New-York tribune., 1908-10-22
SInUL4TED DE4TH WHILE
BULLETS FLEW.
Remarkable Escape Of Tennessee At
tcrney Whose Partner Vas Lynched
-GocernOr Offers Re1card.
rRr Teler-aph 70 The Tribune !

.ir Razkln. night before last. he was IN
harmed. save numerous scratches received in
= thirty hour trip through unfamiliar woods
en5 the fatigue incident to the trip without
.oo5 ard the mental strain.
JD6ge Taylor's escape is due to a daring dash
.o- liberty while the Night Riders were dis
-yting among themselves the best way TO kill
hin. During the heat Of the discussion, at
moment when the guards attention di-
-s--ed. Colonel Taylor broke for freedom. Dash
,ng few yards TO the bank of a shallow inlet
NJ Reel Foot Lake he plunged in.
fusfllade Of bullets followed the fugitive.
whose figure was dimly discernible in the grow
,,r dawn Wading and swimming, the aged at
,,-nev pushed forward. Bullets and small shot
tsn m every side but none struck him. Near
,ba hank. opposite the firing Night Riders,
1,,see TAYLOR threw UP his hands and pitched
to-uard heavily over log and lay inert. Hun
s-e6s Of shots were fired into the log by the
Night Riders. but not one penetrated far
enough 70 injure Taylor.
cs-is6ed that their victim had met death. and
fearing that the repeated sound Of shots would
arouse too many residents III the neighbOThood,
she Night Riders did not attempt TO cross the
slough 10 examine the body, but left the scene
s4-s- about three hundred shots had been fred.
Colonel Taylor however. lay for some time in
the mud and water. fearing that some one had
haar 1ef1 70 watch. At dawn. cautiously look
ing NJ and seeing that his ruse had been sue
c.ssfUL Taylor arose and plunged into the
underhrlsh 10 fight his way TO a friendly COM
-.unitv Avoiding paths which might lead TO
some unfriendly clearing. Colonel Taylor pushed
his way slowly through the dense woods Tor
hours he travelled IN this manner, the sun his
orlv guide When night came Taylor, still
afraid 70 approach 8 house. made his couch on
e bed Of leaves and slept until early morning
JUDGE TAYLoR's STORY.
Judge TAYLOR made the following statement Of
his experiences:
Monday night last Captain Rankin and L
went u Reel Foot Lake in response TO letter
from Z NIr. Carpenter. Of Union City, who
wanted 10 lease some timber lands. On our
arrival a. the lake We went TO the log house
or Ward Hotel, and early after supper retlreo-
Some tine during the night we we're aroused by
so-ne one knocking at our door, and on opening
tie door e mob Of some seventy-flve masked
ren were found in the hall We were ordered
70 dress. and, as the leader Of the mob said he
wanted 70 talk TO Us. We put on our clothes and
accompanied the men TO the back Of the lake,
some distance from the hotel
The leader Of the mob talked with US, telling
Us He we're associating too much with Judge
Harms and were taking entirely TOO much in
terest IN the lake He said that the course OF
Harris and the West Tennessee Land Company
IN prohibiting free fishing was causing the star
walton y women and children, and that some
thing had 70 be done
q never dreamed that the mob intended US
any harm. but Just then they threw rope
around Captain Rankin's neck. He protested
and said. Gentlemen DO not kill me-
Although Captain Rankin continued TO pieao
fo- mercy the mob paid 10 attention to him
hen
Of his head was riddled with shot
When the firing began broke away from the
night riders and jumped into a bayou. The mob
fred q least sez-ertv-f1ve shots at me, but
managed ro reach log in the middle OF the
bayou and using this as a protection man
aged 70 escape injury. although the bullets
struck all around me. The mob thinking / was
dead. left the spot waded around in the mud
and water Up 10 my neck al night and wheh
morning came I made my way over into Lake
Countr but 70 reach the house Of a friend. where
was given food and shelter, l had 10 Walk
twenty-five OF thirty miles around the lake
III. Taylor will return 10 Trenton tomorrow
Gd attend the funeral OF Captain Rankin
TROOPS IN THE FIELD
Governor Patterson. who reached Union City
to-dsv met the three companies Of the state
guard from Nashville and discussed the matter
with the commanders Of the military forces
After the Governor had briefly addressed the
soldiers they were sent into the country near
Walnut Log which is about twenty-five miles
from here and where the killing Of Captain
Rankin took place They will remain there
Until the authorities can obtain the evidence OF
Witnesses. the purpose Of the calling out OF the
troops being 70 enforce order and TO prevent
witnesses from being intimidated
The Governor has cancelled his speaking ap-
pointrnents for the present, and IS giving MS
entire time and attention TO the matter Of the
assassination and the arrest and conviction or
TIE guilty parties Rewards aggregating $4,000
have already been offered by the state and the
law and order leagues.
Governor Patterson gave out the following
Etsfernent:
have offered the largest reward the Ia" ~lh
permit for the arrest and conviction OF tht AS
tsSslns. and have ordered out troops. nav
heleved that the military should be the last ie-
sort in state governed by law, but the time mas
AoE come when il IS my duty as GoNeIlyt -
use al the power at my command 10 festoIs
Icer IN The region where these assaSslIili'i"t2 i
nave occurred and 10 assist the courts IN ule
apprehension and punishment OF me pelpe'-"
999fs Il must be taken b. all as a purpose IL IL
Eoerajely formed and I hope no man oi D,,us
VI men anywhere in the state "iIl ran l" uiiN
.,and it. We have had enough Of la"less a.
% threats, intimidation ana other lhetHouT- -; -
utsfrorlzlng citizens and communities; H.
khonld be stopped and must be stopped, or IL ~
qaerces VIII nave 70 be accePteu- ~ Gov
present ] have left thS campaign for the go
erLorship, believing the upholding OF IaW 5aI al'
ereer IN our state is Of more importance IMAM
poAllcal discussions
The body Of Captain Quentin Rankin was
taken to-day from Walnut Log 20 Union Ciy.
The left side near the hip. is riddied with sIlali
shot His arms were wounded the back OF ms
head vas blown off and his teeth We're knocKeu
in. 10 bones we're broken in the body. iheIe