Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-31
MORElIOUSE KHAN
CLAIMS INNOCENCE
(ContInued Erom First pareA

CONTINUED From First Page.)
had its headquarters at Wilmot.
ARK. Some OF the leading citizens of
Nor Rouge were officers OF the or
Gnnization. II was understood.
me merger OF the smaller bodies
lnto the league occurred shortly nf-
ter the mysterious murder OF a far
ner OF Wiimot. former resident of
Morehouso Parish. who was found
shot to death and his body burned
In field. There were some sto-
ries In circulation at tho time that
NODDED mon wcro responsible for
the deed. but these were denied by
others. who said three men assas.
sinated him because OF n dispute
over land. The league delved Into
this case. but no Indictments were
returned.
Assaiinnts Were Robcd.
Because of the reports made by
the scores OF persons who were re-
turning from the Bastrop celeera-
ton and witnessed the highway cpl
sodo that tho mob was robcd and
maskcd-reGalia similar to that
worn by the Kuklux Klan-the
state Klansmen are sending inves-
tiEators into Moorehousc. to sift the
affair to the bottom and TO report
their findings.
v,
It's charter will be revoked; If in
dividual members were Implicated
they will be left by their 'rAllow-
klansman to "thc fate they deserve"
This was the edict OF chieftains who
gathered in New Orleans yesterday.
Welcomes Investigation.
Captain j. Il. Skipworth. rccogniz-
ca leader OF the ku-Klux Khan in
Morehouse Parish. tonight told
The Associated Press that Moore
house Khan would welcome any in
vestigation by Other Khan authori.
ties OF tho kidnapping OF Watt Dan
iels and Thomas Richards, masked
mob victims.
lie reiterated previous declarations
that the Khan organized was in no
way involved in the disappearance or
death OF the two. lilo said no learn.
Ell OF the decision of the state Klah
to send Investigators into Morehouse.
only through newspaper dispatches
we welcome Investigations" tho
klarsman asserted. I'VE have AL
ways disowncd any implication in the
occurrence and when the day in court
comes. We will thoroughly disprove
any charge that may be made
Membership DNvindlins.
In the meantime reports ara In
circulation that tho membership of
the Morchouse Khan liz dwIndlinE
through designations of those who.
II is said. do not want tho notoriety
that might follow revelations ut tho
open hearing. Many are understood
to BIO Influenced by their families
who fear that the innocent as we'll
as guilty may be made to suffer.
Federal investigators who have
been active here since September re-
turned today after conferences with
state officials at New Orleans.
Friends OF Dr. Is. NJ McKoin, for
MGR Mayor OF Mer Rouge who Is un-
der murder charges Mt Baltimore,
wcrc disturbed over the news that
the slight cold the physician has con-
trbctcd in Jail had developed into
bronchitis. They fear his illness, al
though reported AS not alarming at
this time. may grow worse under the
mental strain he is now undergoing.
Some Advise Him 10 Return.
Some OF his friends have advised
him not TO fight extradition, but to
return TO Louisiana. as they are GER
tain be Will be indicated. In the
the accumulation of the fund to pay
for his defense.
Former Judge w. G. Barnett, of
Shreveport. La. announced today he
has been retained as counsel for T. j.
Barnett former deputy sheriff. also
under arrest on Il murder charge in
connection with the case. lie said in
the event Mckoin was extradited, he
would represent him also.
Il regard the case in no other light
than any other murder case" the
judge commented. "In the last an
1lySiS this case will have 70 he dis