Dr. Emanuel Augustus "Gus" Hennessee, II

Male 1863 - 1918  (54 years)


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  • Name Emanuel Augustus "Gus" Hennessee 
    Title Dr. 
    Suffix II 
    Birth 30 Dec 1863  Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Gender Male 
    Occupation Physician  [1
    Death 31 Jan 1918  Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Burial Glen Alpine Cemetery, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Person ID I1079  The Hennessee Family
    Last Modified 27 Apr 2013 

    Father Emanuel Augustus Hennessee,   b. 26 Mar 1826, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 May 1903, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 77 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth Caroline Johnson,   b. 18 Apr 1836, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 19 Aug 1889, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 53 years) 
    Marriage March 1854  (Burke County) North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Family ID F408  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Emily "Molly" Merriott,   b. 27 Sep 1867, Carter County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Jul 1912, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 44 years) 
    Marriage 18 Oct 1891  (Carter County, Tennessee) Find all individuals with events at this location  [6, 7
    Children 
     1. Minnie Alice Hennessee,   b. 8 Dec 1892, Shell Creek, Carter County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Dec 1896, Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 4 years)
     2. Eugene Lionel "Gene" Hennessee, Sr.,   b. 23 Jun 1894, Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Jan 1955, Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 60 years)
     3. Valentine Broadway "Val" Hennessee,   b. 18 Mar 1897, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Jan 1971, Greensboro, Guilford Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years)
     4. Charles Robert "Bob" Hennessee,   b. 9 Aug 1899, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 May 1973, Hazelhurst, Jeff Davis County, Georgia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years)
     5. William Nixon Hennessee,   b. 19 Dec 1900, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Mar 1983, Mount Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years)
     6. Aubrey Conrad "Conn" Hennessee,   b. 4 Feb 1903, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 9 Jul 1959, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 56 years)
     7. John Alexander Hennessee,   b. 22 Aug 1904, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 16 Mar 1978, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years)
     8. Emanuel Augustus "Gus" Hennessee, III,   b. 22 May 1906, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Apr 1996, Hazelhurst, Jeff Davis County, Georgia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 89 years)
     9. Frank Narcissus Hennessee,   b. 21 Feb 1908, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 0Sep 1986, Hazelhurst, Jeff Davis County, Georgia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)
     10. Patrick Henry "Henry" Hennessee,   b. 23 Mar 1910, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 0Oct 1973, Walthoursville, Georgia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 63 years)
     11. Ivison Merriott Hennessee,   b. 28 Jul 1912, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Aug 1913, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 1 year)
    Photos
    Sittin' on the porch...
    Sittin' on the porch...

    Emanuel Augustus Henneessee, II (1863-1918)
    Mary Emily Merriott Hennessee (1867-1912)

    Both of whom are buried at the Glen Alpine Cemetery, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina
    Family ID F469  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 30 Apr 2023 

    Family 2 Linnie Raye "Raye" Brinkley,   b. 12 Feb 1893, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Jan 1981, Alexandria, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 87 years) 
    Marriage 20 Dec 1912  Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Children 
     1. Albert Edward "Al" Hennessee Houk,   b. 20 May 1914, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Jan 2003 (Age 88 years)
     2. Nita Raye Hennessee,   b. 26 Aug 1916, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 6 May 2003, Maumee,OH Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 86 years)
    Photos
    Dr. Gus Hennessee's (1863-1918) Homeplace
    Dr. Gus Hennessee's (1863-1918) Homeplace
    in Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina.
    This is a recent photo, taken and contributed by Andrea Brooks,
    June 5, 2013

    Has it come to your attention that the long-abandoned-and-offered-for-sale early 20th Century Dr. Augustus Hennessee home handsomely over looking Glen Alpine, NC, finally has new owners?
    Purchaser is a family which with friends are making the house livable again.
    Hennessee cousin Caroline Ervin and her real estate agent daughter "Laura Ervin Mulwee" can provide more details...

