The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-01-19
At Altar OF Guns, Halter
and Strap,
SAYs;W|TNEss SIlAS JENKINS
Sensational Testimony Of
One Who Was a Member
Of the LODGE"
PRES JENKINS ALSO WITNESS

Bowling Green, KY, Jan. IA
The cruel and inhuman punishment
inflicted upon their victims, together
with the workings of the organized
band of "possum hunters" in But
Ter and Muhlenberg counties, were
revealed here at the trial of George
SWEEPER, one of the men under in
dlctment in Butler county. The
cases were transferred to Warren
county on change of venue.
The case of Sweezer is the second
of nine cases to come before the
court here. Pres c. Jenkins, the
leader in his immediate locality, al
ready has been convicted and is I'M
der a four-year sentence.
The sensation of the two trials
came when Silas jenkins, one OF the
men under indictment, told on the
stand of the workings of the lodge
known as the "Amalgamated Order
of the World" better known in
Muhlenberg county as "possum hunt
ers.'' He stated i'm substance that
the oath administered required
obedience to all orders of the pres
ident of the local, whenevr and
wherever given, either night or day,
attendance at all meetings when
called, except when sickness prevent
ed" and an injunction, mot to re-
veal any secrets or work of the or
ganization."
This oath, he said, was taken
upon Bonded knees before an altar
of pistols, rope, halter and strap
The candidate was given to under
stand that the pistols and the halter
were for those on the inside should
they violate their oaths, and the
strap for outside work. The symbol
of membership was small safety
pin worn on the left lapel of the
coat, signifying safety first"
q There were signs of various kinds.
Nne was known as the courthouse"
An, consisting of the rubbing of
. q left hand on the left lapel of the
~: This sign was for use in the
, 9Burtroom and used as a signal to a
Juror that the prisoner at the bar
was a member of the order, thus
giving him protection, Jenkins said.
Used in this instance, the juror was
to use his utmost to clear the pris-
oner, and it was his duty to so vote.
The grip was the grasping of the lit
tie finger of the right hand. When
meeting in the woods, as a sign of
recognition in the dark the word
code was Hay, hoe"
Jenkins stated that the order orig
inally was started in August, 1914.
for the purpose of lettering prices
for the products of the farm. the
advancing of the interests of the
farmers in general and the amicable
settlement of disputes between men,
bers, and that the night-riding feat
ures were brought into Butler from
Muhlenberg county.
Pres C. Jenkins. who is still here
in Jail awaiting the mandate of the
Court of Appeals, which affirmed the
Warren Circuit Court, was intro
duced by the Commonwealth. He
said he was president of his local,
which had IA members. At his trial
last fall he denied any connection
with the night riders or any whip
pings. but to-day admitted having
taken part in three raids, at the last
of which. he said. some eight or ten
were whipped.
Jim Gay. negro, the main witness
for the Commonwealth, told of the
treatment received by him at the
hands of alleged "possum hunters"
In substance he said; 81 was awak-
enCd about 3 o'clock "a the morn
ind of the FIRST Saturday in Novem-
>beA 1914. by the breaking in of my
~ A large number of men.
|, Of Ag masks and carrying guns
ank| flashing searchlights, entered.
IN came to my bed and told me
- wanted me and to come along,
1got up. and they seized me and led
me- ~ only my nightclothes and !
Asrefoo( - . telephone pole some
100 yar 1rom my house. They ,,
old me ere going to hang me. I
did h We this. I then was