Description: Death Halts Wedding - H. L. SAUR is Found Lifeless after Call on Fiancee

Date: November 18 1907

Newspaper published in: Washington, DC

Page/Column: 2

Death Halts Wedding - H. L. SAUR is Found Lifeless after Call on Fiancee - Accidentally Turned on Gas

Southern Railway Employee Was to Have Married Miss Marie Ennis on Thanksgiving - Couple Spent Evening Before Tragedy Discussing Wedding Plans. Young Woman Prostrated by News.

Henry L. SAUR, 23 years old, of 709 H Street, NW, was found dead in his room yesterday morning at 9:30 a.m. Gas was escaping from an open jet just above his bed. Deputy Coroner GLAZEBROOK, after an investigation, issued a certificate of death from accidental asphyxiation.

Mr. SAUR spent Saturday evening with his fiancee, Miss Marie ENNIS, who resides near 8h and K Streets NW. Together they inspected the flat in which they intended to reside after their wedding, that had been set for Thanksgiving Day. After they had returned to her residence, he remained until 11:30 p.m., talking over details of their wedding. Yesterday morning it occurred to Miss ENNIS that they had overlooked some details in the talk the evening before, and she went to his home to continue the happy plans. Miss ENNIS was almost prostrated when informed that SAUR was dead, For more than an hour she was in a semi-conscious condition.

Jet Had No Safety Stop

A member of the household detected a strong odor of gas yesterday morning at 9:30 o'clock and traced it to SAUR's room. Upon knocking and receiving no response, the door was pushed open, and the young man was found in a lifeless condition. Drs. BENSON, COLE, and BAIN were hurriedly summoned, but it was too late, as SAUR had been dead several hours, the physicians said. When he returned home Saturday at midnight he went directly ho his room.
The gas jet, an antiquated one without a safety stop, was located just above his pillow, and it is the opinion of the family that he read until he became sleepy, then reaching the jet, put out the flame, but inadvertently turned the stop too far, which let the gas flow continue.

His Engagement Announced

The young man had announced his engagement to his father only a few days ago. He was employed at the Southern railway offices, where he had been for the last year. Previous to that he had worked at Woodward & Lothrop's since he left school several years ago. He was highly esteemed in his neighborhood and his habits are said to have been excellent.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon from the family residence, and the interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Rev. A. H. WRIGHT, of the Centennial Baptist Church, Eighth and I Streets, NE, will read the services. Mr. SAUR is survived by his family, Charles L. SAUR, his stepmother, and a stepsister, Miss Gustie SAUR.