Saurin Jenners and Ruth Ann DeNeale

Saurin Jenners was born 26 June 1809 at Hamilton Farm in Loudoun Co., Virginia, to Abiel and Deborah (Young) Jenners.  Saurin had a twin brother who died at birth.  Though I have seldom found Saurin shown with another name, his full name was probably James Saurin Jenners (per his marriage license and probate information).  I have found his name spelled in a variety of ways, including Saurine, Saurim, and Cyreanus.

About 1822, Saurin moved with his parents to the William Wright farm near Waterford, Loudoun Co., Virginia.   His father, Abiel, died there in September 1824 when Saurin was 15. 

He was apparently not living at home in March 1826 (he was 16 years old).  He may have been apprenticed out to a Mr. Buchanan who was in the cotton business, but he was not happy with the arrangement, according to a letter from his older brother, Martin.  Martin wrote, “Saurin will be permitted to go home in June. Without any cause, I have somehow been afraid, he would become discontented & leave his place - but I hope not, he must drive away at the Cotton - I have requested Mr. Buchanan to take the cotton management of him."

Another mention of Saurin is in a letter dated 27 July 1826 from his brother, Martin, to their mother, Deborah.  Martin wrote:  "Mary writes me a long & interesting letter, informs me that Saurin had been to see you & that he had improved very much.  So I have the vanity to believe that you will think I acted wisely in putting him in a Factory...."

When his mother and siblings left Loudoun to move west, Saurin apparently did not go with them.  A letter from a family friend, Sarah Hough, states that in April 1829, Saurin spent a week in the Waterford area and that he had not heard from his family:  “Your Brother Sorrean [sic] was heare [sic] in april  he spent a weeak [sic] in town  he come to see us frequentley [sic]  I was much pleased to see [him?]  he looks very well and is hansom [sic] I think  he said that he had not hurd [sic] from you since you left heare [sic] excepting what he hurd [sic] when heare [sic]…”

When his brother-in-law, Burr Braden, visited Waterford in September 1829, he wrote home to his wife Mary (Saurin’s sister):  “Saurin hearing by David's letter that I expected to be in Loudoun wrote to me the letter I found here when I arrived.  He wished me to let him know when I arrived here in order that he might settle his business and ride over with me to Lafayette.  He and Waynesburg [?] have had a difference.  He states Waynesburg [?] has acted very ungentlemanly towards him.  He will not come on with Saurin as was expected in consequence of their differences.  I have written on to Saurin and expect he will be here in a few days.”  In a second letter home, Burr wrote:  “I rec'd a letter from Saurin in answer to one I wrote him from this place.  He was well and expected to be here in time to start with us.”

It seems likely that Saurin did indeed travel to Lafayette with Burr since he appears in the 1830 Lafayette directory.  In addition, his obituary states that he came to Lafayette in his 20^th year, which would indeed be 1829.

He is mentioned in family documents as being a cabinet maker and also as making washing machines. 

Saurin seems to have had the wanderlust.  Letters indicate that he had been to Waterford and back to Lafayette by September 1831.  Another letter written in June 1832, indicates he is back in Waterford.  Then in December 1832, he was in York, Illinois and stayed through January 1833.  In a letter written 20 January 1833, from Ann Jenners to Elizabeth Braden, Ann wrote, "We have not heard from Saurin for a long time; the last we heard he was in Cincinnati and was going to the South.  Ma is almost crazy about him.  Mr. Dulaney [Zachariah?] was with him."  And then, according to a letter from his sister, Ann, written 15 April 1833, Saurin was back in Lafayette in late January 1833.  He "came home 3 months ago.  He looks better than I ever saw him in my life, has gone to work at his trade and is very industrious.  I was truly pleased to see him for I feared he had fallen a victim to the Cholera.  He was here a few days ago...."

In March of 1833, Saurin witnessed a deed for Burr Braden.  In letter from Burr Braden written 19 April 1833 to his sister Elizabeth, Burr says that Saurin Jenners "returned [to Lafayette], in February, I believe.  I was very sorry to learn the situation Dulaney has left his children.  It is a hard case on Noble.  I would willingly take one of the children if I had any way for them to get here possible.  Might there be some family moving from Loudoun here who would take charge of them, if so I would be glad Noble would make use of the opportunity."; [Saurin Jenners] & Dulaney were in York on the Wabash last winter where little Robert lives.... Dulaney sent from there to his fathers.  I never understood from Saurin what Dulaney intended to tell Noble."    See my post on Zachariah Dulaney and his children for the full story of the Dulaney family.

