The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-04-26
Complain of ATTEMPTS at In
timidatiOn when Tabert
Grave Is Visited
TO EXHUME THE BODY
Shower Interrupts Efforts to
Take Body from Grave in
Convict Camp
RESENTMENT FELT

'NSN'i iSoNitiiVuN was thpIcSScu
at the state capitol today when
it became known that an armed
crowd had met the committee on
its arrival in Clara, ignored the
official party and openly threat
ened the negro witness Johnson,
who accompanied the Legislative
investigation committee, to the
scene of Tuberts death. There
was seen Il possibility in the re-
sentiment that the matter would
reach the house or senate be-
fore the committee could act on
itself.
Rep. Kennerlly regarded the
reception accorded the party as
IAN outrage" He declared he
intended to see that Il full in
vestigation is made an asserted
that charges of intimidation
would be preferred against the
parties responsible.
Clara, Fla, April GA silent
display of firearms greeted the
members of the joint legislative
committee here on. their arrival
with Arthur johnson Former convict,
to exhume the body of Martin Tabert.
of Munich n. D., who is alleged to
have died of injuries received at the
hands of whipping boss" in n
private convict camn here.
The firearms were strapped to the
hips of severel shirt-slecved men,
against whom charges of intimida-
tion will be made, it was announced
by Representative J. Clay Smith and
j. S. kennerly, members of the com
mittee. Johnson, who testified at
the Legislative committees bearing
that Tabert's body was buried in
spot three miles away from where
his grave now stands, appeared to
have beeo the ceoter of interest
Guide Is Frightened.
The committee arrived here about
. o'clock in the afternoon. johnson
was riding in the front seat Of the
automobile with the Legislators.
Without extending any salutations %
the committeeman, Captain Bill
j iSiSI "HIhCu uH W tHc anu, at-
dressing Johnson, said: "You tell
them where you buried Tabcrt. If
you know what's good for you"
While he was addressing the for
mer convict, eight men with pistols
protruding from their belts stepped
up behind the spokesman. Johnson
did not reply and appeared fright
ened
Representative KAnnerly o1dered
the automobile to proceed. Johnson
directed the party along highway.
but passed the spot where he had
testified before the committee that
he helped to bury Tabert. The car
was followed by about ten automo-
bies filled with natives.
Taken Past the Place.
The committee members proceeded
about two miles before johnson re.
covered his wits sufficiently to tell
the members that he had taken them
past the spot on purpose. The au
tomobile was turned around and
proceeded back towards Clara with
the other cars following.
Johnson pointed out a small pine
grove about half mile from the
main road. The committee left the
automobile and started for the grove,
approximately thirty men following.
Representative Kennerly addressed
the crowd, saying: Gentlemen this
is an outrage. ! shall report this to
the governor. I will let the news
papers know all about it, too
There was no response from any
one in the crowd but several mem
bers of the following party circulat-
ed among the crowd and asked those
who had pistols to hide them. They
also requested that Johnson be al
lowed to point out the spot where
he contended the first burial took
place.
Johnson walked in and out Of
palmetto thickets, followed by the
committee, but after half hour
search he declared he was unable TO
locate it.
Shakes Hands.
Meantime, Representatives Smith
with members of the informal ire
ception committee" and there was
no further hitch in the proceedings.
The committee then proceeded to
the Tabert grave in the Mingo Gem
etery. 1t was found just off the road
behind wire fence. Two convicts
began digging into the mound. A
heavy shower started and the WORK
of exhuming the body was postponed.
While waiting for the rain to cease,
G. Crimson, assistant attorney gen.
eral Of North Dakota, made an APP
peal to the committee not to open the
coffin until some means Of identity
ing the body could be procured. This,
Mr.. Crimson said could only be ac-.
complished by comparing the teeth
with dentists chart of Tabert's
teeth which was on it's way from the
youths home in North Dakota.
Grave Is Refilled.
The committee yielded to Mr.
Grimson's request with the nndsr-
fC0nklnuad an paRn ThpnnN