Hit-Run Car Kills Taylor

Ex Blairite, Paul Taylor, 44, Dies In Omaha Traffic Accident

Paul C. Taylor, 44, former Blairite who has lived in Omaha for a number of years, was killed instantly by a hit-run driver at 16th and Cuming Sts., Omaha, at 2 a.m. Friday. His home was at 4235 Camden Ave.

Mr. Taylor was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. J. (Jud) Taylor of Blair, and was a brother of Fred Taylor and Mrs. Merle Stewart, both of Blair.

According to the police, Taylor, a truck driver, had just completed a run into Omaha shortly before he was killed. He was in a safety zone about to board a northbound street car when the auto struck him. He was carried or thrown a distance of 44 feet. One of his shoes was found 105 feet from the safety zone.

Driver of the car, 22 year-old war veteran, was arrested 20 minutes later by cruiser patrolmen. One of the youths riding in the car told police that the youth had remarked, “That guy got in my way and I clipped him”.

The driver admitted he had had “two or three beers” and two drinks of bourbon.

Well-Known Here

Mr. Taylor was well-known in Blair. Born here, he attended the local schools. He served during World War I in the army, serving in France and Germany, and since his return had lived in Omaha.

Surviving Mr. Taylor are his wife, Addie M.; three daughters, Ann, Gerry and Pauline; five brothers, Carlton S. Taylor of Omaha, Fred J. Taylor of Blair, Edwin B. Taylor of Denver, H. Byron Taylor of Los Angeles and Ivan C. Taylor of Reinbeck, Ia.; and three sisters, Mrs. Merle Stewart of Blair, Mrs. Gwen Smith and Mrs. Arlene Warrick, both of Whittier, Calif. Mrs. Warrick lived in Blair until a few years ago.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at Hulse & Riepen Funeral Home in Omaha, interment following in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Washington County Post No. 1251, Veterans of Foreign Wars, of this city, of which Mr. Taylor was a member, had a delegation present at the funeral. In the group were W. J. Koopman, William Hunt, Robert E. O’Hanlon and Andrew Nielsen.

#2-FUND IS STARTED FOR TAYLOR FAMILY

The Omaha World Herald yesterday launched a fund to give financial aid to the Taylor family.

A friend pointed out “Paul Taylor, World War I veteran and a good neighbor lost his life. Not rich, Paul was never down. He possessed the indomitable American spirit of cheerfulness. At 44, when he is most needed by his ailing wife and three daughters, his life is taken. The family needs someone with tender hands to lead them out of the valley of despair”.

The widow is left with three daughters, Maryann, 15, Geraldine, 13, and Pauline, 11.

#3-21 Feb., 1946 - The Enterprise - Paul C. Taylor - Veteran

BROTHER OF BLAIR WOMAN HIT-RUN VICTIM

Was Victim Of Hit And Run Driver. Death Was Instantaneous

Paul C. Taylor of Omaha was killed instantly last Friday at 2 a.m. by a hit and run driver at sixteenth and Cuming Streets, Omaha. He was in a safety zone about to board a northbound street car when he was struck. He was carried or thrown a distance of forty four feet. His skull was crushed, both legs broken and he was injured internally.

He had been in the employ of the Darling Transfer Company for several years. Much of his time had been spent in the office of the company, but he had been driving for some time.

Deceased was born in Blair December 17, 1901, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Judd Taylor. He was reared in Blair. At the age of fifteen years he joined the army and served in World War I. He was married to Mildred Antill of Blair and one son, Robert, was born. Robert was killed in Italy in the late war. He was remarried to Addie Webster of Tekamah and to this union three children were born, Pauline 11, Geraldine 14, and Marianne 16. These with the wife are left to mourn.

Besides the wife and children, eight brothers and sisters remain and with the immediate family grieve over his death. They are Mrs. Gwen Smith, Mrs. Arline Warrick and H. Byron Taylor, all of Whittier, California; Ed B. of Denver; Ivan C. of Reinbeck, Iowa; Carleton S. of Omaha, and Mrs. Merle Stewart and Fred Taylor of Blair.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon, and interment was made in Hill Crest Memorial Park. Thus one of the old settlers of this county and a native born son has passed to the great beyond.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave # 217752755