HOODED BAND BUSY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 August 1925, Page 7

HOODED BAND BUSY.

A TENNESSEE OUTRAGE. OUTCOME OF A FEUD. Just at a time when it was confidently conjectured that Ku Klux Klan. ism had been effectually checked in the United States, a new outrage of a diabolical character came to light in the State of Tennessee, when Dr. W. I). Mason, veterinary surgeon of national renown, and Lawrence Bowman, who had been the object of a search by a large posse since their mysterious disappearance on Signal Mountain on June 2.1, were found handcuffed and chained to a tree at 10.30 o’clock on Sunday morning, July 5, by James Thomas, a mountaineer, says the San Francisco correspondent of the Auckland Star. Both men were in a serious condition, due to their long exposure and- insufficient nourishment. An ambulance took them to Chattanooga. Mason and Bowman said they were set upon by five, 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. Bowman 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 him or give him water. The men wore accidentally found by Thomas when, accompanied by his nine-vear-old grandson and a German police dog, lie 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 lie, began to show signs of life. “Leaving my little grandson with the men, I rushed l 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 scene was re-enacted 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 nessage, saying that a. horse belonging to Sam Lewis, a mountaineer, was sick. Dr. Mason stated in answer to the, message that lie 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 sent 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 1000 dollars was offered for the men, dead or alive. For some years a, bitter feud has existed between the Bowman and Godsev 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 Iloniar • Bowman, brothers of Lawrence Boivman, in a gun battle. Since that time Lawrence Bowman lias 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 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 in 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 lie was friendly with the Bowman-Thomas faction. ~ , Sheriff Tom Selmau said the, story appeared dubious to him, and that he would go to the bottom of the affan.