Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-10
V;gjlantes
Drive Out
Agjtators

Lashed and Given Coats
of Tar and Feathers by
the People of Tulsa.
Tulsa, Okla. Nov. 1O.-"Knights Of
Liberty organizations are being
formed throughout northeastern Okla
homa to resist l. w. w. agitation and
disperse I. w. w. bands, following the
action taken here early today by
band of so masked citizens, who
flogged. tarred, feathered and drove
IT 1. w. w. members into the Usage
hills.
The men, naked above the waists,
were speeded on their way by hum
dreds of revolver and rifle shots and
no trace of them had been reported at
noon.
Reports from various sections today
said that organizations were being
formed to take similar action against
/. w. WIS in every part of the Oil
fields> where the agitators have been
active for several months.
HEAVY SALES OF ARMS.
Heavy sales Of arms and ammuni-'
tion from practically every city in the
district was reported and it is feared
that clashes may result between the
armed "Vigilantes" and the l. w. w
Police are investigating the action
early but with the prosecuting attor-
ney out of the city, it was stated that
no clues had been found which might
serve to identify any members of the
band which attacked the men.
The /. w. W.'s had been convicted
In police court of vagrancy and fined
500 each. The trial lasted until near
ly midnight. The prisoners were be-
ing removed from the Jail in three au-
tomobiles when the black robed men
held them up and compelled the police
to turn over the men they were guard
ing.
TAKEN TO A RAViNE.
The prisoners were hurried to ra-
vine near the city limits where they
were stripped to the waist. At each
stroke of the whip the black robed
men shouted:
I'm THE NAME OF THE OUT
RACED WOMEN AND CHILDREN
OF BELGIUM"
After they haUl been coated with tar
and feathers the I. w. WIS were taken
farther into the country and started
accompaniment of revolver and rifle
shots.
WARNING TO !. W. W.
Later huge signs were placed over
| the door of ]. w. w. headquarters, in
railroad stations and on telegraph and
telephone poles bearing the legend:
Notice to I. w. W.'s: Don't lei
the sun set on you in Tulsa.
(Signature)
| VIGILANCE COMMITTEE"
| The mob according to the police. i:
Several of the officers say they heard
this name used by some of the mem
bers, but were unable to recognize
any of them because Of their blacl
robes, hoods and masks.
TAKEN FROM POLICE.
The l. W. WIS were being taken t.
their own headquarters by the polic'
where it was intended to exact from
them a promise to leave the city a
d! once. They were placed in three tour
ing cars, each driven by an officer
! They had proceeded but few block
when the armed men, jumped from be
hind a pile of bricks and with ievele,
| rifles ordered the drivers TO stop. Th
/. w. WIS were searched. tied will
ropes and the officers then ordere.
to proceed, with armed men directing
their course. A short distance furthe
six automobile loads of men. all mask
ed and robed, Joined the party.
Armed knights" guarded the road
and turned back several automobile
from going toward the scene Of tn
chastisement.
| GIVEN LIBERAL COAT.
The automobiles Of the party wer
placed in circle with the lights cen
tered on large oak tree. One by on
the men were united, taken to the tire
and secured there after their clothin
above the waist had been removed. On
Of the party stepped forward and ap
piled the whip over the bare shoulder,
Another Of the party stepped up wit
q whitewash brush ana applied heate
tar while feathers were applied owe
the tar.
Following the pronouncement of
solemn warning to all /. w. w. mem
bers to give Tulsa wide berth. the
were told to get They were speed
ed on their way with hundreds Of rifl
and revolver shots ringing in the air.