The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-02-16

Herrn, H., Feb. l6.-Here's a one
minute CONVEX sation with $. Glenn
| Young, whom the Ku Klux Khan inn
ported FOR bootleg cleanup Of Her
| rim, center Of trouble in bloody Will.
! liamson' county.
q. Where's the mayor?
A. Locked up.
q. Where's the sheriff.
A. In Jail charged with murder.
Q. Where's the council?
A. haven't seen them They
haven't been bothering.
q. And the constable is dead and
the shief deputy sheriff seriously
wounded?
A. Yes.
O. Well, you are just about the
WI ole works then? You hear COM
plants about dangerous sidewalks,
gather evidence in criminal cases
and enforce the law?
A. That's just about it.
Young was appointed chief OF po-
lice by the assistant chief OF police.
II, is virtual dictator here.
Young cleanup began three
months ago. More than 400 cases
arc awaiting trial as result Of his
raids.
Don't get it in your head that |
am fanatical prohibitionist,' he ex-
plains. Il beEevc in honest law en-
forcement. Every raid made was
legally made. The best citizens
lJoa, I<~ir<r ,,,Lo ~
ly constituted authorities failed to
do
"Evcrything went along fine until
they brutally murdered Constable
eagle. If we were not decent, law
abiding citizens we would have real
trouble here right now. But we pre-
fcrrcd to let the law take it's course.
Young is "the toughest man in the
United States" or rthe brsvest, best
loved law enforcer in the country"
depending upon who is talking.
A few months before he was called
here. the sheriff at Golconda sent for
him. The sheriff feared TO arrest
Il father and sson who were consid-
cred bad actors"
Young grew tired of waiting in
ambush. He walked into the house
just as the bad actors" opened fire
on him. Young killed them both, and
he was not injured.
The townspeople presented him
with 5000.
They made quite u stir over Young
il Georgia few years ago when
alone he stalked three murderers in
to the mountains, broke into a cabin,
arrested and disarmed his men, ate
breakfast with them and then march.
ed them to Jail.
The Bill Hart pattern of two-gun
man it not quite followed in Young's
case. lie is not silent. Without pc
ing braggard, he is talker. Who
ever is with Young must listen.
He is 6 feet inches; OF wiry,
athletic built; slightly bowlcgged.
His street corner manner is mild but
grim. His eyes are blush gray, Of
mournful expression, his hair is get
ting thin, and from his right ear
down the jaw runs four-inch scar
which he says he didn't get from
shaving"
lie, is 40; was born in Phillips
county, Kansas; studied medicine;
ranched in Texas and adopted man
hunting as profession.
Young will pat one of the pearl
handled, long barreled, blue-steel au-
tcmatics ,on his hip and say, II can
knock 'em over at 600 yards with
this sweetheart"
The guns he carried sag an inch
or two below his coat. Always Wis
ible, always handy.
And in Herrin street. today
Klanmen, proudly wearing stars,
home made of tin, stand on corners.
They are Young's police force.
Boy soldiers from Springfield, De-
catur and Cairo wear heavy revol-
vers and carry loaded rifles.
Miners gather at corners and talk
III whispers. Leading questions from
strangers always brings the answer
don't know"
With the khan in control, the anti
khan faction stays home.
Herrin, with it's soldier and civilian
guard, is the quietest town in Hi
nois.
But the backfre. 81 an automobile
sends threescore militiamen and,
khan police on the run. Tho town is