The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-08
Amended Petition Of Henry
Bennett Says Tobacco Pool
Organized Band
To Force Men to Join and TO
Influence Courts.
REcTns HISTORIC TROUBLE

That there was a general con-
splracy OF night riders In the Black
Patch and that the association was
behind II. Is the allegation OF Henry
Bennett
The seventy-fve new defendants
added to the list sued by Henry Ben
nett. OF Jacksonville, Ind, formerly
OF Dycusbgrg. KY. on account OF the
whipping administered to him Feb
ruary 3. 1908. are made so in many
cases BY. reason OF their relations
with the dark tobacco association.
This particularly apples TO the promi-
nent men OF Trigg county. named In
the amended petition. The petition
directly charges the association with
forming the night rider order for the
purpose of forcing planters and
handlers into the association by
threats. and whipping. and burning
their property. and OF creating a
reign OF lawlessness In the counties.
where dark tobacco is grown TO by
intimidation and threats. defeat the
object OF courts OF justice. influence
ing >iich courts and the officers OF
such courts. petit and grand Jurors, :"
10 tae end that its members may be
released and discharged when arrest
"a for E<mes committed by the night
riders. A general conspiracy also IA
charged.
The petition says the association
was formed to create monopoly OF
dark tobacco, which can be grown
only In certain counties OF Kentuck,
and Tennessee. County associations
were formed 10 promote the pool,
and planters ana handlers were in
vited TO Join. When many refused
81 was Impossible TO establish sha
monopoly and bitter feeling waA
created.
"Thereupon," the petition recites.
'the defendants with divers others
evil disposed and malignant persons.
members OF and sympathizers with
said associations, combined. con-
splred aud confederated together and
organized a secret criminal society.
generally known as the night riders.
Said secret criminal society was or
ganIzed by the establishment OF
lodges at various points in the coun-
ties In which dark tobacco was
grown. ana officers were elected.
bearing military titles. such as gen.
eral. colonel and captain. and each
lodge and each member thereof was
afiliated with and bore allegiance to
each and all other lodges. Each,
member took the blood oath"
~. -. In the presence of Al
mighty God and these witnesses.
take upon myself the solemn pledge
and obligation that I will never re-
veal any OF the secrets. signs ana
passwords OF this order. either by
word or writing. to any person or
persons. who are not entitled to the
same In accordance with the rules
and regulations OF this order. fur
thermore promise and swear that I
will never reveal or cause to be re-
vealed BY word or act to any person
or persons the transactions OF this
order in or out of the lodge room,
unless after due trial and examina-
ton | find them or him Justly en-
titled to same, and not then unless
I believe the business and welfare of
the order will be benefited by such
information given. I furthermore
promise and swear that l will obey
all the orders and summons coming
from my lodge day or night. unless
prevented by sickness OF self or fam
iy. To all this DO solemnly promise
and swear. placing myself under no
less penalty than may be put upon
me by order OF this lodge"