Name/Title
Waynesburg Republican - Article - "Taylor's Funeral" (17 April 1890)Entry/Object ID
2018.1.98Scope and Content
"Taylor's Funeral" article, Waynesburg Republican, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, 17 April 1890. Microfilm archived at the Cornerstone Genealogical Society.
Transcribed by Candice Buchanan.
"Taylor's Funeral.
Services Held in the C. P. Church - The Remains Buried Beside George Clark's Grave.
Last Thursday morning, near the hour of twelve o'clock, the remains of Zach. Taylor, who was executed here on the day previous, were laid to rest by the side of George Clark's grave, at Masontown. After the execution on Wednesday the body was cut down and placed in a nice walnut casket, furnished by R. Ganiear & Son, and borne to a covered wagon which stood in waiting. The vehicle was at once driven away. A halt for dinner was made at A. C. Long's, near Khedive, those in charge of the body arriving at Masontown Wednesday evening.
On Thursday near the hour of 11 a.m. in company of people, not by any means large, was gathered about a small frame house which stood back from the main thoroughfare of the town, and in this house lay, the body of Zach. Taylor. A few friends of the man quietly made preparations to bear the body away. The following were appointed pall bearers: Geo. W. Guseman, Jas. B. Sterling, Isaac Gilmore, John Ache, J. O. Sangston, Jos. McCann, John Sterling Jr., Allen S. Walters, Jos. A. Heath, John N. Bradley, A. H. Smith and Dr. M. H. Cloud. Promptly at eleven the casket was taken up and with Rev. Maxwell at the head, slowly the procession moved, the widow and her family, Taylor's brother, his father-in-law and other kindred taking their place behind the pall bearers.
The trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian church had consented to open the doors of their edifice for religious services and thither the body was borne. The church was filled with people. Rev. Maxwell having taken his place in the pulpit, stated that there were but two songs which had been used in holding service at Taylor's cell. One of these being 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul,' he asked the congregation to join in singing it. After this he read a scripture lesson and engaged in prayer. He stated that he had been requested by Taylor to attend him in his last hours and conduct his funeral services. He said that he had plainly impressed upon him the fact that if he were guilty and would prepare for a future life he must confess his crime before men and ask the forgiveness of God. In the face of this Taylor had declared innocence. Two other ministers, Revs. I. N. Frye and Campbell Jobes, were called to visit him by Rev. Maxwell. These had presented the matter to him in the same plain light and in the face of this, Taylor still asserted his innocence. All his declarations were of innocence and he spoke that was prepared to die. Rev. Maxwell then read Taylor's last letter, which we publish in this issue, and afterwards addressed words of comfort to his family and friends, and gave some excellent instruction to the people who were gathered there concerning the treatment they should accord to the family of Taylor and the charity and kindness which should be shown them. After singing and prayer the services closed. The lid of the casket was removed and the people were permitted to pass by and view the remains. The grief of Taylor's wife on taking her final leave of the body was exhibited by sobs and several loud cries. Others of the family seemed deeply moved.
The casket, after being closed, was then carried by the pall bearers to the spot, just outside the cemetery enclosure, where the grave had been prepared. It was lowered into the ground in the midst of a violent snow storm.
At five o'clock on that morning, in company with Rev. Maxwell, we left Waynesburg to attend the funeral services. Arriving at Masontown at about 10:45, we stopped at the hotel of Mr. John Ache, where we met A. J. Sterling Jr., Jas. Sangston Esq., John Sterling Jr., and others of Taylor's friends, by all of whom we were well treated. These affirm Taylor's innocence of the crime of which he was by a jury of twelve sworn men found guilty. Quite a number of people of Masontown, we understand, however, have no doubt as to Taylor's guilt. The same mixed sentiment exists as to George Clark's guilt or innocence.
While at Masontown we visited the house George Clark had lived in when the McCausland murder was committed."Collection
Publications CollectionLexicon
Search Terms
Clark family, Criminal, Murder, Newspaper, Taylor family, Waynesburg RepublicanArchive Details
Creator
Waynesburg RepublicanDate(s) of Creation
Apr 17, 1890Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Clark, Elizabeth Ann [1857-1900]Person or Organization
Clark, George W. [1854-1890]Person or Organization
Taylor, Zacharias [1851-1890]Provenance
Provenance Detail
Waynesburg Republican - Publications CollectionNotes
Source Citation: Waynesburg Republican - Article - "Taylor's Funeral" (17 April 1890), item no. 2018.1.98, Publications Collection, shared by Candice Lynn Buchanan, Greene Connections Archives Project (www.GreeneConnections.com).