    Manassa Nixon "Nick" Hennessee, III (1930- , HENNESSEE Researcher & Historian, nasnick@mindspring.com, sends these comments, December 31, 2015
    Family ID F409  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 30 Apr 2023 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 30 Dec 1863 - Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 18 Oct 1891 - (Carter County, Tennessee) Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 20 Dec 1912 - Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 31 Jan 1918 - Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Glen Alpine Cemetery, Glen Alpine, Burke County, North Carolina Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Emanuel & Molly Hennessee, circa 1901, Glen Alpine, North Carolina
    Emanuel & Molly Hennessee, circa 1901, Glen Alpine, North Carolina
    Emanuel Augustus Hennessee, II (1863-1918)
    Mary Emily Merriott Hennessee (1867-1912)

    Photo sent by Gene & Dreama Hennessee
    The Dr. Emanuel Hennessee homeplace in Glen Alpine, NC
    The Dr. Emanuel Hennessee homeplace in Glen Alpine, NC
    Photo taken at the turn of the 20th century...

    Provided by Gene & Dreama Hennessee
    Family Home of Dr. Emanuel Hennessee, II
    Family Home of Dr. Emanuel Hennessee, II
    Provided by Gene & Dreama Hennessee

  • Notes 
    • ------

      Cited from the monograph by Allen R. Hennessee:

      Emanuel A. "Gus" Hennessee

      studied medicine at U.S.Grant University and became a general practitioner and settled in Glen Alpine as a doctor around the turn of the century. In 1913 a bill for professional services rendered by Dr. Hennessee to a
      member of the Pitts family, resulted in a fight in which Gorman Pitts was killed by Dr. Hennessee. He was tried for murder and cleared on grounds of self-defense.He was killed in Jan. 1918 as he was leaving train No.21 on his return from Greensboro where he had been attending a patient.

      Garfield and Aaron Pitts were charged with the murder due to the feud that had grown between the families over the past years. The were tried in March, 1918 Erin Wiseman, who was found to have been hired by the Pitts family, was later convicted of the murder of Dr. Hennessee and sent to prison. Dr. Hennessee met his death in the same spot on which he killed Gorman Pitts some years before.

      ------
    • *

      Hennessee, Emanuel Augustus (Jr.)

      For many, life in post-Civil War South was difficult. Emanuel Augustus (Gus) Hennessee, Jr. (born December 30, 1863, Burke County, North Carolina) must have found it so. His father, Emanuel, Sr., had returned from the War partially paralyzed from a gunshot wound to the head, barely able to communicate. Mother Elizabeth Caroline became head of the household, a job she filled admirably.

      A special bond formed between mother and son. This was best reflected in a letter postmarked Rollins July 21, 1889, mailed to his post at Fort Riley, Kansas: "...all well only me", "...five long years to serve I fear I will be gon and never see you", and "...I want you to be a good boy & if I never see you in this world I hope to meet you in heaven God bless you I love you as Dear as a mother could love a child." In less than a month, by August 19, 1889, Elizabeth was dead from an undiagnosed ailment. Perhaps it was then that Gus vowed to become a doctor and help those he could.

      Enlisted October 1, 1883, Cincinnati, Ohio, Gus was promoted to the rank of Sergeant October 15, 1887. Described "character excellent, honest and faithful", Gus spent a total of 8 years in Troop G, 7th Regiment, at Fort Riley, 1 year in the Hospital Corps, Jefferson Barracks, Louisiana, and about 4 years in Battery D, 1st Artillery, Jackson Barracks, Louisiana. While with Troop G, Gus engaged in the Sioux War at Wounded Knee and White Clay Creek, South Dakota. These encounters heightened his desire to become a doctor.

      October 18, 1891, Gus married Mary Emily (Mollie) Merriott (b September 27, 1867, Carter County, Tennessee), daughter of James Merritt and Mary Ann Garrison. Their first child (and only daughter), Minnie Alice, was born in 1892, Shell Creek, Tennessee.

      1893-4 Catalog of U. S. Grant University lists Gus as a first year student in the Preparatory School at Athens, Tennessee. This was a first step toward fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

      By late 1899, children Eugene Lionel (1894 Athens-1955); Valentine Broadway (1897 New Orleans, Louisiana-1971); and Charles Robert (1899 New Orleans-1973) were added to the family. Sadly, Minnie Alice died in 1896 and was buried in Johnson City, Tennessee.

      Despite much responsibility and heartache, the 1900 annual catalog, Grant University, listed "E. A. Hennessee of Louisiana as a graduate of the Department of Medicine at Chattanooga, Tennessee, during 1899-1900."

