The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-10-31

Roy Crane W. W. Walker
Opening Statement.
Deputy United States Attorney Turn
bun made the opening statement for the
government. After reading the indict.
ment, Mr. Turnbull proceeded to show
the section where the uprising occurred
and the resistance made to the draft law.
He pointed out that the government
would show there was conspiracy ON the
part Of those named in the indictment
To DO this, he said, il Is only necessary
to prove that there was an understand
ing between these members of the Work
ing class union. in some particular in
stance of their resisting the draft law
In this trial. there Is nothing in the
Indictment 10 show that the Working
Class Union organization Is an unlawful
organization. or that such was Its pur-
pose but 1t was the means used to carry
out the plans OF resisting the draft law
in the sections Of Seminole, Pontotoc and
Hughes counties where this uprising
took place.
The evidence win show, the district
attorney said, that the meetings were
in secret. no minutes were kept OF the
proceedings, and "a new chairman was
chosen at each meeting. This. in IL
self. is not violation of the law, but
when IL can be shown by the evidence
that at these meetings there was an
understanding as to what should be done
in resisting the draft law, it constitutes
a conspiracy, Mr.. Turnbull declared.
III. Fl. Munson known as Rube' Nun
son. who is here, was known as the prin-
cipal officer or state organizer. Just
what were his functions l cannot tell
YOU" continued Mir Turnbul.
Homer C. Spence, also present. acted
as assistant organizer. He had no spec
ial district in which to work.
There were practically no records
kept and none Will be introduced so far
as / know, except membership card
issued to each member at the time of
Joining the organization.
Proof of Conspiracy.
What took place at these meetings
win be brought out by the evidence of
the witnesses. I will not go into detail
as TO what is expected to be proven by
them However, II will be shown that
the overt acts committed resulted from
the understandings had at these meet
ings, and thereby constitute conspiracy
on the part of every member of the or
ganization participating
THE evidence shows that Munson and
Spence had given considerable attention
to the local organizations in the section
where the uprising occurred, only a
short while before that event.
"As the trial progresses you will hear
much about Lone Dove, Friendship, Tex
as Banner and other locals Of the W. c.
u. hut most interest will center around
Lone Dove, in Seminole county. where
most of the trouble ensued.
Began Last April.
previous to the passage of the draft
law. the manner of resisting any plan
recurring enlistment was discussed in
tho locals OF the w. c. L.. and in these
meetings II. c. Spence was present and
advised against obeying any such law.
These meetings were held the latter part
of April and continued until the uprising
and with more frequency after the draft
law had been enacted.
Before the outbreak, II does not seem
that any definite plan had been agreed
upon by the locals. except that the mem
bers had taken "A position against the
draft and would resort TO force in re-
sisting It. This agreement or understand
ing was discussed at different local meet
ings and at some place where several
locals were represented.
Urged Armed Resistance.
AT one OF these meetings. III. III. Nun
son was present and spoke vigorously
against the draft law and advised the
members OF the w. g. U. 10 prepare TO
resist its enforcement. II. c. Spence was
also present. as was McLester. Several
such meetings here held and at each
this advice of preparation of making
armed resistance was given by both
Munson and Spence
The proof will show that there was
some kind OF an understanding that
about August 3. at midnight, there
would be an uprising to oppose the gov
.ernment in carrying out its draft law.
"The evidence viii show that about