The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-21
NIGHT RIDER TELLS
STORY ON STAND
Frank Ferhinger Called as
Witness in Trial at
Union City.
Continued from First Page)

ACOnllnQeQ from ElrSL PaRe.l
To this the FIRST man would respond.
81 wonder"
The witness said that when a member
approached a meeting place or the
house OF another member lie wouIG
whistle three times. Two were long
and one was short.
The same whistles were given In re-
ply.
Ferhinger said that one of the objects
Of the night rider organization was to
secure free fishing and free fisheries at
Reel Foot lake.
At some meetings plans We're dis
cussed, in regard to making a raid on
Tptonville for the purpose Of Selling
Judge Harris and killing him, on ac-
count Of his connection with the West
Tennessee Land Company.
Notifies His Band.
Examined as 10 the murder Of Captain
Rankin, the witness said that upon re
ceiving information that Colonel Taylor
and Captain Rankin were at Walnut
Log. ne obtained a horse at Garrett
JohnsOn's place and rode TO the homes
OF different members and notified them
Others received notification from other
parties. Among the men ne knew were
notified. most Of them are tas defend
ants
He then told Of the assembling Of the
night riders that night and OF their
going 10 Walnut Log Hotel sfte- wax
ing Ed Powell and making him take
the oath. which was administered by
Garrett Johnson.
He then said they sent Powell 20 the
hotel TO ascertain whether TAYLOR and
Rankin were there, and finding them II
their room, they made them dress.
Witness said he examined a CrfpsacE
In search Of papers OF the Wesc Ten
nessee Land Company.
They took Taylor and Rankin out to
Bayou Dechein- where Rankin was first
hanged and then shot
Accuses Bob Huffman.
Frehinger said he thought that Bob
Huffman, one Of the defendants, fred
the first shot at Rankin. He then told
Of the escape Of Taylor by jumping into
the bayou. and said that Garrett John
son. one Of the defendants. had talked
70 Taylor and Rankin about the West
Tennessee Land Company's ownership
Of the lake.
He also said that Sam Applewhite had
remarked prior to the killing that he
had a bicycle ball for Rankin, and sub
seQueut to the murder had said that he
had Given him (Rankin) the ball
Witness identified Garrett Johnson,
Bob Huffman. Bud Morris and Sam APP
pIethwiie as being present at the Kill
ing He heard Arthur ClOaTs name
called. but could not swear positively
that he was there.
Return to Homes
Ferbineer closed his testimony by
stating that after the killing Of Ran
kin, the night riders mounted their
horses. which had been left in charge
OF four men. and returned to their re
spective homes. after telling Ed Powell
10 go TO the bayou and get the body Of
Rankin
He said there were about twenty-five
men present at the murder and gave
the names OF a number Of them in ad-
diti0n 10 the four defendants he sd
named. He said that he had testified
before the grand jury because he want
ed 20.
The state closed IT'S testimony IN
chief so far as Fe~binEer IS concerned.
at Il.40 a. IN, and counsel for the de
Tense asked that the Cross-eXa uinatiOn
be deferred until the afternoon session
The court then adjourned untI II
O'Clock.
Ferbinger was escorted 70 and from
the court room - a detachment Of sol
. d-crs-