Evening star., 1936-03-01
KLAN'S HAND SEEN
|NFL0CC|NG CASE
Suicides and Failure o1
Sheriff to Function Mark
Tampa Probe.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO Inc Star.
TAMPA, Fla, February 2e (N.A.
N.A.).-Ramificati of this city's
sensational fiogging case, which re-
suited in one death and two subsequent
suicides, have spread to Georgia, where
one of the suspects, named In the
murder warrants, is reported to be
fugitive Action is now said to be up
to the Governors of the two States as
to whether the man will pe returned
for trial with the other 10 defendants
now under indictment.
The indictments followed the flogging,
tarring and feathering of Joseph Shoe
maker, a labor organizer, and two
companions Immediately after their
release from police headquarters, where
they had been questioned about COM
munistic activities" Shoemaker died.
The latest suicide was that of Police
Sergt. H. Carl Tomkins, State wit
ness, who jumped to his death from a
third floor hospital window last Thurs
day night. Tomkins, who had been
admitted for treatment of an infected
leg, was on duty as desk sergeant
November 80, when the trio was queS-
toned at police headquarters.
One Ended Life During Probe.
A previous suicide was that of Robert
Farris, who was found dead in his
automobile of carbon monoxide gas
while the grand jury was conducting
its investigation. Among the II per-
;x,ls ota I'D fNr liof
r. G. Ellsworth and members of
the Police Department. The former
chief was charged with being an ac-
cessory after the fact and the 10 others
with second-degree murder and kid
naping.
Three of the defendants were ar
rested last December by Tampa City
and Hillsborough County officers in
Orlando, 100 miles north of here. Ac-
cording to the Investigations of
Sheriff j. r. Mcleod, County So
licitor Hardee and States Attorney
Farrior. the men were part of squad
brought to Tampa to administer the
beatings. Also, according to the off,
cials, the prisoners carried Ku Klux
Klan cards and one declared he was
a former State official of the organi-
cation.
The fourth man sought by the
Tampa officers could not be found
that day, and the Orlando chief of
detectives-though most of that citys
officials, including the detective chief
himself, are reported to be Klansmen
promised to bring the suspect to
Tampa.
Failed to Answer Letters.
The next day he reported that the
man, James Everett, carpenter, was
visiting in neighboring city and
would return the following day and
be arrested. A few days later, he
again reported that the man had gone
to the home of his mother, Mrs. j.
NJ Everett, near Tenille, Ga.
A letter was sent by the Hillsborough
officers to Sheriff A. w. Smith OF
Washington County, where Tenille is
located, requesting him to arrest the
man and inclosing the warrant. This
was on January 3. When no answer
was received, other letters were sent
No answer has been received.
As Georgia is popularity acclaimed as
the stronghold of the Klan, Hills
borough officials are apprehensive
This is one explanation given for the
failure of the Georgia sheriff to ac-
knowledge the communications.
The next step proposed is that the
Tampa authorities lay the situation
before Gov David Sholtz of Florida
so that he can, if he so decides, COM
municate with Gov. Eugene Talmadge
of Georgia in an effort to induce some
action.
(Copyright 1895. by the North American
Newspaper Alliance. Inc0