In explanation of the interests in these occurrences evinced by this
royal embassy, I take pleasure in also sending herewith (inclosure No.
2) a complete list of the tobacco-packing factories in the States of
Kentucky and Tennessee working under the Italian monopoly during the
present season.
[Inclosure 1.]
[From the Western Tobacco Journal,
December 10,
1906.]
incendiary outrages in western
kentucky have demoralizing effect-efforts being made to
apprehend guilty parties-other barns burned.
The burning and dynamiting of the two tobacco factories at Princeton,
Ky., Saturday morning, December 1, was closely followed on Monday
night by the burning of a large and valuable barn belonging to James
Wilson, near Owens-boro, Ky. Wilson is not a member of the Society
of Equity and has refused to pledge his tobacco to it. It has been
pointed out in the press of Owensboro and other parts of Kentucky
that a barn close by the one which was destroyed and containing
150,000 pounds of tobacco belonging to tenants who sympathized with
the society was not molested. While the work was not done by an
organized mob, as in the former instances in the dark-tobacco
district of western Kentucky, there seems to be a strong evidence
that all the deeds originated at the same source. J. A. Everitt,
national president of the American Society of Equity, has deplored
the use of the torch, and has stated that he does not think it the
work of members, who would necessarily defeat their own purposes by
resorting to such measures.
denounce outrages.
At the meeting of the Burley Tobacco Growers’ Society, held in
Winchester, Ky., December 4, strong resolutions of denunciation of
the outrages were passed.
The Dark Tobacco Growers’ Association met in Clarkesville, Tenn., the
same day and adopted similar resolutions.
Residents of Princeton and throughout the entire dark-tobacco belt
have been thrown into the most feverish excitement, and farmers are
hastening to sell their tobacco, fearing future outbreaks. The civil
authorities of Princeton are exerting every effort to apprehend the
guilty parties, but witnesses summoned have almost invariably failed
to give any tangible evidence that would prove of benefit to the
authorities.
pledge to shed blood.
The most important testimony so far brought out was given by Price
Morse, a lad of 18 years, who is a member of the association. He
claims to have heard Dr. Dave Amoss say in a secret meeting of the
planters: “I want all those who will pledge themselves to take up
arms and shed blood for the association to stand up.” Morse said
that many of the men stood up and that all those who refused to do
so were excluded from the meeting. He gave the names of the
[Page 952]
men whom he said were
present at the meeting, and they will be summoned to give testimony.
Other evidence of an important nature is being sifted down. In the
meantime affairs in western Kentucky remain in a state of unrest.
Insurance companies have canceled existing policies, business in
general suffers, and everybody is afraid to move. There is some
likelihood that the United States Government will be forced to take
the matter up indirectly, as it is said that during the past week a
number of threatening letters have been sent through the mails to
tobacco growers.
threatening letters sent to
prominent tobacco men in crittenden county by the lawless band
of night riders.
Marion, Ky., December 8.
Threatening letters, signed “D. T. P., or Night Riders,” have been
received here by owners of two of the largest tobacco concerns in
this vicinity. Mr. R. L. Moore and Mr. Arthur B. Jarvis have been
advised by these so-called “night riders” not to buy any more
tobacco, the letters in each case being mailed from Princeton, where
the recent riots occurred, and threatening to destroy their property
in a similar manner if they failed to heed the warning. Both men
have decided to comply, for the present at least, realizing the
desperate character of the men with whom they have to deal.
The city here is in a state of excitement, and preparations are being
made to give the raiders a warm reception if they make their
appearance in the neighborhood.
