The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-28
DOC" TAYLOR HANGED.
HE APPEARS on THE GALLONS An
ROBED IN WHITE.
Murderer of the Mullens Executed Yester-
day at Wise c. H.-Long Rambling
Address From the Bible


and the action OF Judge FauntIeroy was
not divulged to Taylor until Wednesday
night, when he talked freely OF his coudi-
tion, dwelling mainly upon his spiritual
istIc ideas, religious condition and future
life. He has maintained a wonderful indlf-
ference for the past few days paying
that he had a contract signed some days
ego with God, which assured him Of
eternal life lie ate a very hearty sup
per last night, slept soundly throughout
the night and rose early this morning.
He ate a very scanty breakfast, ana inn
medlately returned to bed, where he re-
mained until 10 o'clock. declining 80 be
interviewed by all reporters, but he talked
freely 40 others. He said only his
body was here; that his spirit was with
the angels. Everything was quiet and
orderly last night. Twenty-Five armed
guards kept watch upon the jail and
attended the execution this afternoon.
The Doomed Mans Address.
A platform had been erected for him
to speak from, but, owing to the inces-
SAINT rain, could not be used. At 1920
he was taken to the second story Of
the courthouse. He was robed in white
linen, and spoke from the second story
window He was very pale and ghostly.
He gave a ten minutes talk before he
announced his text, which was the third
chapter OF Revelations, 10Th verse. He
said he had laid his sins at the feet Of
Jesus, and TO him made all necessary
confessions. He commented at length
upon the Book Of Revelations, asserting
it to be the most wonderful part Of the
Bible, and containing more scripture than
any other part OF IL. He read various
comments from books and psalms, show
ing the difference between the old heaven
and the new earth, as he called them.
He dwelt upon the coming Of Christ and
life on earth.
He closed by admonisbing all TO shun
evil and serve the Lord to enjoy eternal
life Il have" the doomed man said,
been pardoned for all Of my sins" He
drank wine frequently, and a number OF
times paused TO regain control Of his
voice His Bible readings and sermon
occupied an hour and half. and he
closed by bidding all farewell, urging
them to meet him I'm heaven. Taylor re-
quested the crowd 10 sing How Firm
Foundation"
He Breaks Down.
Jail and assisted up the scaffold steps by
Sheriff Holbrook.
AT o'clock ne prayed and read from
the Bible, and declared himself ready.
Up 70 this time he seemed perfectly in
different, but as the sheriff adjusted the
white cap he was seen 10 tremble, sud
denly reeled and pitched forward TO the
floor. The sheriff raised him up, tight
ened the rope, and sprung the trap at
a
nounced extinct He died of strangula-
ton. Taylor's son took charge Of his
body, and will obey his request 10 keep
Sc three days and inter &c without cere-
mony.
The Wise county jail is a peculiar look
ing structure, Of four stone walls perhaps
not more than nine feet high, and with
a wood roof; has four cells, with perhaps
twenty inmates. A small frame addition
Of one room has been built I'm front FOR
the shelter Of the jailer. Here DR.. Mar
shall B. Taylor, after his several futile
appeals 10 the courts, has spent his time
since September 9th, awaiting the hang
man.
He was much emaciated this morning
as he appeared in life before many Of his
old acquaintances and associates for the
last time. He seemed to have no fear or
death nor aversion TO talk of his doom, and
assured The Times reporter that he was
ready to meet his God.
His Life and Grimes
Dr. Taylor's family and antecedents
were Of irreproachable cast until the year
1876, when he was accused Of the murder
OF Robert Moore, an outlaw and horse
thief who was shot late at night while
in his own house with his wife. The doc
tor was arrested, and was tried and re-
leased within short while after the
crime was committed.
The burden Of the accusation or remorse
itself changed the whole course Of his
life. and he soon became mOrose and dis
satisfied. began 70 carry arms and acquire
| a Fellowship with the wild and reckless
OF the peighborhoOd He became a deputy
United States marshal and vigorously
prosecuted the mOOnshiners. In one or
his revenue raids he overlook Ira Mullins
a well-knOwn offender, and in an assault
upon Mullins friend the driver OF the
| moonshiners wagon was killed, and tne
| load OF liquor conhscated. FROM tHlS
| date ne and LUllns were deadly enc
mics Mullins went away to North caro-
lima. was shot IN a revenue hght ana
came home a hopeless paraiytic. Taylor
returned from the revenue service.
Within a short time Mullins bed was
fred into at a late hour at night ana the
animosity Of Taylor, as well as the SIZE
Of the bullet found in the bedding lnnuce1
the belief that the doctor was guilty or
the attempted murder. Taylor hed 10
Kentucky and remained there until tax
of the incident quieted, when he returned
and set a watch upon his enemy.
Soon he learned that Mullins ana tanl-
ly were preparing for a trip to Kentucky,
| He secured the service Of Heenan ana
| calvin Fleming. two fearless and reckless
mountain youths and with them con con
! snired for the murder Of the Mullins
household as they passed over the cum
| berland mountains.
The Ambuscade.
At Pound Gap, near the 'oP -,
| mountain, they located an an 7lii-'.,
,,,itbin "a few wards OF the road Rolling