Saunders tomb a monument to grief - Monroe, LA - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

Gossips in town questioned whether Sidney was married to the mother of his children, or if she was a prostitute. When he died, his wife had a statue placed above his final resting place, showing him holding a copy of the marriage certificate.

Article text:

Inside the gates at the Old City Cemetery in Monroe stands a tall monument with a statue staring toward downtown Monroe over a large, rectangular monument and a large set of iron double doors. The crypt underneath holds the Saunders family, one of early Monroe's famous — or infamous — families.

The grave, which holds Sidney W. Saunders, his widow, Annie Livingston Saunders Hardin, and their son Willie St. John Saunders, is a monument to Annie Saunders' grief and defiance in the wake of her husband's death.

Lora Peppers, who works in genealogy at the Ouachita Parish Library, has done extensive research on the Saunders family.

Records show that Sidney W. Saunders was born to James and Sarah Saunders in 1846 in Mississippi, and the family moved to Morehouse Parish while Sidney Saunders was very young. The 1860 census shows that he and his six siblings were orphans.

As a teenager, Sidney Saunders joined Company B, Third Louisiana Infantry of the Confederate Army — the Morehouse Guards — as a private. He was wounded during the siege of Vicksburg, became a prisoner after the city fell and was paroled to go home.

After the Civil War, he settled in Monroe. He found success as a grocer and saloon keeper. It was rumored that he acquired his funds through gambling and prostitution.

In 1875, Sidney Saunders returned from a trip with a woman he called his wife on his arm and a child they said was their son.

Annie Livingston Saunders was born around 1852 in Bastrop and grew up in Morehouse Parish. In 1874, she gave birth to Willie St. John Saunders.

Once the pair returned to Monroe, rumors about Annie Saunders included that the couple were not actually married and that the blushing bride was, in fact, a prostitute.

The 1880 census lists Sidney Saunders as single with Annie and Willie living down the street with her mother, Kate Wright. Annie is listed as a Wright, and no family relationship is listed for Willie.

A Monroe Bulletin article on May 19, 1886, stated "Willie St. John Saunders, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Saunders, died suddenly at his father's residence in this city Thursday night, aged 12 years."

No cause of death was listed. The newspaper listed the couple as Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Saunders on other occasions as well.

Type of publication: Internet Only When was the article reported?: 09/01/2016 Publication: News Star Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: national News Category: Society/People

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