Emma Bertha Louise Domann Henningsen

HENNINGSEN, DOMANN

Posted By: Kelly Keegan (email)
Date: 10/2/2004 at 17:54:48

Clinton Daily Herald, June 2, 1904

Met Strange Death; Clinton Woman dies from Strangulation

Mrs. Emma Henningsen, wife of Martin Henningsen, met death at her home on Beaver Island Wednesday night under circumstances that were peculiar and particularly sad. At 9 o'clock she was found by her husband, after her children had looked over the premises in vain for some time, lying on the floor of the summer kitchen. A physician was summoned, but the woman had passed beyond medical aid.

Mrs. Henningsen had enjoyed good health, and last night was as well as usual at 7 o'clock, at which hour her husband came over to the city on business. At 9 o'clock he returned home, and found his four children searching for their mother, who, they said, had been absent for some little time. Mr. Henningsen joined in the search for his wife. Opening the door of the summer kitchen, he saw her lying on her back on the floor.

Thinking she had fainted, Mr. Henningsen carried her into the house and summoned a physician, who upon making an examination found that she had been dead for some time. The probabilites are that she was dead when found by her husband.

On account of the circumstances surrounding the affair it was deemed advisable to hold an inquest, and Coroner Hullinger was summoned during the night. The testimony of four witnesses were taken, and it was proved so conclusively that there had been no foul play and that Mrs. Henningsen's death had been accidental that the coroner decided that an inquisition was not necessary.

Mrs. Henningsen had been engaged in mixing bread when she was taken with a fainting spell, and sank to the floor, striking her chin violently against some object in falling, as was proven by a bruise found on the chin. In falling her body struck in such a position that she was unable to breathe, her neck having been badly cramped, and she died for want of oxygen. When the body was found the lips were purple, the color later disappearing. This fact substantiated the theory of the physicians that Mrs. Henningsen's death had been due to strangulation.

Mrs. Henningsen was born in Germany, and came to this country 14 years ago, where she was united in marriage to her husband. The deceased was 32 years of age, and leaves her husband and four children to mourn her untimely death.

Clinton Daily Herald, June 3, 1904, p. 98

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Martin Henningsen will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with interment at Springdale.