Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-11
nA1r1nH.s mrRDERER.
Eli Taylor Lodged in Chatham County
Jaii-Hfs story Of the Tragedy.

Jafl-His story OF the Tragedy.
Among the prisoners in Chatham county
Iail is a negro named Eli Taylor, who has
lust been placed there for safe-keeping
BIZ Sheriff Manning Petersen, Of Coffee
county. by order Of Judge N. L. Mershon,
Of the Brunswick circuit.
TAYLOR is the man who is said 70 have
killed Conductor A. '. Raleigh at Lumber
civ. on the East Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia Railroad. Aug. 3. ltwasreport-
ed soon after the murder was committed
that TAYLOR. who was the Wharfman at
Lumber CITY, refused to set the switch as
Raleigh directed, and that the latter adj
vanced upon Taylor. who struck him
with a lightwoOd knot. which felled him
beneath moving train, by which he was
instantly killed.
Taylor Immediately fed across the river
and escaped. and late in September it was
reported that the fugitive had been ar
rested az AdaiTsville. in Barlow county.
by Mr.. G.. Y. johnson. who knew the man
and happened to meet him on the road.
A reporter Of the MORNING NEws
called at the Jail yesterday and had an IN
teTview with the prisoner.
The reporter said:
Taylor, / wish you would tell me all
about the difficulty you had with the con-
ductor at Lumber City"
The prisoner. who is about D feet 10
inches in height, with square shoulders
and a deep chest. and was dressed in
psir Of light brown pants and hickory
shirt. said:
Il think il was on Saturday. Aug. %,
when the train came along to Lumber
City. when I set the switch, as l was in
the habit Of doing, so as 10 run the train
on a siding. / stood near the switch
mOtioning to the train TO come on, and at
the same time tried 10 make the cOnduc-
tor hear me, but he didn't seem TO under
stand. His train came on down close to
| the switch, and stopped, when he came up
% me and said that he didn't
want to run on the siding.
| 50 l at once changed the switch as he
wanted il. when be came close 10 me and
l said: You - Of - Taylor, the next
/ time you don't set that switch as | want
/ il III kill yOui" He then got on his car
and the train went slowly down the man
track TIVE OF three car-lengths, when the
conductor jumped from the car that was
I still in motion, picked up piece OF scant-
/ ling that was near the track and rushed
I fer me. SAYING he would kill me. L saw
I that he meant what he said, and he
made a quick rush at me with the
scantling. l dropped on to my hands and
/ feet. the stick missing me. As touched
/ the ground with my hands l seized
| piece Of iron which l was in the habit OF
using TO knock the switch with
when changing il, and held il
n both hands above my
head 10 catch a second blow which ne
was in the act Of making. AS he raised
/ his scantling TO give the blow he made
/ halt step back. His heel struck against
the end Of a crOss-tie and he fell
| backwal DIS under the train, the wheels pas
| clear clear across his forehead and
MASKING MS skull. stood a minute dumb
/ and scared and ] knew that ii wouldn't
/ do for me 20 stay about that place, foT
| those men would make short w"-k with
me. ! ran down 20 the river and got into
a small boat. and went over TO
the other side. and kept going until the
following Tuesday. about the middle OF
the dav. when | got work picking cotton.
I / was on that place about three weeks,
and intended as soon as | should get
nv wages 10 20 TO Macon aud see
a lawyer and give myself up.
/ I told some c0lOred men what had done,
and that ! intended 10 surrender 10 the
| government when the following AFTER
noon the Sheriff and another gentleman
came up and arrested me in the neld.'
Where were you when they found
you:r
Il am not sure, but 1 think l was about
80 miles from Hawkinsyille."
Are you marriedE
u es- sir. L nave VIE anu tNo CHll-
dren, both girls, one about . and the
| other years Old"
How old are you?
Il am about q years
| old, and was born near Ma
con. on the Reynolds plantation. Ny
father Is dead, but my mother is living
with my wife. ] worked six years for the
railroad company, the last three years at
| Lumber City. where l own six cattle,
| lot OF hogs. and have small piece Of
ground. l am what l call well hXed.'
Didn't YOU strike Raleigh:'
''NO. sir. 1 was scared OF him, and tried
90 defend myself. He fell backwards I'M
der the train, just as told you"