Evening star., 1923-01-21
THREE1DENTF|ED
|N.tAkE MURDERS
Ku Nux Leader Held Cenvef.
| satien With Hooded KID
I! naper, Says Witness.
SAW VICTIMS IN TRUCK
Alleged Driver of Car Named.
Woman duplicates Deputy
Sheriff.
BIZ tie Assnciated Press.

By tile Associated Press.
BASTROP, La, January 20.-Enorts
of the state of Louisiana through an
open hearing here to fix the response
bility for the kidnapping August -, OF
Watt Daniel and T. f. Richard, whose
,nutilated bodies were discovered
December % in the waters of Lake
La Fourche, twenty-five miles from
Rastrop, moved forward today with
unexpected rapdity. Three more
names were added to the alleged
roster of the masked band which
made captives of Daniel and Richard,
and the Ford truck in which they
were whisked away also was identi-
fled.
Smith Stevenson and Oliver Skip
with, the latter the youngest son OF
Capt. j. X. Skipwith, admitted leader
of the ku klux Klan in Moorehouse
parish, and a third man identified
only as BLACKSMITH" Smith were de-
clared by witnesses to have been
members of the kidnapping band. and
the state put in evidence a telegram
hicles at Baton Rouge giving the
name of the man registered as the
owner of the truck.
Saw Hooded Band.
The name of Capt. Skipwith also
was connected with the stirring
events of the evening when one wit
less testified that he saw the khan
Collinston highway in conversation
with hooded man. The captors and
their prisoners were last seen at Col
linSton.
the witness whose identification of
Young Skipwith, Stevenson and the
truck created one of the greatest
sensations since the hearing got un-
der way. Blankenship testified that
in the late afternoon the hooded band.
Daniel, Richard and three other
prisoners. all blindfolded and with
their hands tied behind their backs
went by his home. The caravan, he
said, passed within fifteen feet of
him. The prisoners were aboard the
truck. He did not see the license
numbers of the truck or cars, but
having been familiar with cars of
the kind. he observed the truck closely
that he might recognize it If he saw
il again. Asked if he searched for it
later. he replied that he had, and that
because of various distinguishing
marks he had recognized it. He said
il bore 1922 Louisiana license tag No.
Attorney General Coco introduced in
evidence the telegram from Baton
Rouge declaring that car 74657 was
registered in the name of Smith
Stevenson.
Blankenship was then asked if he
had recognized any of the hooded
men.
Yes, I am positive, Oliver Skip
with and Smith Stevenson"
The witness explained that he had
Identified Skipwith by the manner in
which he was attired. and. added that
he was on ths-funning board of one
OF the cars CLOSE to me-" Steven
chine. Tt was his carV atH frSsn his
appearance am sure 1T HaB him"
.Woman ON Sfand.
Stevenson was on the stand early
this week and testified that he was
in Bastrop the might of August "a,
adding that he had been deputized as
preserving order at the ball game.
He testified that he owned a Ford
truck; that it had been used during
the day to haul water to the base
used during. the night it was without
his knowledge and without his per-
mission.
The man identified as "Blacksmith''
Smith was named as a member of
the kidnapping party by Mrs. B. d.
Carlisle. After Mrs. Carlisle had told
OF Identifying T. JEFF Burnett, former
Morehouse deputy sheriff, as having
been the masked man who liberated
her horses from a tangle of several
telephone wires at the scene OF the
wholesale hold-up, she told of hav-
LIE met q, strange woman in Bastrep
Whiie in her company she was ap-
proached by a man, who, she said
sne was Informed by her COMPANION,
was Black smith" Smith
Smith, she said, asked her IL she
had recognized him at the scene Of
the hold-up on August "a.
told him I had" the witness
sestinedi ees,s af,s He then offered me SO
to my baby. He told me not to tell
on him, and I said 1 would not"
Promised Not to Tell.
Capt. Skipwith's name was brought
OUT IN the testimony of Harry Pro-
phitt OF Monroe. Prophitt, his wife
and several women had attended the
ceIeDration at Bastrop that day and
were driving through the country on
their way to Monroe. When their
automobile reached the fork of the
Johnston Monroe road, Prophitt said.
ne was forced to reduce speed be-
e evsy aanoss another &c car was was parked half
around the standing car, he testified
mat he saw Capt. Skipwith in con-
SultatioH with a black -hooded man.
tie asserted that he was positive Of
his identity.
Capt. Skipwith said late todav TINT
after a consultation with his LAWYERS
ne was going before the American
public. and explain my views"
IN the meantime. however" he
this afternoon for my home in
vaughan, La There is nothing to
worry about, except If / have been
implicated I and the rest of the fell
lows would like to get an immediate
trial. We are ready. to meet. all
charges squarely,
when I return here Monday I
to issue a statement that will. rot
only voice my sentiments, but those
residing in this parish"
Attorney General Coco left here
this afternoon for Baton Rouge.
where he was called by Gov. Parker
for conference tomorrow concern
ing the investigation and recently
reported hooded band activities.