Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-21
ARMED SOLDIERS
PROTECT WITNESS
Startling Details OF Night Rider
Raids Given by One OF
Number
MANY cRuELTIEs
Abuse and Intimidation Of Those Who
Refused to Obey = Frank Fehrinser,
Long a Night Rider, Turns States
Evidence = Men and Women
Whipped Without Reason.

Union City, Tenn, Dec. 21-Sur-
rounded by detail of six soldiers
with shotted rifles and revolver hol-
sters open, Frank Fehringer, member
of the night riders, who has turned
states evidence, was brought into court
this morning to testify against his
former associates. At the coutt room
door the soldiers with rifles halted
four together, and soldiers armed only
with revolvers took him in charge and
led Fehringer to the stand.
The witness is diminutive man, and
seemed composed. but pale Fehrfnger
was one of the first members OF the
band. He went on the first ride OF the
band. The oath he took, was:
II solemnly swear that 1 wish to join
the society OF night riders, and that
will never write. tell or talk about any
thing that happened upon the rides, or
in conference"
This is the shorter form of the oath
A larger and more blood curdling one
was administered to the others, and
this will be recited by another wit
ness.
Captains Could Order Raids.
Fehringer knew all the defendants
and had accompanied them on many
rides prior to the killing Of Captain
Ranken. The night riders garb con-
sisted Of long, black coats, black masks
trimmed in white, and some had false
boards attached to the bottom. On one
occasion Deputy Sheriff Mays. since re-
signed, was one Of the riders and came
to the meeting unmasked. At this meet
ing Garrett johnson was chosen chief,
and other captains were named for diff
ferent localities and were authorized to
order raids whenever the riders were
certain the locality thought something
needed regulating.
Members Made to Go On Raids.
At times members failed to appear
for the rides, and on those occasions
the riders went after the missing men
and forced them to go on the raids. Of
ten the riders whipped men and wom-
en- without knowing why, except that
the captain ordered it. Once, when the
grand jury was in session and several
men who had been whipped had been
summoned, Garrett johnson sent out a
general order to hang one OF the men
who testified. They caught witness
named John Shaw on his way to court
near Sleepy Hollow, whipped him saw
agely and sent hi mhome. He did not
testify. Several prospective witnesses
were similarity treated but few of them
will tell Of it even now, so great Is
their terror.
Tells Of Murder Of Ranken.
Regarding the killing of Ranken,
Fehringer said he was notified by It'd
Burton, one Of the defendants, to sum-
mon the band that night, which he did,
using one of Garrett Johnson's horses.
The riders. including the eight defend
ants, met near Johnson's house that
night and proceeded to the hotel. john
Ranken and Taylor to dress. On the
march to the densely wooded bank of
the slough where Ranken was slain
johnson did all the talking, the others,
about fifty in number, including de-
PENDANTS, followed silently. AS they put
the rope on Ranken's neck, Fehringer
said to the victim: do you want to
say anything to the Lord? II you do,
say it now" Ranken replied: Il have
attended to that"
Just as they pulled the rope Bob
Hoffman shot him. Sam Applewhite
then said: "I know he is dead, for
put load of bicycle ball bearings in
him." Jess Carter, one Of the defend-
ants, and man yet to be tried, put the
ropee around Ranken's neck. When
Taylor jumped into the slough every
body shot into the water. Fehringer
beat around in it with a pole. In the
meantime the men holding the rope let
it go and Ranken's body dropped to
the ground. Just before the body fell
a rider not on trial emptied six 3S
caliber bullets into the hanging man.
Fehringer Promised Pardon.
johnson addressed the riders before
they dispersed, saying: Burn your
masks. Say nothing about this nights
work.
Fehringer was arrested by the mi
litia and taken before Governor Pat
terson, who was personally in COM
mand. "Tell the TRUTH" said Patterson.
"If you do will give you an absolute
pardon" Then he confessed