Young Ina Polio Victim Dies Sunday
Pneumonia Fatal to Richard Taylor, 17. Funeral Tomorrow

Richard Eugene Taylor, 17, of Ina, whose courageous battle with polio won him the admiration of thousands of other victims of the disease, died Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Pneumonia was the cause of death.

Richard, struck down by infantile paralysis in September of 1952, was hospitalized for many months and remained paralyzed until his death.

Despite his tragic illness, the youngster kept up his courage. He was always smiling and cheerful to visitors and even went “back to school” at Mt. Vernon High School through use of a two way telephone communication set up at his bedside by the Illinois Bell Telephone Co.

Richard was a happy and healthy 15-year-old student at Mt. Vernon High School when polio struck on September 12. 1952, only a few days after school opened.

On Sept. 14 he was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Alton and later was transferred to St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis, where he remained until August of 1953.

For months he was a “prisoner” in an iron lung. In August of 1953 Richard came home to Ina. Mt. Vernon Jaycees furnished him with an iron lung and a television set and cooperated with the telephone company and the high school in arranging the telephone system by which he again took up his high school studies.

Richard did well in his school work, too. Teachers at the local high school said his marks were good in social studies, English and general science.

Funeral sen ices will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church. Father James P. Burke will officiate and burial will be in Kirk Cemetery.

Rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. today at the Pulley Funeral Home.

Richard was born January 4, 1937, at Tulsa, Okla., the son of Velva and Fern (Slamans) Taylor.

He was a member of the Catholic church.

Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Robert, at home; a sister, Anna Faye, at home; and the grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Will Slamans of Ewing and Martin Taylor of Talihina, Okla.

Source:
Date: 22 Mar 1954
Transcription by: Maria Bare