William - Henry - 1898 - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

An aged tramp who was slated by the name of Henry Williams, died last Friday night in the jail. He had not spoken an intelligent word since his incarceration Thursday afternoon and he died of some terrible disease, his body being covered with running sores and with lice. He would give no answer when interrogated but lay in his cell in a stupor. On Saturday an undertaker was called and he, after donning gloves, stripped the body of the old fellow and carrying the vermin covered clothes to the street poured coal oil over them and applied a match. The body was covered with disinfectant and hauled to the undertaking shop where it was placed in the cheapest grade of a coffin and then hustled out to a back number grave yard for interment.  The victim was seventy years of age perhaps and a thoroughly repulsive customer. He was first arrested on Wednesday night by officer Waldrip but after Sheriff Canine found that he was lousy the old fellow was turned out of jail. On Thursday he was found on the grass near the electric light plant and taken to jail sick. He remained there until relieved by death.  A report was current last Saturday that the dead man was Banvelt, of Hendricks County, who was clubbed by the police Wednesday night. This report was of course a fake. Banvelt paid his fine and went on his way in good form. - thanks so much to  "S" for all her great obit work on this site