The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1892-10-26
One of "Talt" Halls Rivals,
Will Be Executed On
Dec. 10th,
Unless Lynched Beforehand. The
Crime For Which He Is to Give
His Life. The Excitement
Increasing.

As the day for the execution Of Doc.
Taylor, the now famous mountain
murderer, draws near interest in his
case increases, and some startling de.
velopments are expected.
A Bristol correspondent has the fol-
lowing to say of the noted criminal
and his crimes:
\ The bloody murder Of the famous
moonShiner, Ira Mullins, together
with his wife, Wilson Mullins and his
II year-old son and the idiotic driver,
which occurred at Pound Gap last
April, is still fresh in the minds of all
newspapers throughout the United
States.
The news comes from Pound Gap
that some startling developments are
expected soon concerning this whole
sale massacre.
1t will be remembered that DR.. M.
Taylor, Calvin Fleming, Henan Flem.
ing and Henry Davis we're charged
with the murder. DR.. Taylor was cap
tured, tried and convicted at Wise O.
H. in August, and sentenced to hang
December I6. His counsel took an ap-
peal to the Supreme Court and pend
ing the decision Of that court Taylor
has been conveyed to the Jail at
Lynchburg for safe keeping, as the
Wise Court House jail is not only un-
safe, but the enemies Of Taylor are so
bitter against him that lynching is
feared. There was never half so much
danger of Talt Halls friends rescuing
him as there was Of Taylor's enemies
lynching him.
A man named Adams was arrested
after Taylor's conviction, charged with
completely in the crime, but his trial
was postponed for some reason, and
he is now out on a $1,000 bond.
At the preliminary hearing The prin.
Cipal witness against Adams was jeff
Fleming the father of Calvin and He
nan Fleming. His testimony 80 en-
ragged Adams and his friends that they
have sworn vengeance against Flem.
ing and his sons. They are said to be
now in hiding in the Cumberland
mountains.
A well known gentleman from Wise
county informs your correspondent
that the Flemings have sent
word to the commemorative attorney
that they will surrender if he will al
low them to turn States evidence
against the murderers of the Mullins
family. They state. that there were
nearly dozen men engaged in tht
massacre and that all the facts car
never be brought out unless theil
proposition is accepted. That th'
proposition will be accepted is pre-
dCted by those who know. 1t is sale
that some men who are highly con
nected will be implicated in the mas
Sacre. Court will convene at Wise @
Il. next week, and will probably b
the most exciting term ever held in tn
county.
DR.. Marshall B. Taylor, the mai
who has been convicted for the das
tardly crime, is one of the most re
markable characters OF this mountain
region, which is prolific of remarkabl
specimens OF the genus homo. In nj
earlier years he was intensely religious
and claimed to be the favorite of heav
N, and to receive revelations direcl
de went about the country in rob
Of white homespun, with sandals O
his feet, preaching wherever he coul
gather crowd. He would frequentl
retire for weeks to some cave in th
mountains, and when he emerged h
q would say he had been talking to th
angels. He has always preached thi
tbs the sacred duty of every man
exterminate law breakers.
Ira Mullins was a moonshiner, an
travelled about the country with h
wife, who peddled the liquor. Tayl'
Was deputy United Stated marsha
and it was thought it was at that tin