Game Protector Samuel S. Taylor

Samuel S. Taylor

Game Protector Samuel Taylor was shot and killed by game violators while attempting to arrest them for shooting song birds.

On the morning of Sunday, April 5, 1914, Game Protector Taylor of Boukville, New York joined forces with Game Protector John Willis of Oneida to patrol along the banks of the Mohawk River. The purpose of their patrol was to check for illegal duck hunting.

Soon they heard shooting in the woods east of Riverside Park. While investigating the shooting, the protectors saw several men shooting birds. One of the men was in possession of a shotgun; another was picking up dead birds. After following the violators for a time, the protectors finally stepped out in front of the party, instructing them to surrender and advising them that they were under arrest. At that time, the man carrying the shotgun fired, striking Game Protector Taylor in the chest and abdomen. He fell to the ground mortally wounded. Protector Willis drew his service revolver and returned fire, failing to hit the assailants.

Despite Protector Willis' heroic efforts to summon emergency rescuers, shortly after midnight on April 6, 1914, Protector Taylor died at Oneida County Hospital. His assailants were never brought to justice.

Protector Taylor was survived by his widowed mother.