The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-05-06
Victim Of Night Riders Got
Evidence Against Them and
Joined Militia.
, Hopes For Conviction OF Lead
ers Of Band. .-
OTHERWISE MAY NOT GO BACK

Al Perry, one OF the men whipped
In Galloway. and Clarence Dyer, an
important witness IN the night rider
prosecutions. were in Paducah today
In company with the soldiers under
Major Bassett en- route TO Trigg
county. Both are now soldiers and
members " Company II, OF Middles-
boro, under Captain Glyens.
Mr. Perry. who Is an intelligent
looking farmer, was the center of at
traction during his stay In Paducah
and a number OF people who listened
10 his story Of the visitation by night
nders and his punishment" as it
was called by a Murray paper.
While here Mr.. Perry visited the
office OF The Sun and TO the reporters
told how he was whipped and other
indignitles were heapcd upon him.
IL did not even suspect night riders
when my wife called me the night
they came" said Mr.. Perry.
when | opened the door about
p guns were leveled at my head and
| was told TO come out ! asked
TO be allowed TO dress. but they re-
fused and forced me into the yard in
my night clothes Two men took
hold Of me and one man whipped me
with a big stick. Some one. who
must have sympaihizcd with me. In
terferod with the men doing the whip
ping. as each blow was struck, and
protected me TO some extent, the only
blow from which | received full force
being on the hand. which split the
skin"
when asked regarding his feeling
toward the night riders he said: "lf
they WIN send some of the leaders 10
the penltentiary | will be satisfied.
but should the court fail may hunt
squirrels right smart next fan,
was al he wouh say.
Mr. Perry said Of the goo who visit
ed him he did not recognize any but
Joe Bell. who was captain Of the
band. and wore the cross scarf In
sigma. the others wearing A scarf
over one shoulder only. He did not
know Ben the night OF the visitation.
but since he met him at Murray he
said he knows he was the captain by
his make up and voice.
Macon Champion. the most i'm
portant of the confessed night riders,
told his story at the solicitation of
Mr. Perry. who suspected he was In
the raid by his actions next day.
Champion Is but is years old. He
was attempting to get away into
Trigg county when Mr.. Perry got
held OF him and prevailed upon him
20 tell what he know. They walked
TO Judge Wells house. reaching there
at o'clock In the morning.
Clarence Dyer. the other witness
with the soldiers, was forced to take
the oath and was notified to meet the
mob on the night OF the Perry raid,
but did not do so.
Both the men are afraid TO go TO
their homes In the east side OF Gallo
way now. but declare that should
convictions result they would not be
in fear OF molestatlon.
soldiers Arrive.
Major T.. h. Bassett and Lleuten-
ants Wilburn and Back arrived here
iast night with II privates of Com
panes + and II and left at noon {"
day on the steamer Buttorff for Rock
castle. Trigg county. whore they will
20 into camp. Captain Givens and
IS men of the same companies were
ordered to Galloway county. They
are mounted and Il is supposed they
will do patrol duty in the night rider
infested precincts of Galloway county
again. The shifting and movement
Of the troop is unexplained by the
commanding officers
While here the soldier boys, most
of whom have been in the service In
Galloway. several weeks, seemed TO
enjoy themselves immensely. Last
night many OF them attended the car
nival. II is believed they will be in
Triyo countv several months