Arizona republican., 1921-05-05
FR|DLEY CLAIMS HE WAS r FORCED .TO LEAVE CITY
Former Dry Agent De- clares He Was Threat ened With Death Unless He Left-Names Deputy Marshal

After having denied in detail that he had taken part in the conspiracy to violate the federal statutes with which he is charged in the United States district court, Roy Fridley, former prohibition enforcement agent exploded a bombshell yesterday aft ernoon in the federal court room when he declared that he had left the state while under s5,00o bond be- cause Fred A Weage, United States deputy marshal Luther McClana- han, an alleged 'bootlegger, and "a tall, dark. thin man" had forced him to board a train for California at Maricopa under threats that if he re- mained in Phoenix he would be bumped off"
 Fridley's charge came after he had been grilled by the government con- corning the reasons why he had left Arizona while under bond to appear for a preliminary hearing after his arraignment. John H. Langston. as- sistant United States attorney. was conducting the cross-examination of the witness, and while he was ques- tioning him about the bond, he sud- denly presented a bulky typewriter statement purporting to have been prepared by Fridley in the presence of R. E. L. Shepard, county attorney, and Hughes Carr, special investiga- tor for Shepard's office.
 Why did you go to California;" asked LanEston-
 Because was gotten out of here by Fred Weage, United States depu- ty marshal, and tall. dark thin man whom do not know" replied Frid- ley. They took me to Maricopa and forced me to take a train there.'
 Tells of Alleged kidnapins
 Here the witness said that he had. not informed the authorities of the Kidnapping because she could do noth ing with gang that was persecut- ing him." Hereupon he was caution ed severely by Judge William H. Sawtelle, who reminded him that he was on trial for serious offense and that no comment such as he had just made would be permitted.
 The witness then entered upon a, circumstantial account of the alleged manner in which he was taken to Maricopa and put aboard a train for California with an order not to re- turn.
 On February If, he said, he had gone to Mesa with his attorney, and had returned to Phoenix about , o'clock in the afternoon. He went to the American Legion headquarters to borrow some money, and heard there that Weage and Mechanism were looking for him. He said that he tried to get in touch with the United States marshars office, but was unsuccessful, and about S:30 o'clock in the evening he was at the corner of Van Buren street and End avenue when car drove up with Weage. Mechanism and the myste- rious stranger.
 The witness said that he was told to get into the automobile, which was then headed for Mesa He asked his companions several times to tell him where they were taking him. he said. but received no reply. The car | went through Mesa, south of Tempe and he was then told, in answer to further queries on his part, that The was going on long trip, and that | if he stayed in Phoenix he was liable 1 to be bumped off,
 1 The car was driven to Yaqui Town | where Weage, Mechanism and tho stranger held short conference. h'
 declared It was here. the witness