The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-01-09
KENTUCKY'S SHAME GROWS
Tobacco Situation Worse - Sale at
Winchester Falls Through = vio-
ience on the Increase.

I
ing called all over the United States.
has grown much worse In the last
week. All the favorable things have
disappeared, and IT now looks as II
the fight for the preservation OF the
law would be long and hard one.
and as II the burning OF barns and
outrages OF all kinds might spread to
the Blue Grass districts.
The first thing to happen was a
raid ON Russelville. In which n mob
OF about hundred night riders did
damage amounting to about 100000.
much o. Il to innocent poor men,
whose homes happened to be near
enough the tobacco houses TO catch
from them. One man who thought
his horse was being burned up in a
stable was shot when he went TO
look after 1t. and another who looked
out 10 see what was up was shot in
the face There was one other man
shot.
There was no fear OF another raid
at Russelville. for there was nothing
else to burn. so the governor did not
order any troops there. He issned a
statement In which he said that he
believed the raid was a conspiracy to
lntlmidatc the men who at that time
were investigating the Hopkinsville
case. and declared that nothing would
turn him from his duty. and that the
law would be enforced with all the
power he had. lie also offered a re-
ward OF $500 for Information about
any plans FOR a raid. and will have
troops on hand before hand II be gets
chance.
At HopkInsville there is some
chance that the law will be enforced.
Two arrests were made. and trial
will soon be held. but there does not
seem much chance OF conviction. The
whole community from which the RI
ders came seems TO be in terror OF
them. and few VIII tell what they
know. On the ether hand. the riders
Themselves are in terror of the law.
and many OF them are leaving tho
country.
The buyer OF the tobacco trust and
the men at Winchester were unable
10 reach any agreement The buyer
spent three days IN looking over the
tobacco there. and finally offered the
Burley Tobacco Society twelve cents
pound for ten thousand hogsheads
The offer was refused, the society de-
handing fifteen cents. The society
issued statement declaring the
American Tobacco Company to be the
enemy OF the growers and announcing
its intention Of proceeding against It
In the courts.
The governor called another con-
ference, but SO FAR II has not done
anything. The Dark Burnley men an
nounced that they viii have the back
ing OF Tennessee banks that will car
ny them thru another year even II the
Kentucky banks viii not advance
them any more money.
Following this the disorder spread,
and peaceful" armies began operat-
ing in new fields. Attacks were feared
at several points. and preparations
were made for raids which did not
come. At HoplSinsville gatling gun
WIS stationed In the public square,
and guards were thrown out as II
there were a hostile army near.
Guards were also out at different
times at Lebanon, at Maysvile on two
nights. and at other places. A big
pricing house at Augusta was burned
after a visit by a peaceful" army.
II was even said that letters had been
sent TO Attorney General Breathitt.
threatening to kin him If he did not
stop his prosecutions of the lawbreak-
ers.
Raids have been made In Bath and
Fleming Counties and considerable
damage has beef done. There Is great
alarm at Lexington and Mt. Sterling,
and Il is likely that troops will be
called for those places to guard the
warehouses.
The whole country is waking up to
the disgrace of the state. The men,
beers Of the Society of Equity in other
states are becoming ashamed of be-
ing connected with body which will
allow its members to do such things.
and there is a strong movement to
break away from It n It does not
throw out the night riding members.
The governor is doing all he can. and
his message to the Legislature deals
strongly with the matter. but 1t will
take good deal Of help from the
people OF the state to save 1t from
further disgrace