      Gus obtained his license to practice medicine in 1902. He joined the State Medical Society in 1904 and became a Charter Member of the Burke County Medical Society. Proud of his new home in Glen Alpine and wishing to be near his growing family, Gus located his medical office on the grounds of his property.

      Gus obtained the reputation of fearless, courteous, and a dedicated doctor with a fine bedside manner. A natural psychologist, he was usually able to distinguish real ailments from psychosomatic. He was a healer who made some of his own medicine. Gus was willing to respond to calls 24 hours a day, in all forms of weather, and by any means of transportation to reach those in need.

      Children William Nixon (1900-1983); Aubrey Conrad (1903-1959); John Alexander (1904-1978); Emanuel Augustus III (1906-1996); Frank Narcissus (1908-1986); Patrick Henry (1910-1973); and Ivison Merriott (1912-1913) were all born in Burke County. The sudden and unexpected birth of Ivison, while Gus was away, took the life of Mollie July 28, 1912. Ivison died August 12, 1913, living just over a year.

      Gus married Linnie Raye (Raye) Brinkley (1893 Glen Alpine-1981), oldest daughter of James Marshall Brinkley and Minnie Rowe, December 20, 1912. Children Albert Edward (1914) and Nita Raye (1916) were added to the already large family.

      Ominous events now loomed on the family's horizon. Trouble developed in 1913 with former friends, possibly over an exchange of bills. A violent altercation eventually ensued, leading to one death and serious injury to Gus. Tried but acquitted on grounds of self-defense, Gus recovered and returned to his medical practice.

      With no further incidents, the tragedy that occurred January 31, 1918, was unexpected. Gus, asked to visit a patient at St. Leo's Hospital, Greensboro, was returning home on Train #21. Shortly after stepping onto the platform at Glen Alpine, Gus was shot and killed. Although others were first charged with his murder, they were acquitted. Later Aaron Wiseman of Avery County was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison. Wiseman was paroled in 1929.

      Gus was buried alongside Mollie in the old Methodist Church graveyard, Glen Alpine. The family, as a family, was destroyed by his death. The older children moved away. The younger children by Mollie, first cared for by relatives, followed. Traumatized by the events, Raye left Glen Alpine with her children. She rarely returned.

      Sources: Service Records U. S. Army; Marriage and Death Certificates; Hennessee Family Bible; Records Tennessee Wesleyan College, Athens (formerly U. S. Grant); "Transactions Medical Society of the State of North Carolina"; Asheville Times, News-Herald Articles 1918-19; Cleveland Star, Shelby; "In the Supreme Court, State vs Wiseman"; "Wiseman Commutation, Parole"; Family Records of Mary Jane Fielding Hennessee; and family remembrances.

      Nita H. Shepard
      206 Treetop Place
      Holland, Ohio 43528
      (419) 867 7439

      Picture enclosed:
      Dr. Emanuel Augustus Hennessee, Jr., born December 30, 1863-died January 31, 1918.
      Date picture taken and studio unknown.

      *


    • more...

      A COUNTRY DOCTOR'S LEDGER

      (PRACTICE IN BURKE COUNTY)
      1900-1918

      Introduction

      The concise ledger of Dr. E. A. Hennessee, Jr. highlights the 1900-1918 medical history of many patients from families living in the Burke County, North Caroline area during that period. Most of the patients were from the Glen Alpine area of North Carolina.

      The ledger provides some answers to questions, such as:
      O Who were the patients?
      O How much were the charges for medical care,
      medicine, and even dental care?
      O What were the forms of paying for these services?

      Challenges to the Doctor

      Dr. Hennessee was true Burke Countian. He was born in 1863 near the Catawba River just north of Morganton on his family's original land grant of 1778. During the Indian Wars, he served several tours in the Calvary, (scout in Sioux Campaign), hospital corps, and artillery.

      He was a graduate of Grant University (now Tennessee Wesley) with a Medical Degree in 1900. His education was self-supported and made more challenging by a growing family. "Molly", his first wife inspired his dedication to an education. The doctor obtained his license to practice medicine in 1902 and join the State Medical Society in 1994. Then, he became a younger charter member of the Burke County Medical Society (along with Dr. Phifer - the historian of Burke County). Proud of his new home in Glen Alpine and desiring to be near his growing family, he located his clinic on the grounds of his property.

