New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-27
THREATEN A MASSACRE
NIGHT RIDERS ACTIVE.
Grand Jury ConUenes at Union City
Fifteen More arrests.
by Telegraph to The Tribune

Ir,io, C,itv Tenn Oct 2s-Arnong the develop
menfs in the Reelfoot Lake region to-day colhcle'
with the selection of grand jury here to conduct
the Investigation into the murder by Night RIDERS OF
C-antair Quentin Rankin were the arrests of fifteen
more suspected persons. the appearance OF maskeo
riders within three miles of Obon. and news OF to
recent of letters threatening to massacre the IN
habitants Of Trenton, the home Of Captain Ranhh
DR. T J. Happell. of Trenton, who was mere To-
day saws an unsigned letter found on the STAIR
way at his office yesterday containing many IIeatS
against Trenton. The letter was fuil OF proIdhl's
and declared it was proposed TO give Trenton
h" and to make way with all men and women
both white and negroes. The letter said the town
would be visited the last of this month On the
back was the picture Of a horse and rider
Masked riders made their appearances at two
oir+s within three miles of Obion in broad daylight
TO-DAY Obion is fifteen miles from the soldiers
Camp Early to-day a roughly dressed white man,
wearing a mask. appeared at the home OF George
Beard on the L. A Ward farm. and demahdeo
breakfast of Mrs Beard. Being informed that no
food was prepared he ordered Mrs. Beard to cook
breakfast and call him from the woods near by
when it was ready. Mrs. Beard complied The in
truder ordered Mrs. Beard to enter anorher room
While he ate in order to remove his mask without
giving a view of his features.
TWO hours later while William Brown of Ohion.
was driving at d point about three miles from the
Beard home, he confronted suddenly by
masked man. who stepped from the bushes and or
dere him to halt.
What Is your name, Nrele nave you b'tll "-l''V
are you going. what is your business" demanded
the asked
Receiving apparently satisfactory replies, the man
ordered Brown to proceed
With the fifteen arrests to-day by the various
detachments Of soldiers and deputies, there are
confined in the guardhouse at the military camp
tonight sfxty-one persons. Major Horton and a
detachment Of fifteen mounted men left the camp
to-day and proceeding TO the Walnut Log neighbour
hood brought out o. D Eldridge. Dr. Doran (who
H. r,r[-- Of Con To1n n
kim. Thomas Wallace and Frank Long. The capt
ure of the latter is regarded as particularly i'm
portant Major Holmes and party made the other
arrests among them H. E Wilson. a brother Of
Grover Wilson, who arrested yesterday.
Judge Joseph E. Jones' of Dresden. Judge of the
18th Judicial Circuit, convened the special session
to-day Some time was taken In selecting grand
jury The crowd present composed of local
attorneys and representative citizens from different
parts Of the county. Many members OF the local
posse were in attendance to prevent possible trou-
bic.
The Jury was sworn IN. and Judge Jones deliv-
cred a strong charge. He declared while delivering
his charge that he had not inpanelled the jury to
investigate any character of crimes except those
SpeCihed in the charge. He was visibly anected
while referring specifically and in detail to the
murder of Captain Rankin.
There was a slight undercurrent Of applause at
the conclusion of the charge. The Court stated that
no trials would be held for the present, al
though some might be held later. The venremen
not selected one the grand jury excused, sub
jet to call. and court adjourned The exaHina-
ton Of witnesses before the grand jury will begin
tomorrow.