Weekly Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1908-1909, 1908-10-23
FIRE 500 SHOTS
At TENNESSEEAN:,
VICTIM ESCAPES.
COL. R. z. TAYLOR, SEIZED BY NIGHT
RIDERS, GETS AWAY AFTER
THRILLING EXPERIENCE.
MOB MEMBERS IN DISPUTE.
Some Favor Lynching and Others I'M
prisonment and During Arguments
Prisoner Flees in Darkness.
TROOPS SEARCH FOR AssAssINs

TIPTONNILLE. Tenn, Oct. 21.-Un-
harmed. save numerous scratches re-
ceived in thirty-four hour trip through
unfamiliar woods and the fatigue incident
to the trip, without food and the mental
strain, Judge Il. Zachary Taylor re-
ported here today after miraculous es-
cape from night riders at Reelfoot Lake,
who murdered his partner, Capt. Quen-
tin Rankin, night before last
Judge TaylOr'S escape is due to Il dar-
ing dash for liberty while the night rid
ers were disputing among themselves
the best way to kill him. During the
heat of the discussion, Col Taylor broke
for freedom. Dashing few yards to
the bank of a shallow inlet of ReelfoJt
lake he plunged in.
Bullets Follow Fugitive.
y fusilade of bullets followed the fugi-
tive, whose figure was dimly discernable
IN the growing dawn of Approaching day
light Wading and swimming, the aged
attorney pushed forward. Bullets and
small shot fell on every side, but none
struck him. Near ne bank opposite the
firing night riders, Judge Taylor threw
up his hands and pitched forward heavi-
ly over Il log and lay inert. Hundreds
of shots were fired into the log by the
night riders, but not one penetrated far
enough to injure Col. Taylor.
Satisfied that their victim had met
death and fearing that the repeated
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 500 shots had been
fired.
Lay Hours in Mud.
Col. Taylor, however, lay for hours
in the mud and water, fearing that some
one had been left to watch. AT dawn
he cautiously looked up and seeing that
his ruse had been successful, Col. Tay-
lor arose and plunged into the under
brush to fight his way to a friendly COM
munity. Avoiding paths which might
lead to some unfriendly clearing, Col.
Taylor pushed his way slowly through
the dense woods. All day he Travelled
made his couch on Il bed of leaves.
About s o'clock this morning Col. Tay-
lar, declaring that it would be safe for
him to make inquiry at Il farm house,
followed path which shortly led into Il
rough road. Within few minutes the
fleeing man came upon the home of
Luther Rankin, overseer for the extern
fugitive was given breakfast. Mr.. Ran
kin then rode to the nearest telephone
and sent a message into Tiptonvilie with
the news that Col. Taylor was safe.
Governor Is Notified
After being informed at Union City of
the safety of Col. Taylor, GOV. Patter-
son telephoned that he would start for
Tiptonville Immediately.
Gov. Patterson gave out the following
statement today:
Il have offered the largest reward the
law will permit for the arrest and CON
viction of the assassins and have or
dered out troops.
II have believed that the militia should
be the last resort in state governed by
law. but the time has now come when
it is my duty as governor to use all the
power to restore order in the region
where these assassinations have oc-
Cured, and to assist the courts in the
apprehension and punishment of the per-
Detrators. We have had enough of law
less acts, of threats, intimidation and
other methods of terroriZing citizens and
communities. This should be stopped
and must be stopped, or the consequences
will have to be accepted.
Leaves His Campaign.
'For the present l have left the cam
paign for the gOvernorship, believing
that upholding of law and order in our
state is of more Importance than polite
al discussions"
Georgia Is Aroused.
ATLANTA, Ga, Oct. 21.-Night rid
ing and the burning of numerous gins
in the south in addition with the gen
eral cotton situation will be discussed
by delegates to the Cotton Growers,
Merchants and Ginners in Memphis No
vember /. 1t is expected 1000 ginners
will attend.