WAS IT AMNESIA? THE STRANGE CASE OF Jesse Palmer Sanderson

Jesse Palmer Sanderson

On August 14, 1940 newspapers reported that Jesse Palmer Sanderson, an insurance fraud investigator, had disappeared from the winter home of his father-in-law Roger A. Simonson a wealthy manufacturer from Evanston, Illinois.  Was he kidnapped, did he just walk away from his wife and children or was something more nefarious involved?  To this day some believe his story of amnesia, some do not.  I will report the facts and you can decide for yourself.

Jesse Palmer Sanderson was born June 6, 1907 in Paducah, Kentucky.  His parents were Jesse Potter Sanderson (1877-1962) and Linnie Rogers Sanderson (1880-1966).  Jesse Potter Sanderson was a tobacconist and candy-maker by trade.  He married Linnie Rogers on December 18, 1902 in Paducah, Kentucky.  Jesse and Linnie were blessed with three children:  Tobe Rogers Sanderson (1903-1936), Jesse Palmer Sanderson (1907-1999) and Mary Ellen Sanderson/Mrs. William Porter Whalen (1919-1976).

Jesse Palmer Sanderson makes his first appearance in the 1910 US Census.  The Sandersons were living at 1607 Harrison Street in Paducah, Kentucky.  

1607 Harrison Street, Paducah, Kentucky

The family consisted of:  Jesse P. (32 years old), wife Linnie (29), sons Rogers T. (6), and Jesse P. Jr. (2).  Jesse the son is sometimes referred to as "Jesse P. Sanderson, Jr.," but official records indicate that his middle name was Palmer and he was not a "Jr."

Jesse's parents told the census enumerator they had been married for seven years.  Linnie Sanderson said she had given birth to two children, and both were still alive in 1910.  Jesse reported his occupation as a "Classer" in the Tobacco industry.  (A tobacco classer (often called a tobacco grader) is a skilled professional responsible for inspecting, evaluating, and sorting raw tobacco leaves into specific categories based on quality, size, color, texture, and overall condition).  Jesse said the owned their home and they did have a mortgage.

The 1920 US Census shows the Sandersons still living at 1607 Harrison Street in Paducah.  The family consists of:  Jesse P. Sanderson (42), wife Linnie (39) sons Tobe R. (16) and Jesse P. (12) and daughter Mary E. (3/12).  The Sandersons said they owned their home and it did have a mortgage.  Jesse was a Foreman in a Tobacco Factory, and Tobe was a Delivery Boy for a Drug Store.  

On April 19, 1926 the Paducah (KY) Sun reported the following:

This is also from the Paducah (KY) Sun:

Paducah (KY) Sun - July 17, 1926

This is from the Paducah (KY) News-Democrat from February 20, 1927:

J. Palmer Sanderson, pictorial artist left last night for St. Louis, to visit different art shops of that city.

The Paducah (KY) Sun from February 4, 1930 reported that:

J. Palmer Sanderson left Sunday for Miami, Florida.

The Census Enumerator for the 1930 US Census visited on April 3-4, 1930.  Jesse Palmer Sanderson is now calling himself just "Palmer Sanderson" and renting a room at 221 W. Flagler in Miami, Florida.  A high-rise office building occupies that spot today.    Palmer is a "Lodger," is twenty-four years old, and for Occupation he says he is a Painter in the "Art Painting" Industry (as opposed to "House Painting" Industry).

This is from the Paducah (KY) Sun from May 8, 1932:

This is from the Miami Herald from December 28, 1932:

225 Thirty-Seventh Street, Miami Beach, FL

This was followed up by the Evanston Review on January 5, 1933:

  

And finally from the Paducah (KY) Sun from January 9, 1933:

J. Palmer Sanderson may have studied at the Art Institute, but I could not find any record that he was the Art Director of the University of Miami, Florida.

Edith Byrne Simonson (1907-1990) was the daughter of Roger Allen Simonson (1875-1944) and Edith Byrne Simonson (1872-1953).  They married in Chicago on November 18, 1902.  They were blessed with three children:  Roger Allen Simonson, Jr. (1904-1978), Edith Byrne Simonson/Mrs. J. Palmer Sanderson (1907-1990), and Florence Emeline Simonson/Mrs. Albert J. Friend (1914-????).  Roger Simonson owned a steel manufacturing company.

