Antique buffet donated

Members of the Taylor family donated a century old buffet for display at the Buffalo Island Museum, in Monette, in October.

Pictured are, from left: Paul Taylor, Ruby Shaw Taylor and Madge Taylor, standing in front of the antique buffet.

The piece of heirloom furniture came from the Shaw family ancestors, who lived in the Mangrum Community area of Buffalo Island.

"My Daddy, Marshall Jones Shaw, had the piece of furniture in 1905," Ruby Shaw Taylor said. "He was very proud of it. My mother, Minerva Jennie Huggins, said it was in his house when they married. It may have belonged to my grandfather, Cicero Shaw, but no one knows for sure. All I know is that is was an important part of the house furnishings when I was young. I can recall that my mother kept doilies over the shelves and top of the buffet to protect the finish."

Paul and Madge Taylor, of Caraway, are the current owners of the antique and thought it would be a nice addition to the museum for others to enjoy.

"The story goes that the Shaws passed the antique down to their daughter, Mary Chaffin," Paul Taylor said. "The next owner was Walter and Frankie Rainey, then Cecil and Estelle Taylor."

The antique was refurbished and stored in a farmhouse for years, when Paul and Madge obtained it. Throughout its travels it has remained in remarkable condition and is a welcome asset to the museum.

"It gives me a great joy to see it here," Ruby Taylor said. "I think that would have pleased my parents. It sure brings back a lot of good memories to me."