Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-23


en- had attended the celebration at
Bastrop that day and were driving
through the country to Monroe.
When their automobile reached the
fork of the Collinston-Monroer road,
PROHIBIT said he was forced to re-
duce speed because another car was
parked half way across the road.
In running around the standing car,
he testified that he saw Captain
Skipwith in consultation with @
black hooded man. He at tlrsr
thought the hooded man was a ne
gro, bat on reaching Monroe, where
he learned of the kidnapping, he
said he became convinced that the
man wore mask. Captain SKIP
with, he added, was not masked
and he asserted that he was posi-
tive of his identity.
Captain Skipwith said late TODAY
that after a consultation with his
lawyers he was going before the
American public and explain my
views"
I'm the meantime, however, he
continued, 81 am going to leave here
this afternoon for my home in
Vaughn, La. There is nothing to
worry about, except if have been
implicated, L and the rest OF the
fellows would like to get an 1mme-
date trial. We are ready to meet
all charges squarely.
Granting Burnett bail today will
deny US any chance for an immediate
hearing. While Burnett was still be-
ing held a prisoner we had the OPP
portunity of demanding a hearing.
His relatives insisted, however, that
he be granted bond because Of his
physical condition.
To Issue Statement.
.eWhen I return here Monday I
think will be in a frame of mind to
issue a statement that will not only
voice by sentiments, but those resid-
ing in this parish"
Burnett, who was arrested the lat
ter part of last month on an aff1-
davit charging murder, became Ill
while in Jail here and was removed to
a hospital in Shreveport. He was
released on $4,000 bail when he re-
turned to Bastrop.
Testimony brought out at the hear
ing up to the middle of this week
was devoted entirely to delving into
general activities of masked men in
the parish. Attempts to identity
members of the band which kid
naped Daniel and Richard began
Thursday and Newt Gray was the
first one named. Burnett's name
was brought out next and the other
three came today.
Sidney Rogers, the Mer Rouge
youth who reported yesterday that
he had been held up near Mer Rouge
Thursday by masked party, but
was permitted to proceed when he
established his identity, was brought
here today by agents of the federal
department of justice. 1t had been
planned to place him on the stand
but he, recited his story to Attorney
General Coco and Assistant Attorney
General George Seth Guion and was
allowed to return to Mer Rouge.
Attorney General Coco left here
this afternoon for Baton Rouge
where he was called by Governor
Parker for a conference tomorrow
concerning the investigation and re-
Gently reported NODDED band activ-
tiles. The encouragement was sum-
moned to Baton Rouge this morning
by the governor during telephone
conversation.
Much of today's testimony con-
cerned the experience of E. G. Os-
borne, and several of his kinsmen
with "vigilante committee" which
involved the receipt of letter warning
them to leave the country and the
flogging of H. c. Osborne, a brother.
Tells of Seeing Victim
RIankenship, in his testimony
Saturday, told of seeing Watt Dan
ieI with his hands tied behind him
"Were you in Bastrop August
ZAP" he was asked.
eyes"
"Do you know anything OF the kid
naping that day?'
Eyes, sir; the cars passed my
house that afternoon. When they
drove past 1 noticed Watt Daniel
with his hands tied behind and blind
folded, with other blindfolded men
in the truck"
ibid you know the truck?"
eyes, sir"
Gould you see it's number?"
mo, sir"
''Did you look for it again?'
Eyes, sir, and according to the
lllil Nd vi IL WNtS eAOAS ~
recognize it"
did you take down the number
that day."
eyes, sir"
"What is the NUMBER"
The witness produced a memoran-
dunn and read "74657-1922 tag"
A telegram from c. H. Baily, in
charge of state motor vehicle regis
tration in Baton Rouge, put in evil
dence by the attorney general, stat
ed the car was owned by Smith Ste
venson, of Bastrop.
Ibid you recognize any one in the
cars when they passed." Blanken-
ship was asked.
Yes, sir, l am positive: Oliver
Skipwith and Smith Stevenson"
He (Skipwith) is a son of Captain
Skipwith.
Eyes,
GLOW did you recognize young
Skjpwith?"
"By tht clothes he had on. He
was on the running board right
close to me. Stevenson was driving
the car. 1t was his car and from
his appearance I am sure it was
him."
In fact am as sure of these
men as if they were my own broth
ers."
Knew Elder Skipwith
H. Blankenship testified that on
August II the day T. f. Richard
was kidnaped, questioned and rs-
leased, Captain j. K. Skipwith, head
of the Morehouse khan, was one of
the party which had him in charge.
Skipwith, he said, was unmasked.
Blankenship met Richard and his
captors on the Monroe highway
about seven miles from Bastrop.
Harry Prophitt, Of Monroe, the
next witness, testified as to having
seen Captain J. K. Skipwith on the
night of August q shortly after he