HOODED BAND BUSY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 6

HOODED BAND BUSY.

A TENNESSEE OUTRAGE.

OUTCOME OF A FEUD.

VICTIMS STARVED,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SAX FRANCISCO, July 7.

Just at a time when it was contt* dently conjectured that Ku KJux Klaa* ism nad been effectually checked in th* United States, a new outrage of a dia-

bolical character* came to light in the State of Tennessee, when Dr. W. D, Mason, veterinary surgeon of national renown, and Lawrence Bowman, who had been the object of a search by * large posse since their mysterious dhv appearance on Signal Mountain on Junt 23, were found handcuffed and chained to a tree at 10.30 o'clock on Sunday morning, July 5, by James Thomas, * mountaineer.

Both men were in a serious condition, due to their long" exposure and insuffi. cient nourishment. An ambulance took them to Chattanooga.

Mason and Bowman said they wert set upon by live hooded men, carried off, and chained to a tree. Each night they were blindfolded and removed to another place, they stated. This, it was believed, prevented their discovery.

While very thirsty, Bowman was able to talk when found, according to Thomas, but Mason did not speak. Bow* man said Mason had not eaten for four days, having refused one day to eat or drink. The captors retaliated, Bowman stated, by refusing to either feed nun or give him water. The men were accidentally found by Thomas when, accompanied by his nine-year-old grandson and a German police dog, he went searching for hogs that had strayed away. He was amazed, he stated, when he saw Bowman, his face covered with a heavy growth of beard. After giving him some water, Thomas turned attention to Dr. Mason, who was lying in a stupor, and forced some water through his teeth. Presently he began to show signs of life. % "Leaving my little grandson with the men, Crushed off to the nearest telephone, where I communicated with Joe Willis' stable, from where ambulances were obtained."

City Chief Deputy Nick Bush, head of the posse, sped to the mountain, and sought to find the five men. The news brought crowds, that besieged the gaol and hospitals. It was almost necessary for ambulance men in charge of Mason to fight their way to the entrance.

This Bcene was rc-cnactcd at the sanatorium, where Bowman was carried. Crowds and motor cars congregated for two blocks between the hospital and the gaol.

Mason and Bowman were called to Signal Mountain on the night of June 23 by a fake telephone message, saying that a horse belonging to Sam Lewie, a mountaineer, was sick. Dr. Mason stated in answer to the message that he did not know the location of the Lewis home. The caller suggested he ask Bowman to accompany him. When the men reached the Lewis home they were told that they had seqt no message, and, were warned .of their danger. Mason and Bowman, nevertheless, started for home. Nothing was heard of the two men until the next morning, when Mason's car was discovered on a lonely road atop the mountain, bloodstains showing on parts of the machine.

A reward of ICOO dollars was offered for the men, dead or alive.

For some years a bitter feud has existed between the Bowman and GodBey factions on the mountains over alleged liquor-making transactions, and came to a climax several months ago, when Benton Godsey killed Ike Bowman and wounded Homar Bowman, brothers of Lawrence Bowman, in a gun battle. Since that time Lawrence Bowman has been aiding prohibition agents in ferreting out stills. Prohibition Agent W. E. Grubb arrested an alleged liquor runner belonging to the , Godsey faction, resulting in the officer and his brother, John Grubb, being shot p on the streets of Chattanooga recently by Sam Godsey. Later Godsey had Grubb arrested on the charge of selling whisky, and the case is now pending ia the Courts.

Sam Godsey, Deputy Sheriff, alleged leader of the feud clan, said that the men's disappearance was a frame-up. What connection Dr. Mason had with the feud is not known, although he was friendly with the Bowman-Thomas faction.

Sheriff Tom Selman said the story appeared dubious to him, and that h* would go to the bottom of the affair.