A Kentucky Tragedy–[From the Columbia (Ky.) Spectator, Feb. 29: a~ LanhamTaylor Affair of 1872
LanhamTaylor Affair of 1872 was authored and written by Mike Watson
Introduction
To the long and ghastly catalogue of crime that is daily thrust before the reader’s eye, we add another chapter–About twelve o’clock on Sunday there entered this town from an easterly direction a male and female rider. They rode leisurely upon the public square, exciting no particular curiosity to the minds of those who saw them. After making some small purchases at a confectionery in this place, and inquiring the nearest and best route to Horse Cave, the riders disappeared from town, taking the Glasgow road. Subsequently these persons proved to be Galen E. Taylor of Casey County, and the wife of George Lannum, of the same county, all neighbors.
They were fugitives from that county, in a matrimonial sense, Taylor having unlawfully possessed himself of Lannum’s wife and the two endeavoring to escape together.
LanhamTaylor Affair of 1872 and Joseph Dohoney
A short time after they had ridden from town, perhaps half an hour, a single horseman rode in their wake passing hurriedly through the town, taking the direction of the before mentioned parties. This was George Lannum, the husband of the woman, who, a couple of hours later, was brought into town a prisoner, he having overtaken and killed Taylor. The tragedy occurred at the residence of Mr. Joseph Dohoney, a worthy citizen of this county, residing two miles out on the Glasgow road. Taylor and the woman, when Lannum appeared upon the scene, were seated at Mr. Dohoney’s fireside, resting and waiting for bodily refreshments, which the family were preparing.
The rider’s horse had been stabled and the saddle left at the front of the house, and it was by these that Lannum knew he had come up with the escapade. Dismounting, he advanced toward the house, and in passing up the yard was observed by Taylor through the window, who had risen to his feet and was standing upright when Lannum entered. His entrance was the instant signal of hostilities, and without an interchange of words each drew a revolver and the deadly firing began. Two of Lannum’s shots took effect in Taylor’s breast, in the region of his heart, producing death in less than thirty minutes. Lannum escaped with two bullet holes through the lapels of his coat and vest, and a slight wound on the back of the left hand.
George Lannum Surrenders
Lannum surrendered himself to Mr. Dohoney, and by Messrs. George and Whit Flowers was brought into town and lodged in jail, the wife accompanying. The news of Taylor’s untimely end was sent to his friends. They came and bore his remains away on Tuesday morning. As to the former standing of all parties to the tragedy, it is not our province to speak. We shall only add that Taylor occupied the relationship of husband and fathe. He also stood at the head of a family of seven children. [Daily Evening Herald, Stockton, CA, 15 March 1872, Friday, p1]
Taylor, Galen E., was shot in the chest on Sunday, February 25th, by George M. Lannum of Middlesburg, Casey County, with whose wife he (Taylor) had eloped. The shooting occurred at the residence of J. Dohoney, two miles from Columbia. [Occurred 27 November 1871?] [The Lebanon Weekly Standard, Lebanon, KY, 6 March 1872]
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