      The Country Doctor

      Dr. Hennessee had the reputation of a fearless, courteous, and dedicated doctor with a fine bedside manner. A natural psychologist, he usually was able to distinguish real ailments from psychomatic. He was a healer who made some of his own medicine. The Doctor was willing to respond to calls 24 hours a day in all kinds of weather, and by any means of transportation (this included the first automobile in Burke County) to reach those in need. He is buried in the old Methodist Church graveyard in Glen Alpine.

      The Doctor's Ledger
      (See attachment)

      Provided by: Eugene L. Hennessee


      Donated in June of 2002 by: Recently deceased Mrs. Nita Raye Hennessee Houk Shepard of Holland, OH, daughter of Dr. Hennessee.

      Sources: The "Country Doctor" is based on Burke Country Heritage, Vol. II, 2002. A sketch compiled by Mrs. Nita Hennessee Shepard (Daughter of Dr, Hennessee).
      The "Country Doctor's Ledger" is based on Dr E. A. Hennessee's Ledger Book # 9, (1915-1918), analysis of the ledger by Mr. Eugene Hennessee, Jr. in 2002, and supplemental information mainly from Mr. Eugene Hennessee (son of Dr. Hennessee) 1948-1953.

      Documented by: Eugene L. Hennessee, Jr.

      DONATED TO BURKE COUNTY LIBRARY MUSEUM

      *
    • *

      Gus Hennessee's story is both a triumphant and tragic one. His father was partially paralyzed by a Civil War injury, and his mother died in her 50's of a mysterious ailment. Gus enlisted and was involved in the dealings at Wounded Knee. After service, Gus entered college to fulfill his goal of becoming a doctor.

      His first wife, Mollie Merriott (Mary Emily) died at the birth of their last child. Gus married Linnie Raye Brinkley and they had two children.

      In 1913, Gus was involved in a dispute with a man which resulted in his injury and death of the other man. Gus was acquitted as it was decided it was self-defense. But in 1918, as he was returning from visiting a patient in Greensboro, Gus was shot as he stepped off the train. The family were devastated by this and most of them moved away.

      (From Nita H. Shepard, Burke County Heritage II and the Morganton News Herald.)

      * [2]
    • more...

      THE FEUD BETWEEN THE HENNESSEE'S AND THE PITTS
      Dr. Emanuel Augustus Hennessee JR. "Gus"

      Gus Hennessee's story is both a triumphant and tragic one. His father was partially para-lyzed by a Civil War injury, and his mother died in her 50's of a mysterious ailment. Gus enlisted and was involved in the dealings at Wounded Knee. After service, Gus entered college to fulfill his goal of becoming a Medical Doctor.

      His first wife, Mollie Merriott (Mary Emily) died at the birth of their last child. Gus married Linnie Raye Brinkley and they had two children.

      Gus enlisted into the military October 1, 1883, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gus was promoted to the rank of Sergeant October 15, 1887. Described "character excellent, honest and faithful", Gus spent a total of 8 years in Troop G, 7th Regiment, at Fort Riley, 1 year in the Hospital Corps, Jefferson Barracks, Louisiana, and about 4 years in Battery D, 1st Artillery, at Jackson Barracks, Louisiana. While with Troop G, Gus engaged in the Sioux War at Wounded Knee and White Clay Creek, South Dakota. These encounters heightened his desire to become a Medical Doctor.

      After Dr. Hennessee help to complete the settlement at, Wounded knee, he decided to fulfill his long time dream of becoming a Medical Doctor.

      Below Is Emanuel & Molly Hennessee, 1901, Glen Alpine, North Carolina, on the porch at their house.

      In 1892 Dr. Hennessey entered medical school in the ,state of Tennessee. He obtained his license to practice medicine in 1902. he joined the state medical society in 1904. This made him a charter member of the Burke County medical Society. Up until this point, Dr. Henne-ssey had lived in several different sta-tes, and had sever-al kids. His intentions was, to have more kids. So he moved back to Glen Alpine North Caroline, which was the area that he was born , and grew up in. On the same property, he had his doctors office as well.

