The Red Fox of the mountains
From the Mountains
As the pioneers moved westward and settled an expanding America, there were mountaineers residing in the most-remote locations of our mountain area. They were a hardy lot by necessity, having won their living space against beast and savage.
The mountaineers resided in the Appalachians for 100 years before they were “discovered” by the national press at the outbreak of the War Between the States. These mountain men and women were introduced to America as bumpkins replete with pipe, hunting shirt, coonskin cap and moccasins, residing in log cabins with humble furnishings.
The men usually carried a rifle and ax, both necessary in helping to maintain their humble existence. Many maintained moonshine stills they claimed made their lives more bearable, or pleasurable, at least. The age-old system of barter was often used, since they had little money.
They were shut off by mountains with few navigable rivers. There were no manmade lakes and few wagon roads.
Actually, in many cases there were no roads at all except for the beds of streams.
There were few schools and churches during this early period. The mountaineers never saw a newspaper, but it was just as well because very few could read. A large number signed their names with an “X” if they ever had cause to affix their signature. They knew or cared nothing of the outside world except for events that shook the nation.
Yet the sons and daughters of the mountains were social creatures. Log rollings, house raisings, house warmings, quiltings, cornshuckings, shivareeing, fiddling and square dancing became a few of the customs of the mountains.
The mountain people were a generous lot. Although they did not have much, whatever they had was often offered to guests, even strangers. Isolation brings out the best and worst qualities of humanity.
The mountaineer was a loyal friend, but he could also become a fierce enemy. There was violence.
Dr. M.B. Taylor was such an enigma. He became legendary in the mountains of southwest Virginia and eastern Kentucky as “The Red Fox of the Mountains.” The red-headed, red-bearded Taylor was a complex man. He was a preacher, mystic, herb doctor, revenue officer and murderer.
He claimed to be a mystic with the ability to communicate with spirits; in fact, he was a student of Swedenborg, Sweden’s 18th-century seer, philosopher, theologian, scientist, mystic and revelator of God’s word. Swedenborg claimed he received a revelation Easter weekend of 1744 that he was appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ to freely visit Heaven or Hell and talk with angels, demons and other spirits.
Doc Taylor felt he possessed unique insight as well regarding life and individuals he encountered. He rode with a Bible in his saddlebags and preached most Sundays in Wise or adjoining counties in Virginia. He also preached in churches across the mountains in Kentucky. The mountain folk enjoyed his hypnotic sermons. He was a relative of Dr. Moran L. Stallard, a noted Lee County, Va., physician who taught him how to treat various illnesses. Taylor gained the reputation of being a good medical doctor.
When he was called to a home to treat someone seriously ill, he would arrive with his herbs and he would sometimes stay until the patient was well, or at least on the mend. He treated many women patients much like a psychiatrist of today. After consulting with the patient he would offer: “I’m stepping outside now, dear sister, and will lift mine eyes to the heavens and concentrate. You need to also concentrate here on your bed. Don’t let your mind stray and soon you’ll feel an inner glow. That will mean you’re healing. When that happens call out to me.”
There were some reports of patients rising and rejoicing their return to good health. Old Doc was also reputed to be good in assisting with the delivery of babies.
His preaching and doctoring found him continuously traveling about the mountains and mingling with the people near the Kentucky and Virginia border. He was well acquainted with moonshiners and bootleggers and knew when and where they operated. He saw their activity as a social and spiritual ill.
He decided to ask federal officials to make him a revenue officer because he felt well suited to stop their illegal activities. He was hired and trained immediately as a United States deputy marshal.
He took pride in displaying his authority, riding a star-faced black fox-trotter all over the mountain area. In addition to his Bible and herbs, he carried an arsenal of weapons.
He wore twin Colt 45s on a gun belt that gleamed with cartridges, and he had a huge 50 x 75 Winchester tied to his saddle.
He carried a brass-embellished telescope that he strapped over his shoulder.
The telescope, which could be extended to five feet, was used to spot horseback riders carrying moonshine and jolt wagons laden with illegal liquor.