Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-03-31

with being an accomplish Of Jordan
Taylor's in the murder Of Sally
Saunders, (for which Taylor was SELL
fenced to death Thursday was con-
cludcd Saturday. At the examining
trial and before the grand jury, Tay-
lor had made confession duplicating
Lee, which we reproduce in order
that his two statements may be con-
trasted. The following is his testi-
mony before the examining court,
October II;
HIS SWORN STATEMENT.
have been living at the widow
BrOnaugh's, near Casky, and knew
John Lee and Sally Saunders. We
all worked at Mrs. Bronaugh's to-
gether OH Wednesday, Oct. 8. Dur
ing the afternoon John Lee and my
self made up to kill Sally that night.
Me and Sally had been pretty thick,
but were at outs. Lee said lie and
his partner, woman named Celia
Walker, near Trenton, could fix up
some works that would trick Sally
and bring her back to me. They had
fixed me up some works, but they
did 10 good. (Here the "works"
were exhibited. They consisted of
'jack," a large feather doubled up
and some roots wrapped with yarn
and cotton strings into mass about
the size of ones little finger and ell
closed in a dirty white bag; two
small rags, one containing two kinds
of root powders and the other con-
tanning still different kind of"llo0-
doc" powder) was told to take the
powder in the big rag and put one
kind in my shoes aud sprinkle the
other in the path where Sally had to
go along. John was to use the other
powder and return what was left to
me, which he did. l used the "wOrks"
for some time and it had no effect, |
then told John | had paid him $ll
and his works were no good. John
said if the woman's works didn't
work, his would, and that l should
have no trouble. This was Monday,
and | gave him $2.05, all had, and
he went to Trenton to sec his partner,
and came back the same day. On
Wednesday we talked about it again
and Lee said Sally had meddled with
his business and that she should new
er leave here, (she was fixing to go
on the excursion to Louisville Friday,)
that he would split her open first.
That evening before shutdown Lee
said to me; "She is going home to-
night. will step across the field
and get an axe ard sec YOU down in
the field" We worked late getting
in tobacco. When we went TO the
house Lee left for the axe whilo me
and Sally were eating. lie had been
eating there but didn't eat that night.
lie came back in Is or 20 minutes
aud went down the path towards
Casky.
Lee was to get her at the barn and
] was TO meet him there and we
would kill her. Before Lee left he
went out to the ice-house ard tied
boards on his feet. Pretty soon after
he had gone Sally got lantern and
started down the same path after
him. l got in the crib and watched
the lantern till she got to the bend in
the path. Then she stopped and the
light swung back and forwards and
then it started towards the barn and
about that time 1t went out. In a
little while went down the fence to
the barn and sat on the fence, /
heard them talking over behind the
barn. Sally said, 81 want that
money" John told her that
he had always paid all he PROM
ised. Sally said she must 90 home,
was out late last night, and didn't
want TO wake the white folks up ev-
cry night. (She lived at Mr.. Young's,
at Casky Station) They were close
to the barn. They then went further
down in the field, and l got over and
followed. Pretty soon came up to
where they were standing. / had
nothing in my hand. Lee still had
the axe. Didn't know whose it was
The day before Lee asked Inc for an
axe and a corn-knife. Said, II am
determined that my work shall go
out, and you ought to help me. l
want an axe tomorrow night" He
then said he knew where he could
get one.
When l came up close to them, i
said, "Hcre's the old galW She
turned to look back at me, and as she
turned, John hit her with the axe on
the head. She fell without a word,
and then he hit her twice after she
fell, one time he split her head open.
We then talked about what we would
do with her. John wanted to take
her to the railroad and make out the
cars killed her. / said no, we would
get blood on us. We then dragged
her to the willow clump. We both
dragged, each taking hold of foot
and dragging her feet foremost. We
stopped three or four times to rest.
We then went around the field and
came to the house the back way.
John put the lantern in the crib and
then set it over in the yard, as / had
been sleeping in the crib and he was
afraid that | would be suspected.
John then took the boards off his feet
aud went home, and went to bed.
Cross examined-The witness could
not be shaken, but told the same
story cerbdtim. A silver ring was
exhibited which he said Sally gave to
him that day. Had promised it to
him at the Fair. lie had left it in his
"conjure" bag. 1t was found in tho
bag. | went to Mrs. BIS in topping
tobacco time; been there off and on
ever since. Sally was working by
the day. Had worked but one day !;
Lee had been there two or three days.
lave known Lee three or tour years,
and had known Sally s. or 10 years.
Sally was in the cabin when Lee
left, between six and seven O'clock, |
reckon. The ten O'Clock freight had
passed before the killing. Lee and I
have always been friendly. lie want
ed Sally to come back to me, but his
love powders wouldn't work. l
helped look for the dead woman Fri
day. Mr.. Newt. Watson arrested
me and brought me to Jail. | first
told Mr.. Wellington that Lee was in
!. O. NJ