The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1908-01-29
SEVERELY WHIPPED
by Night Riders at Daw-
q son Springs.
FIRED A vOLLEY into HOTEL
John Heath, Tobacco Buyer,
Was Victim of Body of
Masked Men.


Heath, tobacco warehouseman, and
official prizer for the Dark Tobacco
Association, was taken from his
room in the Arcadia Hotel by a body
of night riders, escorted across the
river and severely whipped, because
Mr.. Heath is said to have purchased
independently a crop of pooled tobac-
co. The night riders, who numbered
about fifty men, were masked and
fired several Volleys into the hotel he
fore Mr.. Heath was brought out No
one was wounded and but little prop
erty damage was done.
The peaceful slumbers of the citizens
were disturbed last night about 1890
O'Clock by succession of shots from
Sevolvers, Winchester rifles and shot
guns. 1t was not known why the alarm
was given and almost all of the citi-
zens thought that there was fire in
town, as shooting is the usual method
of giving a fire alarm here.
The night riders seem to have come
from Caldwell county, which is just
across the Tradewater river, a mile
west of the city. The first that was
1 known of their presence here was the
demand from some one outside the de-
pot that the night operator, Clyde
Meadows, should come out and go with
them to the Arcadia Hotel in search
of John Heath, who is pricing tobacco
for the Dark Tobacco Association at
this place. 1t is alleged that Mr..
Heath had bought crop of tobacco
which vas pooled from Harp Men
ser, a grower of Christian county, re-
Gently, and had bought outside the as
ISOLATION and as an independent
buyer which it seems, is contrary to
the rules of the organization. Mr.Men-
ser was recently waited upon by the
the so-called might Riders" and TAX
en- out and whipped.
Mr.. Meadows accompanied the men
to the hotel.a volley of shots was fired
opposite the hotel and a demand that
Mr.. Heath come forth. The visitors
were not familiar with the location of
! patient, fired a volley in the hall
of the hotel, Kidding the glass doors
and interior with bullets.
". L. IIoleman, the proprietor, was
at jacksonville, visiting his mother
who is i'll, and Mrs. Holeman made
her appearance and was asked to tell
them the location of Mr.Heath's room.
She replied that she did not know
where 1t was, but another volley in
the air convinced her that she could
lead them in the right direction and
Mr.. Heath, hearing the shots and the
: demand for his presence, prepared for
their reception. Several of the night
riders finally located his room which
is in the east end of the hotel and
knocked heavily on his door, de-
handing that he dress and come out,
which he promptly did.
He was then taken in custody and
taken across the bridge west of town
and severely whipped and told that he
would not be whipped again, but
should the same offense occur another
|, time the extreme penalty would be In
NNflicted. The Rev. Wexford Morgan, L..
B. Lamson and Clyde Meadows, the
night operator, were compelled to ac-
company the night riders across the
river and witnessed the punishment of
Mr.. Heath. He was ordered to make
public and publish the fact that he
bought about LOO pounds of tobacco
from Harp Menser and paid Sc a hum
bred fo- it 1t, and If he did not do so
they would. again call upon him and
would treat him rougher than before.
Mr.. Heath said he would follow in
structions.
The town was taken charge of and
the organization seemed to be perfect.
All of the night riders were said to |.
be masked and no one was recognized.
No resistance was Offered and their
object was accomplished. This is the
first visit from the night riders int
Hopkins county They were so well
organized that at the bugle call all
fell in line and the various squads
were immediately brought together
No one was hurt and little damage