J. J. Taylor – blacksmith turned train-robbery leader in Sonora
Taylor, formerly a blacksmith of Silver City, was the leader of the gang of Mexicans who fired upon a Sonora train in 1888 [2]. Carvil and also worked on mining property in the area [2][3]. Taylor lost a hat at the scene of the robbery and later confessed [2]. He and one Mexican were surrendered to Mexican officers and taken to Mexico [6]. The supreme court of Mexico approved the death sentence, and Taylor was sentenced to be shot for robbing a train in Sonora [5][1]. In 1889, only minutes before the set execution time, a message from Mexico City suspended the order, and Taylor was instead held as a witness against two others implicated in the crime [3][1][4]. Taylor’s partner Rohling was sentenced to ten years in the salt mines [1][4].
Sources
- J… (1889)J. J. Taylor, formerly a blacksmith of this city, who was sentenced to be shot for robbing a train in Sonora, is still alive. He is being held as witness against two others, who were impli- cated. Taylor’s par…
- J… (1888)J. J. Taylor, the leader of the gang of Mexicans who fired upon a Sonora train a few weeks ago, was formerly a Silver City black- smith engaged in business with G. M. W. Carvil. He also worked on mining prope…
- A dispatch of the 12th instant from Guay-… (1889)A dispatch of the 12th instant from Guay- mas states that only a few minutes before the time set for the execution of J. K. Taylor, held for train robbing, a message was received from the authorities at the C…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1889-05-10 (1889)J. Taylor, formerly a blacksmith of this city, who was sentenced to be shot for robbing a train in Sonora, is still alive. He is being held as witness against two others, who were impli- cated. Taylor’s par…
- The supreme court of Mexico has approved… (1888)The supreme court of Mexico has approved the death sentence in the case of J. J. Tallier alias Taylor, the leader of the gang of robbers of the Sonora railroad last May, who killed Conductor Atkinson and the…
- has escaped so far though believed to be… (1888)has escaped so far though believed to be wounded. Taylor and one Mexican have been surrendered to Mexican officers and taken to Mexico where they will undoubtedly be quick- ly executed.