Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-22
NIGHT RIDER IN
COURT TELLS OF
MANY OUTRAGES
MAKES DETAILED CONFESSION
OF RANKEN MURDER
SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE MARKS
STATES CLOSING DAY
ExactItude Of Witness Amazes Attor-
neys-5and Invaded Bedroom,
Warned Woman to Drop
Divorce Case

IT MON CITY, Tenn, Dec. 21.-The
state practically completed its
~ case today against the eight al
legged night riders on trial for the muir
der of Captain Ranken when 1t drew
from Frank Fehringer, a member OF
The band, a detailed statement not
only of the Ranken tragedy, but OF a
score or more of other outrages.
It also called Mrs Emma Thurman
johnson, one of two women said to
have been whipped by tho band, and
had her tell her story.
The startling testimony of Frank
Fehringer involving the men as actual
participants in the murder of Captain
Ranken was given with an exaeutude
Of detail that was amazing. .
As Mrs. Johnson's name was called
4 unurrnur of satisfaction arose.
Nearly every one knew she had been
whipped, but except the grand Jury
and prosecuting officers no one had
heard her story.
Mrs Johnson had married Joseph
Johnson, a man thirty years her elder
and lived with him for four years,
when a child was born. :.
Last August she sued him for dl-
vorce. charging cruelty and asking
diidll1lGlldil(Es
EARLY in September the riders Wis
tied 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.
Invaded Her Bedroom
on both occasions she was at her
sisters home The riders seemed TO
have realized this. for on September
30, about II o'clock at night, they
went to the sisters house.
Mrs Johnson woke to find her ped
room filled with masked men.
A man whom she said she recog-
nized as Fred Pinion, one of the de-
PENDANTS, was standing SO close that
she could touch him.
I'VE have come to tell you for the
last time that you must dismiss that
divorce suit" Pinion is charged with
II will not withdraw it," she re-
You will before we get through
with you," came the response.
IF you dismiss 1t we will see that
he supports the child, but you must
not touch his property"
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
DeQ ana SdlQs NlOitlC Will uos
Two others of the band seized the
young woman, dragged her roughly
from the bed and hurried her about
$50 yards away.
Beat Her with Strop
They threw her ON a log in the woods
and one Of them 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 whipped
again.
This time her fighting spirit was
broken and she sobbingly said she
would give into their demands.
Lets give her another" said one
of the band.
NO. Pinion is said to have replied.
''She has had enough"
Judge Jones sent out the jury be-
fore court adjourned and said:
There are eight defendants here
charged with a capital offense. They
are not handcuffed and are under
guard Of only two deputies.
Il do not think this safe. Therefore
/ order the sheriff to handcuff these
men and ask the military TO detail
armed men to serve as guards
The defense objected vigorously, but
the Judge refused to withdraw his or
(lers