The Cairo bulletin., 1908-12-22
MASKED MEN DRAGGED HER
FROM HER BED AND BEAT
HER.
STATE PRACTICALLY
COMPLETES ITS CASE
Mrs. Johnoon Was Suing Husband For
Divorce and Gang Came to
Compel Her to Withdraw
Suit--Fehringer Member
OF Band, Testifies.

Union City, Tenn, Dec. 21.-Tho
state practically completed its case
today against The eight alleged night
riders On trial for the murder of Cap.
tain Rankin, when If drew from Feb.
ringer, member Of the band, De.
tailed statment, not only Of the mur-
der itself and those who committed it.
but of score or mere of other out.
RACES
And then, just to add fnishiag
touches, it called to the stand Mrs
Emma Thurman johnson, one of the
two womeh known to have been whip
ped by the band, and had her tell hes
story. 1t was a dramatic close to a
day Of sensational developments.
Was Last Witness.
It was dusk when Mrs. Johnson was
called. The startling testimony of
Frank Fehringer involving the men
on trial rs actual participants nathe
murder cf Captain Rankin, was glvcn
with eXactitude of detail that was
had whetted the appetites of
the throng of people that packed the
court room.
When Mrs. Johnson's name was
called tall slender young woman.
attired in black and heavily yelled,
WallgI rutid1,5 r., tho .to,l Oh, -,
moved her veil reluctantly on the
judges instructions, that she might
be heard by the jury.
Father Whipped.
Mrs. Johnson had married Joe John
son, man thirty years older than
she was. She lived with him four
years, and a child was born. Last
August she sued him for "A divorce
charging cruelty and asking mainten-
ance. 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
'isit her father was whipped.
On both occasions she was at her
sisters home. The riders on Septem.
Ter 30. about II O'Clock at night, went
o her sisters house Mrs. Johnson
woke from a sound sleep, beside her |
,abe, to find her bedroom filled with
masked and armed men. The man
whom she recognized as Fred Pinion,
ne fthe defendants, was standing |
o close that she could touch him.
Recognized Defendant.
We have come to tell you for the |
asst time that you must dismiss the
iyorce suit. said Pinion whom she
ad known for years. and who lived |
carcely mile away.
Il win not withdraw" she replied.
You viii before we get throug
'ith you, replied Pinion. If you dis.
Mss IL now we will see that he sup
orts the child, but YOU must not
ouch his property"
Mrs. JOnson obstiuately insisted
hat she would press the case Then
he men filed out into the yard 20
onsult In a few moments they re-.
armed. Two of the band seized her.
ragged her roughly from her bed IN
er night clothes and out into the
light. They threy her on a log In the
'oods and one of them beat her
cross the shoulders with a strap.
Finally Gave In.
After the first beating they asked
er If she would dismiss the suit She
afused and was whipped This time
he gave in 10 their demands.
Mrs Johnson broke down as she
escribed how she was torn from her
ably by masked men. She pressed
or case and won her suit
Judge Jones ISSUED an order that
le eight defendants in court be hand
lned and a detail placed over them
Ie made this order. be- said. becausn
+ certain Information De had re- 4