Saurin was mentioned in a letter written August 1833 to Deborah Jenners in Jefferson, Clinton Co., Indiana,  from Woodford Dulaney regarding her son Saurin and questions regarding money owed her.  The letter read: "Dear Madam,  I rec'd yours of May 2nd & now one of July 22nd.  The one you wrote in May I immediately answered to the best of my knowledge & belief & am truly sorry you did not get my letter.  My brother Zachariah & your son arrived here in December last & remained with me till 1st Jany 1833.  My brother settled with me for board, washing & some articles of clothing and requested me to pay Mr. Saurin Jenners ten Dollars to defray his expenses to Lafayette which I did.  My brother informed me that Mr. Jenners owed him but what amount I cannot say.  My brother & your son remained nearly all winter at my fathers.  Your inquires [sic] respecting money from my Grandfathers estate.  I empowered my brother Zachariah to receive my share that was coming.  The estate is not settled & I cannot tell when it will, but if your son stated that I became paymaster to that estate & I would take a lean [sic] on my brothers part, he is much mistaken.  As it respects my brother’s circumstances, I know nothing of it, but if he owes your son anything I am confident he will pay him every cent.  Tho before your son left here he told me in a settlement with my brother he had nothing coming from him, if I am not very much mistaken.     I am looking for my brother to see me in about 4 weeks.  I will tell him of your letters to me & I am confident he will write you all the information you request.  Tho I expect he will be up to see you this fall & I will let Robert accompany him.  Robert is a very promising boy & now is nearly as good a salesman as myself & appears to give general satisfaction to my customers.  He wishes to see you all very much, particularly Mrs. Braden & his uncle Burr. You must give my respects to all friends, particularly Mr. Burr Braden & his good lady.  I remain Dear Madam your old servant     Woodford D. Dulaney"

By April 1835, Saurin was working in Lafayette as a millwright.  He was 25 years old.  He apparently was considering going to Texas with Burr’s brother, Joseph Addison Braden, but I have found no indication that either of them actually made it to Texas.

In 1837, Saurin is listed as one of the signers of the articles organizing the Parish of St. John’s Church in Lafayette.  And in 1840, a suit was filed in Tippecanoe Co. against him by a William Davis seeking payment from Saurin for a $100 debt.  On 29 January 1841, in Tippecanoe Co., the State of Indiana filed a suit against Saurin and David Jenners.  No further explanations about the nature or outcome of the suit have yet been found.

On 14 May 1842, Saurin’s mother, Deborah (Young) Jenners, died.  

On 6 March 1844, Saurin wrote a letter to his sister, Mary Braden, about the death of their sister, Ann (called Nancy by the family).  The handwriting is very difficult to read.  The letter is addressed to Mrs. Mary Braden, Jefferson, Indiana  Clinton County and postmarked Lafayette, IN.  It reads: 

"Lafayette, Mar 6th, 1844

Well Mary

Nancy is dead.  Died 20 past 2 [unreadable] last night.  Poor woman, her anxiety to live was very[?] great.  She used every extreme, prepared many thanks [?].  Though much extended [?] her condition.  The suffering was awfull [sic].  Poor Woman.  Poor woman.  She wanted to live - live for them, her husband, her children, to [bring?] up that infant Boy.  That is all the joy I have about it.  Why did you go there.  I told you how violent the virus was in its progress.  You should have remained till next day.  You would have seen the [unreadable] the way you left, such was the [unreadable].  We thought yesterday in the morning, it being the new day she would revive[?] as she appeared better the night before.  I expected any breath would be her last.  But it was only a ray of sunshine that was obscured by clouds as the evening wore away.  She flattered herself yesterday she would live, was perfectly sensible until the Dr gave her opium which produced a stupor from which it was difficult to rouse her.  It seems that the hand of fate is hovering over the once happy but now bereaved family of P. Jennings.  Jenners has a sore throat.  His Dr says he has the fever.  Lorah is unwell.  Mrs Reynolds is got the same complaint in her neck, is dangerous, no other cases [?].  How and why it singled out the family of Jennings as its victims is the most astonishing thing to me.  [unreadable] is the one ray [page 2] of comfort while the crowded [?] that live huddled together in the filthy parts of the town live  unharmed [?].  It must and will ever remain shadowed in mystery to me.  You won't have been sent far.  But it was [unreadable] Brother and you to Cincinnati and you would not come in.  Again Mary I must repeat you should have remained.  In future let everything give way to making all connections or pecuniary considerations.  That I have done a brothers part and duty to her and that boy, that love more than I [unreadable] any object, my heart bears witness to.  I will do the same o'er and o'er again.  When a Brother, Sister, niece or Nephew is sick I bear [?] it for our Mother.  May I am born healthy to enable me to assist.

                                                Your Brother

                                                                                Saurin Jenners"

Saurin seems to still not have settled down for many years.  He is found on the 1850 census (taken October 1850) in Sacramento, California.  Saurin was listed as head of the household on page 166, dwelling 633, family 664.  His age was given as 40, born in Virginia, employed as a merchant.  Other members of the household were Jno T. Moon, age 23, born in Kentucky, a merchant; Cha. F. Dulaney, age 24, born in Virginia, a merchant; and A. J. Bradfield, age 27, born in Virginia, a miner.  I do not know who John T. Moon was, but Charles F. Dulaney was one of Zachariah Dulaney’s children, and A. J. Bradfield was Abiel Jenners Bradfield, son of Saurin’s sister, Sally (Jenners) Bradfield.

