Evening journal., 1908-01-11
KENNEY WAS A
NATIONAL FIGURE
His Strategy Saved President
elect Lincoln Being
Kidnapped
DEATH RECALLS THE EVENT


Henry r. Kenney. president Of the Del
aware Railroad Company. who died ar
his home in Ridley Park yesterday. mad a
national reputation II was due to n
mixture OF railroad knowledge and
Yankee cuteness on the part OF Mr.. Ken
ney that landed Abraham Lincoln, then
Presdent-elect OF the United States.
safely In Washington at the outset Of tho
Civil War Lincoln went to Philadelphia
from the West, met Alexander X. Mo-
clure and other weIl-known Republicans.
lie was due In Washington to be inau-
gurated as President, but the party men
had information that the Southern sym
pathizers in Baltimore proposed TO either
lsidnap Lincoln and carry him South as
a prisoner or else assasEinate him as he
stepped from the cars at Baltimore.
The Philadelphia, Wilmington and Bal
timore Railroad Company at that time
was the connecting link between Philade,-
phia and Baltimore. The road ended at
what is known as President Street Sta
ton IN the latter city IL was necessary
TO ride across the city OF Baltimore In
carriages to the Camden station Of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, which was
the only line leading to the national capi-
tai.
Mr.. Lincoln was at the Union league
clubhouse at Eleventh and Chestnut
streets. Philadelphia, In consultation with
a number OF gentlemen who had talked
with the Philadelphia and baltimore Rail-
road officials about the safe conduct OF
the President-elect. Henry r. Kenney was
superintendent OF the railroad and Joshua
iaggart was the chief detective The
latter had a score OF men at his command
and these were assisted BY Federal Secret
Service men. Mr. Kenney was entrusted
with the work OF deceiving the Southern
sympathizers at Baltimore. He caused a
train 10 be made up publicly and the nour
for its departure was set II was said
Mr. Lincoln would take that train COR
baltimore. But Yankee-llhe superintend-
ent Kenney had train made up secretly.
When all was in readiness Kenney ap-
peared at the Union League. tapped Mr..
Lincoln on the shoulder and told him to
follow him.
Il was a night OF anxiety for all. Lin
coin reached Baltimore ahead OF tho
schedule time and finally was safe at the
national capital. This was a great event
for Mr.. Kenney
Born In Boston.
Mr. Kenney was Sc years old and OF
] Puritan stock. having been born and
raised on a farm near Boston. Mass. Ar
riving at mans estate he secured a po-
sition in a railroad office in Boston, and
I there began career which brought him
much fame After several years close at
tention 70 business and after displaying
Ia great aptitude for the profession he had
chosen, he was made superintendent OF
the Boston and FltchburE railroad. the
stock OF which was largely held by Ma
thaniei Thayer. Of Boston.
After Mr.. Kenney had been IN this DO
sition for several years deal was made
!, by which the Philadelphia. Wilmington
and Baltimore Railroad passed into The
control Of the Pennsylvania Railroad and
Mr.. kenney was made superintendent.
Mr.. Kenney remained superintendent
of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore Railroad until 1852 when he
was chosen general superintendent OF
three branches OF the road. the Mary
lind, Central and Delaware divisions,
with offices in Broad street station, a
position which he held untl 1902. when
he was elected TO the office OF president
OF the Delaware railroad, a position which
he held mp TO the hour OF his death.
Mr. Kenney. in conjunction with the
late A. j. Cassatt. inaugurated what is
, known as the pin SYSTEM about twen-
ty-eight years ago, or at about the time
( Broad Street Station was completed a
system which was duly appreciated and
is now used on the principal railroads OF
The country as a means Of showing in a
clear and simple manner, the position OF
all trains on the line at any time. by .
series of pins placed in certain spots on
"a chart
The veteran railroad man. who had
been a resident Of Ridley Park for mora
, than thirty years. had been in feeble
, health for some time About a year ago
he was seized with paralysis at his home
in the borough, but although his condi-
ton was alarming for several days. he
! finally recovered sufficiently to. resume
mis- duties.
Personally Mr.. Kenney was genial and
companionable and surrounded himself
with warm and jealous friends. He was
Of sterling disposition, reserved and dis
tant at FIRST but one Of those when who
improve upon acquaintance. and when he
made a friend, that friendship was ever
lasting.
Mr.. Kenney is survived by an unmar-
Iried daughter. Nellie Ida Kenney. who
has been in charge Of the household since
the death Of Mrs. Kenney about three
years ago.