The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-26

Memphis, Tenn., October 25.-What may happen this week as a result or the investigation of night rider depre- dations in the north western section of this state is a matter of conjecture. To- morrow with the convening of the cir cult court for Obion county in special session at Union City to formally in vestigate the death of Capt. Quentin Rankin, who was killed by night rider band in the vicinity of Reelfoot lake Monday night last, that section will be under the complete domination of military rule. Five companies of the state National Guard will be at the disposal of Colonel Tatum, the military commander, to enforce martial law, and it is proposed to gather in every mem Der of the band. To aid the militia, the adjoining counties have been drawn on for posses .of picked men. Should this force be inadequate to cope with the situation it is declared that the entire military force of the state will be concentrated if necessary
 In the Reelfoot lake district the lake itself Is the source of contention which brought forth the activity of the so-caIled night rider organization. It was contended by those living in the vicinity that 1t was their right to ply their vocation as fishermen in it's wa ters without molestation, while the owners of the land upon which the lake is situated, took an opposite view. In the courts the latter. the West Tennessee Land company. of which Captain Rankin and Colonel Taylor of Trenton, Tenn. were the organizers and are largely interested, were up held. Then followed night rider warn ings, threatening death to those who opposed the wishes of the members of the band It was upon the first visit in many months to the lake region that Captain Rankin was killed.
 Men with moneyed interests have been forced to leave their homes and to others, who refused to obey the warn ings, corporal punish ment has been in flicted. Notwithstanding the efforts of the local authorities. the depredations continued during the past year. the situation becoming more and more seri- ous, until with the killing of Captain Rankin, 1t was proven necessary for Y Nashville two companies of state troops were hurried forward the day following the lynching, and Governor Patterson, abandoning for the time a campaign for recollection. came to the scene to personally direct the work Of ferreting out the members of the mob and the gathering of evidence.
 Two other military companies went from this city. Of number of men arr rested, ten are being held and 1t is prom ised that when the grand jury Is con yened tomorrow sufficient evidence will be furnished to secure the indictment of every member of the night rider organa- every member Of the night rider organza- under military protection company of militia to be brought from Nashville to- morrow especially for this service.
 Governors of several of the states of the south have approved of a suggestion of Governor Patterson that confer ence of the executives of the different states be held and plans be devised whereby they can act in concert in an effort tos totally destroy the night rider organizations Governor Noel of Misss- sippi, Governor Pindali of Arkansas and Governor Wilson of Kentucky have al ready expressed themselves in approval of the proposed conference Practically