Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-08
ALABAMA CITIZENS
WAGE HOT BATTLE
WITH NIGHT RIDERS
Attempt to Rescue Four
Prisoners From Jail Causes
Clash at . Stevensont- No
Casualties

SCOTTSBORO, Ala, March g.
What is believed to be the climax of
the Northern Alabama night rider
activities occurred yesterday after
noon when a band of about fifteen
members Of the Farm Tenants union
undertook to take four of their fell
low unionists from the Stevenson
jail and engaged in a gun battle
with about $50 citizens and officers
on the streets of Stevenson.
No one was killed or injured in
the battle, but five of the rescuing
party were captured and, together
with the four original prisoners, are
now locked up in the Jail at Scots
boro. Officers who took part in the
street battle recognized the majority
of the attacking force and will to-
morrow organize posse for the
purpose of invading the Fabius set
Element, just across the river from
Stevenson which is said to be the
stronghold of the night riders. It is
believed that thA arrests today and
those expected to follow tomorrow
Invites of the night riders as Off
GERS are of the opinion that those
now in custody will furnish suffi-
cient information to convict every
man who has been taking part in the
night raids Of the unionists. The
Farm Tenants union has called a
meeting for tomorrow at Scottsboro,
and will, according to information
last night assist the officers in the
capture and conviction of the radical
element, which has been responsible
for the outrages upon farmers who
have refused to join the organiza-
ton.
Deputy Sheriff Stevens, of Steven
son, Saturday night intercepted four
members of the Farm Tenants I'M
ion as they were preparing to start
ON one of their nightly raids, which
have been terrorizing the whole of
| northern Alabama. There were about
fifteen men in the party, but the Of
ficer was only able to arrest fo$,
whom he placed in Jail at Stevenson,
and summoned a heavy guard of vol
| unteer citizens. Yesterday after
noon at $3.50 party of about fifteen
men crossed the river from the Fa-
bus settlement, the alleged head
quarters of the night riders and APP
preaching to within a. few yards OF
the Jail opened fire upon the ottl-
GERS IN charge The citizens Oh ste
| yenson, which had already been
warned that a rescue would be at
tempted, were waiting for the attack
and about $50 men sWarmed out INTO
the streets and began firing at the
attackers. The night riders took to
flight and recrossed the river leay-
ing five of their number in the nandS
of the citizens and officers.
The town of Stevenson is in high
state of. excitement and practically
every citizen was armed tonight in
preparation for a possible raid of
night riders.
Following the battle the officers
in charge of the prisoners decided
that the Stevenson Jail was made
quate to withstand an attack in force
and the nine men were taken to
Scottsboro and placed in the county
Jail. A heavy guard was summoned
and the Offices were said to be
ready for anything which might oc-
cur.
With the nine men brought to
Scottsboro today the total number of
prisoners taken to date is eleven.
OF this number, two Jodie Beavers
and John Brown, arrested following
the brutal beating of a farmer last
week, have been, convicted in a pre-
liminary hearing and are now in jail
under bonds of $3.4OO each. The nine
men brought to Scottsboro today are
John. Tom. Bob, Haskell and Man
sell Smith, Frank Roberts, Cleve
Fondren, J. T. Howard and Frank
Starting. The five Smiths are not
brothers, but are closely related.
They will be arraigned for prelim'
mary hearing tomorrow.