Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-05-28
NIGHT RIDERS IN
NORTH ALABAMA
Trouble Is 0utgrowth OF Farm
Tenants Organization.
CAUSE A REIGN OF TERROR
Recalcitrants Are Dragged From Their
Homes and Beaten-Ta bles Turned
on the "Riders" When They Went
to Discipline Harry MCGOWAN
Union Has for Purpose the Fixing
Of the Rental Scale for Farms.

Union Has for Purpose the Fixing
Of the Rental Scale for Farms.
"Nieht riders" have caused a reign
Of terror In north Alabama. The
trouble is the outgrowth Of the or
ganlzation OF tenants union hav-
ing for its purpose the fixing Of a
reuta! scale, which calls for One-third
Of the corn and one-fourth OF the cot
ton crops to the landowner Refusal
Of any tenant farmer TO join the union
or obey It's mandates brings swift pun
ishmcut Many have been dragged
from their homes and numerically
logged
Conditions In Jackson county
("Iiigh .Jackson") are declared to be
worse than during the dark days OF
reconstruction following the Civil war.
No farmer leaves his home without
shotgun under his arm and probably
( As Colt on his hip. Daytime or
dark" TO quote Mayor Claude Timber
lake Of Stevenson. the storm center OF
the trouble, the farmers 20 armed,
and they carry their shotguns on the
streets Of the towns as well as on the
lonely country roads"
Governor Knhy has sent 20 special
officers into Jackson county, hut their
presence seemed 20 have no effect,
and appeals for state militia have
been turned down The county off,
clnls and citizens have declared that
unless the state takes steps a citizen
army will 70 on the warpath with In
structions 10 shoot TO kill.
Caught a Tartar"
While there had been sporadic u
breaks Of night riding during which
farmers around Scottshoro, Stevenson
and Bridgeport had been roughly han
died. the trouble reached climax on
February "a when band OF armed
and cowled horsemen raided the home
Of Harry MCGOWAN. near Bridgeport.
Tenant farmers In this section had
received repeated warnings to Join the
union. and IN anticipation of visit
from the night marauders McGowan
had asked three neichhors to join him
in protecting his home on the night
were on guard. and when a party OF
masked men appeared and demanded
hat MCGOWAN come out the four
farmers opened fire, which was re-
turned by the night riders about forty
shots being exchanged. John Brown,
one ~ the attackers. was wounded
and captured. and later Jodie Beavers,
49, go ~ vrn
turcd. and the two were taken 70 jail
~ Scottshoro. The attack on Nc
GOWN So aroused his neiehbors and
friends that the prisoners We're re-
moved 70 Huntsville for safekeeping.
few nights later the night riders
descended an the home 81 Silas Blew
ius. a tenant farmer near Stevenson.
ana f,c others. who were taken ont
and beaten.
Called of.
Following these outrages state and
county officers made raid into the
Fnhius section. across the Tennessee
river from Stevenson. and arrested
four mon identified rs night riders
and placed them In TAIL NJ Stevenson.
The officers were assisted by six
citizens. ana the arrests led 10 one
~ the most sinister phases OF the
irouhl, Vet developed Euraged be-
cause ne citizens had lent their aid
NJ rounding NJ the band 300 armed
rider. gathered n widows Bar on
~ Tennessee river near Stevenson,
with me moved intention 81 storm
lne the town, lynehlnc the elk clti-
zeus ard llheratlng the prisoners.
Warning was sent to Stevenson and
posse W q hundred determined men
was organized The night riders there
upof called N their expedition.
Next day officers rnided the Fabius
section. the mountain stronghold OF
the nigh, riders. and arrested thirte
four ~ whom were placed In +
once. but before the other -
~ hroueh, "a the car
obliged a. fortlfy thems
farmhouse and send T.
ren's
There are now more
men under arrest In
night riding activities
are continuing the ra
while leaders ~
have repeatedly den
with The night ridl
demncd lnwlessness
members who resl'
rlf0ry refused O.
section is reports
moonshluers. VII
the fasinesses
fhey are hriugi
Into 10 repute.
Parents Away
While Mr.
~ Sauit -
tondlur 4 %
fsae 81 safmNH