The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-05-14

trust would pay only what 1t
pleased and that the former could
sell to no one else. When the
American Tobacco company two
or three years ago set out to pay a
lower price than ever, being as
near as possible to the cost of pro-
duction, which is estimated at 9
cents per pound, the raj sers rose
in revolt The tobacco growers
of Kentucky first organized, but
the original failed. Then the to-
bacco Equity entered the field and
spread like wildfire through the
tobacco districts of Kentucky.
Branches were established in the
tobacco counties of Ohio.
The crop of 1906 was first pooled
and held, and then the crop of
1907 was added in Il larger amount.
But a good deal of tobacco in
both Kentucky and Ohio was not
pooled, but was sold by the lnde-
pendent farmers, who got high
prices for it, up to l5 cents per
pound and over.
Not to increase the value of the
pooled Equity crops yet unsold in
a large part, and to prevent the
independent farmers from raising
and selling tobacco, the slogan of
"No Crop in 19OS' was raised by
the Equity men. Those who
would not sign or promise, have
been the victims of all kinds of
influence and intimidation, and
the reports of the violence and de-
struction that have followed are
familiar to all.
The methods used of destroying
tobacco beds and crops, burning
barns and warehouses, whipping
and shooting men, and "shcnting
up' houses and towns, haye been
prevalent in Kentucky.
The society of equity dominates
most of the light Bnrley tobacco
district in that state and has near
| ly cut out the crops of 1908.
Over in Ohio, the equity is not
nearly so strong generally and is
only strong in spots in each coun-
ty with other parts of the county
opposed to it or independent.
The plan of destroying the tobacco
beds has been used to consider
able extent, and most of the un-
protected beds have been ruined.
Aside from tins, there has been
but little actual damage inflicted,
except that several barns of lnde-
pendent tobacco farmers have
burned. Many warnings have
been received by farmers not to
] sell or raise their tobacco.
Many threats were made against
these Ohio farmers and dealers,
and the Kentuckians Lave inspired
or assisted in destroying many
tobacco beds, although most of
the work has probably heen done
by reckless Ohio equity men.
| But the citizens of the border were
startled Mt last by band of
raiders from Kentucky who crossed
the Ohio river Mt Augusta to
Boudesferry in Brown county,
near Higginsport, and joined with
their partisans on this side in
burning large tobacco ware
house used by dealer who had
bought independent tobacco in
Kentucky. This invasion and
destruction excited intense alarm
all along the river, together with
reported threats Of another raid
OH the towns Of Higginsport,
Ripley and Aberdeen and other
points where dealers had ware
houses.
In the meantime, the Law and
Order League of Ohio was organ
lied at Ripley by independent
dealers and farmers and active
efforts were made 70 protect the
property and persons Of all citizens
who wished to raise or deal in
tobacco. The passage Of laws to
protect property and punish Of
fandara Gas eaouead and fha