Deep in the Tennessee mountains, a notorious outlaw named Lonnie Taylor made a name for himself as a deadly marksman. This ‘bad man of the mountains’ was known for his exceptional shooting skills, which he would later use to escape from prison and commit a brazen murder. On the night of September 15, 1933, Taylor shot his way out of the Tennessee State Penitentiary, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a trusty guard dead.
According to eyewitnesses, Taylor’s escape was a shocking display of violence. He shot the guard multiple times, making his escape a reality. After breaking free from prison, Taylor returned to his mountain hideout, where he would often sit on the stoop of his hillside home, watching strangers pass by. One such stranger caught his attention, a woman who walked down a pathway near his home.
The woman, whose identity was not revealed, approached Taylor and asked him about a stranger who was walking along the pathway. Taylor, with a hint of paranoia, replied that the stranger could be a revenue officer. The woman, unfazed by Taylor’s warning, asked him to shoot the stranger in the heel. Taylor, with a sly grin, raised his rifle and asked which heel the woman preferred. The woman, with a steely resolve, ordered Taylor to shoot the stranger in the right heel.
Taylor, without hesitation, picked off the stranger at a staggering 500 yards, a feat that would leave even the most seasoned marksman in awe. This exhibition of his marksmanship would make Taylor’s reputation as a deadly shooter solidify in the annals of Tennessee’s crime history. The woman, who had witnessed Taylor’s deadly accuracy, was likely shaken by the experience, but her identity remains a mystery to this day.
Taylor’s reign of terror would eventually come to an end, but not before leaving a trail of violence and destruction in his wake. His story serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked violence and the consequences of playing with fire. As a crime journalist, I can only shake my head in awe at the sheer brazenness of Taylor’s crimes and the chilling accuracy of his marksmanship.
Related Federal Cases
- Markell Young, Rival Gang Murder, Tennessee 2017 · New Mexico
- John Doe, Murder, Tennessee 1952 · Tennessee
- Tennessee, Murder Rate, Tennessee 1990 · Washington
- Billy Ray Irick, Murder and Aggravated Rape, Tennessee 1986 · Pennsylvania
- Tennessee 2018: Murder Rate Surges Amidst National Crime Decline · Tennessee
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
📬 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
