Obit of Jacob HENKEN
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Feb 11,
2001 by Joan Hayward Helm < pjhelm@pcpartner.net >
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Surnames:  HELM,KENKEN, KNAPP, RASTALL, POTTER, KISOW,
           DeVINE, CONABLE, COSTABILE, CUNNINGHAM

(Jacob Henken 08 July 1869-?; typed copy of a Racine
newspaper clipping. No date or name of newspaper given.
Have typed copy in my files.)

FLAMES RAVAGE BRIDGE SHANTY EARLY IN MORN
JACOB HENKEN, 59, OF NORTH WISCONSIN STREET, VICTIM OF
BLAZE 
INQUEST TO BE HELD CORONER ANNOUNCES 
YOUTH HEARS SCREAM, NOTIFIES POLICE BODY FOUND ON FLOOR

Flames that ravaged the bridge tender's quarters at the
State Street bridge early today killed Jacob Henken, 59,
of 1207 North Wisconsin street.

After a conference with District Attorney L.D. Potter,
Coroner W.E. Kisow decided to conduct an inquest, he
announced this morning.  The coroner instructed the
sheriff to impanel a jury next Friday at 2 pm.

The coroner said that he believes death was due to
suffocation but added that burns on the legs hips and
upper parts of the body also could have proved fatal.

Mr. Henken recently appointed harbormaster and who has
been a bridge tender at the State St. bridge since it
was constructed six years ago, slept in the bridge when
on duty.

TRIED TO ESCAPE

The body was discovered by Captain George DeVine of the
central fire station on the floor in the northeast
corner of the tender's room.  He had evidently tried to
escape but was dazed and unable to find the entrance.

The quarters in which the body was found is in the south
bridge house and directly below public rooms which are
entered from the street level.

Entrance to the quarters is by an iron stairway from the
street level on the west side of the bridge shanty. When
he was aroused by the smoke and flames he staggered
bewildered away from the door, authorities believe.

Motorcycle Officer Conable discovered the fire, kicked
in the door of the tender's room and then notified the
fire department.  Smoke rushed into Constabile's face as
he opened the door.

Fireman believed the blaze started from an electric
heater placed too near Mr. Henken's cot. The shanty, of
fire proof construction was not damaged, although many
articles in the room were burned.

A wooden bench near the harbormaster's cot on the east
side of the room was charred as though it had been
thrust suddenly, into the intense heat.  Bedding and
other materials burned.

APPOINTED YEAR AGO

Firemen carried the body on a chair, up the narrow stair
way to the waiting police ambulance.  The body was taken
to the Beffel Undertaking company. He served as a tender
at the State Street bridge since its construction six
years ago and was appointed harbormaster about a year
ago.

Sergeant A. Cunningham and Motorcycle Officer Costabile
were at Fourth and Main streets when a youth accosted
them. "I just passed State street bridge and I thought I
heard a woman scream inside the bridge house," he
asserted.

Constabile and Cunningham rushed to the bridge house and
entered.  There was only a slight trace of smoke in the
main sections. "The smoke was no heavier than if a man
had smoked a cigar there."

The officers looked through the rooms and finally came
to the door to the section in which Henken slept. The
door was apparently locked.  Costabile, one of the
heaviest men on the police department lunged against the
door, but couldn't force it open.

Then he started to kick at the panels.  It was necessary
to kick more than 15 times before the door was forced,
he said.

When the door finally opened a rush of smoke blinded the
officers.  They could see no fire.  The smoke reeked of
burning flesh.

Cunningham at once sent an alarm for the fire
department.  The officers tried to enter the room to
determine whether anyone was inside, but the smoke was
too heavy.

BORN HERE IN 1868

Mr. Henken lived all his life in the house in which he
was born in 1868 at 1207 North Wisconsin street.  For 21
years he was employed by the Racine Sattley company;
about 10 years by the Belle City Manufacturing company;
also at the Webster Electric company and other Racine
concerns until his appointment as a bridge tender.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of the
Eagles marching club. He was a first sergeant of the
Garfield guards, an army organization formed here years
ago.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Helen Henken; four
children, Dr. J.F. Henken, Mrs. Frederick Knapp, Mrs.
Frederick Helm, and Gilbert Henken; all of Racine; six
grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Agnes Rastall, Racine and
a brother Henry Henken, Los Angeles, Calif.

Funeral services for Mr. Henken will be held at St.
Joseph's Catholic church Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.