The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-08-28
an old MAN TURNED OUT.
This Time the Sons We're the HeaFtlOSS
InSIateS
After Deciding HIs Property 20 the
BOys he 10 Thrown unto
the street.

by the Little sisters OF the Poor, at west
Harrison and Throop streets, says the
Chicago Herald, there was admitted few
days ago a man feeble Of step, bent Of form
and greatly advanced in years, who had
in many ways earned the comfort and
solace Of this christian refuge for his brief
remaining space Of time on earth. Yet
1t has been reported among some Of the
most intimate acquaintances Of this old
man that he would never have been COM
PEELED to accept the free offerings Of char
ity had 1t not been that he was literally
turned out in the streets by his own sons,
to whom he had bequeathed all his prop
erty and fortune.
This most aged Of Chicago's surviving
pioneers was Augustin D. Taylor, father
Of ex-Representative James A. Taylor, q
we'll known local politician, formerly pri-
vate secretary To Collector SeebeTger and
at present secretary Of the Iroquois club,
The personal history Of the elder Mr.. Tay-
lor is full Of interest to the people Of Chi
cago, and they will feel strong regret
should it become apparent that in his old
days he has been made to feel that want
Of filisl affection and duty best described
by the abhorred word ingratitude. It has
been said that no man will hold himself
guilty Of ingratitude. and James A. Taylor
is hardly an exception to the rule.
Augustin D. Taylor is a man in whose
veins the blood Of longevity runs. His
years have far exceeded the scriptural
allotment. He is entering upon his ninety
fifth year, having been born April %, 1895.
He came to Chicago in June, 1918, before
the town was incorporated. He enjoys
the distinction Of having built, chiefly
with his own hands, the first Catholic
church erected in this metropolis. The
house of worship referred to was st..
Mary's church that stood on what is now
the corner Of Lake and State streets. State
street, now celebrated as one Of the busiest
and mightiest marts in the world, had
really not been laid out when this modest
little wooden church was built. Besides
this distinction Mr.. Taylor is known as
one Of the oldest surviving American SOL
diers. He is, in fact, the only male PEN
sioner Of the war Of 1912 now remaining
on the records Of the pension office for
this district. A call was made on the old
veteran at his home yesterday. The Wis
itor was admitted by Sister Anna, the
superior. ~ will send Mr.. Taylor down
to the reception ROOM" she said pleas
antly, "if he feels able to stand the ordeal
Of an interview. He is very old, you
know-past ninety-four-but his mind
still seems quite clear and unimpaired,
and his memory Of past events is really
something wonderful"
Presently the old man entered. His
form was much bent. His face was
sbrunken and the color Of parchment,
The symbols Of unusual age showed in
his worn face and figure as plainly and
unmistakably as verbal inscriptions. Yet
he seemed willing to talk Of the past, and
reference to some events long gone by
afforded him nc little pleasure. It was
only when reference Sas made to reports
Of ingratitude on the part Of his sons. who
allowed him to become an object Of char
ity, that his brow darkened and his dim
and fading eyes filled with tears.
II once had good deal Of properly -
he said. his voice quivering and his breast
swelling with the emotion he could not
conceal. II had s4O,OOO or $4,000 in
city and country real estate, clear Of all
debt. My fatal mistake was in signing
away my interest in my homestead after
having divided the rest Of my property
among my children. That was my fatal
mistake. The homestead was at sos
Taylor street, where my son James now
lives. 1t originally belonged to my wife.
She died eleven years ago, and had my
life interest in the property, but Eoolishly
signed 1t away. After the children bad
got everything l found myself without q
home. l was bufeted about from one
sons house to another's, till at last my
old friend and neighbor, John P. Barron,
4 south Water street commission mer-
chant, brought me here. Remember, l
have no complaint to make against any
body. am oontented and happy here
and no money could induce me to leave.
Ny old eyes are too dim to use my prayer
book any longer, but can use my beads.
81 was born in Hartford, Conn, and
was IS when l was drafted in the war ol
1912. Connecticut was not much in favor
Of that war. was in the Independence
artillery company, and saw only q few
days service and no battles. We went
from New London to Saybrook and re-
NAMED in the fort there till discharged.
About fortnight after came to Chicago,
and In 1888 l began work on the first
st. Mary's church. also did the car
penter work for st. MaTy's brick church
built later at Wabash avenue and Madi-
son street. Peter Page was the mason.
The original frame structure was after
ward moved to the rear Of the brick
church and used for a parochial school.
1 did work on many other churches, both
Catholic and Protestant.
"I was one Of the trustees here before
the town was incorporated, and aiterward
at different times held the positions oI
alderman, assessor and collector. In the