The Taylor - Humble Sensation of 1901

Dramatis Personae

Mr. Terry L. "T.L." Humble: a native of Tennessee, he appeared in the 1880 Davidson Co., Tenn. census as the 13-year-old brother of David Humble, the head of household. By the spring of 1903, he had removed to Moss, Clay Co., Tennessee, about two or three miles south of Monroe Co., Ky. In September, 1905, he resided in Tompkinsville, Ky.; and apparently by 1924 had relocated to nearby Barren Co., Ky.

Mrs. Terry L. Humble, nee Nancy Isabelle Irvin(e): Nancy E. Irvin appeared in the 1880 Russell Co., Ky., census as the eight-year-old daughter of John D. and Sarah E. Irvin. She married Terry L. Humble on February 21, 1894 in Russell Co. After she and Mr. Humble parted ways, she retook her maiden name and by September, 1905, had become a milliner in Kimble.

---------- Humble: daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Terry L. Humble, born mid-1890s. No other information.

Dr. Francis A. "F.A." Taylor: a long time resident (and probably a native) of Casey Co., Ky. He appeared in the 1850 Casey Co. census as 3 1/2-year-old- Francis A. Taylor in the household of Joshua (a physician) and Jane Taylor. In the 1880 Casey Co. census, he was head of household which included his wife Sousan M. and three young daughters: Culanna W., Colotha B., and Coletta A. Taylor. The family apparently had lived in Kimble for some time when the episodes described below occurred.

(This Dr. F.A. Taylor should not to be confused with Adair County native Dr. Flavius Josephus "F.J." Taylor, who served as a surgeon in the 13th Kentucky Infantry during the Civil War and later practiced medicine for many years in Hart & Barren counties; nor should he be confused with one of Dr. Flavius Josephus' sons, who also went by F.A. Taylor.)

Stage of action

The village of Kimble, Russell Co., Kentucky, also referred to in contemporary reports as "the Russell Springs," now known simply as Russell Springs.

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The Adair County News, Wednesday, July 4, 1900

(no headline)

Dr. F.A. Taylor, a prominent physician of Kimble, Russell county, was bereft of his beloved wife last Wednesday night. The remains were conveyed to Caintown, Pulaski county, for burial. [Only two months earlier, Mrs. Taylor had been elected as President of the newly-formed Kimble chapter of the Women's Temperance Christian Union.]

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Wednesday, January 23, 1901

(no headline)

Dr. F.A. Taylor, Somerset and Mr. R.B. Shurman, Monticello, Florida, were here Monday looking for mules.

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Wednesday, February 13, 1901

Big Sensation

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T.L. Humble of Kimble, Sues His Wife for a Divorce.

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He Claims that He was Poisoned by Drinking Milk; Accuses His Wife of Adultery

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Sensation--Talk of the Hour

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The separation of T.L. Humble and wife, of Kimble, has not only been the talk of the people of Russell County, but it has been largely discussed in Columbia during the past few days.

In order to get at what the public knows concerning the sensation, a News man had an interview with a gentleman who resides at Kimble and a business man of Jamestown, gathering the following con-cerning the most sensational poisoning that ever happened in Russell county, envolving a woman who heretofore has been in excellent standing, daughter of Mr. John D. Irvine, an ex-County Judge of Russell county.

About eight or ten years ago Mr. T.L. Humble wooed and won Miss Isabelle Irvine, their main comfort, being a little daughter about seven years old.

It is reported that for several months Dr. F.A. Taylor had been seen frequently about the Humble residence, and his movements were closely watched, and it was predicted that he would ultimately separate Humble and his wife.

Mr. Humble was taken sick on Sunday night and the Saturday before Dr. Taylor was in Kimble and arranged to meet several parties there the following Wednesday, but he did not put in an appearance.

On Sunday night Mr. Humble drunks some milk and at once became violently ill and went to bed. His little girl was also given a portion of the milk, throwing it into spasms. For several days Mr. Humble was in a precarious condition, almost totally blind. When he got up he proclaimed that he had been poisoned, left his wife, went to Jamestown where he instituted proceedings for divorce. it is said that Mr. Humble and many of his neighbors believe Dr. Taylor furnished the poison.

Taylor has left the country. It was first reported he had gone to Monticello, Florida, but a later statement is that he bought a ticket at Somerset for St. Louis. He is a physician of some wealth, and a few years ago engaged in a shooting scrape at Mintonville, Casey county, over a man's wife.

A citizen of Columbia, who was in Jamestown Friday says that Mr. Humble has not recovered from the effects of the poison, and it is predicted that it ultimately will kill him.

