Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Rest of the Story of Henry Fenn

Sometimes information pops up when you least expect it. An article in the Evansville Journal on Monday, 7 February 1876, provides details of the death of Henderson resident, Henry Fenn, whose tombstone was featured in the 30 March 2009 blog.

"As a mail carrier entered the post office this day, he observed a man resting in a stooping position in a corner next to the door. The immobility of the figure and the fact that anyone would be there at that hour (5 a.m.) induced the postman to look closer. He discovered that the man was Henry Fenn, a well known German citizen, and that he was dead.

"The coroner was called and a jury empanelled. The evidence showed that Fenn had been seen as late as midnight the night before sitting in a saloon and left when it closed. It is supposed that he went into the Post Office, which is kept open and where a bright light burns all night, to make himself comfortable. It was a very cold night and it is likely he froze to death. There were no marks of violence on his person.

"Mr. Fenn was formerly a member of two well known clothing firms here, first Leslie & Fenn, afterwards Fenn & Kleindofer, and was once well to do, but financial disaster had lately overtaken him. He was adjudged a bankrupt on his own petition. He has since, brooding over his troubles, taken very freely to drink. He was well thought of, though, and possessed many good points of character. He was almost 40 years old and leaves a wife and several small children."

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