The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-01-14
NIGHT RIDERS
ARE SENTENCED
TO Be HANGED
SIX TENNESSEEANS, CONVICTED OF
KILLING CAPT RANKEN MAY
DIE ON SCAFFOLD.
TWO GIVEN TWENTY YEARS.
Defendants Apply for New Trial, At
lacking Competency of Two Mem
bers of the Jury.
EXECUTION is SET FOR FEB. 10.

UNION CITY. Tenn, Jan. 9.-Judge
Jones today imposed the death penalty
On Garrett johnson, lid Burton, Bob
Ransom. Fred Pincon, Arthur Cloar
and Sam Applewhte, the night riders
who were found guilty Of the murder
of Capt. Quinten Ranken, and sentenced
Bud Morris and Bob Huffman, the two
other defendants, to twenty years I'M
prisonment.
The attorneys for the defense imme-
diately gave notice Of an appeal to the
state supreme court. Ii this tribunal
does not interfere the first named SIX
men will be hanged on February u.
Jurors Competency Attacked.
In applying to Judge Jones today for
q new trial the defense attacked the
competency Of Jurors Mckinney and
D"hnke, asserting that they had eA-
pressed opinions as to the guilt OF the
parties on trial and that Dahnke was u
resident of the state of Kentucky.
Witnesses were introduced to prove
the facts 1t was also claimed that Juror
Rosson, who was ill, was thus incompe-
tent 10 pass on the guilt or innocence OF
the accused.
After having heard the testimony OF
three witnesses introduced by the de-
Tense in their effort to prove that Juror
Mckinney had expressed an OPINION as
to the guilt of the convicted man, the
state proved by the members of the jury
that he insisted on mitigating clrcum-
stances being included in the verdict.
The contentious in regard to Jurors
ROsson and Dahnke were later with
drawn and the motion for Il new trial
was quickly overruled.
Finds Evidence Competent.
Judge Jones listened attcntively to the
testimony and at the conclusion said the
court was firmly of the opinion that all
evidence introduced at the trial was
competent. Judge Jones continued:
II said some time ago to the grand
jury that it was a said, sad day, when
these men left their quiet homes; that
their wives had not taken them around
the neck and pleaded with them for
God Almightys sake to stop and not
band themselves together for such un-
holy acts; that the evidence in this case
is bristing with perjury, and the jury
has returned into this court verdict
against Morris and Bob Huffman of
murder in the second degree and which
must stand.
"rhc jury has also returned verdict
in the first degree against six of the
defendants and in view of the manner
in which the life of Quentin Ranken
was taken ! can see no mitigating cir
cumstances in this crime. Ii was not
done in the heat of passion, and has
none of the elements Of mitigating cir
cumStanccS. and that part of tie YER
dict will be dsrcgardcd.''
After a moments GREATNESS silence
the court said
bud Morris. you will stand up
at is the opinion that you be incar-
cerated in the penitentary for twenty
years and be deprived Of your rights of
franchise"
Bob Huffman next received the same
sentence.
Receives Death Sentences
Judge Jones after Il pause continued:
"Garrrtt Johnson, you have been tried
on Il charge of murder in the first de-
gree. A motion for n new trial is over
ruled by the court 1t is considered and
the judgment Of the court is that You
will be remauied to Jail until Friday,
the 10th day If February, 1909. when
YOU will 10y the sheriff If this county.
he hanged by the neck until you are
dead and may God Almighty have mer-
Cy on your SOUL
The same iudgmcnt was pronounced on
the rcmaulu. 1--we defendants convicted
Of lirsl dcgrr" murder.
Counsel iut the defendants asked for
writ vi error aud gave notice Of al
app"n! 10 tho state supreme court.
Perfect silence prevailed in the court
room during the prououhclng of sen
fences The defendants, each in turn
arose pale and worm and received the
words of ILdgc Jones.
The court then directed the sheriff to
see that the defendants he carefully
looked after and Il proper guard be sup.
piled. Court then adjourned,