Grayson County TXGenWeb

Denison Daily News
Friday, September 12, 1879
pg. 4

DEATH OF CAPT. J.R. SAUNDERS - IMPOSING CEREMONIES
During our career as a newspaper reporter, extending over a period of little more than 4 years, it has been our painful duty to write the obituary of many citizens, some who were prominent in the walks of life, others who passed away unknown only to a small circle of immediate friends.
We little imagined that we should ever be called on to ch ronicle the death of so dear and intimate a friend as Capt. J.R. Saunders, who was laid to rest Thursday in the cemetery. Only a few days ago the Captain was talking with the writer about the proposed visit of the Artillery company to the Indian Fair at Muskogee; on the evening of the same day, tne news flashed through the city that the gentleman was thrown from his buggy on the corner of Gandy street and Barrett avenue, and had perhaps sustained fatal inuries.
Capt. Saunders was carried to the residence of Mr. A. Zintgraff and the best medical aid furnished.
For the first 3 or 4 days strong hopes were entertained that he would rally from his injuries and recover. One thing which warranted the hope was the strong constitution of the deceased. Even the attending physicians were hopeful of the ultimate recovery of their patient.
On Sunday morning Captain Saunders regained his consciousness and recognized his wife and calling her by name, he took his baby in his arms, fondling it with all a father's affection. The hope that he was getting better was delusive, for he relapsed again into an unconscious condition, from which he never rallied. For the last 2 days his death has been momentarily expected, and the wonder now is that he braved the King of Terros so long.
His young wife, father, sister and loving friends were with him when the summons came to cross over.
The funeral of deceased took place from the residence of Mr. Zintgraff Thursday afternoon and was largely attended. At about 4 o'clock the Denison Artillery company and the Gate City Guards marched from their armories to the house of mourning, Immediately after arrival, the pall bearers, Messrs. Rea Haguewood, Forest Pecor, Howard Hanna, Dr. J.O. Williams, L. Hornbeck and Ed Radeliff, members of the Artillery company, entered the house and conveyed the coffin to the hearse, one of the guns, which was appropriately arranged for the purpose. The procession then formed in the following order:
First, the Denison Cornet Band, the Gate City Guards, the horse of deceased led by Mr. Louis Hubschman, the gun, with the coffin surrounded by the pall bearers, carraiges containing Rev. M. Wright and the relatives of the deceased, the Denison Artillery Company, and carriages of friends and citizens.
At the gate of the cemetery, the coffin was taken from the gun and carried by the pall bearers to the place where the remains were to be interred.
The remains were then lowered into the grave and the f uneral sermon delivered by Rev. Mr. Wright.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the members of the Artillery filed past the grave and deposited a shovel of earth each upon the coffin of their respected and honored Captain, while minute salutes were fired by the guns stationed outside of the Cemetery, and the cortege returned to the city.
Capt. Saunders was born October 26th, 1845, near Gallatin, Sumner county, Tennessee.
At the beginning of the war between the States, he, though a mere youth, at once took up arms for his country, the bonnie Southern and entered the Confederate army and served as Lieutenant of the 31st Regiment Alabama Infantry. He participated in amny a hard fought battle, was wounded twice and acquitted himself so gallantly that he was soon promoted to the rank of Captain. After the war he removed to Texas, and about 2 years ago he came to this city, as clerk for the H. & T.C. Railroad Company. A few months after his arrival in this city he was married to Miss Woddie Washington, daughter of Dr. Washington, of this city. The union proved an exceedingly happy one, the couple being devotedly attached to each other, and when, a few months ago, a son was born to them, their happiness was full, but alas, of short duration.
As a citizen Capt. Saunders was all that could be desired. He had many a sincere friend, and many a tear was shed when the news of his untimely death was made known Thursday morning.
To the sorrowing widow, the bereaved parents and his affliced relations, we extend our sincere sympathies.