The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-09-20
John Taylor. They
Shoot and Kill Sheriff Cate
and Deputy Conway,
OF ChattanOOgas-Capture the
Train and Run it on to
LenOir's,
Where They Leave the Train,
With the Rescued Prisoner.
Knoxville Tribune

Sheriff w. L. Gates and his Deputy
John Conway were bringing three pris-
oners to the Supreme Court in this city
Their names wereJohn Taylor, for muir
der, J. l.. Carter, for murder, and Ed
Bivins, eolrc for larceny. When the
train rolled into Sweetwater-three men
boardedit and entered the car where the
prisoners were and took their seats, two
OF them in the rear OF the prisoners and
the other IN front on the opposite side
OF the aisle. They took their seats
quietly and no one suspiciOned anything
wrong.
! Deputy Sheriff Conway was sitting
facing she direction In which the train
was going, and next to the window.
BY his side sat Ed !. Bivins, the colored
man, chained toathe arm or the seat. In
front Of them, and facing them, John
Taylor and L. Carter sat handcuffed
together. The sheriff was In front of
these. One Of the parry who got on at
sweetwater was noticed by the passen-
gers to fbe nervous. and an older one
told him to be quiet. No one was ex-
pecting any difficulty and their move
ments were not suspicioned. ~
When the train stopped at Philadel-
phia one Of the men, supposed to DO
Taylor's brother, arose from behind
Deputy Sheriff Conway and shot him
In the head, the ball entering the skull
in the rear of the right ear and ranging
diagonally toward the left eye, killing
him instantly. BY this time the Sheriff
arose with pistol drawn. As soon as
Conway was shot, one of the party run
his hand into Conway's pocket and took
out his keys and unlocked Taylor's
handcuf and also gave the latter Con-
ways pistol. =
About the time the prisoner Taylor
was released, which was done in few
seconds generalfiring took place. ].
L. Carter, one Of the prisoners, who
gave the reporter most of the particu-
lars, says he thinks John Taylor shot
| Sheriff Gates in the stomach and about
the same time the Sheriff shot John
Taylor through the wrist. Sheriff Gates
kept backing toward the door, but he
was shot twice again, two balls entering
his breast. The Sheriff then stepped
out of the carand in attempting to shoot
again fell over upon the ground and it
is thought expired Immediately.
1t is not known exactly in what parts
of the body the Sheriff was shot and
whether he died Immediately or not,
since the train left as soon as possible.
The men presented pistols at Conduc-
tor n. J. Bell aud told him to pull his
train out Immediately or they would
kill him. Conductor Bell looked around
and saw engineer Sam Toms coming
down the side Of the car and he told the
latter to pull out at once. These men
then went back into the car and told
Conductor Bell not TO stop that train or
they would kill him. Mr.. Bell asked
them to allow linn to stop at LOudon
and put off HIS passengers. They told
him if he Gid they would kill him. The
men then went through the cars on to
the engine, where Engineer Sam Toms
and Fireman ]. w. Saults were, and
asked them il they had any arms or
money, and being informed that they
had neither, they told the engineer that
he must not stop that engine if he valued
his life.
The train passed through Loudon
without stopping, and the engineer in
formed them that his water was out,
and he could not pass Lenoir's without
taking on water without his engine
blowing up.
The traiI stopped at LenOir's. The
men then rushed into the depot and, we
are informed, broke the telegraph in
struments up and cut the wire aud left,
going down the track with pistols in
hand. Il = y
The train arrived in the city on time,
and an immense crowd tried to gain adj
mittance TO the car where Deputy,
Sheriff Conway was lying dead. coro-
ner Hood summoned q jury, and Con-
ductor Bell, a news-butehsr ramed Gug-
enheimer and another man was examin-
ed. The jury returned verdict that
Conway came to his death; by pistol
shot fired by john Taylor's brother.
Conway was. LETT In the car, which was
switched of, and was taken TO cllakta-
nooga on the early train this morning.
Two Of these three men who boarded
The train at Sweetwater and who com
United The murder are said 10 be John
Tsylor's brothers, the other man is I'M
known. A private tslegram from Lou
don last nigllt slaths that sheriff Joe
Foute, A. J. Fonte aud Others have
started in pursuit OF Ale murders. y ~
John Taylor, the prisoner rescued,
killel Capt Eieieher in chattanooga
about eighteen months two years
ago. Taylor was engineer ON the steam
or Tellico and Capt. Fletcher was en-
ployed TO put in a ,pumps. After the
work had been finished Capt, Fletcher
was talking to theamanager or the boat,
on barge which was attached to the
steamboat. While talking Taylor came
out ofthe engine room and walked on
the barge where these gentlemen were
talking and NthereA some sharp words
passed between Taylor and Fletcher.
Taylor went back Tito the engine room
and the manager and Fletcher started
ashore and were compelled to pass the
engine room to get upon the bank.
When they were opposite the door Tay-
Tor came out and commenced upon
Fletcher and few words were passed
again. Taylor then shot three shets
the frst and third taxing effect Capt.
Fletcher then went out on the bank,
where ne fell and expired in about thir-
ty minutes, Taylor then took shift