tennessee and in Ken
lucky. However, he never denied his
guilt and never perjured himself to
escape punishment. The witness was
a Tartar under cross-exam:natltn.
Once when asked about date ne re-
piled that he did not keep a "dd;rv." "
medning a diary. When the defend
ants attorney attempted to quiz him
about milk the witness said: II Used
it when 7 was small, I'm told, but
h. en't since.''
Fehringer Summoned Riders.
"Tid'' Burton, one Of the defend
ants, told Fehringer to. notify the
band to meet that night to attend 10
Rankin and Taylor. Fehringer got
one Of Garrett Johnson's horses ana
rode all day, summoning the hand.
The riders met near Johnson tf;lt
night. The band included the eight
defendants.
They proceeded to the hotel aftss
Garrett johnson had forced ed y
Powell to take the rider there Wit
ness said that Garrett johnson was
the spokesman and gave the orders to
Rankin and Taylor to dress.
On the march to the densely wood
ed bank Of the slough, where RankN
was slain, witness said johnson did
all the talking, the others, about fif~
ty in number, including the defend.
ants. following ssiently as the rope
was put around Rankin's neck. Feb
ringer said to the victim:
EDO you want to say anything to
the Lord? If you do, say it n9w.'
Rankin replied: ~ have attended
to that.''
Just as; they pulled the rope, wit
ness said. Bob Huffman shot isankin
and Sam Applewhite then said:
"I know he is dead, for [ put a
load Of bicycle ball bearings in him., ,,
Witness declared that Jesse Carter,
one of the defendants and man yet
to be tried, put the rope around Ran
kin s neck.
Wien Col. Taylor jumped into the
slough everybody shot into the water
and Fehringer beat around in it with
a pole. Meantime the men holding the
rope let it 60 and Rankin's body
crumped up 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 filled with blood from
the wound in the temple.
Just before the body fell rider,
not on trial. emptied six 38-calibre
bullets into the hanging man.
Il.