Old Man Taylor and the Bobcat

Recently while sorting through old photos, I ran across some very interesting snapshots that brought back some long forgotten memories.  One of the photos was labeled, “Old Man Taylor and bobcat." I vaguely remember his story.  Taylor lived in a shack along the banks of the Colorado River outside of Yuma, Arizona in the early 1950s.  Grandpa Elmer Martin, who spent a lot of time fishing along the river, got to know Taylor and would visit him every time he went down to the river.  More than likely they shared a drink or two from the bottle Elmer always carried with him.  LeRoy also knew Taylor, because family legend has it that LeRoy helped him tame his pet bobcat. Bobcat probably had a name but I have no clue what it was, so I think we should come up with a good name😼

Old Man Taylor, Cathy, Bobcat; LeRoy in right photo

LeRoy and Bobcat, Bobcat posing for camera

Elmer must have been the person taking the photos because there is a shadow of a photographer in the bottom right corners.  The photographer appears to be wearing a hat and Elmer always wore a fedora hat.

I have no idea who “Old Man Taylor” was??  Without a first name it is hard to find him in records. Since he was homeless and apparently somewhat transient, Taylor did not show up in records such as city directories or voting records. Also, found nothing promising after going through online Arizona Death Records and Yuma newspapers.  Taylor appears to be in his late 60s or 70s.

I also remember others living down along the river. In the hot summer months they would take the cool mud from along the banks of the river, make a plaster for their heads, and then wrap a cloth on top of the mud plaster.  It would keep them cool.

Bobcat (colorized)

Bobcat looks like he is smiling for the camera
 (cropped and colorized)

***UPDATE***

The Rest of the Story can be found in a 1954 Yuma newspaper:

Taylor and the Bobcat update