Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-04-30
TAYLOR AT CARROLLTON.
Strychnine and a Saw Taken From
the Murderer.

the Murderer.
CARRoLLToN, Mo-, April 2s.-In a
little pocket cas- containing his chill
dren's hair, the officers to-day, while
searching William Taylor, the MUIR
derer, found a quantity of strychnine.
and in his mouth a tiny steel saw. The
notorious Meeks family murderer
who had just previous to the discov-
cry been brought from Kansas City
under a heavy guard, had made a las;
bold attempt to cheat the gallows.
When his last ray of hope dwindled
before his eyes, the criminal sank in
to deep silence and his face betrayed
the utter helplessness he felt.
Sheriff Stanley succeeded this morn.
ing in bringing Taylor from Kansas
City to Carrollton without a particle
of trouble. Last week arrangements
| were made with the Santa Fe Rail
way for a special a to be attached
to the regular train. The only thing
kept from the public was the date on
which the car would be run. This
morning the car was attached to the
regular train at the Union Station,
Kansas City, but no passengers were
allowed in it. At the Grand Avenue
Station, Sheriff Stanley, Allen, Of
Linn County, Marshal Keshl or, o
Jackson, and 10 deputies, having in
charge William Taylor, boarded the
train. The ride to Carrollton was I'M
eventful.
At 10 O'Clock the train reached Car
rollton. Three hundred persons were
in waiting to see Taylor on his return
He was sc heavily ironed that he had
to be helped from the car. AS he
walked along to the carriage in wait
ing, the people had a good view oil
him. Taylor had been in Kansas
City only two weeks, but in that time
he changed very much. To-day the
silver threads show through his Goa,
black whiskers and hair. He is aged
in appearance, though only 81 years
of age.
Walking to his carriage, he talked
with the deputies beside him, and the
same old grin was on his face. This
morning he was visited by a couple Of
gentlemen, and he laughed and joked
with them just as a person would dc
| who had no thought of death.
Taylor was taken to the Jail in q
carriage and the deputies were just
behind in q large bus. 1t made one
think of war times. Guns, large and
small, were carried by the deputies.
The Jail was safely reached at 1920
O'Clock. On the arrival of Taylor at
the jail, he was taken into one of the
| upper rooms, and the Sheriff and AL
len, Deputies Roth and Shelton search
ed him. He was stripped, and every
article of clothing was examined,
They found much that Taylor wanted
to keep. In a little square sacket
card were found locks of the hair OF
Bill Taylor's children, and he pleaded
to keep the card, but the deputies
pulled the ribbons apart, and under
meath they found Il powder. This
was turned over to DIR. Cook and Fla
Williams, a druggist. They made an
analysis of it and pronounced it to be
erystalized sulphate of strychnine.
While making the search, Deputy
Doth fhnt,nhf hn oar TraxyI0p Lnya
something in his mouth, land he spoke
to Taylor about it. Taylor denied it,
but Sheriff Allen said:
"Bill, you must let US have what
you have in your mouth"
Taylor wiped his hand acros his
mouth and started toward the win
dow, but Sheriff Alien caught him and
opened his hand. In it was a small
saw, about two inches long. Taylor
said that he used it to clean his finger
nails, but the Sheriff has it now.
1t is the intention of Sheriff Stanley
to search Taylor again tomorrow.
A new suit will be prepared for him,
his hair and whiskers will be combed
and his old clothes taken away. When
he puts on his new suit there will be
little chance for him to have any
thing left by means of which he could
end his life.
Late this afternoon DR.. Cook and
Fla Williams made an affidavit re-
garding the poison found on Taylor,
and it was forwarded to Governor
Stone.
After being searched, Taylor was
taken to his cell in the Jail. The whole
lower floor has been reserved for him,
and two deputies, n from Carroll
and one from Linn county, are locked
in the cell with him. These guards
will be changed every four hours. Two
me will be with him all the time.
There is no earthly chance for escape,
and it is hardly possible that Taylor
can cheat the gallows, unless the dep
uties are careless in their work. This
is not probable.
All day long visitors had been adj
AuittSa w tHO JAis 1oiOAACI a HShS
one of the first visitors. He conferred
with Taylor about the present pros
pect of his case. He told Taylor that
M. ID. Wilson was to be in Jefferson
City and talk to the Governor. Bill
still has hopes that he will not hang.
He expects the Governor to respite
him for from Is to 30 days. DIR. Tull
called to see him, and told him that
Father Kennedy of the Catholic church
would be glad to call on him, but Bill
said:
"I don't believe he could do any
good. My mind is made up on that
matter. What I need now is someone
to help me get out of my trouble"
Sheriff Stanley has offered to call
any minister that Taylor wants, but
Bill is dead set against spiritual ad-
vice, and will have none of it. HI may
change before Thursday.
All day long a crowd has been around
the jail-some to see the prisoner;
others to sec the scaffold. Several
ladies took in the sights. Tonight the
city is quiet. Sheriff Stanley said to-
day hal he would keep Taylor here If
the Governor granted more time, as
ba apniI hire danutiaa tn utrarl him