San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-05-16
WHO WAS HE?
SHERIFF JOHN PARKINSON TAYLOR
OR SIMPLY PLAIN ]. P. TRAV-
ERSO TRAVIS.
Some Interesting Data of the Dead
Englishman That Now Lies
Here Awaiting Orders
For Burial.

1t has been reported that two strang
ers came to this city last Wednesday and
stayed at the Maverick hotel The clerk
registered the elder one as j. P. Travis,
the other as G. NJ. Fry. They came from
New York, but were evidently English
men. The one, Travis, was "a years old,
but fine fellow; the other, Fry. was
society butterfly iof % years of age. To
most it seemed that Fry was the parasi-
tical ivy that chung to the good old oak
man and thrived even in his ruin and de-
cav.
There is no doubt that both men were
free liverS and drinkers. They gave an
exhibition of that fact in a minor degree
here, but Travis had not much chance
10 do much for next day be was seized
with internal hemOrrhaVe, which increas-
ed, INCONSISTENCIES enSued aud he died,
although DR.. Ed. Bennett did all pos
sible for him. Now embalmed he lays,
waiting the TelaJiveS' instructions as
10 disposal of the body. He is a
typical BritiSher, of fine physique,
man well born and bred. His distinguish
ing features are "Wellington nose"
bald head, and thin side hair, clean
shaved, and having the appearance of a
professional actor. If, as stated, he is "a
years of age. then his years bear lightly
on him, and he was apparently well pre-
served
Who was the dead man? He was reg
istered by the clerk as j. 2. Travis, but
there is little question that this was the
result Of misunderstanding. He was
travelling under the incOgnitO of -. P.
Travers," and there was reason
for this. His right name, from
his friends statement, was John Par
kinsOn Taylor, and it can be seen
that the initials in the real name were
the same as in the incognitO. The reason
why he chose that name Travers was
that though a widower he was not in
sensible TO female charms, and when he
arrived in New York he was accompanied
by very young and beautiful English
lady. Who or what she was none knew,
but her portraits, taken in Brighton, Eng
land, that are here, show the beauty OF
her face and the magnifcence of her
luscious physique In New York Taylor
and the lady passed as Mr.. and Mrs. J. p.
IraYerS, and when Travers decided TO
visit Texas with his friend" Lieut. Fry,
she declined to follow him, but insisted on
remaining in New York to await his re.
turn. Before leaving he gave her goo
about 81 900, for present emergencies. In
the present may be noted that the connec
ton was mercenary and not one Of love,
I
with premonitory symptoms of the disease
from which he died, she deprecated any
attempt to prolong the old mans life,
knowing he must die.
Papers, passport, etc, show that John
Parkinson Taylor was man OF birth. OF
good family and of considerable means
When he was dead it was found that all
the property he had was draft or two
not yet due and gold ring with imita-
tion diamond of no value. 1t is thought
that some one got away with his effects
Although there are suspicion as 10 that
some one, there is at present no proof
His friend, Lieut.. Fry, said that he was
Lord High Sheriff of London and a CON.
temporary so reported IL, and calls him
Lord Taylor" This is wrong for there
is no such title nor anv one Of the
name of Taylor or Travis fIIino
the office which is combined in sheriff
Of the city Of London and county of Mid.
dleseX. Again he is said to have beer
sheriff Of Nottingham but this is not con.
hrmed. He has a son, A. r. Taylor, bar.
Tister 81 law, who resides az baHgiv court