Jesse Palmer Sanderson and Edith Simonson were married June 29, 1933 at the North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago.  The groom was twenty-six years old; the bride was also twenty-six.

The Paducah (KY) Sun on July 16, 1933 ran an article all about the wedding:

The Sun article said they reprinted the article that had appeared in the Evanston (IL) News-Index about the wedding.  The Paducah article contained two items that were not part of the Evanston article:  

"The bridegroom's parents were unable to be (t)here for the wedding." and "Mr. Sanderson was born and reared in Paducah and is remembered as a promising young artist."

Jesse and Edith Sanderson were blessed with three children:  Roger Palmer Sanderson (1935-2016), Joan Sanderson/Mrs. Ray Webb (Born 1938) and David Allen Sanderson (Born 1941).

Since they newlyweds would be living with the Simonsons it looked as though Palmer had given up his artistic pursuits in Florida.  The Simonson home was at 1014 Forest Avenue in Evanston:

1014 Forest Avenue, Evanston, Illinois

In April of 1934, Palmer Sanderson wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Paducah (KY) Sun with his views on corruption in government.  It was published on April 22, 1934:

The Paducah (KY) Sun printed an article about Palmer Sanderson on March 13, 1935:

Interesting that the Miami University should come up again with regards to Palmer Sanderson - although this time it did not say that he had been Art Director of the University of Miami.  However, he has now added the University of Chicago to his resume.

It looks like by October 6, 1935 that Palmer Sanderson has given up pursuing a career in art and has taken a job working for his father-in-law:

The Paducah (KY) Sun - October 6, 1935

Palmer Sanderson's brother Roger died at home September 17, 1936.  Here is his obituary:

The Paducah (KY) Sun - September 19, 1936

A photo of his tombstone from Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah was unavailable at this time.

The 1940 US Census finds the Sandersons living at 7340 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida.  A Walgreens Drug Store occupies that spot today.  The family consisted of J. P. Sanderson (33 years old), wife J.P. Sanderson (33), son R. Sanderson (5) and daughter J. Sanderson (2).  Palmer Sanderson said he had completed four years of college; his wife said she had completed two years.  Palmer, his wife and son said they had been living in Evanston in 1935.  Palmer reported his occupation as "Salesman" in the "Advertising" Business.

While living in Miami, Palmer became a Director of the Oceanside Improvement Association.

Both Palmer and Edith Sanderson were active members of the Miami Beach Community Church.

The Miami Herald reported the following on March 21, 1941:

Police and FBI agents have been asked to search for J. Palmer Sanderson, 34, insurance fraud investigator who disappeared from the winter home of his father-in-law, Roger A. Simonson, 7515 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, August 14th.  Simonson, wealthy filing cabinet manufacturer and Mrs. Sanderson believe Sanderson met foul play for his activities in uncovering health insurance policy frauds.

A parking lot occupies 7515 Collins Avenue today.  This article is interesting in several respects.  First of all, Sanderson disappeared August 14, 1940 and his family did not report his disappearance to the police until March 21, 1941 - a span of  219 days.  We are supposed to believe that his family thought he was a victim of foul play but did not report his disappearance for seven months?  We also learn that the Sandersons no longer live by themselves - they have moved back in with Edith's parents.  We also learned that Palmer has changed jobs again.  He was working for his father-in-law - now he was an insurance fraud investigator.  The whole thing smells very fishy to me.

The Paducah, Kentucky Messenger-Inquirer newspaper revealed even more in their edition of April 2, 1941:

The same edition published an interview with Sanderson's mother:

I think one of the most telling statements in the interview was this:

"Sanderson quit school here while in high school and went to work in a sign painting shop.  Before leaving Paducah he had worked in most every sign painting shop here."

Every time we look at Palmer Sanderson he is living in a different place and working at a different job.

Isn't it strange that his wife informed Palmer's mother of his disappearance one week after it happened, but did not report it to the police until seven months later?

Surprisingly the Evanston papers did not report anything about Sanderson's disappearance.

