The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-25
Both State and Federal Agents
Into Louisiana Case.
viii Be No Check in Investiga-
tiOn Started Weeks Ago.
HUNT FOR PROBABLE MOTIVE
POpulace Calm Following First
Moments of Excitement.
Victims of Lake Tragedy Are
Buried i'm Double Grave.

AIer Rouge. La. Dec. 25.-The
gloom of darkest tragedy was in the
Christmas air here today. Thoughts
of residents of all Moorehouse parish
turned to study of probable moves in
the investigation into the deaths of
Watt Daniels and Tom Richards.
whose mutilated bodies were buried
yesterday in the Daniels burial
ground.
The methods that will be followed
out in prosecuting the men alleged
to have been responsible for abduc-
tion and murder of the two men was
the principle topic of conversation
MeF Rouge and the other towns
nearby were breathing easier, now
that the first tense moments of eX
element have passed Calmer spec
iiIation over eventualities has fol-
lowed.
Plans Are Secret.
Just how the prosecution Of the
suspects is to be carried out has not
been raade public. Federal agents
were sent here to locate the bodies
of the men ard to point out persons
to be arrested Ihis mas oeeh party
conlpl leted. No arrests were made be
fore the bodies were discovered for
the simple reason that the only
charge that could have been placed
against suspects would nave oeeh 'ha1
OF abduction. which is bailable.
There is nothing however. to check
carrying out the results of the long
investigation Before January D,
which IS the date for the public hear
ing. several more northwest Loulsl-
auans may be behind prison bars
Laws OF this state provide for open
hearings in cases of this kind ana AT
rorney General Coco will conduct TINS
probe personally. All curtains cover
ing evidence are expected to be
brushed aside. Both pro and antl-kd
Klux Klan faction supporters VIII De
called into the healing
state Takes Chcrgc.
It is believed the state will take en-
tire charge of the prosecution, basing
its contentious mainly upon evidence
,ltaihed thru the department OF JUS
tice agents
A thousand persons yesterday wit
messed burial service for Daniels ana
richards They were laid in graves,
side by side twelve miles north OF this
little hamlet. Tn funeral was a dou-
BILE one. with military honorS being
accorded Danie4s. a world war hero
Troopers of the state guard accom-
panied the bodies to the cemetery, and
there. facing the lowering sun, fired
three shots that ever will resound in
the ears OF m; ny friends who went 10
pay last respects to them.
Private Burial Plot.
The interment was made in the
Daniels burial ground, one of the old
staunch friendship that existed between
the two men. J. L. Daniels, father OF
the dead hero. persuaded relatives OF
Richards to allow that body to rest
beside the body of his own son.
While Daniels funeral procession
was crossing the plantation, another
group was seen going to another
graveyard with the body of a negro, /
who. for .-ears had lived and worked
with Dam Is Many declare he had
Id VNaffff Gfnca hnNhnnd- ]
The widow - d two small children
of Thomas Richards were there. but
the climax to the tragedy was more /
than Mrs. Richar could bear. 4
Friends carried her from the grave of
her husband as she gave way to her
feelings