| Name | Thomas Kenski |
|---|---|
| Notes |
Frank Hatton's notes read: Kenski, Thomas 0/0/1876 - 0/0/1924 Phyllis Long added: Thomas Kenski 1876 Jan. 25, 1924 He was a son of Simon Kenski and Katherine Grobrowlski, both born Poland. Springfield Republican Jan. 27, 1924 Deaf Mute Is Train Victim The identity of the man who walked in front of Frisco passenger train No. 4 here Friday afternoon and who was so badly injured that he died Friday night was learned ysterday afternoon. He was Thomas Kenski, of St. Louis, a deaf-mute, who was enroute to visit his brother Alex Kenski at Pierce City. Identification was brought about by detective work done by Constable J. W. Bryant. The man bore no identification marks nor letters and for a time authorities thought that it might take some time to find some one who knew him. Coroner Paxson put Bryant on the case immediately after the death. Bryant found that some man had written a note in the restaurant of J. W. Williams, on East Commercial street, which read: "I came from St. Louis. I am deaf mute. I leave for Pierce City." The man was "bumming" a meal Friday morning and got it. Constable Bryant took Willimas to the Lohmeyer morgue where Williams identified the body. Raymond Van Hook, also identified the body. In addition to the note, the deaf mute gave Williams a clipping from a newspaper which carried a picture of a naval aviator, LT. B. H. Wyatt, and seemed to be trying to tell Williams that he was related to Wyatt or knew him. Coroner Paxson last night sent a telegram to Washington to find out about any relationship between the dead man and the aviator. A coroner's jury yesterday brought in the verdict: "We, the jury, do find that the unknown came to his death by walking in front of engine on passenger train No. 4 at 1:15 o'clock at Eastern Junction, Springfield, Jan. 25, 1924. From meager evidence and papers found, we find the deceased to be Thomas Kenski, a deaf mute of St. Louis. We, the jury, fully exonerate the train crew in this accident." The jury men were: E. L. Kline, foreman, Thomas M. Brock, Dennis O'Neal, John W. Hestand, F. B. Schaffer and C. E. Madden. The fireman of the train was the only eye witness present at the inquest. The body will be sent to Pierce City today to the brother. 1910 Census Missouri; Barry; Capps Creek; 3 Alexander Kenski, head, age 40, married for 18 years, born Germany, parents born Germany, farmer Amelia, wife, age 39, mother of 5 children, 3 living, born Germany, parents born Germany Thomas, son, age 16, born MO Joseph, son, age 12, born MO John, son, age 7, born MO Thomas, brother, age 32, single, born Germany, parents born Germany, farmer 1920 Census Missouri; Barry; Capps Creek; District 185 Alex Kenski, head, owns farm, age 50, born Germany, parents born Germany, farmer Amelia, wife, age 46, born Germany, parents born Germany Thomas, son, age 24 ,single, born MO Joseph, son, age 20, single, born MO John, son, age 16, born MO Simon, son, age 7, born MO Thomas, brother, age 40, born Germany, parents born Germany, farmer |
| Resource | Census, Springfield Republican - Dates from Book-Past & Present |
| Researcher | Phyllis Long Frank Hatton |
