Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-16

bring about peace and harmony be-
| tween the Davenport family and DIR.
McKoin and his friends. DIR. McKoin
took the floor at the conference and
said if we We're looking for peace
as far as he was concerned it could
be had. He said he had left Mer
Rouge because he had no friends
and an attempt had been made to
kill him and as far as he was con-
cerned, he was through with Mer
Rouge forever and never expected
TO go back, the witness said.
Captain SkipWith was called on,
said the witness, and he declared no
hard feelings existed between him
and the Davenport family but that
there were three men who could not
continue to live in Mer Rouge. They
were Miner, Campbell and Whipple,
the witness said.
Another Farley Called
Things went along pretty smooth
for two weeks" the witness CON
tinued, then it flared it up again
Detectives We're said to be working
on the case of the disappearance of
Daniel and Richard Another con-
ference was necessary, and this was
held at Mer Rouge. The object of
the conference was to provide ways
and means to cope with this trouble
without outside assistance. Martial
law was threatened and the COVER
nor was reported to have sent de-
tectiYes here.
I'VE wanted to call the governor
off and to handle the situation our
resentatiVes from each district, and
to have the captain of the Khan and
two oe it's members present. The re-
sQlt Of the conference to come would
be reported to Governor Parker, it
was sal J."
This conference was never held,
he said.
why was the khan considered to
be an important factor in the est
tlement of this trouble?"
Because the people of Mer Route
believed the khan represented the
othr side"
Are you member of the klan."
Il do not think that is a fair ques-
ton, but T am going to answer it
and tall Won. L am a klansman and
am proud of it, "
There was wild outburst of ap-
plause from the galleries and the
court raped for order. Judge Odom
cautioned the spectators to avoid
making a similar demonstration
You said the main cause of the
trouble was the disappearance of
Daniel and Richard?"
"Yes."e
ut was common talk that it was
done Ey masked men?"
Yes, but there was a difference of
opinion among the people as to
whether it was the work of the khan
or just friends of DR.. McKoin. How
ever, the majority was of the opinion
that the kidnapping was the work of
the khan"
'Why was the Elan after Miner.
Campbell and Whipple?"
The general idea of the khan was
to change the moral life of Me-
Rouge. and it was explained by Can.
tain Skipwith there were three men
blocking the way with their anti
khan talk"
Were the anonymous letters re-
celved by DR.. McKoin discussed al
any of these conferences"
Given Little Credence
'They were not given much Gre
dence, because a man can write an
anonymous letter to himself. 1t was
reported that the letters were writ
ten on a typewriter in DIR. McKOin'H
Office.
Was DIR. McKoin asked about
this?'
''NC, the only thing Dir. McKoin
said at these conferences was he had
left Mer Rouge because of his enc
mics and had burned his bridge be-
hind him.
Mr.. Smith, we don't want you to-
diVuge anything on the witness
stand except what will be of aid in
this investigation. On yesterday MIR.
Davenport said he had conversa-
ton on the telephone with you
which he requested he would rather
have it come from you. Would you
ming telling u.s."
Yes, from what informa ton I haG
received, called him up and told
him it was best for us to confer"
AT the beginning of the afternoon
session Judge Odom announced that
today's proceedings would be con-
cluded at $3.50 o'clock.
States attorneys excused Mr..
Smith from the stand and A. n.
Williams, of Mer Rouge, who said
he had lived in this parish all OF
his life took the witness chair.
Tells of Conference
Mr.. Williams was questioned by
Assistant Attorney General George
Seth Guion at length about the
peace conferences" held in Bastrop
and Mer Rouge, which, Williams
said, didn't seem to get us any
where" Letters received by Mayor
r. l.. Dade, of Mer Rouge, he tes-
tilted, were responsible for Mer
Rouge citizens forming a committee
in the interest of peace.
Were any efforts made by citi-
zens of Mer Rouge to investigate
the disappearance of Daniel and
Richard?"
"No, we thought it a matter for
the sheriff and other officials of the
parish to investigate"
Walter F. Campbell, marshal of
Mer Rouge, and one of the three
Mer Rouge citizens said to have
been eXiled from the state for al
legged interference with the khan ac-
tivities, was the next witness.
The assistant attorney general
questioned the witness as to the at
tempt to assassinate DIR. McKoin,
which he said, he knew very little
about.
. did YOU know Watt Daniel and
T. F. Richard?"
Yes, sir, knew both of them
Well"
What are your duties in Mer
Rouge"
Il am town marshal and super
intendent of light and water plant"
you heard these men had been
Kidnapped"