From Wondery.

February 23, 1884.

The last person's known to have seen the Taylor family alive are Mrs. John P. Murphy and her brother.

These two rode out to the end of the Avondale Street Railroad route early Friday evening

and walked over to Bond Hill where they reside. As they passed near the Taylor cabin, they saw two

strange men lurking about in the field. Mrs. Murphy expressed some fear at the side of the men,

but her brother calmed her by saying he was armed.

Lewis Mills, who lives one half-mile distant from the late Taylor House, and who saw the fire

testified, quote, I knew all the deceased. They lived on my place and were friendly, clever people,

and were always looked upon as

honest old colored people. I last saw the old lady on last Monday two weeks ago. She was the last

one I saw alive. I saw their house burning. I first saw the fire at 10 o'clock on Friday night a week

ago. I went over to the spot and called to Taylor two or three times, but I got saw the fire at 10 o'clock on Friday night a week ago.

I went over to the spot and called to Taylor two or three times, but I got no answer.

The cabin was pretty badly burned when I got there.

The old man, Beverly Taylor, his wife and young adopted daughter,

lived by themselves in a little shanty within a half-mile of any other residents. They were known to nearly all the people of Bond Hill and Avondale as quiet,

peaceable, and honest people. The old lady did washing for the neighbors, and on her scanty earnings,

the three survived for the

past few months, as the old man was laid up with rheumatism and unable to work. A week ago last

night, the little house was burned at a late hour. After the fire, the occupants were nowhere to be

found. No trace of human remains could be found in the ruins.

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