Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-12-22
ROPES TIGHTEN
FOR NIGHT RIDERS
MEMBER OF THE BAND TURNED
STATES EVIDENCE TELLS SE-
CRETS OF THE CLAN-START.
LING ESTIMONY OF FRANK
FEHRINGER.

Union Cay, Tenn, Dec. 22.-The
state has practically completed it's
case against the eTght al eyed night
| riders on trial for the murder OF
Captain Rankin. FRANK Fehrlnger
a III amber OF the band who turned
stats's evidence, made a detailed
statement OF the Rankin affair. ani
score or more OF other outrages.
The startling testimony OF Frank
Fehringer. who confessed. accusing
the men on trial Of being actual par
ticipants in the murder OF Captain
Rankins. given with an exactness of
detail, amazed the people who
thronged the court room.
Surrounded by detail OF SIX full
ly armed so diers Fehringer was
brought into court At the cour;
room door two of the soldiers armed
with rifles halted. Four other sol
diers armed only with revolvers
took Fehringor In charge Four
armed deputy sheriffs cleared a way
through the crowd in the aisles aui
Fehringer was led to the stand
The soldiers sat down inside the
railing facing the thrCng. Deput:es
armed heavi y, took pos tlons in va
rious parts of the room. 1t was a
tense moment The witness, a dimln-
utive man, seemed to be composed
but pale. He crossed his legs and
tossed II 5 broad brImmed hat to the
toe OF his boot.
Many In the crowd surged up clos
er, but a stern order from the Judge
.orced them back into their seats.
Fehringer said he was one of the
nrst members of the band. Fghr,n-
ger knew all the defendants aud
had accompanied them On many
rides prior to the killing OF Captain
Rankin. The night riders garb con
listed of long black coats, black
masks trimmed IN white and oe2S
raise boards attached to the bottom.
ON one occas on Deputy Sheriff Mays
since resigned. and who was one OF
the riders came to a meeting un-
masked. At this meeting Garrett
Johnson was chosen chief and other
captains were named for fferen:
ocalities and authorized TO order
raids whenever the riders OF q GER
tain locality thought something
needed regulating. Sometimes a
member failed to appear for rides
and on these occasions the riders
went after the missing men and
forced them o go on the raids.
The night rider oath in full was
You do solemnly swear in the
presence OF Almighty God and these
witnesses. that you desire to be-
come night rider; that you will
not write, or tell any one, any OF
the secrets of this order OF night
riders; that, IL you do talk, write,
or tell to any person any Of the Sc
crets OF the order, We are permitted
O do with you as we see fit.
You know death, hell and de
struction will be your port on and
that your body viii not be buried
in a graveyard. Do you willingly
and freely submit to all this, so help
you God?"
Fehringer frankly admitted that
he had sold liquor legally. had
been indicted, tried and convicted
for this onensc beth in Tennessee
and Kentucky. However, he never
Jenied h s guilt and never perjured
himself to escape punishment.
On October 10 the riders learned
hat Rank n and Colonel Taylor
were a; the walnut Log Ho.el, In
the heart OF the riders county.
'Tid' Burton to d Fehringer to no
tify the band to meet that nigni
10 attend to Rank and Taylo-.
Fehringer got one Of Garrett John
sons horses and rode all day sum-
moning The band. The riders nat
near Johnson's that night. The
band included the sight defend
ants.
They proceeded to the hotel after
Garrett Johnson had forced ED"
Powell to take the rider :heTe.
Witness said that Garrett Johnson
vas the spokesman and gave orders
o Rankin and Taylor to dress.
JOHNSON DID THE TALKING
On The march 20 ;ae densely wood
I'd bank OF the slough where Ran
* was n, witness said, Johnson
iid an the talking. the others.
about fifty in number. including the
lefendants, following silently, as
The rope was put around Rankin'Y
neck Fehringc. said to The Y ctim
DO you want to say anything 70
the Lord? If you do say it now"
Rankin repbed IL have attend
ed TO that"
Just as they pul ed the rope. wit
ness said Bob Hoffman shot Ran
kin and Sam Applewhite then said
4 know he IS dead for put a load
Of bicycle ball bearings IN him."