The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-12-22
WOMAN
REiI)1ES
WHIPPING
A|LS
(By Associated Press.)


Union City, Tenn. Dec. 22.-The
state practically completed It's case
last night against the eight alleged
night riders on trial for the murder Of
Captain Rankin. when II drew from
Frank Fehringer. a member OF the
band, detailed statement, not onir
OF the Rankin tragedy but Of score
or more OF other outrages. II also
called Mrs. Emma Thurman johnson.
one OF The two women said to have
been whipped by the bard aud hai aer
tell her story.
The startling testimony OF Frank
Fehringer. who confessed, involving
the men as actual participants in thh
murder cf Captain Rankin, was givon
with an exactude OF detail that was
amazing. As Mrs Johnson's nam
was called. a murmur Of satisfaction
arose. Nearly everyone knew she had
been whipped but eX"Apt the grand
iurv and prosecuting officers, no Que
had heard her story. She removed
her veil reluctantly on the judges M.
structi.ns that she might be heard by
the jury.
Mrs. John en- had married Joe John.
son, man 30 years older than she
and lived will him four years, when z
child was born. Last August she sued
for divorce. charging cruelty and ask
ing maintenance. Early in Septembei
Inc riders \ s'ted her home and lcfi
wi1.d that she must withdraw the
suit. She failed tO do 50, ana on
second visit her father was whipped.
On both occasions she was at hei
sisters hop.e. The riders seem &c
have realized this. for on Septembel
30. about II lock al night they Wen
10 the sisters house. Mrs. johnson
awcke to lind her bedroom filled will
masked and armed men, one Of WHOM
she said she recognized as Fred Pinion
one " the defendants. standing 81
close that she * ild touch himsi
"NVe have come 70 tell you for th
last time iAat You must dismiss tha
divorce 4uit," Pinion is charged witt
saying.
:. WIN no, withdraw IT," she re
piled
you N. before we get through
with you WIS the reply
III YOU dismiss Il now We Will SCI
that he supports the child but yol
must not touch his property"
Mr. johnson obstinately inslstel
thai She would press the case. Thei
ehe men filed out into the yard Il
consult. In q few moments they re
turned. Piniou she said, stepped owe
TO The young aoman's bed and said
Come with u.s.
Two others OF the band seized tn
young woman, dragged her from th
bed and hurried her about $50 yard
awav. They threw her on a log i
the woods and one OF them beat he
across the shoulders with a stral
After the first beating they asked
she would dismiss the suit She sal
no. Then she was again whipped
This time her fighting spirit wa
broken gnd she sobbiugly said sh
would give in 10 their demands.
lets give her another" said one
the band
mo" Pinion Is said to have replied
she has had enough
Judge Jones sent out the jury befo.
court adjourned and said.
''rhere are eight defendants her
charged with a capital offense. The
are not handcuffed and are unde
guard of only two deputies, ! do nc
think this safe. Therefore, ! order th
sheriff to handeuff these men and as
the military TO detail ten armed me
to serve as guards
The defense objected vigorously, bu
the Judge refused to withdraw the Ol
derE
Later Attorney General Caldwe
said The order was made advisedl
upon the inf rmation which reache
the officers OF the court, which info
nation secured was enough to justii
as in taking every precaution legally