The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-19

alno told of learning the morning af-. ter the tfagedy of the killing and of going to the scene. Captain Rankin's body wasxlying on It's back within a few feet of the lake a rope, one end around the captains neck. tied with ,hansman's knot, the other thrown over the fork of a tree, told the ghastiy story. On closer examination, he found five lbnliet wounds la the body. While Carpenter was testifying, the State produced a rope. hangman's moose at one end stained with ugly red biotches here and there
 the. one which he found tied around the tiead man's neck. The rope was put in evidence. The witness next deseribedi the country in the vicinity of Reelfoot Lake and the rangeT of hills that extend from the lake a mile or two away. These are known as the Red Hfiis. are heavily wooded and were the scene Of most of the out raRes of the masked riders.
 Carpenters testimony was dfsap- pofntment to the State, which expect ed some strong testimony from him.
 The next witness, SidneyS Waddell, of the weet Tennessee. Land Company an attorney, had been the recipient of several night rider letters, threat ening his life. He had arranged to go to Reelfoot Lake with Raniken and Taylor. but his wife became hysteri- cal at the idea and prevailed upon him to abandon the trip when he was ready to start on the journey that re- suited in Ranken's death. The State expects Waddeli's testimony to show that the defendants knew of the pro- 5ecfed trip to Reelfoot Lake.
 Mrs. Edward Powell was the first witness of the gentler sex. She Is the wife of the man who was taken from his home by the "bIack masks" on the night of the Ranlxen murder and forced to act as decoy in inducing P. C.. Ward. Of the walnut Los Hotel, cess to Ranken and Taylor's rooms They also forced her husband to take the night rider oath before thSy per- mitted him to return to his home. He lives q mile from the Walnut Los Hotel. The riders arrived at the Pow ell home ak II D m. They wore black masks with white stripes across them above the mouth and eye holes. white stripes on their trousers, and one who seemed to be the leader. wore Q figure. four lined in white tape on his breast. The men were armed with revolvers and pump guns. The man with the figure four wore whip across one shoulder and rope with a big knot in it across the other one. They dragged her husband away and told him they wanted him to go to Wards with them. Mrs. Powell was very self poggessed and to Nthe sur, prise of everyone, was excused with, out a word of cross examination.
 The State than called P. C. Ward. proprietor of the walnut Log Hotel from which Ranlxen and Taylor were taken the night of the murder.
 Hotel Keeper Testinea.
 On the night of the murder. Ward was aroused by Ed Powell calling him. When he came out. he found the place, surrounded by night riders and heard the leader order two men stationed at each window and door. He was asked where Ranken and Taylor were and led the leader to their room. The leader wore figure four and had a. rope and whip. He told Ward they aid not intend to use the rope that night. Then. dozen or more. crowd ed into Ranken and Taylor's room. Taylor raised up and they asked him if he owned the West Tennessee Land company. He said no, he was only Interested in 1t. Taylor then said:
 %Wa are not armed gentlemen" Then they saw Ranken and asked him if he were interested in the land. .company. He said ygs. whereupon the leader said: k A
 sGet up. both of you. and dress.'
 Then they opened Ranken's valise. removed a letter and marched Ward out of the room. 4 little later he heard the band ride away, taking their prisoners
 ward sat down in terror and waited. Tn half an hour he heard rifle shpt ring out. then silence while one could count ten. then a rattle Of reports 'like 6 bunch of fire crackers going of"
 Later Powell came in the hotel and said the men had been killed. Ward accompanied Powell and his wife to where Rank ems body lay Ward cut the rope because he feared to move Ranlken's body He found that a rifle bullet had carried a button off Ram kehs' shirt into the bark of the tree from which he had been hanged, Ward then took a lantern and examined the marsh and fresh footprints which he decided were Taylor,s. Then he sent out an alarm and waited for the ar- rival of assistance