The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-14
First Arrest Made.

First Arrest Made.
San Antonio, Tex, Oct. i4.-The
first arrest following investigations by
state and federal authorities into the
destruction of cotton gins and COM
presses was made yesterday at Car
rollton. Ca, according to dispatches
w. J. Hicks was arrested, it was
said, charged with posting warnings to
gins to close before something hap
pened. He was indicted and released
on $500 bail, according to reports
from Carrollton.
Oklahoma gins are the latest to re-
ceive warning to close, it was learned
here. A Vivian gin and several in the
state are continuing operation with
guards watching for night riders.
All Not Incendiary.
The burning of the Cameron, Tex,
cendiary origin, department of justice
reported spontaneous combustion was
believed to have been the cause of
the disastrous blaze.
Three other fires reported yester-
day in various parts of the country,
were said to be of known origin.
Gins Are Under Guard.
Haskell. Okla. Oct. 14.-Cotton gins
here today are under guard following
posting by night riders of notices on
farms not to pick cotton until the
price goes up.
Burn Cotton on Tracks.
Marshall, Tex, Oct. 14.-Fire of I'M
known origin started last night in a
carload of cotton consigned to the
standing on a side track just north of
the passenger station.
The damage was covered by insur-
ance. Officials were unable to say
whether the blaze was connected with
the might rider" campaign.
Night Riders Are Blamed.
Houston. Tex, Oct. IA cotton
gin belonging to William Holdrich
burned Monday night at Huffsmith
Harris county, but authorities did not
learn of it until late last night, they
announced today.
The sheriff's office said Holdrich de-
clared the fire was caused by might
They believed failure to report the fire
was caused by fear of reprisal from
the alleged incendiarists.
The loss was about $4,000. =
Atlanta, Oct. 14.-Prompt action by
state officials has quieted fears that
wholesale destruction of cotton and
cotton gins by might riders will fol-
low in the wake of the topping cotton
market, it was said at the capitol to-
day.
There have been no gins burned in
Georgia." Governor Dorsey said, tho
in some localities, particularly Doug
las and Carroll counties, gins have
been posted. do not think the threats
of burning will be carried out
az am inclined to believe the seri-
BUSINESS OF the situation here has been
exa ggerated," the governor declared.
Dorsey moved vigorously with the
first report of threats to burn gins and
cotton. He pledged the state to maxi
mum efforts to apprehend and punish
offenders.
Wichita Falls, Tex, Oct 14.-The
J. B. Jameson cotton gin, in North
wichita Falls was destroyed by fire
early this morning with a loss esti-
mated at $21. 900. Fire Chief Mcclure
says the fire had every evidence of
incendiary origin. The night watch
man at the gin heard sounds in the
engine room. He went to investigate.
When he reached it, flames filled the
room. Oil was used for fuel In
vestigation disclosed that pipe had
flood the boiler room. Mr.. jamie
son doubts whether the fire was in
cendiary. He says he had received
no warning notice of any kind. Fire
Chief Mcclure this morning advised
all gin owners to arm their watch
men and tell them to fire upon all
providers.
Memphis, Tenn, Oct. IA gin
owned by merchants and planters of
Fayette county burned today at War
rem Tenn., near here. The fire was
supposed TO be of incendiary origin.
The gin had not been posted by
might riders but it had been selling
cotton. The owners said the loss was
$1,000
1t is the first gin to burn in the
Memphis cotton district.