The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-29
KUKLUXKLANERS
KIDNAP PACIFTST
and Lash HIN In
name OF BELGIUM
Herbert Bigelow Stripped
and Whipped By Ken
lucky Night Riders
CARRIED AWAY FROM
SOCIALIST MEETING
Had Prayed For The Kais-
er and "Proud Men
Surrounding Him.
(By Associated Press.)

Cincinnati, O., Oct. 2s.-Herbert s.
Bigelow. head of the Peoples church.
Of this city, one OF the leaders Of the
Peoples Council for Democracy and
Terms OF Peace, Socialist and paci-
fist, was taken into a dense wood
near Florence, KY, shortly before
midnight last night. tied to a tree
and horsewhipped by men who
wore long robes and hoods, similar
to those described as worn by the
renowned Ku Klux Klan," according
to a report received today from
Florence.
This report stated that the party,
with Bigelow as q prisoner. gagged
and handcuffed. worked its way to
the center of the wood. Here they re-
moved the handouts long enough to
disroGe him, and then tied him to a
tree. One OF the leaders of the party
then read from a piece OF paper by
the light OF lantern held by one OF
his associates. The reader said:
I'm the name Of the poor women
and children Of Belgium this man
should be whipped"
At given signal another man,
clad from head to foot in white,
stepped out of a circle that had been
formed, and, with q ''blacksnake"
whip. delivered twelve lashes upon
the back OF Bigelow. The ropes were
then cut, BigeIow was warned to
stay away from Cincinnati and he
was released, while the party made
their way back to their waiting auto
mobiles and disappeared.
Writes His Experience.
Bigelow wandered an hour in the
woods and seeing a church spire in
- 4, De- 20
ward it and found himself in Flor
ence. KY, about twenty miles from
this city. He was taken to the home
of DR.. II. K. Grant. where he re-
ceived medical attention, and then,
according to his own statement, he
stayed uD the remainder Of the night
writing in detail his experiences OF
the evening. 1t was not until late
in the morning that he notified his
friends in this city where he was.
Bigelow was taken into custody
by five men as he was entering a hall
in Newport, KY. shortly before
o'clock last night. He was scheduled
10 address a inseting q Socialtsss.
At the time Of his apprehension
handouts were put upon him and be
was hurriedly thrust into q waiting
automobile ana spirited away.
Quoted a raid on Bigelow's ONCE in
Cincinnati, where documents con-
cerning the activities OF the local
PeopIe's Council were seized. Sunday
afternoon, at his Peoples church
services. Bigelow prayed for the
repose Of the soul Of Emperor Will
liam and the proud men surround
ing him"
Nobody Recognized. -
Bigelowss own statements Ten
last night at Florence, put
the earlier story OF tn ion
and whipping. He adde's ver.
that oil was poured over ms head
after tbs lashes were administered.
In 9. statement this morning, Bige-
low stated that, owing to the men
wearing long white robes, he was
unable to recognize any Of his abb
ductors and that, because Of the
darkness, he could not give an ac-
curate guess aS to how many made
up the party.
Residents along the Lexington pike
state that they noticed q s CO
twenty automobiles pass way
TO Florence, KY, laRtsr OF
which were carry1uN the
running boards.
Bigelow was DemeaFst date
for secretary of state Of ln 1902
and was a delegate from hilton
county to the constitutional nven-
ton in 1912. He was elect BY this
convention as it's presided For the
last several years, howeV sr, he has
been actively associated With the
Socialist party. -.
Bigelow was removed hos
pital in this city shortly sa1ser his
arrival. His friends said thev 81 not
believe he was in q seriour ition.