In February 1851, he was still in Sacramento when the following story appeared in the Sacramento Transcript newspaper of 4 February 1851:  "It appears that Mr. Saurin Jenners, who resides on J street, had his trunk broken open and rifled of its valuables. There were stolen one hundred and four ounces of gold dust, a gold watch, $75 in coin, and some jewelry. His suspicions were excited against one whom he had known years before and who was always reputed to be an honest man. It appears that he had met this person, James Witherspoon, on the street, on Saturday, and invited him to stay with him all night. On Sunday morning they went out, and when Mr. Jenners returned, he found that he had been robbed. His suspicions rested on Witherspoon, particularly as that person was not to be found. He laid in his complaint at the Police office about 6 o'clock in the evening, and Capt. Radford's police showed their efficiency in this case as they arrested Witherspoon before 11 o'clock. It appears that Capt. entrusted the matter to Policemen J. Smith and Mr. Stivers, and they captured their prisoner on J street— having shaved off his whiskers, and rigged himself in an entire new suit. On searching him they found Mr. J.’s gold watch snugly stowed away, in his vest, the gold dust all in his pockets.  Mr. J. recovered the whole of his property, except the coin, through the activity of the two who displayed the most commendable industry in ferreting out the thief. Witherspoon is represented as a man of fine intellect, which was developed by a classical education, but he has made a sorry use of his genius. Recorder Washington committed him to answer before the District Court."

Between the time of the above story (February 1851) and March 1853, Saurin moved from Sacramento, California to Washington, D.C.  where on 2 March 1853, he married his first cousin, Ruth Ann DeNeale.  His name is listed as James Saurin Jenners on the marriage license.  He was 43 years old.

Ruth Ann DeNeale was born in June 1828 in Washington, D.C.  Her parents were James C. DeNeale and Ann Young.  Ann was a sister of Saurin’s mother, Deborah.  Ruth was 24 years old.

Saurin and Ruth’s first child, James D. Jenners, was born 23 December 1854 in Washington, D.C.  

James Jenners and his wife, Mary Anthrop

Between the birth of their son, James, in December 1854 in Washington, D.C. and the birth of their daughter, Debbie, in 1857 in Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, Saurin and Ruth Ann moved from Washington, D.C. back to the Lafayette, Indiana area.  One source says they arrived in Tippecanoe Co. when their son was six months old (June 1855).

Daughter, Deborah Ann Jenners, was born 4 April 1857 in Lafayette, Indiana.  But the family moved again before the birth of their next child.  Daughter, Jennie Jenners, was born 3 July 1859 in Iowa.  By the time their daughter, Mary B., was born on 3 October 1861, the family was living in Vermillion Co., Illinois.

Deborah Jenners

Jennie Jenners and Mary Jenners

About 1864, son Robert Jenners was born in Indiana, so the family had returned to Lafayette by then.  And on 3 November 1865, their last child was born in Indiana; they named him Saurin J. Jenners.

The 1870 census for Tippecanoe Co., Indiana lists the following individuals together as a family:  Jenners, J.S.; age 61; M; W; Mill Wright; born Virginia;   Jenners, Ruthan; age 38; F; W; Wife; born Virginia;   Jenners, James; age 17; M; W; born D.C.;   Jenners, Debbie Ann: age 15; F; W; born Indiana;   Jenners, Jennie; age 13; F; W; born Iowa;   Jenners, Mary B; age 8; F; W; born Illinois;   Jenners, Robert; age 6; M; W; born Ind.

Saurin Jenners died on 1 January 1879 in Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, of “lung fever.”  An obituary appeared 2 January 1879 in the "Lafayette Daily Courier":  "Old Settler Gone. - Cyrenius Jenners, of the Wea, a brother of Alba Jenners, of this city, died at his home to-day.  He was born in 1809, and came to Lafayette when he was in his twentieth year.  He was a man of high character and lived a blameless life."   Saurin was 70 years old.  He was buried in Greenbush Cemetery.  

On January 15, 1879, his widow, Ruth Ann, filed a widow's petition stating that James Saurine Jenners had owned no real estate at the time of his death and owned personal property worth no more than $500.  Ruth Ann signed with her mark, so she probably could not write.

The 1880 census for Tippecanoe Co., Indiana shows the following individuals in the household (family #54):  Jenners, Ruth H.; f; 46; mother; born DC; father born VA; mother born D.C. [born ca 1834]; Jennie; f; 20; daughter; born Iowa; father born VA; mother born DC; [born ca 1860]; Mary; f; 18; daughter; born Illinois; father born VA; mother born DC [born ca 1862]; Saurin;m;15; son; born Indiana; father born VA; mother born DC [born ca 1865].

I have not determined what happened to the son, Robert, listed on the 1870 census, but not on the 1880.  Perhaps, given the ages, he is actually the same person as the son, Saurin.  This needs further exploration.

