The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-08-04
SAD DEATH OF MIR. HENDERSON.
Robert A. Henderson Is Asphyxiated In
Chicago Hotel,

!. SAD DEATH OF MR.. HENDERSON.
I Robert A. Henderson Is Asphyxiated In
Chicago Hotel.
Mr.. Robt. Henderson, the popular Snake
nver terryman, will start to Chicago about
the middle of next month, where he intends
to have steam boat built to navigate the
Snake river. The boat will be fifty feet long,
about fourteen feet wide, and the screw pro-
Peller will be driven by 35-horse power en-
I. glne. The boat will have a capacity fer 100
passengers, besides an immense amount of
freight, and will also tow two barges, thus
making the freight capacity wonderful. The
boat will draw only about four feet of water,
thus making it possible to navigate the Snake
for long distance, Mr.. Henderson is an
old river man with much experience. He has
thoroughly investigated the scheme, and is
, not only convinced that it is practicable, but
that II will be paying investment. He ex-
poets to have the boat running in September.
The preceding item appeared
in THE TRIBUNE the issue of June
y, 1888. AS stated, Mr.. Hender-
son started east in July, taking
with him several car loads of horses
as far as Iowa, to carry out his
plan of navigating the Snake river.
His family received a letter from
him from Iowa, in which he stated
he was in the best of health and
had disposed of his horses to good
advantage; that he would 60 to
Chicago, purchase his boat and at
tend to other business matters, and
hoped that he might speedily make
all arrangements as to his enter
prise as he was anxious to return
home. Last Saturday evening,
however, telegram was received
at Caldwell from Chicago, stating
that Robert Henderson was dead,
having been asphyxiated in a small |
hotel in Chicago. The Chicago |
Daley News of July 9th, contain
ed the following item:
HE COULDN'T WORK IT.
A man registering the name Robert A.
Henderson, Silver City, Idaho, stopped at the
Ogden House Wednesday. He purchased
small steamer from c. p Willard & Co., 2,6
Randolph street, paying $1,000 of the pur.
chase price down AT his hotel in the even.
ing he retired early and the bell boy showed
him how TO light and turn off the gas. He
observed that it was ''pretty slick contri-
vance" but he guessed he could work it. He
was found in bed yesterday morning in an un-
conscious state, the room and corridor being
filled with gas. Drs. Ballard and Henrotin
succeeded in inducing respiration, but up to
late hour last night he was still unconscious.
Chas. H. Reed took the dispatch
out to the family Saturday night,
while other friends of Mr.. Hender-
son took the matter in hand and
proceeded to investigate. 1t was
we'll known to them that Mr.. Hen
derson had from $4,000 to $1,000
on his person, and suspicious of
foul play 1ere very natural. Dis
patches were sent to e. P. Willard
& Co. and to the Chief of Police
stating their suspicious and asking
that no trouble or expense be spar
ed to make thorough examina-
ton. A telegram from the Chief
of Police stating that about $4,000
was found on Mr.. Henderson's per-
son and one from E. P. Willard &
Co. stating that he had paid them
81 600 on the boat, allayed all sus-
picions of foul play. His death
was undoubtedly accidental, and
must have been caused by Mr..
Henderson carelessly turning the /
stop after he had turned the gas off,
for it is incredible that a man of
his age and experience would de-
liberately elbow out the gas"
The family ordered the body en-
balmed and shipped to Boise City,
where he will be buried by the side
Of his first wife. The body was ex-
pected to arrive yesterday, but we
have not learned whether it did or
not. Rev. Barton, of Boise, will :
the funeral services.
Robert A. Henderson was one of
[daho's pioneers, and a man who
vas honored and respected because
If his actual worth. He was pro-
,rietor of Henderson's Ferry across
Snake river, about twelve miles
rom Caldwell, on the Jordan Val
ey road. He had lately conceived
he scheme of plying q steamer be- I
ween Weiser and Glenn's Ferry,
md it was while arranging to
larry out his plans that he met his
leath as above stated. The order
or the boat was, of course, counter
for the scheme to navigate
make river persisted with Robert
|. Henderson, for years to come.
Besides owning the ferry, which
3 valuable piece of property, !
1r. Henderson owned considerable
took on the range, and was in good
financially. His !
however, was recently
and the case is yet in
he land Office at Washington,
waiting decision.
He leaves wife and six child
en-, four of whom are by his first
life, to mourn his loss. They are ,
lmost Frustrated with grief by J
lie sudden shock. They have the
of the entire community.