Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-12-24
NIGHT Rider CASE
STATE HAS PRACTICALLY COM
PLETED ITs EVIDENCE AT
UNION CITY, TENN.
WOMAN TELLS OF WHIPPING
BrutaIIy Beaten by Masked Men Be-
caused She Sued a Cruel Hus-
band for Dlvorce--Judpe
10 Cautious.

Union CITY, Tenn, Dec. 2z.-Tht
state practically completed Its cast
Monday against the eight alleged
night riders on trial for the murder
Of Capt. Ranken, when 1t drew from
Frank Fehringer, a member Of the
band, q detailed statement, not only oil
the Ranken tragedy, but of score
or more Of other outrages. 1t also
called Mrs. Emma Thurman Johnson,
one Of the women said to have been
whipped by the band, and had her
tell her story.
The startling testimony Of Comics
sor Frank Fehringer involving the
men as actual participants in the
murder of Capt. Ranken was given
with an exactitude Of detail that was
amazing. AS Mrs. Johnson's name
was called, a murmur Of satisfaction
arose. Nearly every one knew she
had been whipped, but, except the
grand Jury and prosecuting officers,
no one had heard her story. She re-
moved her veil reluctantly on the
judges instructions that she might
be heard by the jury.
Mrs. Johnson had married Joe
Johnson, man 80 years older than
she, and lived with him four years,
when child was born. Last August
she sued him for divorce, charging
cruelty and asking maintenance.
Early In September the riders visit
ed her fathers home, and left word |
that she must withdraw the suit. She
failed to do SO, and on second visit
her father was whipped.
On both occasions she was at her
sisters home. The riders seem to
have realized this, for on September
80, about eleven o'clock at night, they
went to the sisters house. Mrs.
Johnson awoke to find her bedroom
filled with masked and armed men. A
man whom she said she recognized as
Fred Pinion, one Of the defendants,
was standing SO close that she could
touch him.
1--WE have come to tell you for the
last time that you must dismiss that
divorce suit" Pinion is charged with !
saying. i
81 will not withdraw It," she re.
piled.
you will before we get through Z
with you," was the reply. III you
1t now we will see that he
the child, but you must not
ouch his property" {
Mrs. johnson obstinately insisted C
hat she would press the case. Then q
he men filed out into the yard to I
consult. In a few moments they re. 8
urned. Pinion, she said, stepped a
'ver to the young woman's bed and <
aid:
Come with us" X
Two others Of the band seized the M
Dung woman, dragged her roughly a.
rom the bed and hurried her about tt
so yards away. They threw her on m
log in the woods and one of them ST
eat her across the shoulders with Of
trap. After the first beating they al
sked her If she would dismiss the &C
nit. She said no. Then she was "
gain whipped. This time her fight. "
lg spirit was broken and she sob
Ingly said she would give in to their
Lets give her another" said one =,
the band. =,
mo-" Pinion Is said to have re. :,
led. "She has had enough" q,
Judge Jones sent out the jury be. \,
re court adjourned and said: -.
There are eight defendants here --
larged with capital offense. They
e not handcufted and are under
lard Of only two deputies. l do ~
It think this safe. Therefore | or Il,
II the sheriff to handcu1f these men n,
ID ask the military to detail ten al
med men to serve as guards" ~
The defense objected vigorously,
It the Judge refused to withdraw
g orders.
Later Attorney General Caldwell J
Id: THE order was made ad- It'll
sedly upon the information which ia!
ached the officers Of the court, To-
Itch information was secure enough ter
justify us in taking every possible IN