By February 1891, Ruth Ann was living at 223 Columbia Street (on the corner with Salisbury Street) in West Lafayette. Her son, Saurin, and daughter, Mary B., were living with her.   On the night of February 11, 1891, there was a gas explosion in their home.  I will let the newspapers tell the story.  It is a very sad one.

The following story appeared on 12 February 1891 in the Lafayette Daily Courier: "DIRE DESTRUCTION. Fearful Results of a Natural Gas Explosion. - Four People Frightfully Burned, One Dead; Two Probably Beyond Hope of Recovery, and Now Lying Near Death's Door. - Two Residences Burned to the Ground. - The Disaster Supposed to Have Been Caused By a Leak in the Gas Main. - The most terrible disaster in the history of Tippecanoe county occurred early this morning in West Lafayette.  A natural gas explosion took place which will probably result in the loss of three lives.  The whole village was aroused from its slumbers by the explosion and four persons lay wounded, as yet uncertain as to whether it will be life or death with them.  About 4 o'clock the explosion occurred in the double frame residence which stood on the southeast corner of Columbia and Salsbury Streets.  The building was occupied on the west side by Mrs. Ruth Ann Jenners and her daughter, Miss Maud [should be Mary], and son, Sida [should be Saurin, Jr]; on the east side by Thomas Northcutt, Levi Brown and his sister, Miss Fannie, and Miss Ida Anson. All the household were slumbering when Tom Northcutt left his bed and lighted a match to see what time it was.  This act was followed with a flash, accompanied by an explosion that shook the earth and blew the entire side of the west half out into Salsbury street.  In a second the whole interior of the building was a mass of flames and the cries and screams of the occupants was [sic] heartrending.  The situation was appalling.  Scream after scream rent the air and the neighbors were almost terror stricken.  I.O. Russell was one of the first to arrive and render assistance to the distressed inmates.  Andrew Penrod also ran to the rescue.  They entered the building and a terrible sight met their gaze.  Mrs. Jenners and her son were enrobed in the flames, were wildly running about, and had to be pushed from the burning building.  Sida Jenners [should be Saurin], the son, when the explosion occurred, tried to burst open a door but was unsuccessful, and he was burned in a horrible manner.  His shirt was burned into a crisp on his body, his hair was burned off, and the blood ran down his cheeks from the burns on his face.  Parts of the flesh on his body was cooked and pealed off, hanging in shreds from his fingers and feet.  Being in bed when the explosion occurred, none of the occupants had time to dress and were forced to make their escape in their night-clothes.  Mrs. Jenners was fearfully burned about the head and feet and parts of her body.  She and her son and daughter ran into the residence of R.B. Frederick across the street.  The flesh on her hands and feet hung in shreds and it must have pained her terribly to cross the street on the frozen ground.  Her daughter, Miss Maud [should be Mary], escaped with less injury than the other members of the family but her left hand was severely burned while she was trying to save her brother.  It is impossible to arrive at the exact details.  So great was the excitement that the injured ones knew not what they were doing and those who assisted them to escape being burned, are also conflicting in their narrations.  Miss Maud [Mary] Jenners stated that she did not know how she got down stairs.  She is certain that she never walked and thinks that she fell through an opening made by the explosion.  One gentleman stated that he found Mrs. Jenners lying in the yard, but this is not in harmony with the other statements.  The two young ladies, Misses Fannie Brown and Ida Anson, miraculously, it seems, escaped injury, but Levi Brown and Tom Northcutt, the two gentlemen occupants of that side of the house were burned in a terrible manner....  Mrs. Jenners and son have been removed to the residence of Clark Black....  Mrs. Jenners stated that she fell in the flames twice.  It is doubtful if she and her son recover from their awful experience.  At first it was thought that the son's eye sight had been destroyed but the physicians claim that such is not the case.  All of the unfortunate victims had their hair burned off.  Young Jenners, it is thought is the worst burned and if he recovers it will be a miracle.  Mrs. Jenners inhaled the flames and her constant request for water is regarded as positive evidence that she is severely burned internally.  The spectacle presented was a sad and distressing one.  Miss Jenners, who was less injured than her mother and brother, cried as if her heart would break and the scene caused many eyes to be moist with tears.  TWO RESIDENCES BURNED.  The building in which the explosion occurred was burned to the ground....  A few weeks ago, while Mrs. Jenners and her family were at church, a lamp exploded and the house narrowly escaped burning.  Last night all her furniture was burned to ashes, the stove only being saved....  Gas is supposed to have followed the pipes to the residences and filled the rooms....  About 8 o'clock this morning President Murdock and other officials of the Natural Gas Company visited the scene and gave directions that every attention possible should be given to the injured at the company's expense....  SIDA JENNERS DEAD.  At 1 o'clock this afternoon Sida [Saurin] Jenners died from his injuries at the residence of Clark Black.  Death principally resulted from internal injuries received from inhaling the flames.  He was 18 years old and was an honest, upright and genial young man.  It is a sad death and causes universal sorrow.  The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.  Mrs. Jenners, his mother, is in a critical condition, and her death is expected to occur at any time...."