Edith Sanderson give birth to a son, David Allen Sanderson on January 14, 1941 while his father was missing.

The FBI doesn't mess around.  They found Jesse Palmer Sanderson on May 9, 1941 in the US Army!

The Miami Herald - May 10, 1941

So we can gather from the report that Sanderson wandered around not knowing who he was or where he belonged, from August 14, 1940 until he enlisted in the Army on January 8, 1941.  He ultimately managed to wander to some unnamed place where he enlisted in the US Army, not as Jesse Palmer Sanderson but as "James Edward Williams."  

I have to step away from the story for a minute to comment on this situation.  Let's say that in the pre-Internet era you woke up one morning and didn't know who you were or where you were.  Perhaps you would consult a doctor, but more likely you would go to the police who certainly had the resources even back then to help you identify yourself.  You certainly would not enlist in the US Army under a made-up name unless you wanted to disappear.  It turns out that Sanderson was found by the FBI using his fingerprints.  It only took the FBI 50 days to locate him.  

He had walked away from his life, his family, and his career as a fraud investigator, eventually hitchhiking and drifting across the country. When he was finally located, he was serving in the military under an assumed identity.

When authorities and family members caught up with him, Sanderson claimed to have no memory whatsoever of his former life, his wife, or his disappearance from Roger A. Simonson's property. He maintained that he had suffered a total psychological fugue state (amnesia) brought on by intense personal and professional stress, forcing him to completely start over with a blank slate.

I don't believe a word of it.  Back to the story:

Apparently many people had a hard time believing the story so an explanation had to be crafted:

  

DeKalb (IL) Daily Chronicle - May 15, 1941

When confronted by his father-in-law Roger Simonson, Sanderson said he did not recognize him at all.  The Army was willing to give the soldier a ten day furlough and so Simonson took Sanderson back to Evanston to "meet" his family:

The Wilmington (DE) News-Journal May 15, 1941

After the reunion Simonson reported "He hasn't recognized anyone yet."

The Waukesha (WI) County Freeman - May 15, 1941

The Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle - May 16, 1941

At the end of the ten day furlough it was determined that no matter what name he had used when he enlisted, the enlistment (of one year) was still valid and Sanderson was forced to return to Camp Beauregard to resume his Army duties.

Because he was discovered alive and functioning under a new name, the immediate investigation into foul play or a retaliatory kidnapping by disgruntled fraud targets was officially closed.

Apparently J. Palmer Sanderson was discharged from the Army after his one year enlistment was up, and apparently he was willing to be reunited with his family.  Believe it or not, Jesse Palmer Sanderson registered for the Draft on February 16, 1942:

It appears that he was back living in his father-in-law's house but was working for the Cook County Forestry Department!

This is from the Paducah (KY) Sun of August 24, 1942:

It does appear that the Sandersons now lived in La Grange, Illinois.

Roger Allen Simonson, Edith Sanderson's father and sometime employer of Palmer Sanderson died January 5, 1944 in Chicago.  He was sixty-eight years old.  Here are his obituary and Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune from January 7, 1944:

As mentioned, he is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie.  Unfortunately his grave is not marked.  

By 1946 the Sandersons have relocated to Amarillo, Texas.  Though Palmer is employed as a salesman, he also reconnected with the art world:

The Amarillo (TX) Globe Times - March 11, 1946

The 1950 US Census finds the Sanderson family living at 2301 Blain in Dock Junction, Georgia.   Dock Junction is now known as Brunswick.  

2301 Blain, Brunswick, Georgia

The family consists of Jesse P. Sanderson (42 years old) wife Edith (42), son Roger P. (14), daughter Joan (11), son David A. (9), and mother-in-law Edith B. Simonson (77).  Jesse reports his occupation as "Sign Painter" in the "Commercial Art" industry.  Edith said that she was a "Teacher" at the "City Elementary School."

In May of 1953 Palmer's son Roger Palmer Sanderson registered for the Draft.  He reported that his father J. Palmer Sanderson and family were living in Augusta, Georgia at 1906 Chester Avenue:

1906 Chester Avenue, Augusta, Georgia

The 1953 City Directory for Augusta, Georgia says that J. Palmer Sanderson is an Assistant Superintendent at duPont - a sign painter, perhaps?

