Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-01-22
Whipped, Tarred and Feathered.

when an elderly resident of that sec
ton was beaten with hickory switch
es, tarred and feathered and run out
of the neighborhood.
The story as il has recently been
divulged is to the effect that five
men took Lloy S. Johnson from the
room of Miss Birdie V. Zirkle, teacher
OF the local school, at 10 o'clock at
night, supporting their demands for
his delivery with rifles and shotguns.
They refused to listen to Miss Zirkle's
explanations as 10 how he got there,
and promised her that they would not
kill him only after she had held them
of for twenty minutes. They took
him out into the night, whipped him
with hickory switches, tarred and
feathered him, then turned him loose
and told him to get out of the COM
rest of the night in a negro cabin, re-
moving the tar and the feathers from
his body, he went to Warrenton and
the next day left the community.
Miss Zirkle is the daughter of Clay
]. Zirkle, a highly respected farmer
near Fauquier Springs. She admits
the man was in her room and had
been there more than two hours, but
declares that he forced his way in
against her will by climbing to a Sec
ond-story porch on which door from
her rooms opens. 1t was only because
of the thought of what people might
say if they found him there which pre-
vented her from calling out for Harry
J. GilkeSon and his wife, the other
occupants of the house, she declared.
Miss Zirkle is As years old. John
son is 50 and is the father of four
children, all of whom Miss Zirkle
taught. Although both Johnson and
his wife had been guests at the home
OF Miss Zirkle's father and Miss
Zirkle was close friend Of Mrs.
Johnson, the man is said to have been
planning a divorce from his wife and
to have sought the teachers aid. 1t
was, Miss Zirkle says, to get her ad-
vice on this subject that Johnson
climbed into her room. He had sold
two farms he owned and worked near
Opal. His wife and children had left
to go to the homes of relatives in
Washington and he, left alone, and
boarding in the neighborhood, pur-
sued Miss Zirkle with demands for
her advice, she asserts.
munity admit that Johnson was a
tons promptly, was the superintend-
ent of the Methodist Sunday school at
Liberty, hamlet near Opal, he was
not popular with a certain group Of
his neighbors. They declare that he
was gay Lothario, who frequently
boosted of his conquests of women
Unfortunately for him, some of the
neighbors saw him when he Skinned
up a porch and entered the room of
Miss Zirkle on the second floor of the
house, and they got busy.
The lady involved gave a graphic
account of the episode. 81 heard the
man on the porch" said Miss Zirkle
who is handsome, of sturdy figure.
rich brown hair and keen hazel eyes.
81 went to the door and at first could
see only shadowy figure. Then
saw that it was Johnson. | was
frightened instantly at the thought of
what people would say if they saw him
there. OF course should have
screamed at once for Mr.. and Mrs.
Gilkeson, but was too excited to
think connectedly and let him in
the room. thought that perhaps he
would say what he wanted and go.
But he didn't. He insisted on stay
ing and talking.
cat 10 O'clock" says Miss Zirkle.
81 heard shots outside and shouts.
Then in a minute there was the tramp
ing of feet on the stairs and voices
demanding Johnson. was terrified
beyond words, but the things those
men said and the tones of their voices
made me fear even more for Johnson
than | did for myself. They were
talking of killing him. | didn't think
that he merited killing, and, although
| asked Mrs. Gilkeson to come into
the room, she would not do it. Then
asked that any two of them come in.
But ] would not unlock the door for
the whole crowd. They hammered on
the door with axes. They said thew
were determined to get Johnson.
Just promise me one thing-that
you will not kill him. said through
the door TO them. Finally they prom
ised that, and then | opened the door
a group Of men was standing there
lhere was no light in the hall, but the
tiPht from my room threw some H.
Elimination and by means of this
could sc" the light cleaning on the
barrels of their Shotguns and revolt
vers"
Five men, well-known residents Of
the nnighborhood, then seized Iorn
son ard administered the punishment
above described. 1t is said that he
has Gon" 70 farm between Beverly
and P"lf0pi w. Va. Miss Zirkle has
not been teaching the school since the
occurrence.
pr. Knots Letters.