Ruth Ann (DeNeale) Jenners died at the home of her daughter, Jennie Black, on 13 February 1891 from the injuries she sustained in the gas explosion.  She was buried at Greenbush Cemetery in Lafayette and shares a tombstone with her husband, Saurin.

A number of other stories appeared in the newspapers regarding the explosion and its victims.  I have included a few of them.

The following article appeared 13 February 1891 in the Lafayette Morning Journal: "HAVOC AND DEATH--- A Fatal Gas Explosion In West Lafayette. --  Two Houses Burned and Five Persons Almost Cremated - Sarine Jenners and Thomas Northcutt Die from Terrible Injuries. -- ... At the southeast corner of Salisbury and Columbia streets, West Lafayette, Mrs. Lydia Weyher owned a double frame tenement house a story and a half high.  The east side of the house was occupied by Levi Brown and his sister Fannie.  Miss Ida Anson and Thomas Northcutt boarded with them.  The west side of the house was occupied by Mrs. Ruth A. Jenners, her daughter Maud [Mary] and her son Sarine.  Brown and Northcutt are employed at the O'Brien wagon works and slept in the middle room on the first floor.  Miss Anson is employed at the Boston store and slept upstairs with Miss Brown.  Sarine Jenners had been working for a Wea farmer but had come home to recuperate from an attack of the grippe [influenza].  Miss Maud [Mary] Jenners is employed at the Durham Spice and Coffee mills.  Sarine occupied the middle room on the first floor and his mother and sister slept upstairs....  Yesterday morning about 4 o'clock Northcutt awoke.  He was employed at the wagon works and was compelled to rise early to get to his work in time....  As soon as he awoke, he lighted a match to catch the time by his watch.  The ignition of the match was followed immediately by A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION, and the room was filled with seething flames.  The explosion aroused all the occupants of the house with startling suddenness.  The scene was appalling.  The force of the explosion had blown out the south and west walls of the addition and the roof of the addition fell in with a crash.  All of the occupants were "en dishabille" and surrounded by flames.  As they sprang from their beds their bare feet touched the burning carpets and their night clothes were set aflame.  The scene was so unexpected and terrible that it excited them beyond measure....  James Kerns, who resides near, is an early riser and was dressed when the explosion came.  He hurried at once to the doomed house....  He next entered the side occupied by Mrs. Jenners and found the family excitedly running in and out of the rooms.  Their clothing was in flames and THEIR PERIL IMMINENT.  He found Sarine in the rear room standing in a corner.  He was jumping up and down in a dazed manner and was not making any effort to escape a terrible death.  He led him into the street.  Mr. Kerns returned and led Mrs. Jenners and her daughter out of the house.  Mrs. Jenners was terribly excited and insisted on returning to the cellar.  She ran into the house again and Mr. Kerns could not overtake her until she stood on the second step of the cellar stairway.  The cellar was a mass of seething flames and an entrance to it meant a swift death.  He succeeded in forcing her out of the house.  As soon as possible Mrs. Jenners and her children were removed to the residence of Clark Black and medical assistance summoned.  Drs. Moffitt, Walker, Hiner, Hills, Hopper and Beasley were soon at work with soothing applications....  Sarine Jenners was a mass of burns and blisters....  Maud [Mary] Jenners was burned about the face, hands and feet.  Mrs. Jenners was burned about the head, arms, shoulders, and limbs.   SARINE JENNERS DEAD.  Sarine Jenners died about 1:30 p.m. at the residence of Clark Black.  He had inhaled the flames and death resulted from that.  He was 25 years old, unmarried and a most estimable young gentleman.  As the only support of a widowed mother, his death is all the more distressing....  THE SURVIVORS.  Maud [Mary] Jenners is painfully burned but her injuries are not considered dangerous.  Mrs. Jenners is conscious and seems to be resting easy, but her age is against her.  It is not known whether she inhaled the flames or not, but, even if she didn't, her case is hopeless....  Mrs. Jenners, who narrowly escaped from a fire just a short time ago, had an insurance of $300 on her furniture...."

