The San Francisco call., 1908-10-22
THRILLING ESCAPE
FROM MASKED MOB
Judge Taylor DaSfles to Liberty
While Night Riders Pre-
pare to Kill Him
Sees Partner Hanged, but Takes
Refuge in Lake and Hides
Behind Log

TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. Oct Elm
harmed. save numerous scratches re-
ceived in a 80 hour trip through un-
familiar woods and the fatigue incl
dent to the trip without food and the
mental strain. Judge r. z. Taylor
reached here today after a miraculous
escape from the night riders at Reel
Foot lake. who murdered his partner,
Captain Quentin Rankin night before
last
Judge Taylor's. escape is due to his
daring dash for liberty while the night
riders were disputing among them
selves the best way to kill him.
The body of Captain Quentin Rankin
was taken to Union City today from
Walnut Log The left side. near the
thigh. is riddled with small shot His
arms are wounded, the back OF his
head blown of and his teeth knocked
in. No bones are broken in the body.
There is cut on the neck under the
chin caused by the rope with which
he was hanged.
JUDGE TAYLOR'S STORY
Judge Taylor today gave thrilling
description Of his terrible adventure
He said.
Monday night last Captain Rankin
and I went to Reel Foot lake in re-
sponse to a letter from q Mr.. Carpenter
some timber land. On our arrival at
the lake we went TO the log house, or
Ward hotel. and after supper retired
Some time during the night We were
aroused by some one knocking at our
door, and on opening the door MOB
Of masked men was found standing In
and as the leader Of the mob said he
wanted TO talk TO US We put on our
clothes and accompanied the man 10
the bank of the lake some distance
The leader of the mob talked with
US. telling US we We're associating too
much with Judge Harris and We're TAX
ing entirely too much interest in the
lake. He said that the course OF Har-
ris and the West Tennessee land COM
pany in prohibiting free fishing was
causing the starvation or women ana
children, and that something had 10 be
done
never dreamed that the mob in
tended US any harm, but just then they
threw a rope around Captain Rankin
neck and swung him 10 nino- he
protested and said. Gentlemen. don't
kill me-" and the reply Of the men
was a voiley of 90 shots.
This was the first evidence OF any IN
tention to harm us. and when the firing
began I jumped into a bayou and made
for a sunken log Behind this hid
and the mob fired several hundred
thought ! was dead. for 1 heard one
OF them say: Hes dead and let him
go" and with that they rode away.
/ remained in the water until after
the mob was out OF hearing and then
went 10 an island IN the lake. where l
remained all day Tuesday. At night /
started out and walked all night, COM
ing to a house al o'clock this morn
ing.
TROOPS CALLED oUT
UNION CITY, Tenn. Oct 21--With
the announcement Of the safe arrival
at Tiptonville today OF Judge r. z.
Taylor, state and county officials are
concentrating their efforts toward the
apprehension OF those who composed
the mob. Today Circuit Judge Joseph
z. Jones, after a conference with Gov
ernor Patterson and other officials, an
nounced that the circuit court would
convene here Monday next IN special
session. the grand jury, which viii con-
duct the investigation, 70 be selected
by Judge Jones from special venire
OF % men.
The sessions of the court will be un-
der military protection, and it is prob
able that other troops. in addition TO
those from Nashville. which arrived
early today, will be called into service
The Nashville troops. Immediately
after their arrival, proceeded TO Reel
Foot lake. Tonight all is quiet there,
but while the tensity Of the situation
has TO some extent relaxed, apprehen-
sion is felt as to what may occur when
the grand jury investigation is begun.
Governor Patterson, who arrived here
yesterday. began early today to direct
operations for the apprehension of those
concerned in the murder of Captain
Rankin. One hundred and fifty militia
men. under command of Colonel W. c.
Tatom. arrived early today and will be
distributed throughout the district.