Taylor and Hicks, Semi-Weekly South Kentuckian, May 29, 1885.

Taylor and Hicks, Semi-Weekly South Kentuckian, May 29, 1885.

Taylor, Jerry

Hicks, Wes.

Charge, arson

Mob, hanging

Mob, masked

Franklin, Ky., May 29. – Jerry Taylor and Wes. Hicks paid the penalty of death last night for burning the dwelling-house and barn of Jas. Wheeler, in this county, several weeks ago. About two weeks since Taylor was suspected of knowing something concerning the awful deed, and, in order to induce him to freely unbosom himself, he was waited upon by a party of indignant citizens, a rope placed around his neck, and made to talk. He related every little circumstance connected with the burnings, and made it so clear that even the most incredulous admitted that he and Hicks were guilty. He was then placed in jail with his pal, Wes. Hicks, to await the final trail at the next term of the Circuit Court. It recently reached the ears of some of the citizens in Wheeler’s vicinity that Taylor intended denying all that he had previously stated when he was again placed on the witness stand. This of course, enraged the citizens, hence the mob.

The masked men quietly rode into town about 12 o’clock last night, and halted at the jail, demanded of Jailor Blewett that he open the cell-doors of the two men. Blewett refused, but was promptly covered with a number of revolvers and made to unlock the jail. Several men entered and ordered Hicks’ hands tied behind him, adding that should he resist in the least he should be shot down on the spot. Hicks prayed, and at first protested his innocence, but before leaving the jail acknowledged that he had burned the barn.

Taylor stepped out with a smile on his face, but did not utter a word. He was perfectly cool and made no complaint.

The mob left town quietly, going in the direction of the Tennessee line. This morning the two incendiaries were found swinging to different limbs, about two hundred yards across the Kentucky line, near Mitchellville Station, Tenn. The limb on which Taylor was swinging was so low that his feet would have touched the ground had they not been tied with a bridle-rein.

Great excitement prevails here, and hundreds of people are leaving town to visit the scene. Simpson county has needed a first-class hanging for some time, but our good citizens regret that it was not done by the due process of law. Hicks and Taylor were bad men, and doubtless deserved the severe penalty.

Newspapers.com

Semi-Weekly South Kentuckian

1885-05-29

Katie Craig

Image.

Franklin, Simpson County