On Friday, 13 February 1891, the Lafayette Daily Courier ran this story: "DEATH UPON DEATH. - Yesterday's Disaster Proves Fatal with Three of the Unfortunate Victims, with Probabilities that a Fourth will Follow, - Sad Scenes.  At noon to-day three of the victims of the terrible disaster in West Lafayette yesterday morning, caused by the explosion of natural gas, had died of their injuries, the first death being that of Sida [Saurine] Jenners, followed a little before 9 o'clock last night by Thomas Northcutt, and about 9 o'clock this morning by that of Mrs. Ruth Ann Jenners.  The condition of Levi Brown is very alarming.....  The death of her son is thought to have hastened the close of Mrs. Jenners' life.  Two of that hitherto happy family are dead and only one member, Miss Mary Jenners, survives to mourn the loss of an affectionate mother and loving brother.  This hour is an awful period in her life and the sympathy of all is extended to her.  Her injuries are severe, but there is no chance for them to prove fatal.  She was the only injured one who was not prostrated, although she had a miraculous escape in falling from the second to the first floor through an opening made by the explosion.  All three, before death relieved them, suffered awful agony.  They were kept almost constantly under the influence of opiates or their suffering would have been unbearable....  Visitors were excluded from the sufferers and they breathed their lives out quietly, surrounded by loving and sympathetic relatives and friends....  DEATH OF MRS. RUTH JENNERS.  Mrs. Ruth Ann Jenners died at 9:15 o'clock this morning and was conscious up to the last.  She knew when her son died and made the remark that he was better off and that she would soon follow.  Yesterday she was in a cheerful mood, jested with those at her bedside and apparently suffered no pain.  A physician informed a COURIER reporter that deep burns deadened the nerves, but where the cuticle only was burned it left the nerves exposed and great suffering resulted.  Mrs. Jenners would have been 63 years old in June and was born in Washington, D.C.  Those surviving are: Mrs. Clark Black and Miss Mary Jenners, daughters, and James Jenners, a son, residing on the Indianapolis gravel road south of the city.  Deceased a couple of Sundays ago united with the West Lafayette M.E. church, being thoroughly converted to the Christain [sic] faith.  She was a noble mother, a kind neighbor and possessed many excellent qualities.  The COURIER extends condolence to the bereaved members of the family.  The funeral of Mrs. Jenners and her son will be held at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning from the West Lafayette M.E. church, Rev. Campbell conducting the service.  Interment at Greenbush cemetery.  A SAD SCENE.  A Courier reporter visited the residence of Clark Black this morning where the death of Mrs. Jenners and her son occurred.  The rooms were filled with people and there was a tinge of sadness on the faces of all.  The soft tread and faint whispers bespoke the solemnity of the surroundings and all features wore a look of sympathy for the deeply bereaved ones.  Miss Mary Jenners, though able to sit in a chair, suffers great pain in her feet and the hand which was so severely burned.  She has not yet recovered from the shock either and the death of her mother and brother has almost prostrated her....  Mr. Black stated that Sida [Saurin] Jenners had been unconscious from the time he had been removed to his house until the time of his death...."

The Lafayette Daily Courier ran the following story on 14 February 1891:  "Funeral of the Gas Explosion Victims.  At 10 o'clock this morning occurred one of the saddest funerals ever held in Tippecanoe county.  It was the double funeral of Mrs. Ruth Ann Jenners and her son, Sida [Saurin], who lost their lives from the terrible explosion in West Lafayette a few days ago.  In an upstairs room lay Miss Mary Jenners, sister and daughter of the two whos bodies were inclosed [sic] in caskets placed side by side in the parlor beneath, critically ill, and unable to attend the sad ceremonies.  The house was filled with sympathizing friends whose eyes were continually moistened with tears.  No eye could remain dry at such a scene, and while they are frequently described in the newspapers, no one can understand the sorrow of such an occasion without witnessing it.  Music was furnished by Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Shoup, Harry Cory and Miss Mary Howard.  Rev. J.G. Campbell, pastor of the West Lafayette M.E. church, delivered a short and touching oration, commenting in a few well chosen words of sympathy upon the great calamity and loss.  By request and on account of the serious illness of Miss Mary Jenners, the services were very brief.  Following prayer, the singers rendered in low tones, suitable to the solemnity of the occasion, "Rock of Ages," after which the friends passed through the house and between the caskets, which were covered with beautiful floral offerings, and took a final view of the remains.  Not half of the people were able to get into the house during the service, and the yard and street were crowded.  Mrs. Clark Black, at whose home her mother and brother died, and from where the funeral was held, was nearly prostrated, and her awful sorrow when the caskets were lifted and carried from the house, brought fresh tears into all eyes.  As she left the steps and started to walk to the gate in advance of her beloved dead, the strain was too great and she fainted in the arms of her husband.  This was one of the saddest spectacles that one ever witnessed.  With the aid of restoratives, however, she soon revived and was placed in a carriage.  The pall bearers were three old and three young men, who acted for both remains.  They included: Captain Caster, Martin H. Downing and Geo. W. King, old men; John Martin, Ralph Webster and Lew Brady, young men.  The procession which followed the two remains to the grave at Greenbush cemetery was very large, extending in line for several blocks.  Interment was at Greenbush and a short ritual was observed by Rev. Campbell before the bodies were consigned to the grave....  MISS MARY JENNERS.  Before 10 o'clock this morning Miss Jenners had two chills and intense fever.  At intervals her circulation would cease almost entirely and she was very low.  Her hand is burned terribly and her face is in a distressing condition from the burns.  Her first chill was last night and ever since she has been gradually failing.  Fever is brought on from the chills which are supposed to result principally from the shock occasioned by the death of her mother and brother.  It was thought that she would die but might survive for a couple of days.  Only two remain to tell the tale of the awful disaster and their lives are in the balance."

