Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
Judge, Lawyers and Specta-
tors Affected by Recital.
COL. TAYLOR'S NARRATIVE
Tells of Capt. Rankin's Murder by
Night Riders.
HIS OWN WONDERFUL ESCAPE
Graphic Description Of the Tragedy
Enacted in October on the Shores
of Reelfoot Lake.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
UNION CITY, Tenn, December 19.-One
Of the most dramatic and pathetic scenes
ever witnessed in a courtroom in the
south was that presented today. when. ut
terly unable to control his emotions, and
sobbirg at times like child. while tears
coursed down his cheeks, Col r. Il. Tay-
lor, the intimate friend of Capt. Quen-
tin Rankin. who wa smurdered by night
riders at Walnut Log, Reelfoot lake, Oc-
tober 10. told the story Of the crime that
shocked the entire state and resulted In
the arraignment this week of eight men
who are charged with the assassination
of Capt. Rankin.
In simple way, yet thrilling in the eX-
treme, Col. Taylor. who has passed the
age of three score, enfeebled by the
weight Of. his years, and still suffering
from the narrowing experience on the
night of the commission of the crime of
the night riders, with gray locks falling
to his shoulder, recited a tale of blood
shed and attempted murder; Of his plead
ing with the murderers to spare the life
Of Capt. Rankin; of his plunge into the
muddy waters of Bayou Dechein, an arm
Of the lake, in an attempt to escape. of
his being fired upon by the band Of out
laws; of his making his way to the shore
and wandering through sWampy places
and thick brush; of finding his way by
the aid Of the stars through dense woods;
Of fasting and suffering torture for lack
of water and Of at last reaching a house
where he obtained food and water on the
second morning after he had made his
miraculous escape.
Prisoners Are Unmoved.
Burying his face in his hands. Col. Tay-
lor gave way to emotions which he could
not repress, while for several minutes
perfect silence reigned in the courtroom.
Judge Jones' before whom the night
riders are being tried. was deeply af-
fected. Attorneys, who through long ex-
perience had witnessed many pathetic
scenes in court. could not keep back the
tears, and the spectators were also great
ly moved. The prisoners, who sat in
front Of the witness, were the only per-
sons present who gave no sign of being
stirred by this most impressive scene.
After stating that he and Capt. Ran
kin. his business associate. had gone to
Walnut Log to arrange a land lease. Col.
Taylor told Of the arrival of the Night
Riders. twenty-five or thirty-five in num-
Der. at Wards house about midnight. All
of them wore masks and Carried guns.
Six or eight entered the room occupied
by Capt. Rankin and himself and fore
ing them TO dress took them half mile
distant, where the men halted, Taylor and
Rankin being guarded by separate groups.
One man, who seemed to be the leader,
was very angry, and struck Taylor two
blows on the chest. This was after both
Taylor and Rankin had been asked how
they secured the ownership and control
Of the lake, and had answered that
it was through land grant purchases.
Suddenly a rope was brought and one
end was thrown over the fork of a tree
and the other end tied around Rankin
neck. A member Of the band asked that
Rankin be given time to pray. Rankin
replied that he had already attended to
that. Almost instantly thereafter Taylor
heard Rankin cry out. Don't do that,
gentlemen, you are killing me. Don't do
that Despite his plea, Rankin was
drawn up once, then let down, and again
drawn up.
A moment later the report Of a gun
rang out. then another, and a moment
tents of some of the guns entered Ran
kin's neck and the back OF his head.
1t was at this point and also while relat-
ing how he pleaded for Rankin's life.
an old man and that they could rob him
Of but few years, that Col Taylor
broke down and wept.
He continued the recital by detailing the
facts of his coming to the surface of the
water, into which he had leaped when
nf m
self behind a log while fifty or sixty
shots were fired in his direction and of
his making his way the next night to a
place of safety after he had lain hidden
in tall grass all day for fear he might be
seen and killed by the outlaws.
He said that while he did not recognize
any of the men present at the murder, he
had since seen man who reSembled the
leader, who abused and struck him, and
that man was Garrett Johnson, one of
the defendants.
This partial identification caused a SEN
sation In the courtroom.
Night Riders Testimony.
The story of how he was made a men,
Der of the night riders through the solicit
tation of Arthur Cloar, one of the defend
ants, and how he was sworn into the
band and accompanied other masked men
to the home of man named Pagan,
whom they took out and whipped, ana
other important Information was given
by Charles Russell, the next witness.
Russell is the son of ]. Ii. Russell, who
was discharged from service as Juror
after the state had learned that Charles
Russell was a member of the night rid
ers. The elder Russell disclaimed any
knowledge OF his sons connection with the
organization when examined by Judge
Jones.
Attorney General D. j. Caldwell stated
In open court today that the existence of
conspiracy by the night riders to COM
nit various crimes would be proved, also
that an oath and password were used,
and that Garrett johnson, one of the men
on trial. was the leader and administered
the oath whenever present at meetings,
which were held weekly.
Attorney General Caldwell said that
the state would prove conspiracy
against the West Tennessee Land Com
pany. conspiracy that eliminated in
the murderSf Capt. Rankin.
Judge Jones ruled after argument that
evidence to show such a conspiracy was
admissible