Richland County Louisiana Archives News.....Richland Parish Native Bob Taylor Killed in Key West February 27, 1956
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Luke Letlow luke.j.letlow@gmail.com March 29, 2012, 4:24 pm

The Key West Citizen February 27, 1956
The Key West Citizen
Monday, February 27, 1956

BOB TAYLOR KILLED IN BOAT EXPLOSION

Commercial Fisherman Was Former Club, Bar Operator

The body of Bob Taylor, killed when his boat exploaded and burned in Boca Chica 
Channel, was recovered yesterday from the water at Stock Island. Taylor was a 
commercial fisherman.

J. Lancelot Lester, state attorney, who ordered the autopsy, said death was 
caused by flash burns. There was no evidence of drowning.

Lt. John B. Hayes, commander of the Coast Guard base here, said and examination 
of the burned 25-foot boat showed that the fire was started by a minor explosion 
near the engine.

The side of the boat at that point, Lt. Hayes added, was blown out. A Coast 
Guard boat, called to the scene at 8:32am Saturday, put out the fire and then 
dragged the hull out of the channel to shallow water.

"We spent three to four hours dragging for the body," Lt. Hayes said, "but with 
no results."

The Coast Guard officer added that "as far as we know, Taylor was the only 
person aboard."

Lt. Hayes asked that anyone having information about others who may have been 
aboard the ill-fated raft communicate with the Coast Guard.

"We also have a rumor," Hayes asks for any "supplementary information anyone may 
have," Lt. Hayes said.

The tragedy occurred near Buoy No. 5 in the Boca Chica Channel.

Lt. Hayes said the explosion may have been set off by gasoline in the bilges.

"We also have a rumor," Hayes said, "that Taylor was carring flares aboard his 
boat."

Lester, Peace Justice Roy Hamlin, and sheriff's deputies went to Stock Island 
yesterday when the body was found.

Lester ordered the autopsy and Hamlin organized a coroner's jury. The body was 
taken to Pritchard Funeral Home, where the autopsy was performed by Dr. H.K. 
Moore.

Taylor, was was 59 years old, lived at 1313 Johnson Street.

He had been in the bar and night club business here before turning to commercial 
fishing.

He opened the Boat Bar, 503 Duval Street, before World War II, Hamlin said, and 
later sold it.

He also operated the Club Sagarios on Stock Island. The club was destroyed by 
fire during World War II.

Taylor is survived by his widow, Evelia, of Key West, his mother and a sister.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/richland/newspapers/richland322gnw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/

File size: 2.9 Kb