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Bacon Saunders, MD

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Thursday, July 16 and Saturday, July 18, 1925
Researched by Rita Martin and compiled by Barbara Knox

 

     

Dr. Saunders died at Colorado Springs, Col., age 70, after a 10-month illness, thus ending the career of a pioneer surgeon. He was born in Bowling Green Ky. in 1855 and moved with his family to Bonham, Texas in 1869. His father, Dr. John Smith Saunders, served as a surgeon in the CSA on the staff of General Gano.

He graduated from the medical school at the University of Louisville, Ky. as the honor man in a class of 180. After practicing with his father for several years, he moved to Fort Worth in 1893 and was associated for a short time with the late Dr. W. A. Adams and Dr. F. F. Thompson, but since then had devoted his time exclusively to surgery.

His many honors include: founding member of the Texas Surgical Society ( served as second president); early member of the American College of Surgeons; founder of the Medical Department of Fort Worth University, and when that school closed, was professor of surgery in the Medical Department of Baylor University in Dallas; a founder of the North Texas Medical Association and held the office of president. Dr. Saunders received an honorary LLD in 1919 at Baylor University's Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

In 1877, a few months after he received his MD, Dr. Saunders married Miss Ida Caldwell, daughter of Rev. Tillman Caldwell of Bonham. Mrs. Saunders was a leader in Fort Worth society and was one of the members of the Texas Commission to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. His wife, two children, Dr. Roy F. Saunders and Mrs. Charles D. Reiners, all of Fort Worth, survive.

Funeral services were held at the First Christian Church, Rev. L. D. Anderson, pastor, officiating, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Honorary pall bearers included members of the Texas State Medical Association: Dr. C. M. Rosser, Dallas, president: Dr. William Keiller, president-elect, Galveston, other current officers and twenty-one ex-presidents.

Dr. Saunders has been credited as having done more surgery than any other man in the South. His work gained him recognition when he was a young man and progressed until he became nationally known in the surgical field as the dean of the medical profession in his city and state.


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