The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-10-29

aged 60 years. and Capt Q. Rankin, both
prominent attorneys Of Trenton, Tenn,
were taken from Wards Hotel at Wal
nutlog. Tenn. fifteen miles from here,
at ~ o'clock Monday night by masked
night riders.
Capt. Rankin's body was found Tues
day morning. riddled with bullets and
hanging from a tree one mile from the
hotel.
Sheriff Eastwood Of Obion county and
posse of armed men left Union City
Tuesday morning for the scene of the
murders These men are determined,
and II they meet any Of the night riders
it Is expected that a pitched battle will
be fought. Sheriff Haynes Of Lake coun-
ty Is also on his way to the scene with
posse from Tiptonyille.
The trouble which resulted in the
death of Capt. Rankin and the probable
murder Of Col. Taylor was caused by the
passage Of an act by the Legislature reg
ulating fishing in Reelfoot Lake, a short
distance from Walnutlog.
The first news OF the murder was re
ceived at o'clock Tuesday morning.
Mr. Ward, manager of Wards Hotel
at Walnutlog, telephoned Sid Waddcll, a
stakeholder in the West Tennessee Land
Company, stating that about twenty FIVE
masked night riders came to his hotel at
12 O'Clock at night.
Wards Story.
According to this report, the night
riders lined up outside the hotel. pulled
out their revolvers and called Col. Tay-
lor and Capt. Rankin. The two men
did not suspect trouble and came down
Immediately.
As the attorneys passed into the front
yard Of the hotel, the night riders GOV.
cred them with their rcvolvers. Before
Capt. Rankin and Col. Taylor had an op-
portunity to retreat, they we're surround
ed and seized. They were put on horses
behind night riders and carefully
guarded.
The night riders then quietly took up
their march from the hotel, turning down
the road toward Reelfoot Lake. Guests at
the hotel in a few minutes lost the
sound of the hoof beats and nothing
more was learned of the fate Of Capt
Rankin and Col. Taylor until Tuesday
morning.
Proceeding TO the edge Of Reelfoo'
Lake, the night riders pulled out rope
with which they had provided them
selves, and placed the moose about Capt
Rankin's neck.
Capt. Rankin Hanged.
|. Capt. Rankin was strung up from Q
limb on the bank Of the lake, for tbs
fishing privileges of which he had con
tended with the night riders. Thu
masked men then stepped back ant
opened fire on the swinging body, rid
ding it with bullets.
The trouble between the inhabitanti
Of the banks of Reefoot Lake and Col
Taylor and Capt. Rankin originated sew
eral years ago, when the two latter mel
incorporated and organized the West
Tennessee Land Company.
Col. Taylor and Capt. Rankin, WHIT
were the ineorportaors Of the company
have been also representing il in the ca
pacity Of attorneys. Letter after lette
has been received by them, threatening
violence IL they did not relax their posi-
ton concerning the rights" Of the lax
community people.
Thought Things Quiet
Fearing trouble, Capt Rankin and Col
Taylor have remained from the vicinit.
of the lake for some time. Recently
however, they heard that the feeling
against them had somewhat subsidized
There were some legal papers at Wal
nutlog which needed attention and tn
attorneys went there to see about then
Their presence was soon made know
20 all of the fishermen, and band o
men was quickly ofrmed.
They lost no time, but proceeded Z
the hotel, after the guests had retire
for the night, and quietly aeeOmplishe
their purpose.
Treacherous Place.
The vicinity of ReelfoOt Lake
treacherous. People unaecustomed 10 I'll
community may easily get lost, and
! would be an easy matter, il is said, f.