Susan E Saunders
Kentucky Post, Monday, 16 October 1905, page 5
Miss Susan E Saunders, who died in New York City Thursday from burns received by her clothing catching fire, was buried yesterday afternoon from the residence of her uncle, Col. John B Taylor, of Newport. The interment was at Evergreen Cemetery She was the daughter of Dr. R Westrop Saunders, formerly of Cincinnati and Newport and a granddaughter of Col. James Taylor.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Monday, 16 October 1905, page 7
The funeral of Miss Susan Saunders, whose death occurred in New York City, following serious burns, took place yesterday afternoon services being held at the residence of Mr. John H Taylor, East Third street, Newport. The remains were interred at Evergreen Cemetery.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 October 1905,
page 8
New York, October 20. Rejection of the death certificate of Miss Susan E Saunders, a member of a prominent Southern family, has led to an official investigation by the Coroner. Miss Saunders died on October 12 from burns received in the house of Dr. M Belle Brown, woman physician at 30 West Fiftieth street. Every effort was made to keep secret the circumstances of the casualty and Dr. Brown refused to give any details concerning it.
Evidently no report was made to the Coroner for inquiries made at his office at first elicited the reply that there was no record of such death. Dr. Brown made out a certificate that Miss Saunders had died from pulmonary oedema and from burns and did not give any information as to the extent of the injuries. The Department of Health promptly rejected the certificate on the ground that it was insufficient. Dr. Lehane, the Coroner's physician, said tonight that oedema was only a symptom and that it should not be accepted as the cause of death.
Dr. Brown and her services will be subpoenaed by the Coroner to tell the manner of Miss Saunders death. The woman physician has so far taken the ground that it is no concern of the public and has refused to give any information. Miss Saunders was 39 years old. Her home, had for the past five years, been a furnished room in the house of Dr. Brown. She was standing in front of a gas stove on October 7, according to the best information obtainable, when a gust of wind from an open widow blew a gas flame against the bottom of her gown. She was instantly in flames and before the servants could do anything to aid her, was fatally burned.
Miss Saunders was taken that night to the New York Woman's Hospital at 19 West One Hundred and First street, of which Dr. Brown is the dean and there she passed away on October 12. An afternoon paper on that day announced that "Supra Sandren" had died at 19 West One Hundred and First street. All information as to the social status of Miss Saunders was refused at the office of Dr. Brown and she declined to tell the names of the woman's relative or whence she came. The Coroner finally gave a permit for the removal of the body.
Miss Saunders was the daughter of Dr. R Westrop Saunders, formerly a surgeon in the British Army and a well known physician of Cincinnati. Her mother was the daughter of Colonel James Taylor of Kentucky. She is related by marriage to Prof. Charles A Doremus of the College of the City of New York. Her brother, Westrop Saunders, is an assistant stage manager for David Belasco. The body of Miss Saunders was taken to the home of her uncle, Colonel John B Taylor of Newport Ky. where last Sunday the funeral services took place.