The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-09
STATE OFFICIALS
WILL DIG DEEPER.
INTO MOB TRAGEDY
Twelve Witnesses Called to
Testify at Probe of Mer
Rouge kidnapping
Case Today
BY Associated Press

BASTROP, La, Jan. S.-Legal
forces of the state of Louisiana pre-
pared tonight to dig deeper tomor-
row !nto the tragedy of Morehouse
parish the torture. and Staying Of
Watt Daniel and Thomas Richards,
whose deaths have been charged by
GOV. John NJ. Parker, to khan mLr-
derers."
Today was largely one of con-
ferences in preparation for the re-
sumption tomorrow of the open court
hearing with testimony in the rec
ord already tC show that the two
men were put to torture and death
by means of specially devised ma
chine of punishment after being
taken prisoner by what was de-
scribed. as a black-hooded NIB.
Twelve witnesses were summoned
today TO testify. Their testimony is
expected TO deal largely with the
capture Ct Daniel and Richards and
the finding of their mutilated and
decapitated bodies in Lake La Four
che two weeks ago.
100 Soldiers on Duty
Other than the announcement of
the list of witnesses, the removal of
company OF the state troops sent
here to act in conjunction with
civil authorities was probably the
most important surface development
and tended to allay an impression
that martial law was in prospect.
Adjutant General L. A. Totm of
the Louisiana national guard. sent
here to observe conditions and take
any steps that might be necessary,
maintains policy of watchful wait
ing.
approximately 100 state soldiers
still were on duty here and at Mer
Rouge tonight.
]. L. Daniel. father of Watt and
himself a victim of the hooded band,
was to be recalled to the witness
stand tomorrow. The elder Daniel
started his testimony Saturday aft
ernoon, but did not finish.
Has More to Tell
He told of being taken into the
woods by members of the mob and
flogged and of the disappearance of
his son at the same time but appar-
emily had much more to tell.
In addition to Mr.. Daniel the list
of witnesses includes his grand
daughter, Thelma Dade, 15-year-old
daughter of Mayor Dade of Mer
Rouge, Sidney White and nip"
Echols, who were in the automobile.
from which Watt Daniel was taken
and several other men who were
halted by the masked band at the
kidnapping.
Whether any of them will testify as
to the identity of the members OF
the hooded band cannot be foreto1d.
Thus far mono of the witnesses has
been able to name members of the
mob.
T. Semmes walmsIey, assistant to
oil &C
named today as spokesman for the
states legal forces. His first inter
view with newspaper men was con-
fined to an announcement of the list
of prospective witnesses for tomor-
row. He denied several runrors of a
sensational nature.
Davenport to Testify
In addition to the testimony 10 be
given by Daniel and his granddaugh
ter and the two men who were in
the automobile with Watt Daniel,
much interest Is attached TO the Sro-
spective testimony of C. G. tot"
Davenport, Mer Rouge citizen.
Davenport was one of five men cap
tured and taken into the woods by
the kidnapers and who, according to
other witnesses, were questioned as
an attempt made to assassinate DR..
B. NJ. McKoin, former mayor of Mer
Rouge and now under bond to await
action on an affidavit, which charged
murder in connection with death of
Daniel and Richards. w. c. Andrews,
one of the first witnesses declared he
was logged until he was numb
when he denied any knowledge Of
the attempt on DIR. McKoin.
DIR. McKoin has denied that he was
in any way implicated in this kid
naping or staying, and statements
have been made by several physicians
tant, at the time
In addition to statements made by
a dozen witnesses in establishment IF
the identity of the bodies as those of
Daniel and Richards, the finding OF
the bodies in the lake, four months
after their disappearance and the
testimony of the two physicians re-
citing a story of extreme cruelties,
physical exhibits. bones of the two
men showing that they were broken
in a systematic manner by means
of what is believed to have been a
vise-like contrivance, have been pre-
scented as evidence.
How long the hearing will last has
not been determined. Under Louisi-
ana law, providing for such inves-
LEGATIONS as that now in progress,
every latitude Is given for the OBJ
tanning of testimony and dispositions
under questioning of the state at
torney general or district attorney.
1t does not provide for cross examina-
ton.
Attorneys for t. ]. Burnett, placed
in Jail at the outset on a charge Of
murder, attend each of the hearings
but have taken no part in the pro-
ceedings. The same attorneys also
are expected to represent DR.. Nc
Koin in any legal proceedings that
may be inaugurated.
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