The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-10-22
ESCAPESLYNCHERS
Ashland DISPUTES
WAY TO KILL HIM
Under Rain of Shot He P1unges
Into Stream and Then Lays
as Though Dead.
800 BULLETS MISS HIM.
Remains in Woods Day and a
r.. Night and Then Makes
~ His Way to Safety.
800 BULLETS MISS HIM.

TIPTONvILLE. Tenn. Got. I.-Un-
d harmed. save numerous scratches re-
ceived IN a thtrty-hour trip through
unfamiliar woods and the fatigue in
ctdent to the trip without food and the
mental strain. Col. r. Zachary Taylor
reached here to-day after remarka-
bio escape from night riders at Reel
Foot Lake, who lynched his partner,
Capt Quentin Rankin. night before
last.
Col. Tayior's escape is due to dar-
ing dash for liberty. while the night
riders were disputing among themselves
the best way to kill him. During the
heat OF the discussion, at moment
when the guards attention was diverted,
: tho Colonel broke for freedom. Dash
. ing a few yards to the bank Of shall
low inlet of Rec Foot Lake he
plunged in.
Under Rain Of Shot.
A fusillade OF bullets followed the
fugitive. whose figure was dimly dis
cernible in the approaching daylight.
Wading and swimming the aged attor-
ney pushed forward. Bullets and small
him. Near the bank opposite the firing
night riders Col. Taylor threw up his
hands and pitched forward heavily over
s,log and lay inert. Hundreds OF shots
were fired in the direction of the log'
but not one took effect.
Evidently satisfied that their victim
had met death and fearing that the re-
veated sound of shots would arouse too
many residents in the neighborhood, the
night riders did not attempt to cross
the slough to examine the body but
left the scene after about 800 shots had
been fired.
Col. Taylor. however. lay for hours
in the mud and water. fearing that
some one had been left 10 watch. AT
dawn, cautiously looking up md seeing
that his ruse had been successful, ne
arose and plunged into the underbrush
to fight his way to a friendly COM
munity Avoiding paths which might
lead tc some unfriendiy clearing, the
fleeing man pushed his Way slowly
through the dense woods. En- houi s
h, travelled in this manner, the FUN
lis only guide. When night came the
Coinnr., still afraid TO approach Il
leaves and slept until early morning.
About 5 O'Clock this morning Col.
Tayior, deciding that it would then be
safe for him TO make inquiry at farm
house. followed a path which shortly
led into a rough road. Within a few
minutes the fleeing man came upon the
home of Luther Rankin, overseer for
the extensive Harris interests, and
where the fugitive was given breakfast.
Mr.. Rankin then rode to the nearest
telephone and sent a message into Tip
touVille with the news that Taylor was
safe. Soon after the colonel and Mr..
Rankin arrived here, being met a few
miles from town by a posse of citizens.
After being informed at Union City of
the safety of Col. -aylor, Gov, Patter-
son telephoned that he would start for
Tiptonville Immediately.
Col. TayIor's Story.
Col. Taylor to-day made the follow
ing statement of his experiences:
Monday night last Capt. Rankin and
went to Reel Foot Lake in response
to a letter from a Mr.. Carpenter. OF
Union City, who wanted to lease some
timber lands. on our arrival at the
lake we went to the log house. or Ward
Hotel and early after supper retired