The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-16

l kAOAh ObS ." .------~--.--------~-~-- killed and the Union made plans to hold q public funeral for him this afternoon.
 The Rev. Williams, who IS vice. president of the American Federa- ton of Teachers, and representa-. tive of the National Religion and Labor Federation, was to conduct the services.
 Earle authorities denied Weems had been killed.
 Parked Near Drugstore
 we were parked in front Of a drugstore when a car drove up facing us," Miss Blagdcn related. "Blx men were in it. All except ono got out, came over, and got on either side of our running boards.
 "They wanted to know who we were and why we were there. MT. Williams answered evasively but as honestly as he couud. One man got in our car in the back seat, and one got on each of our run ming boards, and we were told to drive straight ahead.
 We went out the highway to c building at dirt road that forked to the left crossed @ wooden bridge over a ravine, then went around a soy bean field to Q river Ohe St. Francis river).
 Weren't Satisfied
 "They asked us what literature we had, took out MT. Williams brief case, typewriter, and suitcase, found some teachers petitions, His minister's license, and bulletins from the religious and labor foundation. They didn't seem satisfied
 "rhey told us these things were only blind and said everything VIC told them was lie.
 They told Williams that they were going to take him to the river ard get the truth out of him
 "They left me in the car and took Williams away.
 "A man went of in the field somewhere and came back with a leather strap four or Tive inches wide, half an inch thick, with two pieces about foot and half long, joined together by an iron ring. They used the ring as a handle, welding the strap doubled up.
 Counted Fourteen Lashes
 "Williains was gone e long time I counted IA lashes. could do nothing but listen.
 Finally, they came back with Williams, who walked unsteadily and looked terrible
 "'Now,' they said, It's your turn
 T laughed and said I had told them everything knew. They took me out of the car.
 "'rhc men very gallantly lifted the barbed wire 50 l wouldn't tear my dress, and pushed the bushes aside to save my stockings.
 "At the river, they said, We want the truth I told them they knew all l knew.
 "They wanted to know who was. I asked them who they were. They said, John Doc. and other such names.
 "How many times have you kissed nigger?' one of them asked. told them such a question was beneath an answer.
 "Get down on the ground one of them said. I refused.
 Woman Is Whipped
 "Then they started beating me with that strap. They gave me one hard blow and asked me the name of the people we came to sec. Then they gave me another hard blow, followed by one not quite so hard.
 q told them didn't have any intention of telling them any more. Then they gave me one terrific blow. One man, a short fellow, did all the beating.
 T said to them: You are awfully brave, aren't you?"
 Miss Blagden was separated from Williams, taken to the railroad sta- ton, given q ticket to Memphis and was told to leave and never return.
 A Memphis physician who exam ined her said she was severely bruised. Her temperature was 100 1-5, her pulse TIT minute.
 Feeling Was Intense
 Feeling has been tense in the Earle community for several weeks due to a cotton choppers strike called by the tenants union. The union demanded q day wage inc crease from 75 cents to SIPS. a ten- hour day and union recognition.
 Miss Blagden ac.d she believed she could identify them and that she was ready Co 60 back and