The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-12
u AIMS KHAN TOOK PLACE: |; GOVERN N I
Ku kIux Officials Ordered Citizens to Leave Parish, Witness ASSertS-Skip- with Declared Leader
 of Organization
By Associate 1 Pre- !

BASTROP, La, Jan. 11.-Stories of the meeting of the Ku klux klan in the court house, of meeting of a select committee to pass on the question of a Mer Rouge citizen charged with "anti,Klan" activities, and of instructions given three Mer Rouge citizens to leave town" contributed to the record today in the open investigation now under way into hooded band activities in Morehouse and the kidnapping and staying of Watt Daniel and Thomas Richard.
 For the first time during the in- vestigatlon the name of John M. Parker was brought to the fore by d witness.
 Isn't it true that Captain Skip with always became indignant when Governor Parker's name was men tioned?" was asked of R. L. Dade, mayor of Mer Rouge, who described himself as former klansman.
 Skipwith Leader
 Dade replied in the affirmative.
 Captain Skipwith is exalted cy clops of the Moreht use klan organ ization.
 Dade was testifying as to the meet ings being held to restore peace in Mer Rouge"
 Under the regalia of the klsn had there not arisen a condition in the parish that is intolerable" Dade was asked. Isn't it a fact that the authorities?r
 Yes. in a great naeasare.'' said Dade.
 Hugh Clark, Afer Rouge merchant, who admitted that he is klansman, brought forward the case of Addie May Hamilton, who testified that she was deported from Louisiana by members of the klan with a declara- tion that at the request of the young woman that she be permitted to re- turn to her home near Mer Ro ouge he circulated petition and obtained the approval of Captain Skipwith for her return.
 About 400 Members
 Throughout the testimony today as on previous days. the name of Captain Skipwith had a prominent place.
 One witness, Fred Higgenbotham, who testified that he was member of the klan, declared the only offl- cer of the organization he could
 sr. l,n asserted that directions that three Mer Rouge citizens quit the com munity was given by Skipwith.
 Membership of the klan was given by Clark as between 300 and 400.
 "rhe woods were full of them" Clark said in describing the atten- dance at an initiation ceremony in field some distance from the high way between Bastrop and Mer Rouge.
 Clark was on the witness stand large part of the afternoon.
 Clark told of circulating the pe- tition seeking permission for the re- turn Of Addie May Hamilton, but could not recall all those who signed it. He could name only five men who he could name as members of tho klan. One there, he said, was Captain Skipwith, another pr. B. M. McKoin, former mayor of Mer Rouge, Pink" Kirkpatrick, George sims and l.. T. Snider.
 Mentioned By Girl
 Mckoin and Kirkpatrick were two of the men the young woman pre- viously testified she recognized as among a delegation of six hooded men who came to her home and or dered her tC leave the state.
 Pressed for more names of Klan members, Clark asked Judge Fred L. Odom, before whom the inquiry is being held, if he was compelled to answer
 Judge Odom advised to do so
 Well there was Sims: l can't re- member any others. The woods were
 tContipued On Cage Two)