“BARONS'” REIGN OF TERROR

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1930, Page 6

“BARONS'” REIGN OF TERROR

CM Rl, SEES LOVER MURDE'RED

NEW YORK, December 4

A story out of the Middle Ages comes from Motintaiiiview, Arkansas, where‘a gfoiiu of nien named “The Bar ons”' Y.i'o defy llg the law and threatening the law’s officers with deatlrunless they cease investigating the murder of a if arm labourer- named Connie Franklin. It is reported to-day that Sheriff Johnson, who first began to infuire into Franklin’s death, has been informed that lie also has been marked for death •because his investigations revealed that the illiteratee hill-folk of the St. Jamies community were under a state o! virtual serfdom to* “The Barons.” who rule them with an iron hand. By midnight whippings and other drastic means, it is reported, the poorer people of the district are made subject to their over-lords. “NO MONKEYING.” Franklin, according to the story of his Iffi-year-old sweetheart, Miss Tillio vßuminer, was put to death by torture •and mutilation last March. She was forced to look on before she herself was attacked. Gossip among the mountain people first putf'Sheriff Johnson , on to the investigation, ■ and he quickly received a warning nPte: “We do not want you monkeying around these •parts.’'’ When lie had gathered tqgether a score of witnesses for a Grand. Jury (investigation five men called at his, office, suggesting that he should cease his inquiry because no murder had been (committed. He said to them. “Rring Franklin to Jiie and 1 guarantee that you won’t be troubled any more.” Three of them went off into the Oklahoma hills and have not been seen again. Before leaving, however, they sought to intimidate witnesses who were prepared to give evidence before the Grand Jury, but Air Johnson 'forced them to leave the building by presenting a revolver at them. I