The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-27
IS FOUND DEAD IN
HIS LONELY HOME
Rev. VIM. Fenton's Life Closes
In the Mystery In Which He
Had So Long Lived.

REV" William Fenton, aged seven,
ty, an old resident and well known
character of st. Paul, was found dead
at his home, IA South Robert street,
yesterday afternoon. AS he had spent
his life isolated, in a manner, from
others, he died alone, and his death
was not known till yesterday, when
policeman, at the suggestion of
neighbor, forced door of Fenton's
house and found the body lying on the
bed.
Fenton was last seen about the
house Friday, and it is supposed that
his death occurred some time Friday
night or Saturday morning. AS he
was not seen about the house during
the past few days, William Elmer, who
occupies the rear rooms as tenant
of Fenton, notified Patrolman Kumo-
row yesterday afternoon, and the dis
covery resulted.
Coroner Miller ordered the body re-
moved to the county morgue, where
an autopsy will be held today. Fenton
has no known relatives or close friends.
He lived entirely alone.
May Have Hidden His Wealth.
Fenton is kown to have been the
owner of valuable property, some of
which he is said to have recently dis
posed of at good prices, and as 1t is
thought that he had concealed his
money about his home, Coroner Miller
last night ordered strong. guard of
police to protect the premises.
The recluse was best known about
the city as street preacher, having
been in the custom of holding forth on
the street corners and in the parks
on his favorite themes, religion and
denunciation of secret societies, espe-
cially Free Masonry. Fenton was the
author of many books and tracts on
religious topics and "expositions" of
Masonry.
During the past twenty years he has
been in the habit of preaching about
the streets, and he has been seen and
heard by thousands Of st. Paul people.
Recently he had been speaking fire.
quently at Rice park and at the mis-
sion at -414 Jackson street. In addi-
ton to his religious activity, he was
busted with real estate affairs and at
tended to his own personal wants, did
his own cooking and was his own
printer.
Lived the Life of Recluse.
The home. consisting of four rooms
In the house he owned, is unique, and
reflects the character of the man.
Dickens might have reveIed in describ-
ing the place. In the small front room
stands a small, round table, Uttered
with unfinished manuscripts, left
where he had dropped his work. The
walls are lined with bookcases, stock
ed with works of theology and philos-
ophy. In one corner stands an organ,
at which the old man was wont to
spend his hours of solitude when not
occupied with his books or writing.
In the next room is a printing press
and case of type, at which the aged
self-ordained minister printed the
tracts which he distributed among the
people whom he attracted while
preaching. Books are scattered in
every corner with no regard for or
der, and the greatest confusion pre-
walls about the place. About the rooms
which are low and dark, hangs an air
of isolation. Stepping from the busy
street down the flight of steps and into
Fenton's home one might fancy him
self transported into the gcloister of
monk of a remote age
Though Fenton was mainly absorbed
in religious contemplation, as his diary
indicates, his worldly affairs were of
considerable Importance. He was the
owner of much of the property on the
flats of the West side, which has be-
come valuable for manufacturers He
was involved in the recent levee litiga-
ton, and several deals for the transfer
Of property had been carried through.
He is believed to have received large
sums Of money from the sale of some
or the property, and, as no bank &C
count has been found after an exam
inatton of his personal effects, it Is
supposed that he had the money con-
cealed about his home.
Apparently Left No Will.
Coroner Miller made a cursory ex-
animation of the effects yesterday aft
ernoon, but was unable to find any pa
pers or records in the nature of a will
or testament. He will make a thorough
examination of the house today. AS
there are no known relatives, and as
his estate is believed to be worth many
thousands of dollars, it may be neces-
sary for the county to take charge of
the property. In case no heir is found
the estate will be placed in probate at
the end of six months and the pro-
ceeds of the property. which will be
sold at auction, will revert to the state
The exact value of Fenton's property
is not known, but he is said to have
been the owner of several lots on the
West side and in other parts of the
city. His library alone, consisting of
over 5000 volumes, is worth consider
able. The house and lot where he
made his home is valued at $1,000, and
negotiations were pending with an
agent IOr d company which desired the
property for building purposes. Fem
ton had been interested in the project
OF cold storage warehouse on the
West SIDE
Came Here Forty-five Years Ago.
Fenton's past is yelled in obscurity. No
one knows where he came from, as he
took no one into his confidence. He
settled in st. Paul forty-fiv years ago.
when the West side was open country.
He was a surveyor, and plated the
West side, most of the fiat property. of
which he was the owner at one time. He
continued to work as a surveyor till
about twenty years ago, when he re-
tired, and had since devoted his atten-
ton to religion and to fighting secret
societies.
Fenton was apparently in his usual
health up to the last day he was seen
about his home, and the cause of his
death is a mystery. He was found
lying in bed as he had retired Friday
night, and apparently expired while
asleep. Coroner Miller said yesterday
that he might have died of old age.
There are no indications as far as
known of suicide, and none of murder.