The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-12
SOUTH is SCARED
Night Riders Continue Cam
paign to Force Cotton Up.
One Guard Killed and Several
More Gins Burned.
FIVE STATES ARE AFFECTED
Texas ''Night Riders" Believed
to Have Big Organization.
Federal Government to Help
Run Down Perpetrators.

Atlanta, Oct 12.-The shooting TO
death yesterday OF a negro guard at
a cotton gin in Arkansas, numerous
fires of undetermined origin in which
cotton has been destroyed and wide
spread threats of night riders to burn
gins whose owners ignore warnings
to discontinue operations until the
staple reaches a price of 40 cents a
pound, have resulted in the issuance
of proclamations by Governors Brough
of Arkansas and Kilby of Ala bama,
and statements of their position by
Governors Dorsey of Georgia, and
Cooper of South Carolina.
Governor Brough, upon being ad-
vIsed last night of the shooting of
Nora Canada. in Lonoke county; is
sued a proclamation citing the kllilng
and "lawlessness in some of our coun-
ties growing out. of the prevailing low
price OF cotton" The governor called
upon the state adjutant general and
sheriffs of counties where there are
likely to be disturbances" to use all
power at their command to suppress
these night riding outrages.
Legion Post To Fore.
Posts of the American Legion also
wore urged to cooperate with the au-
thoritles The killing of Canada'
until late last night. had been regard
cd by the authorities as possipIe
nIltgTOWfn
as tho owner OF the gin at whlch tne
ncgro was killed is said to have re-
ceived a warning TO close It.
Two negroes have been arrested ana
chargcd with the killing, however, ana
one OF them is said to have confessed
that the m otive was robbery. refutins
the theory that the shooting was an act
OF night riders.
In a proclamation citing the burning
NJ gins and gin houses in Alabama,
Governor Kilby has offered reward
Of $3.50 for the arrest and CONVICTION
OF any person guilty of the destructon
Of property. This character OF law
lcssness deliberately violates one OF the
fundamental purposes for which gov
eminent is established. and threatens
10 substitute for orderly government
reign Of terror and violence" the gov
ernor declared.
State to Take Action.
Governor Cooper. in a communica-
tion to L w. Harris. solicitor OF the
Tenth judicial circuit of South caro-
lima, deplored "acts of fanatics ana
gave assurance that should any sltua-
ton develop which would require ex-
ira effort on the part of the state ne
would not hesitate to order 1t. "
Rcnlying to a suggestion from
county sheriff that the offer by the
state of a reward for the arrest OF
night riders in Georgia would nave
beneficial effect, Governor Dorsey
stated that threats against property in
GeorCia constituted a misdemeanor
only. and that under the circumstances
he was not authorized to post a re-
ward.
The governor declared, however
that in the event property was de-
stroyed. a felony would have been
conrlitted and that he would be glad
I'D hi 9
under law"
Government Takes Hand.
San Antonio. Tex. Oct 12.-The
United States government is taking
hand in the wholesale burning of cot
ton gins and congresses in Texas by
so-called night riders, It was learned
here late yesterday.
Several department of justice agents
have been sent to Cameron, where
million dollar fire destroyed 5000
bales of cotton last Saturday night to
determine whether the fire was of in
cend.ary origin, it was said.
AGENTS are also working on other
cases In this city of Texas, it was said.
Work of Big Organization.
Justice agents believe the fires to be
the work of a large organization eX-
tending over the entire cotton district.
The fires usually follow warnings to
farmers not to sell their cotton until
prices arc higher. it was said. Warn
irEs sent have been similar in con-
struct.on and wording, agents say.
Facts gathered by agents. II they
show the frequent compress fires are
part OF a program of intimidation by
any organization. will be laid before
the grand jury and indictments
sought" Louis A. De Nctte. in charge
of operations in Texas, Arizona and
New Mexico. said.
Use Autos, Not Horses.
The modern night riders are using
automobiles instead of white horses, il
was said.
Two additional fires were reported
in Texas yesterday. according to ais
patches. A small fire at Rockdale was
cxtinEuished before 1t did much dam
destroyed in compress fire at Thorn
dale.
Citizens can Mass Meeting.
Admission. Ala, Oct IL. A mass
meeting of citizens here tomorrow
will organize for the protection of cot
ton gins, threatened with destruction
unless they are closed ITO -etard pro-
duction and force up the price OF cot
ton. Notices have been posted on sew
cral gins in Calhoun county warning
they must be closed by tomorrow or be
destroyed.
Fort Worth Gin Burned.
Fit Worth, Oct. 12.=The cotton cir
office of C. b. More. at Pursley, Tex
burned last night, the fire is believed
to have been. of incendiary origin
The loss fs $4,000.
OBSERVE COLUMBUS DAY. =
In Kansas This is Legal HoIidny-TNWC