Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-01-05
SHOW
TROUBLE LIKELY
DURING TRIAL
Cavalry Moved From Mer Rouge
To Rastyop To Suppress
Violence
ONLY ONE PRISONER THERE
Cou, Adicurns Until Afternoon
When Trial Of accused Is
Resumed

BAsTROP, La, Jan. Clearing
Of charges that a masked band oil
denredatons in Morehouse parish,
Ibid bv Governor Parker at the door
If the Ia Klux Of the parish IS
Looked 10 as Z climax of more than
three months investigation by de-
rartmenJ of justice agents and state
investigators, formally opened before
| Judge Fred Odom Of the Sixth judi
cial district, at 10 o'clock this morn
! ing.
The Judge Immediately ordered
the sheriff 10 search all persons ent-
ering the court room. After he con-
cluded the statement, outlining the
purposc of the investigation, hear
ing adjourned until 2 o'clock.
Final preparations were complet~
ed by the state Thursday afternoon
for the proceedings by which an et-
fort will be made to indicr the per-
sons believed responsible for the
masked and robed mob action on
August q, when two of five men
kidnapped we're killed and their bod
! les thrown into lake.
! Only one prisoner will face the bar
at todays hearing unless the state
sets into motion its dragnct to scoop
up thirty-fve or more men believed
by the authorities to have been men,
bers of the mob.
! State officials remained silent last
night as to when additional arrests
would be made. 1t was understood
they were in possession Of a list OF
these implicated by two men who
were said to have confessed under
the promise of immunity.
Adjutant General Toombs failed to
| promulgatc the martial law order he
was said to have in his possession.
He desired to put off such action as
long as possible, he said. However,
it was known the slightest display
Of firearms would meet with mil
itary order.
Firearms are prevalent in both Mer
Rouge and Bastrop in unprecedented
quantities. Mer Rouge citizens in
particular are known to have armed
themselves due to the strained feel
ings between the hostile factions.
Those entering the courthouse to-
day will he searched for firearms, it
was learned, and the court house
will be protected by two companies
of state troops now encamped on the
courthouse and jail grounds.
A squadron of state cavalry was
moved today from Mer Rouge to Bas-
trop, leaving the remainder Of the
troop at Mer Rouge where a COM
pany Of infantry is encamped. ! The
mounted soldiers are expected to be
used in serving subpoenas and max
ing arrests. The conditions Of the
roads required the usage Of such
troops, it was stated.
The company commander Of the
OpeIousJs infantry announced yester-
day he has received instructions to
hold his company in readiness for
moYemcnt at any time. II this COM
pany is ordered ont. there will be
three companies Of infantry and one
each OF cavalry and machine guns in
Morehousc.
Attorney General Coco arrived
here yesterday and was in conference
with his assistants.
He announced that Howard War
ren, state senator, Of Shreveport,
mas been employed as a special pros
ecutor to fill the vacancy created
oy the sudden resignation Wednes-
Gay night Of St. Clair Adams, OF New
orleans. The attorney general also
Will be assisted by 7. Semmes Walms-
icy, George S. Guion and Paul A.
Sampaygae, assistant attorney gen.
eral.
The Witnesses will be sworn, eX-
&mlned 6H the district attorney, ut
not cro5s-examined, and the testi-
mony taken down in short hand. The
nearing will be before the district
Judge. At the conclusion Of the
state, il it thinks the evidence justi-
hes' will ask for a grand jury to re-
turn Indictments.
T. j. Burnett, former deputy sher-
~ hanked by some. of Louisiana