The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-20
CoL R. [ Taylor Tells How He Passed Through the
 Shadow of Death
DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE
 CROWDED COURT ROOM
The Witness Describes the Visit of the Night Riders, the Death of Captain Rankin and His Own Escape
 From the Bullets.

Union City, Tenn, December 19.-(Spe- ail.)-Followng close upon the heels of the dramatic testimony of Col. R. z. Fay Tor in the trial of the eight alleged night riders before the circuit court here to- day, came the equally sensational evil dence of Charles Russell, who had been forced against his will to join the night riders organization of Reelfoot lake. This evidence established the identity of Fred Pinion, one of the eight defendants, as leader of a band of night riders and frightened the coils about Arthur Cloar, another of the defendants now on trial.
 The contrast between Col. R. z. Taylor's testimony and that of Russell was marked not only in the wide variance of the facts to which they testified but also in the manner in which it was given. The for mer told his narrowing story boldly and fearlessy, identifying Garrett Johnson as one of the night riders who took him and Captain Rankin from the hotel on the night of October g, breaking down only when he reached the bloody details of the actual murder of Captain Rankin. On the other hand Russell feared every moment he was on the stand that bullet would end his life before he had finished his evil dence, which was literally dragged from him by a long series of questions. His at titude was pitiable and every one in the court room breathed sigh of relief when he was excused from the stand
 Dramatic Scene.
 There has probably never been a more Intensely dramatic scene enacted in any courtroom in Tennessee in which men nlone figured, than that occurring here this morning when Colonel Taylor, his voice quiverng with pent-up emotion, told the story of Captain Ranlxin's brutal mur- der. He broke down completely on the witness stand, his frame shaking with un- controlled sobs; strong men bowed their heads and wept with him. Hardly man in the courtroom with the possible excep- ton of the defendants, but what felt the hot tears on their checks so greatly were they affected by the sight of Colonel Tay- lor's undisguised grief and feeling.
 Colonel Taylor's Story.
 Colonel Taylor told in graphic detail the story of the murder of Capt. Quentin Rankin and his own narrow escape from the masked band on the fatal night of october 19 at Reelfoot lake,
 Colonel Taylor and Captain Rankin had gone to Reelfoot that day to attend to land leases and had retired early at the Walnut Log hotel intending to return to their homes early the next morning.
 q had hardly retired and fallen asleep before I was awakened by call from the hotel proprietor. At the same time the window to my room was opened and two pistols were pointed at me. Almost immediately the door to my room was broken and the masked mob entered. A part of them broke into the room of Cap tain Rankin which adjoined mine. They told me that they intended to kill Cap tain Rankin and myself, but I did not believe they would go so far.
 CoId-Blooded Murder.
 After we were taken from our rooms Captain Rankin and myself were sepa- rated and I did not see him any more until they threw the rope around his neck. When I saw them adjust the moose around poor Quentin's throat I knew they meant to carry out their terrible crime. Give him time to pray said one of the masked mob, before his body was hauled into the air, but Quentin told them he had attended to that. I cannot forget the gurgling sound of Quentin's voice asking mercy as he was hauled into the air Then came the revolver shots one, two-and then a sharp fusillade. I crouched to the earth and when the fir ing ceased crawled to the bayou.
 There was log fastened to the bot tom of the stream and I crawdel under this A dozen shots were fired in the direction in which I leaped and the bull lets peppered on this log like hail. I heard them beating around in the bush for about an hour and then everything was quiet. I swam across the bayou and started through the dark woods"
 Wandering In SWamps.
 Colonel Taylor told of his wanderings for two days, parched with thirst, cut by brush and exhausted from hunger, expecting at any moment to fall into the hands of the night riders again. The only guide he had was the moss on the trees which he knew grew heavier on the north side He said he would have col Iapsed had he not come upon farm house when he did.
 When Colonel Taylor finished his story he was followed cn the stand by Charles H. Russell, son of one of the jurymen trying the case Russell admitted that he was night rider and said that he had been induced to join the organization by Arthur Cloar, of the eight de- fendants on trial. He denied any knowl- edge of the murder of Captain Rankin.