The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-22
TayIor's Remarkable Escape.


 Tiptonville, Tenn, October H.-Un- harmed, save numerous scratches received in & SO-hour trip through unfamiliar woods and the fatigue incident to the trip without food, and-sfses saFcntssl strain, Judge R. Zach Taylor reached here this morning after miraculous escape from night riders at Reelfoot lake, who mur- dered his partner, Capt. Quentin Rankin. Judge Taylor's escape is due to a daring dash for liberty while the night riders were disputing among themselves the best way to kill him. During the heat of the discussion, at moment when the guards attention was diverted Colonel Taylor broke for freedom. Dashing few yards to the bank of a shallow inlet of Reelfoot lake, he plunged in.
 fusillade of bullets followed the fugi- tive. whose figure was dimly discernable in the growing dawn of approaching day. light.
 Wading and swimming the aged attor- ney pushed forward. Bullets and small shot fell on every side. but none struck true.
 Near the bank opposite the firing night riders Judge Taylor threw up his hands and pitched forward heavily over log and lay inert
 More than 100 shots were fired into the log by the night riders to make assurance doubly sure. but not one penetrated far enough to injure Colonel Taylor.
 Murderers Leave.
 Satisfied that their victim had met death, and fearing that the repeated sound of shots would arouse too many residents of the neighborhood, the night riders did not attempt to cross the slough to examine the body but left the scene after over 100 shots had been fired. Colonel Taylor, however, lay for hours in the water, fearing some one had been left to watch. At dawn, looking up and seeing that his ruse had been successful Colonel Taylor plunged into the underbrush to fight his way to a friendly community.
 Avoiding paths which might lead to some unfriendly clearing, Colonel Taylor pushed his way slowly through the dense woods, stopping only to take few mn- utes' rest or to refresh himself from some clear stream.
 For hours he travelled in this manner, the sun his only guide. When night came Colonel Taylor, still afraid to approach a house, made his couch on a bed of leaves and slept until early morning
 With the first rays of the sun he was up and pushing onward. About 8 o'clock this morning Colonel Taylor, deciding that it would then be safe for him to make inquiry at a farm house, followed path which shortly led into "a rough road.
 Safe With Friends.
 Within few minutes the fleeing man came upon the home of Luther Rankin, overseer for the extensive Harris inter- ests in that section, n what is known as Number Nine bottom.
 Rankin, who is not related to Colonel Taylor's murdered partner welcomed the almost exhausted man and after giving him breakfast and dressing the wounds made by rough brush in the battle through the woods, rode to the nearest telephone neighbor and sent a message into Tipton- vile with the news that Colonel Fay Tor was safe.
 Shortly afterward Colonel Taylor and MT. Rankin started for Tiptonvile in a buggy. They were met a few miles from town by posse which started out for the purpose.
 Colonel Taylor immediately upon reach- ing town called up his home at Trenton by long distance telephone and informed his relatives of his escape.
 In his flight Colonel Taylor travelled about 20 miles through section which would have proved difficult even had he followed roads. After being informed at Union City of the safety of Colonel Fay Tor Governor Patterson telephoned that he would start for Tiptonville immediate ly to interview Colonel Taylor In person. The governor directed the local authori- ties to render every assistance possible and if he could give them a clew as to the identity of any of the night riders which could be worked from this point to start out without further orders. In statement at Tiptonville this morn ing Colonel Taylor said:
 Monday night Captain Rankin and