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

Klux Khan.
Says They Broke In
"They came to my house one time
at 1880 o'clock in the morning, broke
the lock on my door and told me to
get out. They said L had been max
ing liquor. Captain Skipwirth was
doing the talking, and he said he
would not harm hair on my head"
Il told them I would leave if they
took me to Sheriff Carpenter. Tney
did. Sheriff Carpenter kept me at
his house all night and the next day
Captain SllipWith told mo to keep
quiet and he would arrange it with
Mr. Odom."
81 saw Judge OdOm later and he
told me if 1 intended to enter Il plea
of guilty, 1 would have TO take the
consequences. Evidently Captain
Skipwith had not fixed it with
the COURT
Did they have warrant?' Brad
dock was asked.
NO" he replied.
And YOU said they broke the lock
on your door,"
Yes, sir; here it is" Braddock
exhibited a battered lock.
IF you could get a reasonable
price for your property, would you
remain in this cOmmunity?'
Fears for Family
Tears filled the witness eyes when
he replied:
II would sell out and move out.
I do not consider it safe for me to
continue to live here and l want to
go away where it would be safe for
me and my family. My wife is I'M
happy here; she don't feel safe, and
is scared to death all the time. All
[ have, earned it here, but | guess
L better had leave"
Fred Cobb, the last witness of the
day. told of being taken prisoner by
party of five bIack-hooded men.
William B. StucKey, Mer Rouge
lawyer and a former member Of the
Louisiana state legislature, iestifying
today, declared the theory had been
advanced in Mer Rouge, in connec-
ton with an alleged attempt to kill
DR.. B. NJ. McKoin. former mayor Of
Mer Rouge, that DR.. McKoin -"shot
up" his own car to gain the support
of members Of the Ku Klux Khan.
Mr.. Stuckey described himself as
an opponent of the khan.
'Ir. Stuckey also declared DR.. Nc
Koin had incurred the enmity of
many people in and about Mer
Rouge because of what he termed
Dull in the china shop" methods of
MckOin. while he was mayor"
Mr.. Stuckey, the first witness
of the day, told 0f some of the con-
versations having taken place be
tween other Mer Rouge citizens and
himself.
Heard Whipping Threat
"As citizen of Mer Rouge I am
familiar with the oner-
alton of the Ku klux Klan. l am
not a member of the khan, but where
ever 1 went in the parish I found
persons bitterly opposed to the Grim
inal activities of the organization"
captain Skipwith, because L al
ways have been an opponent of the
klan. has not spoken to me in more
han a year.
F'On the day following a conference
neld in this building between mem
5ers Of lhe khan and citizens, rel
alive to the murder of Daniels and
Richard. and to restore peace in the
parish, I heard Captain Skipwith re-
mark to Smith Stephenson that
every man in Morehddse parish who
Aid not quit talking about the khan
would be whipped.
= ~ criI nj
language said to have Nbeen used by
Captain Skipwith, which, he asserted.
was very forceful, but handed slip
Of paper on which he had written the
words alleged to have been used by
Skipwith to Judge Fred l.. Odom.
1t was placed in the record as an
exhibit.
Mr. Stuckey said the language was
such he did not wish to repeat it in
court. At the time a number of
women were among those in attend
ance.
All this happened after the dis,
of Daniel and Richard?"
he was asked.
YES" he answered.
after an attempt was made to
kill Or. McKoin?"
1T is not admitted there was ever
any attempt made to kill DIR. Nc
ko:n," the witness interposed.
Had Many Enemies
''Why do you say that?'
well, the theory is he shot up
his own car in order to gain the
support of members of the ku Klux
Khan"
You wouldn't want to do anybody
an injustice?"
NO, sir"
'You insist your theory is DR..
McKoin shot at his own care"
Yes, sir. My conclusions are from
the information and ideas advanced
~ other people"
did DR.. McKoin have any enc
mies?"
Yes, sir; many of them and long
before the advent of the Ku Klux
because of his reform activities.
Thsi hatred gained after the advent
Of the Ku I<lux. because he then had