The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-04-04

Capt Eugene E. Saunders, one OF the
pioneers of the gulf coast in the
schooner and towboat business, died
last night at 7:15 o'clock at his homo
on North Hill. death following an at
tack of apoplexy, which he suffered a.
few hours before while on Palafox
wharf directing some repair work on
a barge. He had been a resident OF
Pensacola since 1868. and in addition
to large interests in towrbeats and
barges. was senior member of the firm
OF E. Il. Saunders & Co, the largest
handlers of fish in the United States.
The deceased had been in i'll health
for over a year. and last summer went
to Mobile, where he underwent an op-
GRAFTON which, for a time, appeared to
have relieved him. but unfortunately
when he had recovered he suffered an
accident in which one arm was broken
and he never fully recovered after
wards.
For several weeks his condition has
been growing gradually worse, but
despite this he hardly ever missed a
day from his business. Yesterday he
was down at Palafox wharf as usual
and about o'clock in the afternoon
he was directing some repair work
done on barge when he suffered an
attack of apoplexy, which rendered
him speechless. Several went to his
assistance, and even afterwards. when
deprived of his speech he attempted TO
point out to Capt. Welles what work
he wanted done on the vessel he
was hurried home and physicians sum
Tnoned. but he never regained the pow
er of speech. although conscious until
few minutes before death
GAME SOUTH IN 1868.
Capt. Saunders came soufb in 1888
when he came around in the schooner
Fannie Fern, of which he was owner
and master. Later he went north and
built the schooner Ajax, at that time
one of the largest and fastest coasting
vessels on the gulf. He was engaged
in the lumber trade between Pensa-
cola and Indianola, Texas year OF.
so later he built another schooner.
the Eddie Houck. which he sailed for
a number of years, then he entered the
towboat business, at which he was
equally as successful as in the coast
ing schooner trade.
About twelve years after his resi-
dence in Pensacola he built his first
towboat. the Juno, which he command
ed. Later he had John Dialogue Il
Co. of Phila delphia, build the tug
Stella, and these were followed by the
Echo and the big Echo, the latter
for him. He had formerly disposed of
the little Echo and after operati the
big Echo for a number Of years sold
her to parties in the north, but con-
tinued in the towboat and barge bust
ness with the tug Simpson. A few
months ago he acquired the ting Le-
Roy, which is now being rebuilt for
him at Mobile.
IN THE FISH BUSINESS.
About twenty-nine years ago Capt.
Saunders and Capt. T. F. WeIles
formed the firm OF z. r. Saunders &
Co, and entered the red snapper fish
business, which has grown until now
the concern employees the largest num-
Der of vessels in the fish business of
any firm in the United States. This
business. as all others with which
Capt. Saunders was identified was
most successful He never gave any
to this portion of his busi-
ness. however, devoting all of his time
to directing his towboats and barges.
OF the latter he owned a large fleet.
used principally In handling lumber
from the mills Of the Germau-Ameri-
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