The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-29

Just now the teStator wanted It made and for that reason l would have to write 1t over there
 T then provided myself with pa per and envelope to place the will in and we proceeded in the automobile When we got in the car and drove around the corner by the Tutwiler asked him which hospital the party was in. He said he was in the Tu- bercular hospital on Red mountain and that it wouldn't take long to go there, and proceeded at a rapid rate While going I asked about the men tai condition of testator and he stat ed his mind was all right, but he was liable to 'croak' any time. He then then asked me if I'd ever been to the hospital and 1 told him l had not.
 By this time We were nearing the top of the mountain. I asked him if we were not nearing the hospital. He stated it was just over the top of the mountain and continued driving at q rapid rate.
 After turning a sudden curve we approached a car standing beside the road with all lights out. I re- marked those parties seemed to be having car trouble. He said there was something wrong with his own
  yond the other car. lie asked me to get out so he could get a wrencr from beneath the seat and might want me to help him. I got out and walked around back of the car. Our lights were also out and it was dark
 Just at this time four masked men grabbed me. I didn't have any knowledge of their presence until they seized me. They grabbed each of my arms and tried to get hold of each of my legs. while a fifth one endeavored to tie something over my mouth.
 T struggled with them calling meantime to the party who had car ried me over there for assistance and asked the men trying to hold me what they wanted
 "The man who drove me there merely stood and laughed. The leader of the gang asked those trying to tie me what in he'll was the matter that they couldn't tic me. They cursed him and told him I was too stout. He then told me with an oath if l didn't submit and go with them they would kill me there.
 q told them l had as leave be killed there as anywhere else, but I could submit. When 1 ceased to struggle they tied a rag over my mouth, al- most smothering me. They tied my hands behind me, picked me up by head and heels and threw me into the car, which had driven alongside
 Two husky fellows sat down on each of my elbows and on each side of my breast, mashing me in a most painful manner. The car was driven at rapid rate for a considerable dis tance Finally they slowed down and dragged me out of the car across a ditch and led me 10 or Is steps from the road to sapling about the size of mans leg.
 They then wrapped a large rope around my body from my waist tc my neck. This rope was wound SC tightly that it cut off my breath
 When they wound 1t to my neck told them they were choking me to death; that If they wanted to kill me to take a gun and shoot me In the temple or heart so could die quickly. but not to strangle me tc death in that manner.
 They loosened the rope slightly and then tied another rope around my neck, making a moose therefor and someone stood off about 20 feet and pulled my face against the saplins with this last rope.
 The leader of the band then stated to me that I must do one of two things, either bring back and remarry my divorced wife by next Sunday night or die. I told him that I had kept the faith for long years with that woman, that she had practically wrecked my own life and that of my children; that I could not live with her and that I would die rather than remarry her.
 They then undid my belt and pulled my pants down. They again asked me If l would bring her back and remarry her. I again told them that I would not. The leader then said, Lay It across him, boys" and they began beating me in a most brutal manner either with a large leather strap or with narrow blanks l do not know which.
 They beat me until the blood poured down my legs. and then asked me again If I would accept their proposition. I told them would die and go down before ] would again permit my former wife to continue wrecking my life and those of my children.
 They beat me some more. They told me that I lay around my office and drank bad wrisky. I told them no human being could tell the truth and say they had seen me under the influence of whisky. Someone said that is another d. lie.' and they beat me some more. Finally some of the gang said, We've just about killed old Tumlin; let's not leave him here for the buzzards to eat; leave enough life in him to walk back to town They then held & whispered conversation and the major part of the crowd dispersed. Two fellows remained with me. Presently they took the blind from my eyes, one of them unwound the rope from me while the other, a large, husky cut throat, held gun on me. He told me to sit down or he would shoot me. l told him to shoot. I was in such an exhausted condition I lay down on my side. This man backed off facing me, gun still pointed to- ward me. and vanished in the dark ness with the others.
 T heard their cars start and leave do not know how long l continued to lie there, l was in such an ex- hausted condition.
 Tt was several minutes, i am sure I then clambered to my feet and went into the road, and bareheadeo walked back to the nearest car catching a Lakeview car, and came to town. I had Stetson hat costing sl0, which they took I asked them to leave it. and they cursed me. had $5 in my back pants pocket. do not know whether they took it or if xyae lost in the struRRle.r