The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1922-12-27
OF MER ROUGE
ARRESTED IN BALTIMORE

nectiOn with Kidnapings.- Ring
Leader OF Squad Of Dynamiters
Known.
Bastrop, La, Dec, 26.-Thc second
arrest in connection with the more
house kidnapping of last August was
made late today when DR.. e. Nj. Nc
koln, until a few months ago mayor
of Nler Rouge, was taken in custody
at Baltimore at the requt Of Cover
nor Parker, who charged nim with
murder. The physician was taking a
post graduate course at John Hop
kins.
The former mayor is expected to
reach here within few days to join
former deputy sheriff who is now
being held on a similar charge in the
Bastrop Jail.
While the arrest was being made
detachment Of national guard was
accommodating along Lake La Four
che for evidence to lead to the arrest
Of dynamiters responsible for the
blasting of ferry landing last week
when the bodies of two men, believ-
ed to have been tortured and mur-
dered by masked and robcd men, were
blown from the bottom or the lake.
Th company also was to act as a
body guard for the sheriff who was
to make arrests in the event his sus-
pecions justiged them.
Adjutant General on Scene
During the day Adjutant General
Toombs suddenly called back from
Washington by the governor, arriv-
ed in Morehouse to direct the opera
tions Of the three companies Of state
TROOPS encamped here and at Mer
Rouge.
1t was persistently reported during
tho day that all preparations had
been made to call out two additional
state companies if conditions war
ranted.
Soldiers are on guard duty at the
jail here and encamped- in the heart
OF Mer Rouge where the situation is
such that the governor does not want
to leave the townspcople to them
selves in the fear there will be blood
shed because Of the friction among
tehm following the August event.
Many OF the populace are armed.
The military also was at the dis
posal Of the civil authorities to take
in custody any members Of the hood
ed mob whose identity are known to
the state authorities, according to
Department of Justice men.
Attorney General Coco stated that
at least six or seven moro arrests
will be made before the open hear
ing January s.,
Ring Leader Known
1t is reported that the number Of
arrests will be increased as the iden-
tity Of the dynamiters is established.
Federal agents declare they have the
name Of the ring leader and his ar
rest is imminent.
Attorney General Coco is expected
to arrive at New Orleans tomorrow
in preparation for the conference
there Thursday at which time plans
for the hearing will be outlined and
the reports of the coroner's jury that
conducted the inquest over the head
less bodies OF Watts Daniels and
Thomas Richards will be discussed.
Arrest is Surprise
Citizens were gathering on the corn
ers tonight discussing the arrest of
two Of their former law officials. The
arrest Of the man who had been their
mayor until he resigned last August
came as complete surprise. DR.. NC
DIN was born and grew to manhood at
Monroe and later moved to Mer Rouge
where he was a practicing physician.
His friends induced him to make the
race for mayor and during his inc,m-
'bency he fearlessly upheld the law
and attempted to rid the community
of moonshiners and other law-break-
ers, it was said.
On August Q he reported assassins
fired two loads of shot into his NOV
ing automobile, as he was answering
a sick call. He later received persist
ent warnings to leave the community
and he did SO. This event led to the
tragedy Of the Oath in the theory Of
the state.
&, First Prisoner Sullen
r. j. Burnett, arrested last Satur-