On 14 February 1891, the following story appeared in the Lafayette Morning Journal: "AFTER THE EXPLOSION. - ANOTHER VICTIM ADDED TO THE LIST OF DEAD - THE BURIALS T0-DAY. -  Hundreds from Lafayette crossed the river yesterday to view the now silent scene of Thursday's upheaval....  But little light has been thrown on the events which transpired immediately after the explosion...  The survivors have a frightful recollection of the calamity but their impressions are not distinct.  Roused from a sound sleep, thrown into intense darkness only relieved by the flames of a terrible danger, intuition came into play but their actions did not leave an impression.  They escaped by they don't know how.  It was an involuntary escape prompted by terror.  Those who came early to the scene will never forget the terrible things they saw.  Their impressions were made by a different method and are lasting.... the frantic rush of the victims, their clothing ablaze and their cries so pitiful - these scenes will never be forgotten by those who saw them....  MRS. JENNERS DEAD.  Mrs. Ruth Jenners died yesterday morning at 9:15 at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Clark Black.  She was conscious to the last and seemed cheerful.  The summons of death had no terror for her.  She was 62 years old last June and was born in Washington, D.C.  Just a short time ago she was converted and became a member of the West Lafayette M.E. church.  She was a noble woman, loved and esteemed by all who knew her, and her tragic death has caused profound sympathy.  The funeral will occur from the West Lafayette M.E. church this morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. James G. Campbell officiating.  The funeral of her son, Sarine, who died Thursday, will occur at the same hour and place.  Interment at Greenbush....  Miss Maud [Mary] Jenners, whose burns were less severe than the others, suffers much pain but is not in any danger.  She feels her bereavement, the loss of her brother and her mother, very deeply.  The JOURNAL extends its deepest sympathy to her in her pain and sorrow.  Her burden is gruesomely heavy."

The following article appeared in The Sunday Times, of Lafayette, Indiana, on 15 February 1891: "CREMATED WHILE ALIVE! A NATURAL GAS HORROR! -- A BIG BLOW-UP THAT CLAIMED FOUR VICTIMS--- Gas Leaked and Converted a Cellar Into a Reservoir.  Tom Northcut Struck a Match, to Ascertain the Time, and a Terrible Explosion Followed, Causing His Death And Also That of Mrs. Ruth A. Jenners and, Her Son, Silas [Saurin].  Levi Brown Died Last Night.  Full Particulars of the Frightful Disaster. ----  A horrible casualty and a conflagration occurred last Thursday morning, in West Lafayette, which caused the loss of four lives, and one person is yet suffering intensely from severe burns.  The accident and subsequent fire resulted from an explosion of natural gas - and it was the first one of that nature that has happened since the introduction of the seriform fluid in our midst - on July 4, 1889.  On the southeast corner of Salisbury and Columbia streets -- in the block on which stands the West Lafayette Methodist church - up to last Thursday morning stood a one and a half story double frame dwelling, in size about 30x35 feet, owned by Mrs. Lydia Weyher....  In the west half of the dwelling resided Mrs. Ruth A. Jenners and her daughter and son, Maude [Mary] and Silas [Saurin].  Mrs. Jenners was the widow of the late Saurin Jenners, and was a sister-in-law of the late Co.. Wm. M. and Alba Jenners.  Mrs. J. resided on the Wea, until about four years ago.  In this portion of the house, Silas [Saurin], who had come home from the Wea, in order to recuperate from an attack of the grippe, occupied the middle room on the first floor, his mother and sister sleeping up stairs....  In the Jenners side of the house the flames raged with cruel fury, and here death claimed two victims.  James Kerns, a near neighbor, was up and dressed when the explosion took place.  He hurried to the aid of the unfortunates and rushing into the Jenners house found Silas enveloped in flames, utterly dazed and wholly oblivious to the blazing surroundings.  Kerns hustled Silas into the street....  The poor young man was taken to the residence of his brother-in-law, Clark Black, where he died, after great suffering, at 8:50 p.m.  He had inhaled the flames, as well as experiencing an almost living cremation.  Silas was in his twenty-fifth year, unmarried, an excellent young man, and sole support of his mother and sister.  After Kerns had rushed Silas out of the blazing rooms he ran back for Mrs. Jenners and her daughter.  The former lady was wild with excitement, and even after she had been led out of the house she broke away from Kerns and ran madly back into the seething premises and was not retaken until she had reached the second step of the stairway leading down to the earthly hell in the cellar, into which, it appears, the bewildered woman was intent on plunging.  Kerns grabbed her just in time to rescue the venerable lady from that furnace of death, and soon forced her again to the outside.  She was taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clark Black, suffering intense pain from numerous burns, and died on Friday at 9:30 a.m.  Maude Jenners sustained painful burns, but her condition was not regarded as dangerous....  The Jenners furniture was instured for $300....  The funeral of Mrs. Jenners and son occurred yesterday morning....  MISS JENNERS MAY RECOVER.  Miss Maude [Mary] Jenners, the surviving sufferer of the awful happening of last Thursday, was at last accounts resting easier, and her physicians think she will recover."

