The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-23
Two Bodies Are Recovered in Lake LaFourche After Dyna-
 mite Had Exploded in Dead Hours of Night--0ff Seek to Find Guilty Parties
MACHINE GUN COMPANY IS SENT TO MFR ROUGE
Declaration of Military Law
 Regarded as Possible Result
 of Finding of Bodies-Guns Said to Be Stored in Many Homes in the Small Parish
Hx Assoclated Prest

MER ROUGE, Dec. 22.-Bodies of two men blown from the bottom of Lake LaFourche early today by unidentified dynamiters were lying at an undertaking establishment here tonight, while military men stood guard pending the arrival of additional troops from Alexandria and New Orleans, ordered here to- day by the adjutant general.
 The bodies, badly mutilated and bound with wire, are believed by the authorities to be those of Watt Daniels and Thomas Richards, two prominent Mer Rouge citizens, who were kidnapped last August by white-robed and hooded men and who have been missing since and the object of three days of raking of the lakes of Morehouse parish by national guardsmen, federal agents and professional divers.
 Authorities here state they are satisfied the bodies were the ones sought. Relatives and close friends of the missing men viewed the bod ies during the day and tonight and it was reported bits of clothing found on the men were recognszet.
 To Hold Inquest
 The coroner announced tonight an inquest would be held over the bodies, probably tomorrow. The ar rival of the attorney general f the state and two prominent patnolo- glsts of New Orleans, is awaited.
 It was not known tonight whether the inquest would be held here or at Bastrop, the parish seat.
 In the absence of official informa- tion. the next move on the part of the state was not known here, but 1t was the consensus of opinion the inquest would be followed by the arrest of at least 20 persons, alleged ring leaders of the August mob. The names of these men will be presented to the military or civil authorities by the four department of Justiee agents who for four months have been conducting secret investiga- tions, 1t was stated here.
 Mer Rouge citizens expressed them- selves tonight as believing martial law will be declared here ana the arrests made by troops.
 Feeling of Bitterness
 Everything was quiet and peace ful on the surface here tonight, but those informed are authorities for statements that there Is an under lying feeling of bitterness
 With the arrival of additional state troops tomorrow the military strength in the parish will be more than 200 men. The troops have large complement of machine guns.
 It is generally believed open hear inrs will be instituted following the anticipated arrests.
 The attorney general, before his departure on the troop train tonight. said formal inquest would be held immediately and an autopsy will pc made.
 we expect every scar and mark on the two bodies to have an impor- tant bearing" he added.
 pr. Charles w. Duvall, head # the department of pathology at iuiahe university, and Dr. John A. Lang ford. pafhologist at a local infirmary, accompanied the troops to assist in the Inquest
 Fear violence
 Members of the troop train declared they considered it apparent that the order for them to entrain meant that state officials fear mob violence.
 All persons will be free to come into this court of justice under the Louisiana laws and tell what they know of the case.
 Prominent persons in Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as LouiSana' are believed as having been mem bers of the hooded mob. Arrests Tn all three states are anticipated.
 Ammunition Stored
 Large stocks of guns and ammuni- ton have been reported stored h residences and stores by citizens of Mcr Rouge and the surrounding com
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