Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-30
DEATH OF w. B. DENNY
FAMOUS ARMLESS HORSEMAN
PASSES AWAY.
Veteran of the Civil War and Formerly
Waterman at War De-
partment

Information was received here this morn
ing of the death in Baltimore yesterday of
w. H. Denny an armless man who was
formerly a Waterman at the War Depart
ment MIR. Denny was one of the pest
known men in Washington, his duties
bringing II IN in contact with great many
people and his unusual atfliction attract
ing universal attention. He was armless
as result of a premature discharge OF a
gun during the firing of salute over the
remains of Gen. George H. Thomas at the
interment ceremonies.
The remains will be brought here from
Baltimore at o'clock this afternoon and
conveyed to Zurhorsi's uudertak ng rooms.
No. Hn:i Sd street southeas,, to await the
funeral exercises
1t was not possible to ascertain the cause
of death today. Arrangements FOE the last
rites are not yet completed but it is under
stood the interment will be in Sold ers
Home cemetery.
Mr. w. Il. Denny was a former Waterman
In the War Department. ard was one of
the best horsemen in the United States.
He was able to drive and master the most
spirited and high strung animals. and
never had an ac lent Lefau him wl.4e
handling them Mr.. Denny diSliked to talk
of his affiction and what he able to
do without arms. and no amount of per-
suasion could induce him to sit for his pho
tograph. He disl!ked newspaper notorlety,
and constant watchout was kept at his
stable and track for camera fiends. The
property was his and the edict was issued
10y him that camera fiends must stay off.
A Trainer of Horses.
Wishing to devote his entire time to rails
ing and training; blooded hoI SEES. Mr.. Den<ey
ny resigned his position at the War De-
partment. where he had served faithfully
for a number of years. He said that the
place lie was filling could be given to
10
thing else but that he want ed to get out
and do something; that the life of a watch
man was too slow for him. Before losing
his arms Mr.. Denny was a dashing cav
alryman in the United States service, being
known the most fearless horseman in
the troop to which he was attached While
firing volley over the remains of Gen.
George III. Thomas. as previously stated.
there was premature discharge, tearing
his right arm off at lie socket and the left
at the elbow. When he recovered he was
given government position and Il pension,
the latter being at the rate of 500 month.
With the aid of pair of long steel tweez
ers of the Decker patent" the arm
less men now call the tweezers first made
for Mr.. Decker, Mr.. Denny learned to
write legible hand and his record book
at the War Department was as neatly
kept as those by any of the hundreds of
clerks
No who has not witnessed the re-
markable achievements of Mr.. Denny in
managing blooded horses for a moment
armless man could subdue the most spir-
tied animal. He had entire confidence in
his ability to handle the widest horse, and
said he gave the animal to understand from
the outset that he the master.
He first saw that the horse or pair of
horses-for he handled a double team with |
as much ease as a single-were properly |
and securely harnessed; that every strap |
and buckle at its proper place: then |
he placed rein over his right shoulder |
and the other beneath his left arm. the |
two rens being made fast with a strong |
buckle turned under so that 1t was impossi |
bic to slip come loose. With the stub
of his arms he was able to guide the ami
mails. the weight of his body against the |
reins brought the horses to slowup If |
they got fast and fretful; twisting his |
shoulders and body from side to side |
saving the bits in the mouths until the |
horsss were willing to quiet down and trot |
gently along.
One of His Methods
Mr.. Denny depended largely, too, on con-
trolling spirited horses by speaking quietly
but firmly to them. and not yelling like a
Sioux Indian. habit he said. which often
caused a horse to run away. The most in
teligent horses. he asserted. are the blood
ed ones. and he handled no other kind.
Last spring some of the owners of fast
steppers had number of races at Bright
wood Driving Park. Mr.. Denny's late home
and he had a team entered in a trottng
race. The young man who to drive
showed in the lineup that Mr. Dennv's
team had bad chance to win. Mr.. Denny
became irritated at the stupid horseman-
ship. and ordering the young fellow out of
the sulky. jumped in. adjusted the lc.ns
in twinkling. and succeeded in getting Il
good position. winning the race easily. |
Many of the best horsemen in the District
and number from other cities pres
emit and all declared that they had never
witnessed such skill exhibited IN any track