      In 1906, he built a large home, (see pictures below) which is still there today
      Notice the picture above, Dr. Hennessey is on his horseless Carriage. Back in those days, and automobile was referred to as a horseless carriage. Dr. Hennessee was one of the first persons to have a auto-mobile. It has been stated, that Gus was the first person to have a automobile in Burke County. Dr. Hennessee had the reputation of a fearless, courteous, and dedicated doctor with a fine bedside manner. A natural psychologist, he usually was able to distinguish real ail- ments from psychomatic. He was a healer who made some of his own medicine. The Doctor was willing to respond to calls 24 hours a day in all kinds of weather, and by any means of transportation (this included the first automobile in Burke County) to reach those in need.

      The next 13 years propose a very different challenge for a Dr. one day a dispute broke out between Dr. Emanuel Au-gustus Hennessee Junior, and the Pitts Family. Until this day, the cause of the conflict is not clear. As the old clichâe goes, there are at least two sides, to every story. One story is, a $.50 fee, for the rental off a Mule was not paid in a timely manner.The second story is, a doctors service was render-ed, but had not been paid for, in a timely manner.

      In 1913 the feud became deadly. Below, is a article from the St. Louis Post news-paper describing the incident.

      From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

      Raleigh, N. C. -- "He was the worst man I ever attended," said Dr. Hall in the Superior court of North Carolina, sitting at Morgantown, Burke County, in descry-being the hero of the most bloody feud fight ever recorded in the state. Then he gave a description of the beating up as follows: "Dr. Hennessey was shot near the left eye, there were two bullet wounds in the left shoulder, a ball had entered the left hip, his lower jaw was fractured in two places, a knife wound on the back of his hands had Severed the tendons, a bone was broken in his left hand, his scalp was lacerated to the bone in 14 places, the left ear was cut and bruised and his right ear was hanging by a shred of skin." Two of the 12 feudists were fined $500 each with an added $500 as court costs. The other 10 were fined $25 each. This was the latest chapter in the notorious

      Hennessey-Pitts feud, which has been waged for 10 years. The payment of these fines and costs canceled the obligat-ions of the feudists to the state of North Carolina, but, the judicial formality merely closed an incident of the feud itself, which now bid fair to go on.

      Martha Pitts, 27 , a typical rosy-cheeked mountain girl, sits alone in the home of her father, W. D. Pitts, at Glen Alpine, N. C. She was to have married Joe Hennessee, the physician's bother, who keeps the general store in competition with her father's store. After a lapse of 10 years, Martha Pitts is still a maid. She remains true to her first love, but holds her duty to her family and the feud above that of self.

      It was at Glen Alpine January 13, 1913 that the feud betw-een the Pitts and Hennessee burst into flames.Thirteen men and boys were engaged in age from 55 down to 11 and not one came out of the fight unscaved. Children with barely strength enough to lift rifles fought side by side with their elders. Years ago the Hennesses and Pitts had been warm friends. Farmers and proprietors of general country stores, the Pitts were prosperous and prominent in that section. Dr. E. A. Hennessee jr, head of his clan, was a practicing physician. The feud had its origin in a dispute about 50 cents for the hire of a mule in which Dr. Hennessee encountered W. D. Pitts, the country storekeeper.

      That was 10 years ago, but that quarrel has never been permitted to die. There were gory battles galore, but no Homicides until January 1913. That day Dr. Hennessee entered the Pitts store to buy a horse brush. His brother's store was out of horse brushes. His entrance into the gathering place of the Pitts faction aroused indignation and before the physician could make known his errand, two of the Pitts boys attac-ked him. Gorman Pitts seized the doctor and bent his body back aga-nst the counter, while Garfield Pitts struck him twice with a scale's weight, breaking his jawbone and knocking him insensible.

