The Mena weekly star., 1908-12-24
TRIAL 0F TIE RIDERS
STATE HAS PRACTICALLY COM PLETED ITS EVIDENCE AT
 UNION CITY, TENN.
WOMAN TELLS STORY OF BEING WHIPPED
srutaIIy Beaten by Masked Men Be. cause She Sued Cruel Husband for Divorce-Judge Orders Prison CTS Handcuffed and More Guards Ap- pointed.

pointed.
 Union City, Tenn. Dec 23.--The state practically completed its case Monday against the eight alleged night riders on trial for the murder of Capt. Ranken. when 1t drew from Frank Fehringer, a member of the band. detailed statement, not only of the Ranken tragedy, but of score or more of other outrages. 1t alse called Mrs. Emma Thurman Johnson, one of the women said to have been whipped by the band, and had her tell her story.
 The startling testimony of Comics. sor Frank Fehringer involving the men as actual participants in the murder of Capt Ranken was given with an exactitude of detail that was amazing. As Mrs. Johnson's name was called, murmur 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. She re moved her veil reluctantly on the iudge's instructions that she might be heard by the jury.
 Mrs. Johnson had married Joe Johnson, man 90 years older than she, and lived with him four years, when a child was born. Last August she sued him for divorce, charging cruelty and asking maintenance. Early in September the riders visit ed 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.
 On both occasions she was at her sisters home. The riders seem to have realized this, for on September 20. about eleven o'clock at night, they went to the sisters house. Mrs. Johnson awoke to find her bedroom filled with masked and armed men. A man whom she said she recognized as Fred Pinion, one of the defendants, was standing so close that she could touch him.
 We have come to tell you for the last time that you must dismiss that divorce suit Pinion is charged with saying.
 T will not withdraw it, she re- piled.
 You will before we get through with you" was the reply. If you dismiss it now we will see that he supports the child, but you must not touch his property
 Mrs. Johnson obstlnately insisted that she would press the case. Then the men filed out into the yard to consult. In a few moments they re turned. Pinion, she said stepped over to the young womans bed and said:
 Come with us"
 Two others of the band seized the young woman, dragged her roughly from the bed and hurried her about 25O yards away. They threw her on log in the woods and one of them beat her across the shoulders with strap. After the first beating they asked her if she would dismiss the suit She said no. Then she was again whipped This time her fight ing spirit was broken and she sob bingly said she would give in to theii demands.
 Let's give her another said one of the band
 "No,7 Pinion is said to have re piled. "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. dc not think this safe. Therefore l or der the sheriff to handcuff these men and ask the military to detail ten armed men to serve as guards
 The defense objected vigorously but the judge refused to withdra" Inc orders
 Later Attorney General Caldwen said; 'The order was made ad yisedly upon the information which reached the officers of the court which information was secure enougt to justify us in taking every possible and legal DrecautiOu