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Wednesday, March 6, 1901

(no headline)

Three weeks ago the News published an account of an attempt to poison T.L. Humble and his little daughter at Kimble, Ky. At that time it was reported that Mrs. Humble, the wife of T.L. Humble, was suspected as the one who administered the poison and that it was furnished to her by one Dr. F.A. Taylor, who was making frequent visits to Mr. Humble's home in his absence. Last week a Russell count grand jury took up the case and both Mrs. Humble and Dr. Taylor were indicted. Mrs. Humble is at the home of her father at Kimble, Ky., but the whereabouts of Dr. Taylor is not known. It is said that some startling testimony was brought out by witnesses who went before the grand jury.

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Wednesday, June 19, 1901

Fatal Shooting

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An Outraged Husband Meets the Destroyer of His Happiness.

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A Quick Shot, and Now Dr. F.A. Taylor Lies At Death's Door.

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Great Excitement Prevails.

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A sensational shooting occurred at the Russell Springs last Friday afternoon resulting in Dr. F.A. Taylor receiving a wound which may terminate in his death. Terry Humble did the shooting and it grew out of a sensational divorce proceedings now pending in the Russell Circuit Court.

It will be remembered that Humble publicly stated some months ago that himself and child had been poisoned, the medicine administered in milk furnished by his wife, and that Dr. Taylor put her in possession of the poison. he also charged that Taylor had invaded the sanctity of his home, ruined his wife and destroyed his happiness.

Taylor left the country and divorce proceeding were filed by Humble.

Last Friday the attorneys and witnesses interested in the case met at the Russell Springs for the purpose of taking depositions in the case.

Several weeks ago Taylor put in his appearance in Somerset. he was summoned by the defense to appear at the Springs on the above given day. He came and the examiner was taking down his deposition when Humble entered the room and shot him down. One report is that he was shot twice, but the wound that is likely to prove fatal is through the right lung. At this writing those in attendance say he will die.

There were quite a number in the room when the shooting commenced, and in the scramble for safety Mr. J. Bryan Stone, an attorney for the plaintiff, was slightly wounded on the hand, and a spent ball struck Mr. J.W. Warren, the examiner.

The shooting of Taylor was not a surprise to those who know Terry Humble. It is said that he made not threats, but it was generally believed that he would attempt to kill Taylor at their first meeting. No further trouble is expected unless Taylor should recover and attempt to live about the Springs.

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Wednesday, July 3, 1901

(no headline)

Dr. F.A. Taylor, who was shot by T.L. Humble at the Russell Springs, was not hurt as badly as reported. Last Thursday morning her left the springs for Pulaski county, walking from the room in which he has been confined to the vehicle which conveyed him. It is supposed that he went to Somerset. His brother and several other men were with him on the trip. it is reported that Dr. Taylor stated, the day before he started, that his condition was not so favorable. We predict that he will be moving around in one week.

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Wednesday, October 30, 1901

(no headline)

The Russell circuit court closed last Friday. It was an unusually dull session, and the lawyers failed to get fat. Seemingly the most important Commonwealth case was settled without a trial, the charge against Mrs. Humble and Dr. F.A. Taylor, who were indicted for poisoning T.L. Humble, followed by divorce proceedings. By agreement Humble and his wife were granted a divorce and the charge against Taylor was dismissed. Humble still stands indicted for shooting Taylor, but more than likely he will never be tried.

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Wednesday, January 29, 1902

(no headline)

Dr. F.A. Taylor, who was shot at the Russell Springs last summer by Terry Humble, took unto himself a wife in Pulaski county recently. Humble was indicted for shooting Taylor, but the latter has written a letter to the Commonwealth's Attorney, asking him to dismiss the case.

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Wednesday, February 26, 1902

(no headline)

The property rights in the divorce suit between T.L. Humble and his wife were settled by judgment at the recent term of the Russell Circuit Court. The court gave Mrs. Humble the improvements placed on her real estate by T.L. Humble, also about $80 in money, and for articles sold since the separation, and a judgment against him for $284. TL Humble gets the other property except the household and kitchen furniture and effects contributed to the family by Mrs. Humble or her father.

**************************Wednesday, May 6, 1903 (Russell Springs newsletter.)

T.L. Humble of Moss, Tenn., was here looking after business this week. [Moss, Tenn., is in Clay Co., about two miles south of the Ky. (Monroe Co.)-Tenn. state line.]

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Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1905 (Russell Springs newsletter -- two entries.)

Mrs. N.I. Irvin, the Milliner of this place, is in the city this week purchasing her fall stock of millinery.

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Terry Humble, of Thompkinsville, has been with us for a few days past. After attending to business here he returned home, where he has a flourishing business. (Sept. 27, 1905, Russell Springs newsletter.)

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Curtains calls

Mr. Terry L. Humble died in Barren County, Ky. on April 8, 1928, aged 63 years.

Ms. Nancy Isabelle Irvin(e), formerly Mrs. Terry L. Humble, died in Fayette Co., Ky., on April 17, 1961, aged 87 years. She was a resident of Boyle Co. at the time of her death.

Dr. F.A. Taylor died in Pulaski County, Ky. on September 14, 1918, aged 71 years.

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