On 16 February 1891, the following story appeared in the Lafayette Daily Courier: "The Fourth Victim of the Gas Explosion.  Four of the victims of the West Lafayette explosion are reposed in the arms of death....  Miss Jenner's Condition Critical.  The condition of Miss Mary Jenners, the last surviving victim of the West Lafayette gas explosion was alarming this morning.  Her nervous system is greatly shocked and she has a high fever continually.  The attending physician stated that the next twelve hours would decide the result.  As soon as her condition will permit, it is probable that her hand which was so severely burned, will be amputated.  The physician is of the opinion that it cannot be saved."

The Morning Journal ran the following story on 16 February 1891: "FOUR HAVE DIED. ---  Fatalities From Thursday's Explosion Continue - The Burials.  The funeral of the late Mrs. Ruth Jenners and son Sarine, two of the victims of Thursday's explosion, took place from the residence of Clark Black, son-in-law of Mrs. Jenners, Saturday morning at 10 o'clock.  The caskets lay side by side in the parlor.  Rev. James G. Campbell delivered the oration.  The illness of Miss Maud [Mary] Jenners demanded short services, but what was said was said eloquently and the pathos touched every heart.  It was such a sad scene.  On the way to the carriages Mrs. Black fainted and that incident started the tears afresh.  The remains were interred in Greenbush and were followed to the grave by an immense cortege of friends....  MISS MAUD JENNERS' CONDITION.  Miss Maud Jenners, the sole survivor of those burned Thursday, was resting comfortably yesterday and her physician, Dr. Moffitt, is confident she will recover.  The report that two of her fingers had been amputated Saturday is erroneous and has caused considerable annoyance.  Miss Maud is bearing the burdens of pain and bereavement bravely and her friends trust to see her out soon again.  IT WAS THE SECOND EXPLOSION.  Less than a month before this last and fatal explosion, Mrs. Jenners and children returned home from church one evening and found their parlor in flames.  But for the prompt assistance of neighbors the house would have burned then.  As it was, considerable furniture was destroyed.  A lighted lamp had been left in the room and it was thought at the time that the lamp had exploded and set fire to the carpet.  There was one thing about the fire, however, that seemed strange.  The woodwork all over the room was charred as if the fire had been in every part of the room at the same instant.  Since the accident of Thursday it is now evident that gas had filled the room that night and had been ignited by the burning lamp.  If such an interpretation, and it is undoubtedly correct, had been placed upon the accident that night, precautions would have been taken and valuable lives would have been spared.  Discoveries are often made too late and this is one of them...."

Recently, descendants of the family added a memorial plaque at Greenbush Cemetery in Lafayette that names the  descendants of Saurin & Ruth DeNeale Jenners.

Descendants of Saurin Jenners and Ruth Ann DeNeale:

Saurin Jenners, b. 26 Jun 1809 at Loudoun Co., VA, d. 1 Jan 1879 at Tippecanoe Co., IN

+Ruth Ann DeNeale, b. Jun 1828 at DC, m. 2 Mar 1853 at DC, d. 13 Feb 1891 at Tippecanoe Co., IN

├── James D. Jenners, b. 23 Dec 1854 at DC, d. 2 Apr 1915 at Tippecanoe Co., IN

│   +Molly Spring, b. 1858, m. before 1892, d. 1892

│   +Mary Cecelia Anthrop, b. 4 Apr 1862 at IN, m. 5 Sep 1894 at Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 6 Apr 1951 at Tippecanoe Co., IN

│   ├── Mary Regenia Jenners, b. 17 Mar 1897

│   │   +John H. Haan, m. 16 Feb 1916 at Tippecanoe Co, IN

│   ├── Jeannette Rose Jenners, b. 31 Jul 1899, d. 26 Dec 1985

│   │   +Gorman Madison Brown, m. 3 Mar 1920 at Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 21 May 1963

│   │   +Joseph Lehr, m. 1966, d. 29 Oct 1974

│   └── Albertha Jenners, b. 18 Jul 1901 at Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 1981 at IN

│       +John Hilary Obermeyer, b. 4 Jan 1896, m. 22 Apr 1930 at Tippecanoe Co., IN, d.

├── Deborah Ann Jenners, b. 4 Apr 1857 at IN, d. 11 Sep 1879

├── Jennie Jenners, b. 3 Jul 1859 at IA, d. 11 Jan 1929

│   +Samuel A. Clark Black, m. 19 Jun 1887 at Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 8 Jul 1911

├── Mary B. Jenners, b. 3 Oct 1861 at Vermillion Co., IL, d. 9 Dec 1928 at Tippecanoe Co., IN

├── Robert Jenners, b. circa 1864 at IN, d. before Feb 1891

└── Saurin J. Jenners, b. 3 Nov 1865 at IN, d. 12 Feb 1891 at Tippecanoe Co., IN

I will eventually do posts filling in more informationon the children of Saurin and Ruth Ann. 

A special thanks to Jenners descendant, Lina Liberace, for providing many old family photos and clippings.