Undated, unidentified clipping in a scrapbook at the Saranac Lake Veteran's Club.
Born: April 28, 1922
Died: April 26, 1953
Samuel K. Brewster was a World War II veteran. He was a son of George and Hazel Brewster of 180 Broadway.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 16, 1953
Bodies of Couple Found in River; Missing 21 Days
The bodies of Samuel Brewster, 31, and Mrs. Celeste Taylor, 58, missing since April 26 from this village, have been found in the Second Pond of the Saranac River near the State Bridge, Route 3.
Fred Stephen Perry, of RFD Fulton, who has a camp at the State Bridge site, discovered Brewster's body at 6:15 last night, while Perry was fishing.
The body had been carried about three quarters of a mile from the State Bridge down the river.
Perry immediately notified State Police, who noticed marks on the enbankment near the bridge and started grappling operations for the missing woman and the 1949 three-quarter ton Ford pick-up truck in which she was believed to have been riding.
State Police and local police, together with other volunteers, worked with search lights and located the truck. Buoys were set up to mark the spot for continued operations this morning.
About 8 o'clock this morning the work resumed. Police Chief William Wallace, BCI James Smith, and firemen Howard Ellithorpe and Tom Fina, grappled from a boat. Fina made several diving attempts in the icy waters and found Mrs. Taylor in the truck, but he was unable to open the truck doors.
The wrecker from Brundage's Garage was sent out and hauled the truck to shore. Mrs. Taylor's body was removed to the Fortune Funeral Chapel.
The truck was located in water about 14 feet deep.
Samuel Kenneth Brewster was born on April 28, 1922 in the Town of Franklin, the son of the late George Brewster and Mrs. Hazel Denneky Brewster.
He had been employed by the Catherine Horton Flower Shop for the last two years, driving the truck and working in the greenhouses. During the winter months he served as night watchman at the greenhouse on South st., and occupied quarters over the building.
A veteran of World War II, Brewster entered service on October 10, 1942 and trained at Camp Robinson, Ark., and Fort Bragg, N. C. He served for 18 months in the European Theater of Operations in England, France and Belgium with the Quartermaster Corps. He received an honorable discharge from the Army in August 1945.
Brewster is survived by a brother, Donald Brewster, of Saranac Lake; a sister, Mrs. Thelma Manning, and a brother, Roy Brewster, both of Vermontville.
His body will repose at the Fortune Funeral Chapel until Tuesday when services will be conducted at 1 p. m. at the chapel. Rev. Norman M. Moss will officiate. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, Vermontville.
Mrs. Taylor, who made her home at 22 Dorsey St., is survived by her husband, William, who until recently has been employed in the village as a dishwasher, and a daughter, Mrs. Edward Lonergan, of Burlington, Vt.
Brewster and Mrs. Taylor have been the object of a 16-state police search since their disappearance. The couple was last seen talking in the front yard of Mrs. Taylor's home by her daughter, who was then leaving for her own home in Vermont.
The result of an autopsy performed last night on Brewster has not yet been given by Dr. Richard Bellaire, Franklin County Coroner.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 18, 1953
DEATHS OF TWO RULED ACCIDENT BY DR. BELLAIRE
The deaths of Mrs. Celeste Taylor and Samuel Brewster have been ruled accidental by Dr. Richard B. Bellaire, Franklin County Coroner.
Their bodies were found in the Saranac River.
Results of an autopsy, Dr. Bellaire said yesterday, showed that Brewster, who was 31 and lived at 22 Santanoni ave., died of a skull fracture. Mrs. Taylor, who was 55 and lived at 22 Dorsey St., died of a broken neck.
Both Brewster and Mrs. Taylor had been missing from Saranac Lake since April 26. Their deaths occurred three weeks ago after a truck driven by Brewster went through a railing on Route 3 and in the river near State Bridge between this Village and Tupper Lake.
Brewster's body was found floating in the river on Friday night. The body of Mrs. Taylor was found in the cab of the truck Saturday when it was dragged from the water.
No inquest will be held in the case, Dr. Bellaire stated.
Both bodies are reposing at the Fortune Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 1 p. m. tomorrow at the funeral home for Brewster. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, Vermontville.
Rites for Mrs. Taylor will be held at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon at Fortune's. Rev. Norman M. Moss will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot at Pine Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Taylor was born on July 5, 1897 in Vermontville, the daughter of Joseph and Matilda Daniels Lewis.
She had been employed for years by the Troy Laundry.
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