The Washington times., 1914-11-28
STATE TERROR|zED
BY NIGHT RIDERS

LEXINGTON. KY, Nov. 3.-Muh-
lenberg. Hopkins and Butler coun-
ties. in western Kentucky are ter
ror-stricken because of outbreaks OF
night riders, or "Fossum Hunters" as
they have designated themselves.
Scores Of people, men. women, AMI
children. have been dragged from
their homes and beaten almost to
death: scores of houses have been
riddled with bullets; one colored boy
who strayed too close to a window
during a raid has been killed; nu-
merous other people have been
wounded; three night riders are believed
to have been killed, while others have
been wounded, as have several people
who dared to oppose them.
The outlawry is directed esecially
at colored people ard at those en-
ployed in nonunion coal mines. In
this section of Kentucky there are
number Of mines which have refused
to allow their forces to oecome union
lied. and TO do this they have en-
ployed constantly increasing numbers
OF negroes. Chief Of these concerns Is
the big ST. Bernard Coal Company
and the West Kentucky Coal Com
pany. with a number OF lesser COM
panies allied with them. But negroes
outside Of the Immediate mining dis
tricts have also been victims of the
'possum hunters. and likewise num-
ber of white residents of the coal dis
trict and the contiguous sections.
First Appearance.
No
lawry was in Muhlenberg county.
where a number of persons were NAL
treated. and even some mine property
was destroyed, and other mines were
attacked Since then the raids have
extended TO other territory.
The mine owners, officers and citi-
Zens in many places have taken steps
to give battle TO the 'Possum Hunters
should they again appear. At Earling-
ton, headquarters Of the st. Bernard
Coal Company, not only are the mines
strongly guarded, but a citizens pa
troll has been organized, a system Of
gnals agreed upon. and arms dis
tributed. Should the 'Possum Hunters
tackle that place they will be given
a warm reception. At Carbondale a
strong blockhouse has been erected.
large enough TO hold a score of men.
This stands on commanding position
and is still further strengthened by
railroad ties stood on end all around
II. From this dozen men could stand
off n large opposing force. similar
blockhouse has been erected at the
Kingston mine. and possibly at other
places.
on the other hand several Of the
mines have shut down indefinitely,
and II Is supposed this means until
the trouble is over. At Carbondale,
and perhaps other places. 1t Is said
moved away But at other points the
negroes are being given every assur-
ance of protection and in such cases
there has been little or no diminution
of the forces in the mines.
Well Drilled.
The methods adopted by the Possum
Hunters bear all the ear marks of the
night-riders who created such a reign
of terror seven or eight years ago dur
ing the tobacco troubles. The bands
evidently are all well drilled; they show
by the precIs on with which they work
that every detail OF a raid is carefully
PLANNED before it is attempted, and
every band Is under a leader whose
every command is implicitly obeyed.
The night prowlers always go masked
and heavily armed and they seem 10
appear from nowhere and to disappear
into thin air.
Eumors have come at intervals that
rnids were to be made at certain times
on NOrtonviIle, Darlington and other
places. but these have failed ta Hia-
ieria!ize. Yet II is believed that Ehe
'I'ossum Hunters are only bidlns thnr
time for the present and they AM a.
pected TO be heard from again. II pos
sible they will be met with resolute men
who will shoot, and shoot TO kill.
During the past four weeks half
dozen or more men have been beaten
n Muhlenberg county and run out OF
the State because, II Is alleged. they
were witnesses TO a night-rtder raid
when a store was attacked several
weeks ago and five men shot by the
guard on duty. The band at this
place attacked the mining companys
store ea.ly in the morning. The two
guards having barricaded the upper
floors OF the store. poured a stinging
fire into the ranks OF the 300 men who
attacked the place. The fight was
kept up nearly all night, and when
rear daybreak. the raiders withdrew,
they took several wounded with them,
II was reported that some were killed
The guards continued on duty and
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