Evening journal., 1923-01-13
KLAN Chief
FEARS Crime
after PROBE
CONTINUED from Firs. Psss)

prepared 10 continue the probe.
A staged attempt TO assassinate p.
NJ. McKoin, former Mer Rouge
mayor, to gain sympathy for his re-
| form program, eliminated in the
Daniel-Richards murders. according
20 the version one witness gave to-
day
McKoin fred shots into his auto
mobile 20 give the impression his
life had been endangered. 10 gain
support OF the Klan 10 help him
punish his personal according 10
general belief W. G. Stuckey, former
State Senator testified.
stuckey declared he was a "free
and outspoken opponent OF the X.
X. K"
The conduct OF their Klan in
their commission OF crimes has been
an every day subject OF conversation
among those who opposed their
criminal actions" he declared.
Did you hear any statements
from Captain J. X. Sklpwirh in refer
ence 10 the Richards-D Daniel affair
he was asked.
Yes, It was the day the confer
ence vas held in this courthouse I
believe between Srpwith and other
klansmen and J. y. Davenport. Alex
Williams and Bob Dade all OF Mer
Rouse. II was called a peace con-
ference 20 try and settle the trouble
growing out OF the kidnapping"
What was the Captains state
ment?" asked Assistant Attorney
General Guion.
Il have the exact written words (
written down here but I cannot re-
peat" was the reply, He handed a 1
note 10 the attorney.
Smith Stevenson, who was near
me az the time said 20 skipwith. /
Well. I hear that you settled that
Mer Rouge affair yesterday after
noon. How did you settle it7"
Captain Skipwith replied: I told
hem that every man in Morehouse
Parish that didn't keep his mouth
ihut. and quit talking about the Khan
vas going 10 be whipped until ne
couldn't sit down
Il have changed the wording OF
hat statement 20 make IL At 20 re-
,eat in open court, the exact Ian
ruage being more vicious and ven
,mous.
This took place after the disap-
,earance OF Daniel and Richards and
.fter the attempted shoorng OF DR..
IcKoin?"
I'VE are not ready 20 admit that
here ever was any attempt 20 as
assinate DR.. McKoin." the witness
eplied with smile.
Asked regarding the last state
nent the witness said the theory In
fer Rouge was that DR.. McKoin
red the shots that riddied his car
imself.
The witness said DR.. McKoin had
,ade many enemies by his efforts At
eform. Asked whether these ,,
-ers political enemies Stuekey said
hey were fighting enemies and
hat their grudges we're based on
,r. MoKoin's belief that his jurisdic-
on, while he was mayor, did not
.op az the corporation limits. and
/ part against bull methods"
Questioned the witness told Of an
Incident in which he had heard =
iugh Clark say on the streets OF
iastrop 20 a crowd standing un-
er the China berry on Mr.. Madi-
on's corner" that he could name
half dozen persons in Mer Rouge.
mong whom would be found the
To who had attempted 10 kill Mr.. .
IcKoin. @Aeet q
A. L. smith. president OF Uachita "
arish school board for more than IL
,rty years, called as the next wit el
ass, told OF his efforts 10 settls the q
led existing between certain More "a
ouse parish factions; of hearing
,ports that a man named Nos j.
orthy" was out hunting for Nc al
DIN to kill him and that McKoin m
as hunting Tor Nosworthy. N
Il am a klansman and proud OF
" the witness said. Despite the g
rapping OF Judge Fred
iom. once the applause was started +
continued for several minutes. Il
The judge remarked severely: "
There will be no outburst of ap- -
oval or disapproval permitted here.
ou ladies and gentlemen can make 81
ur minds up 10 that or you can d.
ave-" pl
r. s. Noteworthy ,testifying late re
sterday. declared Skipworth told 81
m the murders Of Daniel and &C
chards arose over two sorry char I'D
.ers. but the boys intended TO give 81
am a court hearing for shooting
DR. McKoin, but they got too =,
art" a.
was testifying as to a
inference he said was conducted q.
In Sklpwith in the latter's home at ~ ~
ughn, La. The discussion led up %
the disappearance of Daniel and -
,hard. ,h
The testimony OF Noteworthy with ~
tements of Robert L. Dade and az
lly Harp, that black masks were m .l''
ID by a khan band on a march to -
village of Stampley early last 80
nmer and the testimony of Joseph | -
Mer Rouge merchant, 80
re high lights of the days pro- a. n
dings. us,
Sorsworthy Is a brother Of ]. T. S1.
who testified that he -.
5 a former Klansman and cap ~.
i" of the Morehouse chapter OF
Klan. -
VIII Noteworthy declared he was ash
a Klansman. He explained that tril
conference was TO ascertain the poI
henticity Of a report that he had gar
n accused of agreeing to accept VIII
90 to kill Skipworth and DR.. Nc ]
n. me
told me it was lucky Ko
me that I had friends in this VIII
ntry," Noteworthy said. I