1879-1881
Eugene Judson Taylor
Child Kentucky KY
Little Eugene Judson Taylor lived a short life (August 24, 1879, to July 14, 1881) but his story is revelatory about the domestic conditions of the nineteenth century. Rev. Sam Frank Taylor was his father and the pastor of the Baptist Church in Paris, Kentucky, during the lad’s abbreviated life. Sam Frank Taylor (1851-1936) would eventually have a long and productive ministry in Missouri serving as pastor of Second Baptist Church in Liberty (1891-1893), and as president of Stephens College in Columbia (1894-1904).
Entries in the journal of Pastor Sam Frank Taylor in 1881 tell the sad story of his son, Eugene Judson Taylor.
Wed. July 13. Today the shadow of the shadow of the greatest sorrow of our lives fell upon us. Our dear, bright, beautiful little boy Eugene Judson climbed up to the mantle and got a bottle of “carbolic acid”, and swallowed a considerable portion of it. And there was from the first no hope for him. He rallied in the afternoon after being unconscious for about three hours: but though every effort was made to save him it availed nothing.
July 14. This afternoon at 5:20 o’clock, Eugene, after suffering horribly since taking the poison yesterday, at about 10:30 o’clock, a.m., peacefully passed away. He died easily; and though our hearts are all but breaking, you can say sincerely, “our Lord’s will be done in this and in all things else concerning us.” At the time of his death the dear fellow was one year, ten months, and nineteen days old. Brief but bright and beautiful and lovely, was his life; and the only thing to regret about it is not so much the time as the horrible manner of its ending. But he did not live in vain. We will all be the better for having known and loved him.
July 15. Today, after a brief funeral service here in the Parsonage, conducted by Bro. J. S. Swinney of the Reformed, or Christian Ch., we set the little body to Charleston, W.Va. for burial.[1]
(Other notations about the Taylor family can be reviewed at entries 1821-1890 and 1855-1930.)
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[1] Journal of Rev. Sam Frank Taylor, pp. 86-87. In the possession of the compiler and provided by descendants Floyd E. Adams and Jeanette Adams.