Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-28
BOND AVAILABLE
FOR DOCTOR IF
He IS RETURNED
Friends Of Former Mayor
of Mer Rouge, La, AC-
CuSed Of Murder, Are Lin
ing Up in His Behalf

Bastrop, La, Dec. 27.-Civil and
military authorities today followed
through tne Redlow mills and
swamps of Morehouse parish the
trail they believe was taken by the
masked and robed men on the af-
ternoon and night OF August "a,
when five men were kidnapped and
two murdered.
The trail covered a distance of
about 25 miles from point on the
Bastrop-Mer Rouge highway
where the men were kidnapped, to a
ferry landing at Lake La Fourche
near where the bodies of two OF
them were found last week.
The reconnoiterers were seeking
additlonai evidence duplicating
those responsible for the mysteri-
GUS dynamiting that released the
bodies from the bottom OF the
lake, where they had been weight
ed down four months.
No Local Developments
The day was devoid of local de-
velopments. All eyes were turned
towards Baltimore, where DR.. b.
r. McKoin former Mer Rouge
mayor, was battling against extra
dition to Louisiana, where he is to
face charge OF murder in connec-
ton with the case.
The legal fight to bring him
back may develop another historic
Incident similar to the effort 10
get former Governor Taylor of
Kentucky out of Indiana to stand
trial for the murder of Governor
GoebeI, of the Blue Grass state, in
Frankfort, KY. two decades or
more ago, in the belief expressed
today by friends of the former
mayor
1t developed during the day
there will be unlimited funds and
countless friends to assist the ply
sician. who does not want to re-
turn here. His friends in More
house and adjoining parishes were
lining up in his behalf. Many mes
sages of reinsurance We're sent his
family at Monroe, where his wife,
four children and parents reside
That bond In six figures would
be available in the event that bail
would be permitted is generally
conceded here. A sum OF $350,00G
was said to have been available for
the release of T. j. Burnett. former
deputy sheriff, the first arrest in
the case. A fee of $4,000 was re-
ported to have been offered a GER
tain firm of lawyers to lead in his
defense. Since the incarceration OF
Burnett, various strangers have
reached the town, held brief con-
versations with the prisoner and
then departed on the next train, 1t
is known.
McKoin's friends. who believe he
is being prosecuted, are authority
for the statement that he will at
tract the support of many through
out the United States.
McKoin i;ns Stood High
The physician has stood high in
the medical profession of north
east Louisiana, serving as presi-
dent of the Fifth Congressional dis
trict medical society last year.
He was also a church worker.
During his term as mayor he wag-
ed war on those who held the law
lightly and was said to have in
Cured the enmity of many of
those.
Some years ago he engaged.in
difficulty at Gallon, La, and
killed a man. He was discharged
by the coroner's jury and no in
dictment was made against him.
His plea was self defense. claiming
that he would have been killed If
he had not fired first.
Governor Parker today at Baton
Rouge today conferred with Spe-
cial Prosecutor st. Clair Adams.
one of the states best criminal
lawyers. regarding the course to be
followed in the McKoin extradl-
ton. Requisition papers on the
governor of Maryland are being
prepared.
Attorney General Coco and his
assistants reached New Orleans to-
day to outline the plans for the
January open hearing and discuss
the investigation program.
The events of each succeeding
day are more sharply dividing the
people of the Mer Rouge commun-
ity. The town and outlying sec
tons are regarded as armed camps
State troopers are stationed here
to prevent an outbreak.