      He went home later and dressed his wounds. He took down a repeating rifle, buckled on his revolvers, slipped a surgeon's scalpel into his pocket and started out again. When he came in sight of the Pitts store, the feud cry of the Pitts clan rang out and the fight was on.The winch-ster came up from the crook rof the doctor's arm and then one of the Pitts followers doubled up with a bullet in his abdomen. Gorman Pitts threw an iron weight that struck Dr. Hennessee in the breast: then som-one came up struck him while he was dazed with a pair of brass knuc-kles. At close quarters, the doctor resorted to his surgeon's scalpel and stabbed Gorman in the stomach from which wound the man died in a few weeks. Abel Pitts struck the doctor with a club and Dr. Henne-ssee stabbed Abe in the shoul-der. Hennessee's brother and a Pitts boy were engaged in a rough and tumble fight nearby. A gun was fired from behi-nd the post office and Dr. Hennessey went down with a bullet in the shoulder. As he straightened up, Bud Pitts shot him in the leg. Gorman Pitts, badly wounded though he was, came up from behind the physician, placed a revolver within six inches of the doctor's head and attempted to shoot. The cartridge failed to explode and Hennessee knocked the weapon down with his injured hand. It then expl-oded and the shot went through the doctor's shoulder, narrowly missing the lung. Robert Hennessee, the doctor's young son, 11 years old, came into the fight and shot Gor-man Pitts who was beating the doctor about the head with the exploded revolver. Bud Pitts took away Robert Hennessee's weapon and struck the boy with the breach knocking him senseless in the road. Dr. Hennessey in the meantime had been knocked down with a club.

      When the trial was held, Dr. Hennessee was acquitted, on the grounds of selfdefense.

      The above text was taken verbatim from a copy of the St. Louis Post.

      On January 31,1918 while returning from visiting a patient in Green-sboro North Carolina, Dr. Hennessee was shot to death (He was shot 10 to 12 times at point blank range) as he stepped off the train in Glen Alpine.

      At the time of the murder, it was assumed that Aaron and Garfield Pitts was guilty of the murder, due to the fact that, they had a serious fight with Dr. Hennessee 5 years before, in which Dr. Hennes-see killed one of the Pitts brothers. They were both put on trial for murder, they both was found not guilty. Because, some time doing the trial, it was discovered that Bud Pitts had hired Aaron Wiseman of Avery County, to assassinate Dr. Hennessee. Aaron Wiseman was tried and found guilty of murdering Dr. Hennessee. He was sent-enced to death, which was later commuted to 30 years in prison. He was released in 1929, after only 12 years in prison. For his own privacy, he moved to another state.

      Gus was buried alongside Mollie in the old Methodist Church grave-yard, in Glen Alpine. The family was destroyed by his death. The older children moved away. The younger children by Mollie, first cared for by relatives, followed. Traumatized by the events, Raye left Glen Alpine with her children. She rarely returned.

      The picture below was taken several years before Dr. Hennessee built his house on the heel, south of the train depot. In this photo, the Glen Alpine Baptist Christ was located where Dr. Hennessee's house is today. The church was moved several hundred yards to the west in 1887, where it is located today. Notice in the photo, Bud Pitts’s market. Inside and outside the store, is where the largest, and blood-iest feud ever, in the history of North Carolina, took place, between two families, in 1913. To the right of Pitts’s market, sets a train depot. Dr.Hennessee was assassinated, as he got off the west bound train at the Glen Alpine depot, in 1918.

      More information can be found, about the Hennessee family, on the Hennessee genealogy website: www.thehennesseefamily.com

      end of biography [8]
    • I found the Probate record for him: <http://www.thehennesseefamily.com/getperson.php?personID=I1079&tree=hennessee> The documents within mention his children who were being cared for by various family members.

      <https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K78C-DMY>

      end of message [9]

  • Sources 
    1. [S1180] Gene & Dreama Hennessee | Family Group Records | 4237 West Enon Drive,Enon,OH 45323 | 513.864.7047 (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S2955] http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=hennessee&GSfn=emanuel&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=7608848.

    3. [S15086] Joseph Richardson Hennessee (1867-1942), Cemetery Profile, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=henness.

    4. [S15087] Emanuel Augustus Hennessee, Sr (1826-1903), Cemetery Profile, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14340572/emanuel-augus.

    5. [S1183] "KINCAID The Family of John Kincaid, Sr. (1710-1811) and Kincaids of the, p. 232 (Reliability: 3).

    6. [S38010] Hennessee,Gene & Dreama;Family Group Records,4237 West Enon Drive, (Reliability: 3).

    7. [S16873] Nita Shepard, letter & notes, dated, March 30, 1993.

    8. [S5072] http://glenalpinenc.net/history-of-glen-alpinesurrounding-area.html.

    9. [S10967] Stefani Hennessee, no1_decofan@hotmail.com, contributor, message received Sunday, March 2nd, 2017 and retrieved, recorde.