The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-27
Governor Parker Orders the
 Former Official Arrested. Man Denies Connection With
 Warehouse Kidnapings and Murder of the Two Citizens
CLAIMS SLAIN MEN ON SIDE OF LAWLESSNESS
Insists He Was Not Fugitive
 From Justice Had Received Many Threats While Still in Louisiana City--DecIares Sheriff Shirked His Duty
Fly Associated Pre.s

BALTIMORE, Dec. 26.--Dr. B. M. McKoin, former mayor of Mer Rouge, La., who is wanted by the department of justice agents of that place in connection with the More house parish kidnapings and the finding of two mutilated bodies in Lake La Fourche, was arrested here today at the Johns Hopkins univer- sity Brady institute, where he is talk ing a post graduate course. The ar rest followed receipt of telegram from Governor Parker of Louisiana, requesting the police to arrest Me Koin on charge of murder. After questioning by police officials, Dr. McKoin was locked up to await further action by Louisiana authori- ties.
 Other than requesting the arrest of McKoln, there was nothing con tained In Governor Parkers tele- gram. It read:
 Important. Arrest pr. Mcixoln for murder. Hold him for Louisiana authorities"
 pr. McKoin denled knowledge of tho killing Of the two men. All I know" he declared. lis that both men who were killed were on the bad side---the side of bootleggers, gun men and men who associated with negro women"
 The discovery of Dr. McKoin here and his arrest came about by acct dent. Word was received here sew eral days ago that Dr. McKoin was student at Johns Hopkins, and department of justice agents sought to question him. However, unlver- sity officials denied McKoin was reg istered a s postgraduate and stated several letters had been received there the letters were turned over to tie post office as unknown"
 Early today policeman was found on the water front uncon-
  ptal. When the hospital report reached police headquarters 1t was signed by Dr. McKoin. It was then that newspaper men went to the hos pital and interviewed him. At that time the telegram from Governor Parker asking for his arrest had not been received. pr. McKoin spoke freely and insisted he was not fugi- tive and that he had made no att tempt to conceal his identity.
 He stated he has been In Baltlmors since October 1, and had left Mer Rouge after an attempt had been made to sssassinate him.
 Dr. McKoin Insisted he was not a member of the Ku Klux Klan. He praised the organization, however. saying The members did much to hold down bootlegging and immoral ity while was mayor at Mer Rouge" He also stated that lawlessness is common occurrence at Mer Rouge and that he was among those who started to clean up the place. The result. he said. was hard battle with bootleggers. moonshlners and men of bad rcpute.
 Just before l left Mer Rouge a boy of good family was shot in the back. What did the sheriff and the governor do? The case was dis missed after jury. filled with boot lcggers and the vicious element. de- clared the alleged-murdered innocent. s"Now, however. when bootlegger and some one else is killed. the gov ernor joins in the investigation. This affair, In my own opinion, will de- eide whether the decent and good element of the town will control."
 Dr. McKoin stated he had received threatening letters a long time before
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