By Susan Couso
Zack Taylor was one of our area’s more colorful characters. His name was actually Paschal Taylor, but for some reason or another, he was called ‘Old Zack’. He was old… he was born back in Virginia in 1802, but that name, Zack, was just applied to him at some time. Perhaps he did resemble our 12th President.
Anyway, Zack was one of this area’s more ‘quirky’ citizens. He had a penchant for stealing. Now it may have just been a game for him… more of a practical joke.
He would steal from someone, just to see if he could get away with it. And sometimes he would steal from someone to repay a debt to another! And sometimes he would steal out of charity. But one of his favorite items to steal seems to have been roasted turkeys and geese.
Back before he got to Susanville, he was in Taylorsville, where he was looked upon with suspicion whenever something of value was nearby. He was always hanging around the saloon, and usually no one paid much mind to him, but this day, as the scent of freshly roasted turkey wafted through the saloon, the men took notice.
“Old Zack is whistling. Look out for him. He will steal something,” they’d say. And, sure enough, Zack was right there and managed to steal the roasted turkey right from under their noses. It was all ready for a Christmas feast, and not a few choice words were thrown in Zack’s direction before the day ended.
In Susanville, Zack’s fascination for roasted turkeys and geese continued. He also enjoyed imbibing in not a few drinks.
Augustus Worm was a local shoemaker, and Old Zack had managed to borrow a little money from him. Zack promised repayment in the form of a Christmas turkey.
So, in true Zack fashion, he swiped an uncooked turkey from a ranch and sold it to Mike Brannan. Brannan was thrilled to have the turkey for his Christmas dinner and roasted it with great care.
As it sat waiting to be served, Old Zack quietly slipped in and took the turkey. Then he presented it to Augustus Worm!
Poor Mike Brannan was out the money he had paid, and the turkey. Not to mention his embarrassment when his friends found out.
Old Zack also had a soft side. For instance, he would steal to feed a poor widow and her three children who lived in the Woodstock place.
Zack’s thievery was not limited to dead fowl. Thomas Long was once a recipient of one of Zack’s gifts. It was an especially nice ‘duster’ coat.
After he had worn the duster a few times, A. T. (Alphan Taggart) Bruce noticed it and asked Long where he had got it. Oddly enough, it was just like his missing duster. The jig was up! And, once again, Old Zack Taylor came out ahead of the game.
Perhaps, being a member of the Masonic Lodge gave Zack an air of importance. And maybe that’s why, even though Zack was the worst thief around, he was not considered to be dishonest. But for whatever reason, he was never treated as anything more than one of Susanville’s more memorable residents. When he died in 1869, he was missed by many.
