Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-09-11
Catholic Priest Kidnap.
Continued from page -

position the priest had taken be-
cause of missives said to have come
from the Kan warning that the col
ored band must not be brought into
the county.
The priest was seized, witnesses
say, dragged out of the machine, and
forced to enter another automobile
In which he was taken to the woods,
followed by the rest OF the raiding
party in automobiles.
BARRICADE SELVES IN HOMES
Appearance of the robed men
threw the Negro colony into conster-
nation. Residents barricaded them
selves in their homes and members
OF the band were placed in an auto
mobile truck and brought back to
Norfolk
Belfort j. Emanuelson, OF Norfolk,
who sat at the machine with Father
warren, attempted to prevent his
"a pture. Re was manhandled and,
later, when attempting to follow on
the running board OF the car in
which the priest was held between
two klansmen, pistol pointed at
his head made him abandon that
effort.
Father Warren said the automobile
stopped in dark woods 20 miles
from the scene of the concert. He
was placed in the CENTER of q human
circle. tho priest says, and question:
Ell about his activities with the Ne
gro band and about rumor in
which 1t was reported that the cler-
gyman was planning Catholic
school in Princess Anne County for
colored children.
SOME SUGGEST PUNISHMENT
Only one man participated in the
series OF questions. Father Warren
told the authorities, but he added
that other members Of the band ut
tered threats and voiced suggestions
for various punishments.
After denying that he was plan
ming a school and pleading for q
recognition of his rights, the priest
was ordered to re-enter an automo-
bile with last warning that the
khan would not tolerate the mixing
of races"
Father Warren requested that he
be put on the road leading to Nor
folk. but was ordered out at a
point 4 miles from the main road.
With the aid OIL colored man he
obtained transportation home.
HOW KIDNAPPING OCCURRED
Father Warren and his two white
companions, had accompanied the
Colored boys band of st. Joseph's
academy of which he is director, into
Princess Anne County to give con-
cert which was nearly finished when
the white clad men drew up in an
automobile and demanded that the
priest leave with them. He declined
to do so but was pulled into one of
their cars.
His companions went to his aid.
put were struck several times by
the kldnappers, who finally drew pis-
tolls and ordered them away.
They were left by the roadside as
the masked band Of kidnappers with
Father Warren in their midst drove
Ok at high speed toward the south
The band concert stopped abruptly
ana the young musicians were per-
to return without interfer-
ence to the city in the truck which
had brought them into the county.
QST1ONED BY CAPToRs
80" EiSnappers drove with their
,2pt:Ne ;one q stance Then. at a
secluded spot along the road, Stop
ped for colloquy with him. The
inquiry was directed by the leader
Of tie mob, the only member who
addressed the priest.
Father Warren said he was asked
what he was doing in Princess Anne
County. He replied he was 'try-
Ing to train these young persons"
the members Of the band
to be good citizens"
Further conversation developed
that the interference with the
priests work was due to distaste
for mixing Of white and colored,
even in the field of education.
COUNTY OFFICIALS DO NOTHING
The priest was kidnapped and his
two companions, one of them seven
iy-oIC ycdlS olu, were dSSduiISu anu
at the pistols point, but
law enforcement officials Of the
county evinced little il any interest
in the affair today.
What is there to investigate"
asked Sheriff j. G.. Litchfield, when
reporters today questioned him re-
garding what steps were being taken
to bring to account members Of the
well drilled and sheet-wrapped
men which maltreated Father War
rem, OF st. Joseph's Church and Bel
ford y. EmanueIson, OF this city. and
an aged friend named Hager, who is
a West Virginian visiting here.
SHERIFF PLANS NO ACTION.
Perhaps YOU are making some eff
fort to learn who took part in the
affair" uueried reporters of the
Princess Anne County sheriff, who,
according to information given Fa-
Their Warren by Mr.. Emanuelson, re-