The Augusta City Directory for 1954 shows Palmer as a "Foreman," in 1955 an "Operator," and in 1956-1958 a "Sign Painter," all for duPont.  The 1957 Directory shows that the Sandersons have moved to 2841 Rocky Creek Road in Augusta:

2841 Rocky Creek Road, Augusta, Georgia

By 1959 they are no longer listed in the Augusta City Directory meaning that they have moved again - this time to Cornelia, Georgia.

Palmer's father, Jesse Potter Sanderson died November 21, 1962 in Paducah, Kentucky.  He was eighty-five years old.  Here is his obituary from the Paducah (KY) Sun from November 22, 1962:

He was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Paducah.  Unfortunately a photo of his grave is not available at this time.

Jesse's father's obituary says that Palmer is now living in Cornelia, Georgia.

Palmer's mother, Linnie Rogers Sanderson died June 21, 1966 in Paducah.  She was eighty-five years old.  Here is her obituary from the Paducah Sun from June 23, 1966:

She was buried next to her husband in the Oak Grove Cemetery.  A photo of her grave is not available at this time.

According to his mother's obituary, Palmer now lives in Martinez, Georgia.

Edith Byrne Simonson Sanderson (Mrs. J. Palmer Sanderson) died June 1, 1990 in Martinez, Georgia.  She was eighty-three years old.  I was unable to find a Death Notice or Obituary for her.  She was buried in Section 20 in Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia.

Jesse Palmer Sanderson died October 29, 1999 in the Columbia-Augusta Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.  He was ninety-two years old.  Here are his Obituary and Death Notice from the Augusta (GA) Chronicle from October 29, 1999:

He was buried next to his wife in Section 20 in Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia.

 

When Jesse Palmer Sanderson was questioned about why he disappeared in 1940 he said he was suffering from "a total psychological fugue state (amnesia) brought on by intense personal and professional stress."  This condition does exist, although it is unlikely that a person who was not a medical professional would know anything about it, or would even have heard the term.  

Today this condition is known as "dissociative fugue."  It is defined as "A total psychological fugue state, also known as dissociative fugue, is characterized by memory loss and wandering away from familiar surroundings, often triggered by intense personal and professional stress. Individuals may forget their identity and personal history, and while the fugue state can be temporary, it typically requires mental health care for recovery."

Mental health professionals say that dissociative fugue is a complex psychological condition that requires understanding and appropriate treatment. Individuals experiencing this state often need professional help to regain their memories and cope with the stressors that triggered the fugue.

I don't doubt that Palmer Sanderson was under a tremendous amount of stress.  In all my years of writing these articles I have never run across anyone who changed careers (not just jobs) or who moved their residences as much as Palmer Sanderson.  He and his wife had three children in six years, and Palmer was living with and working for his father-in-law.  Any of these alone create a tremendous amount of stress, so you can imagine when all these happen together.

After the incident, his family seemed to welcome him back with open arms, although he continued to change careers and residences for the rest of his life.  When this case is discussed over eighty-five years after it happened, people seem to be evenly divided about whether Palmer had actually experienced amnesia or had perpetrated a clever ruse to walk away from his problems.  We may never know the truth, but I tend to fall into the second camp.

Jesse Palmer Sanderson - may he rest in peace.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Roger Palmer Sanderson (1935-2016) lived most of his life in Augusta, Georgia.  He worked as an employee of the Augusta Herald newspaper and for the Georgia Power Company for 27 years.  Roger married Shelvy Jean Etheridge (1937-2019) in 1991.  He died in Augusta on June 16, 2016.  He was eighty-one years old.  He is buried near his parents in Section 20 of the Westover Memorial Park in Augusta.  Here is his tombstone:

Joan Sanderson/Mrs. Ray Webb (Born 1938) As of this writing, she is still alive and living in Georgia.

Rev. David Allen Sanderson  (Born 1941)  David Sanderson is an ordained Baptist minister.  As of this writing, he is still alive and lives in West Virginia.

Note:  I realize that members of the Sanderson family are still alive.  If they want to correct anything I have written or if they disagree with my conclusions I would welcome any information they may wish to provide.